Day 231, March 31st, 2010
Quiet night, no wind! We left the boat just before 9:30 and dinghied up to Border's, the Book Store to use their free wifi! We're still here at 1:00 p.m. having done the e-mail thing and got up to date on the dear Blog!!! (That's the problem when you're so long winded!!!)
We're going back to the Mall this afternoon. The gelato ice cream bar looked too good. Maybe I'll find some shoes and a purse?
This evening we'll dinghy over to the marina at Las Olas Blvd. and maybe run into Monkey Girl, the American tug - Bill and Laura may still be there!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Middle River
Day 230, March 30th, 2010
Woke up to clear blue skies and no humidity! A pleasant day motoring up the ICW to Middle River. Back to the lovely anchorage we had visited going south.
After lunch we found a good little beach to tie up the dinghy and walked across the road to a lovely mall. I found a nice dress in Macy's! A lovely mall with all kinds of lovely shops! All I need now is accessories!!
Woke up to clear blue skies and no humidity! A pleasant day motoring up the ICW to Middle River. Back to the lovely anchorage we had visited going south.
After lunch we found a good little beach to tie up the dinghy and walked across the road to a lovely mall. I found a nice dress in Macy's! A lovely mall with all kinds of lovely shops! All I need now is accessories!!
Pics: Fort Lauderdale docks with cruise ship on right, far left there's a container ship being turned around in the channel by two tugs. The picture of the dinghy is interesting. There was a grandpa and his grandson with a black lab. in a "Carolina Skiff". The contraption on the side of the boat is a swim platform for the dog. They lower it into the water and the dog can jump out of the boat, onto the platform and jump easily into the water. Getting out of the water was just as easy for him. He was an 8 month old pup. He will be trained as a seeing eye dog, their 2nd. The boy threw a ball into the water and the dog swam to retrieve. We only saw him do it twice - the grandpa said he thought the dog was tired as he'd run all morning!
Baker's Haulover.
Day 229, March 29th, 2010
It was pretty windy in the night, with some heavy rain. We had intended to move on but both reckoned it might be better to stay put. When we turned the weather channel on for the forecast, the decision was easily made - Tornado warning! We let out more rode to 120 ft. and sat tight. Again, it seemed a bit of an anti climax as the tornado blew through into the Atlantic and we were just left with strong winds and torrential rain off and on all day. No trouble, we read our books and played Scrabble.
After supper (hamburger stew with a loaf of John's homemade bread!), we went to another small beach and hiked a pretty trail through the bush. It was good to get some exercise and fresh air.
It was pretty windy in the night, with some heavy rain. We had intended to move on but both reckoned it might be better to stay put. When we turned the weather channel on for the forecast, the decision was easily made - Tornado warning! We let out more rode to 120 ft. and sat tight. Again, it seemed a bit of an anti climax as the tornado blew through into the Atlantic and we were just left with strong winds and torrential rain off and on all day. No trouble, we read our books and played Scrabble.
After supper (hamburger stew with a loaf of John's homemade bread!), we went to another small beach and hiked a pretty trail through the bush. It was good to get some exercise and fresh air.
Baker's Haulover Inlet
Day 227, March 29th, 2010
It took us a while to get the anchor up - it was firmly stuck down in the mud that morning! Always a good problem to have, considering yesterday's shenanigans!!! It was a lovely day again with lots of wind. We used half the jib and motor sailed up the ICW to Baker's Haulover Inlet where there is a lovely anchorage by Oleta River State Park on the one side and a campus of Florida State University to the other. We were able to tuck in out of the wind and it felt good. There were quite a few boats surrounding us but we still had adequate swing room.
We'd been here before 4 years ago and it was good to be back. We dinghied to shore and walked around the park. It was busy with Sunday picnicers. Families barbecuing and having fun.
The sky was overcast but the wind was warm. There were lots of children in the water at the beach and everybody was having a good time. There are lots of nature trails. A triathlon had been organized that morning. You can still rent kayaks and bikes from a site on the park grounds - it used to be an old shack but they've just finished a brand new smart building, where we found an ice cream each!! After exploring the park by foot we explored the shoreline by dinghy, meandering around the mangroves.
By evening many of the boats had upanchored and gone home, leaving us quiet and secure.
