Day 61

Friday - A busy day. Retrived the bikes and stowed them on Barbara's Joy. Took all the fresh water we could hold. Secured the dinghy and motor on the fore deck. The dinghy and motor took some time to clean the slime from them.
Since we will be getting into the Everglades, we will not have cell or internet coverage. It may take about 3 or 4 days to get into cell range. Once we get to Fort Myers we will be back in range.

Day 60

Thursday- Made a decision to leave Marathon on Saturday. Heading to Little Snake River in the Everglades National Park. From there we will make our way to Naples, then to Fort Myers to cross over to the Caloosahatchee River. This will take us to Lake Okeechobee and out to the East Coast at Stuart, FL.

Day 59

Wednesday - I did not turn my phone on until 11:30am. Had three messages, all from Andree and Matt (Tict). They are a middel age couple from UK. We had met them in three or four places and became friends. They are headed for Cuba. They were at our marina by bus and were looking for us. We did get up with them and Tom Reagan (is he son of Ronald ?) for lunch. We may never see them again since after Cuba they are headed to South America.
Wednesday is also "met and greet" new boats to the harbor. We bring a dish and share food and stories.

Day 58

Tuesday - returned the car. Hurricane's (bar & grill) taco special is Tuesday nite. Low price beer and little tacos. Not bad !













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Day 56

Sunday - Got roped into going to a Quilting Fair. Had a "GREAT" time, HA HA . Since we had the car Barbara found another couple that was interested. Slow day.

Day 57

Monday - Last full day for the car. Needed to accomplish alot. Got going early. Found a good laundrymat. There as it opened. While Barbara was doing the wash, I was running around to collect parts. We were both done by lunch time and enjoyed a recomended lunch at the Colony Key Inn. One of the best meals we have had. Dolfin and Shrimp Scampi. Later we needed to go to Publix to stock up the boat. We should be leaving Saturday or Sunday for the West Coast of Florida. We will stop in the Everglades National Park, go to Everglades City, then on to Sanibel Island.
These pictures are taken in a small park near where we had lunch.

Day 55

Saturday - Needed to venture farther. Rented a car for three days. Checked out the Nautical Flee Market in Islemorada. Spent most of the day. Met Captain Sam Crutchfield who signs when he 's not fishing. Good CD ! This flee market is the biggest this on the Keys. Blocked traffic for 2 miles each direction and that lasted most of the day. Runs Saturday & Sunday.
Eat dinner on the Gulf Bay at a Marina. It's outside but the food is very good. Good view of the bay.

Day 54

Friday - Barbara got her hair cut by a "resident boater" who actually cuts hair but does not have a license in FL. It's done on the QT. Then lunch at Annette's where you get a bowl of spaghetti for $5.00 with lots of meatballs.We dinghy to Burdines for dinner. It's a Chiki Tiki Bar & Grill. It over looks Boot Key Waterway. Here are some pictures of our group at dinner

Day 52 & 53

Wednesday - spoke with a resident of 50 years. He was having his 87 birthday. The "cruiser's net" announced it so most people wished him well. He has been living on his boat all this time.
Thursday - needed to do a water run and fill up the fresh water tank. Not much happening. Nice weather.

Day 51

Tuesday - Laundry day. Barbara sat and waited for a free washer and I walked to a shop to pick up some parts. Then walked to Home Depot to get more things.
The laundry took most of the afternoon since some machines are "out of order" and other dryers are not very hot.
It was a windy day and needed to get ahead of the wash.
Met a few couples that were very nice and provided good info.

Day 50

Monday - Lazy day. Packed lunch and went for a dinghy ride. Barbara walked the beach on the ocean side and I fished for the first time. Little action in the ocean therefore, picked up Barbara, eat lunch and headed for the mangroves.
Started trolling through the channel in the mangroves. Didn't expect much since the advice was to use live bait, not artificals. Ten minutes later we had our first fish. Not big but eatable. We needed to ID the fish to determine minium size limit. We asked another fisherman who were local. It's a keeper. Proceeded to catch 2 more. Enough for dinner and lunch. And they say you must use live bait!!
Got back to the boat and determined that we had caught pompano. These fish cost just $47.00, until I catch more and amortize my license.
These were good eating fish !!

Day 49

The City Marina we are at built a building that will provide showers, bathrooms and laundry facilities. A very important building since the old one is in need of repair. We were told that the new building would be in service by February 15. Well it seems that they never got the sewer permit. Usually the city is the one to hold up everyone else. Tallahassey seems to be holding up the opening of the new building. No one knows why. But we don't have new showers.
Another lazy day. I did some minor repair/maintenance requiring me to walk to Home Depot. But all is back in order.
Met some nice people and Barbara learned "Bolderdash". Barbara is also reading quite a lot which is good.
Took showers at the marina and had HOT water. A rare treat.