It took us a while to get the anchor up - it was firmly stuck down in the mud that morning! Always a good problem to have, considering yesterday's shenanigans!!! It was a lovely day again with lots of wind. We used half the jib and motor sailed up the ICW to Baker's Haulover Inlet where there is a lovely anchorage by Oleta River State Park on the one side and a campus of Florida State University to the other. We were able to tuck in out of the wind and it felt good. There were quite a few boats surrounding us but we still had adequate swing room.
We'd been here before 4 years ago and it was good to be back. We dinghied to shore and walked around the park. It was busy with Sunday picnicers. Families barbecuing and having fun.
The sky was overcast but the wind was warm. There were lots of children in the water at the beach and everybody was having a good time. There are lots of nature trails. A triathlon had been organized that morning. You can still rent kayaks and bikes from a site on the park grounds - it used to be an old shack but they've just finished a brand new smart building, where we found an ice cream each!! After exploring the park by foot we explored the shoreline by dinghy, meandering around the mangroves.
By evening many of the boats had upanchored and gone home, leaving us quiet and secure.
Oh yes! One funny thing - while sitting in the cockpit reading our books, a young couple came over to chat when they saw the Canadian flag. Apparently they were both raised in Canada but came down to Florida to work - both were members of the police force, he was a homicide detective and she was a CSI. We told them we'd been watching out for Horatio Kane's Hummer all the time we were in Miami but didn't see him. The young lady said she didn't have a Hummer but drove a van instead!! The young fella knew Collingwood well, having skied in Collingwood many times while his grandfather was alive! Small world!
Venetian Causeway
Day 229, March 27th, 2010
Woke up early, shortly after 5:00 with loud voices outside. A boat with several guys aboard was having difficulty anchoring. Couldn't figure out what they were doing. The captain was yelling at his crew with some pretty blue language! Then they were going round and round the anchorage in a muddled kind of way. It was pretty obvious they didn't really know what they were doing! Thankfully they ended up quite a distance from Periwinkle!
A lovely sunny day again today. We walked down Lincoln Mall, stopping in some dress shops to try a few dresses. (An important wedding coming up - a Mom must find something good for her son's wedding!) Nothing seemed right. We walked to the beach and along the beach to Ocean Blvd. Lots of people on the beach now! Had lunch in a sidewalk cafe on Ocean Blvd. and then walked back.
Then we went for a long dinghy ride up and around the canals north of the anchorage. Found a lovely quiet anchorage surrounded by beautiful homes. If we were coming back, that would be a good spot! We got a bit lost in the end, coming out north of the Julia Tuttle Bridge on the ICW a couple of hours later!
Back on Periwinkle, we were invited over for sundowners to "Ekotopia", our immediate neighbours - Karl and Laura. Were having a great chat with them when we noticed the two boats behind us were in trouble again. John and Karl had already tried to help by letting out more rode on the one boat. ( The same boat involved in the early morning troubles - we'd noticed on our return that nobody was home on either boat.) The boat nearer to us seemed to have dragged back onto the other, and now they were somewhat entangled. Not knowing exactly what the liability issues were, we did not want to interfere without an owner's okay.
However, fortunately the one guy got back. John and Karl went over to help and they managed to push the one boat away and reanchor the other. It wasn't to be the end of it though. He dragged again and they were banging again! John to the rescue again and this time the reanchoring was successful! What goings on! Never a dull moment! While John was helping this fellow, Karl went off to help another guy fend off another boat and let out more rode!
Woke up early, shortly after 5:00 with loud voices outside. A boat with several guys aboard was having difficulty anchoring. Couldn't figure out what they were doing. The captain was yelling at his crew with some pretty blue language! Then they were going round and round the anchorage in a muddled kind of way. It was pretty obvious they didn't really know what they were doing! Thankfully they ended up quite a distance from Periwinkle!
A lovely sunny day again today. We walked down Lincoln Mall, stopping in some dress shops to try a few dresses. (An important wedding coming up - a Mom must find something good for her son's wedding!) Nothing seemed right. We walked to the beach and along the beach to Ocean Blvd. Lots of people on the beach now! Had lunch in a sidewalk cafe on Ocean Blvd. and then walked back.
Then we went for a long dinghy ride up and around the canals north of the anchorage. Found a lovely quiet anchorage surrounded by beautiful homes. If we were coming back, that would be a good spot! We got a bit lost in the end, coming out north of the Julia Tuttle Bridge on the ICW a couple of hours later!
Back on Periwinkle, we were invited over for sundowners to "Ekotopia", our immediate neighbours - Karl and Laura. Were having a great chat with them when we noticed the two boats behind us were in trouble again. John and Karl had already tried to help by letting out more rode on the one boat. ( The same boat involved in the early morning troubles - we'd noticed on our return that nobody was home on either boat.) The boat nearer to us seemed to have dragged back onto the other, and now they were somewhat entangled. Not knowing exactly what the liability issues were, we did not want to interfere without an owner's okay.
However, fortunately the one guy got back. John and Karl went over to help and they managed to push the one boat away and reanchor the other. It wasn't to be the end of it though. He dragged again and they were banging again! John to the rescue again and this time the reanchoring was successful! What goings on! Never a dull moment! While John was helping this fellow, Karl went off to help another guy fend off another boat and let out more rode!
Pics: the marina beside us a Venetian Causeway, and the gorgeous house, just one of many in the area!!
Venetian Causeway
Day 228, March 26th, 2010
In the morning we went off to the library to get on-line. Did some business, wrote up the Blog and checked e-mails etc. My goodness it takes a long time! Afterwards we got some groceries and eventually ended up back at the boat. Having taken care of business we planned on having a more fun day tomorrow.
In the morning we went off to the library to get on-line. Did some business, wrote up the Blog and checked e-mails etc. My goodness it takes a long time! Afterwards we got some groceries and eventually ended up back at the boat. Having taken care of business we planned on having a more fun day tomorrow.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Venetian Causeway, Miami
Day 227, March 25th, 2010
We dropped the ball just after 9:00 and motor sailed back into the ICW and back to Venetian Causeway. Quite a few boats in the anchorage but we found a nice little spot and set the anchor. Funny how it almost feels like home to be back!
John was busy in the afternoon going on a fuel run but I was totally lazy and read my book in the cockpit. Lovely sunshine. A couple of neighbours dropped by to say hello and make sure we knew where everything is. Nothing very exciting but very pleasant all the same! While we were sitting in the cockpit, this family passed by - I'd never seen anything quite like this before - Dad and baby in the dinghy and Mom kayaking beside! It looked funny!
We dropped the ball just after 9:00 and motor sailed back into the ICW and back to Venetian Causeway. Quite a few boats in the anchorage but we found a nice little spot and set the anchor. Funny how it almost feels like home to be back!
John was busy in the afternoon going on a fuel run but I was totally lazy and read my book in the cockpit. Lovely sunshine. A couple of neighbours dropped by to say hello and make sure we knew where everything is. Nothing very exciting but very pleasant all the same! While we were sitting in the cockpit, this family passed by - I'd never seen anything quite like this before - Dad and baby in the dinghy and Mom kayaking beside! It looked funny!
Dinner Key
Day 226, March 24th, 2010
We left Boca Chita around 10:00 and headed up Biscayne Bay. It was my turn to helm and I knew this would be one of the last days to really sail for a long time. With the wind on the nose I really didn't care. The wind was steady around 15 knots and the water so beautiful - I was quite prepared to tack all day if needed! However, we only tacked twice and then the wind shifted 45 degrees which gave us a beam reach all the way up to Dinner Key. It was so good! A sail to remember. You can certainly understand why Biscayne Bay is so popular to boaters.
We arrived around 1:00 and picked up a mooring buoy at the Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove. We were starving hungry so after checking in we walked to the town centre of Coconut Grove and found a great hamburger joint. It looks like a pretty upscale area, lots of little boutiques. We enjoyed walking around and then found the Fresh Market, a really great grocery store.
We left Boca Chita around 10:00 and headed up Biscayne Bay. It was my turn to helm and I knew this would be one of the last days to really sail for a long time. With the wind on the nose I really didn't care. The wind was steady around 15 knots and the water so beautiful - I was quite prepared to tack all day if needed! However, we only tacked twice and then the wind shifted 45 degrees which gave us a beam reach all the way up to Dinner Key. It was so good! A sail to remember. You can certainly understand why Biscayne Bay is so popular to boaters.
We arrived around 1:00 and picked up a mooring buoy at the Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove. We were starving hungry so after checking in we walked to the town centre of Coconut Grove and found a great hamburger joint. It looks like a pretty upscale area, lots of little boutiques. We enjoyed walking around and then found the Fresh Market, a really great grocery store.