Day 48

 
 
 
 
Left the boat by 7:30 am to get to the northbound bus for Islamorada. It leaves from Publix and will go all the way to Florida City. Cost is only $2.35 each way, no matter where you depart. Our taxes at work.
Here are some pictures of the day.
We checked out some possible stops for the way north. But we may be making a detour. Due to the congestion in Miami and north to Lake Worth, we may be heading up the west side of Florida and cross the middle of the state. More info if we decide to take that route.
Today we made it back to Publix, shopped and using the dinghy, take some heavy items back to the boat by dinghy.

Day 47

Lazy day to start. Warm with little wind. More boats left for Bimini, Mexico and Hondorus.
After lunch we took a dinghy ride exploring Sister's Creek and adjacent canels.
Woundered for some time when we came upon a large mangrove loaded with iguana. Some at least 2 feet long. They seemed to be catching the warmth of the sun. So I turned the dinghy around and got a little to close, according to Barbara. she was concerned that they would fall or jump into the boat. This livened up the afternoon.
The canels have beauitful homes and large yachts. The canels have deep water and good width, at least good enough for 70 foot yachts.

Day 46

Thursday - Returned to Key West. Got up early to catch the southbound bus for Key West. We were at the bus stop at 7:45 am. This visit we had a plan for the day.
Barbara brought a swim suite and I got first hand knowledge of where to eat, what to see and where to go from the owner of the swim suite store. Her suggestion was to also check out the sandle shop which makes them on the premises. They are not sold anywhere except Key West. Since they made her size, she took home a pair. See a photo of the sandle shop.
We visited the Custom House Museum (photo of red brick building) The figurines (see photo)were in the back of the Customs House on the way to the cruise ships (see photo).
Ate lunch at Pier House Resort (photo of Barbara & me)
Visited Mel Fisher Maritime Museum (photos of Barbara & me with a cannon).

Day 44 & 45

Tuesday - Invited the Morrows over to repay the retrival of the dinghy. Therefore, we had to shop.

Wednesday - Walked around to collect some parts and oil.

Day 43

Monday - Made the bus to Key West. About 45 miles from Marathon.
It took some time to figure out the system, but we did it. A secondary bus system operates throught Key West proper.
Had lunch and a few drinks at Conch Republic. A recomended resturant viewing the Gulf side of Key West Harbor. Pigeons roam freely throughout the resturant since it is mostly open air. Florida's health department doesn't seem to be very active. Lots of different types in Key West. Daval Street is a main drag where you can eat, drink, watch and be watched. It's crowded, good ice cream and some fine cigars.
Made it bach to the boat by dark.
Good day !

Day 42

Sunday - need to do wash. Found another laundry recomended by friends that may be better. It's a little far by dinghy but we got all day.
It was better. Completed the wash quickly. Had time for a shower too. Tomorrow we will try the city bus to Key West.

Day 40 & 41

The wind is getting down to 20 mph. A forcast of good weather seems to stay ahead of us. Next week is a better forcast.
We are getting over our colds and whatever. Not much happening.
Barbara has her noise in a book, as you can see by the photo.

Days 38 & 39

More wind today and tomorrow and the next day.
Barbara develpoed a cold so I am trying to avoid her. She is the whole crew, the first mate, galley slave and many more important positions. With her ill, the captain must step down to the vacant positions and do everything. The poor captain !
We are having a very cold time. They tell us it will only get warmer.
Not much happening. Making some plans. Reading and doing sudoku takes up the spare time.

Days 36 & 37

Monday - more wind but it does not keep us from going ashore. A walk to Home Depot. Just a lazy day.
Tuesday - most exciting thing today was a pump out. Actually, we are not looking for excitment. If the wind would stop, I could fish. I would like to off set the fishing fees.
Good night !
Here is an earlier photo of Barbara TAKING OVER !

Day 35

Superbowl Sunday ! Slept late to make up for Saturday morning. Lazy day. Dinghy ride to the ocean to check out the beach. Lots of manetee signs but no manetees. Seems they put these signs where high price properties are to make the boats go slow.
Took dinghy to Castaways resturant where we watched the game and ate sushi. Good day !

Day 34

Saturday morning got a lot of wind. 3 am got up to checked on things. Found the dinghy line secondary knot untied and dinghy secured by only the primary knot. Retied to bed. 6 am checked things and found the dinghy GONE, big problem. Line broke. It seems the dinghy wanted to leave. Couldn't do anything in the dark, went back to bed. Barbara got up about 7 am to go pottie. She spotted a dinghy behind us in the mangroves. We hailed the "Two Morrows",a boat next to us, and asked for assistance. Larry and I took his dinghy and rescued my dinghy. Lots of wind , motor shaft well grounded, we had some time getting it back to the Barbara's Joy. Here is a photo of the run away dinghy. By the way, the dinghy went on the boat Saturday night as punishment. I will teach that dinghy! Anyhow, we are more watchful of the dinghy.