Bocca Chita
Day 225, March 23rd, 2010
Today we moved onto Bocca Chita, in Biscayne Bay. Motor sailed most of the way in the lovely sunshine. Found a good place on the wall and tied up. Bocca Chita is now a park with a nice little beach on the ocean side. It was privately owned back in 1930 and developed as a party island. The lighthouse was never actually commissioned. The State of Florida bought the island in the 1970s and its really a lovely spot to stay. Its costs $20 to stay the night - on an honour system.
Bill and Kathy from Skeeter anchored outside on Sand Key but came to visit for sundowners by dinghy. We had a great visit with them, hearing all about their voyages to Guatemala, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Today we moved onto Bocca Chita, in Biscayne Bay. Motor sailed most of the way in the lovely sunshine. Found a good place on the wall and tied up. Bocca Chita is now a park with a nice little beach on the ocean side. It was privately owned back in 1930 and developed as a party island. The lighthouse was never actually commissioned. The State of Florida bought the island in the 1970s and its really a lovely spot to stay. Its costs $20 to stay the night - on an honour system.
Bill and Kathy from Skeeter anchored outside on Sand Key but came to visit for sundowners by dinghy. We had a great visit with them, hearing all about their voyages to Guatemala, Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Tarpon Basin, Key Largo
Day 224, March 22rd, 2010
Got up in the morning and off we went to the Paradise Pub, across from the marina, for their $1.99 breakfast. On the way however, we noticed a boat anchored close to the dock with a Thunder Bay registration. Of course, we had to stop and say hi and they invited us back for a chat on their 43' Shucker on our return! Its a small world!
Breakfast was as yummy as before! Then we took our computer into the Monroe County building there and used their free wifi to catch up on the blog and look at our e-mails!! That took the rest of the morning!!!
We had a nice visit on the Shucker. It turned out Kathy and Bill knew all kinds of people we know!!! They used to own Sweet Bess but now have "Skeeter". They send their best wishes to Pea Soup and also to Rick and Sue Schultz in Owen Sound!!!
Then we took the dinghy back to the canals to look for manatees. This time I'd brought the camera. We went up and down the canals and I was so afraid I wouldn't see any like last time.
Then there was one big one in the main canal but he wouldn't come too close. I was just kicking myself I'd missed the opportunity last time we were here. Then John drove up one little canal and we saw them!!!! There was a dripping fresh water tap on a dock and there was big Mama sucking back the water. Baby was right beside her. We turned off the engine and maneuvered close with a paddle, so that John could hold onto the boat lift right beside her. We must have stood there for 15 minutes at least taking endless photos, mesmerized by these amazing animals. It wasn't long before 2 other big adults joined them. They were right beside the boat, under the boat, I was so excited. Amazing that even though they went under the dinghy repeatedly we never felt a thing. We could hear Mama slurping back the water, she was the real boozer, and when she opened her nostrils and snorted John reckoned her breath was none too sweet!!! I shall never forget it!
Got up in the morning and off we went to the Paradise Pub, across from the marina, for their $1.99 breakfast. On the way however, we noticed a boat anchored close to the dock with a Thunder Bay registration. Of course, we had to stop and say hi and they invited us back for a chat on their 43' Shucker on our return! Its a small world!
Breakfast was as yummy as before! Then we took our computer into the Monroe County building there and used their free wifi to catch up on the blog and look at our e-mails!! That took the rest of the morning!!!
We had a nice visit on the Shucker. It turned out Kathy and Bill knew all kinds of people we know!!! They used to own Sweet Bess but now have "Skeeter". They send their best wishes to Pea Soup and also to Rick and Sue Schultz in Owen Sound!!!
Then we took the dinghy back to the canals to look for manatees. This time I'd brought the camera. We went up and down the canals and I was so afraid I wouldn't see any like last time.
Then there was one big one in the main canal but he wouldn't come too close. I was just kicking myself I'd missed the opportunity last time we were here. Then John drove up one little canal and we saw them!!!! There was a dripping fresh water tap on a dock and there was big Mama sucking back the water. Baby was right beside her. We turned off the engine and maneuvered close with a paddle, so that John could hold onto the boat lift right beside her. We must have stood there for 15 minutes at least taking endless photos, mesmerized by these amazing animals. It wasn't long before 2 other big adults joined them. They were right beside the boat, under the boat, I was so excited. Amazing that even though they went under the dinghy repeatedly we never felt a thing. We could hear Mama slurping back the water, she was the real boozer, and when she opened her nostrils and snorted John reckoned her breath was none too sweet!!! I shall never forget it!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Lignum Vitae Key
Day 223, March 21, 2010
I had really wanted to walk the nature trails on Lignum Vitae on the way down but they close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the weather was so awful we didn't stick around. (That was the time we spent on the mooring buoys at Shell Key.) So John and I left the boat in the dinghy at 9:30 and dinghied around the island to the big dock. Lignum Vitae is a Botanical State Park and is the only remaining key left untouched. Its really quite beautiful, named after the Lignum Vitae tree - "Tree of Life". They have tours at 10:00 and 2:00 Thursday to Monday and you are only allowed to use the trails with one of the Rangers as guide. We spent a very pleasant hour or so learning about the trees: the lignum vitae which has such oils it was used as a bearing lubricant in years past, the poisonwood tree - in the same family as poison oak and poison ivy but treble the strength, even in its fallen leaves, the pigeon plum which looks very similar to the poisonwood but has a fruit the raccoons like to eat, the gumbo limbo with its red flaking bark - "just like the tourists, its red and peals!", the black pine which is so dense it sinks in water, the strangling fig which can literally strangle its host tree, as well as barbed wire cactus and some other bits that went in one ear and out the other. The Ranger was a really interesting guy who obviously loved his job and his trees! There is no treatment for the mosquitoes on Lignum Vitae, so they can be very bad in the summer due to the "Solution Pits", which are depressions in the coral where stagnant water collects. He and his family "do a lot of running" during the summer!
The weather forecast wasn't so good for the evening and Monday, so we up anchored on our return to the boat and made our way to Tarpon Basin where we knew there would be shelter all around. It was a lovely afternoon. My day at the helm. We motor sailed when we could but it gets very shallow at several points so we put the sail away at times. 0.1foot beneath the keel is not very comfortable!! But it really was a gorgeous afternoon to be on the water and I couldn't help but feel how incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to be there!
We got into Tarpon Basin around 4:00 and anchored very close to where we were before. It was such a beautiful evening we sat in the cockpit with a rum and coke and read our books. Barbecued steak for supper and then I just managed to beat John at Dominoes.
The lightening and thunder started around 8:00 but the rain didn't come until we were in bed.
Then the lightening and thunder came smashing and cracking right overhead. It was hard to concentrate on our books! However, it passed without incident and the anchor held and we went to sleep!
What a great day it had been!
I had really wanted to walk the nature trails on Lignum Vitae on the way down but they close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and the weather was so awful we didn't stick around. (That was the time we spent on the mooring buoys at Shell Key.) So John and I left the boat in the dinghy at 9:30 and dinghied around the island to the big dock. Lignum Vitae is a Botanical State Park and is the only remaining key left untouched. Its really quite beautiful, named after the Lignum Vitae tree - "Tree of Life". They have tours at 10:00 and 2:00 Thursday to Monday and you are only allowed to use the trails with one of the Rangers as guide. We spent a very pleasant hour or so learning about the trees: the lignum vitae which has such oils it was used as a bearing lubricant in years past, the poisonwood tree - in the same family as poison oak and poison ivy but treble the strength, even in its fallen leaves, the pigeon plum which looks very similar to the poisonwood but has a fruit the raccoons like to eat, the gumbo limbo with its red flaking bark - "just like the tourists, its red and peals!", the black pine which is so dense it sinks in water, the strangling fig which can literally strangle its host tree, as well as barbed wire cactus and some other bits that went in one ear and out the other. The Ranger was a really interesting guy who obviously loved his job and his trees! There is no treatment for the mosquitoes on Lignum Vitae, so they can be very bad in the summer due to the "Solution Pits", which are depressions in the coral where stagnant water collects. He and his family "do a lot of running" during the summer!
The weather forecast wasn't so good for the evening and Monday, so we up anchored on our return to the boat and made our way to Tarpon Basin where we knew there would be shelter all around. It was a lovely afternoon. My day at the helm. We motor sailed when we could but it gets very shallow at several points so we put the sail away at times. 0.1foot beneath the keel is not very comfortable!! But it really was a gorgeous afternoon to be on the water and I couldn't help but feel how incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to be there!
We got into Tarpon Basin around 4:00 and anchored very close to where we were before. It was such a beautiful evening we sat in the cockpit with a rum and coke and read our books. Barbecued steak for supper and then I just managed to beat John at Dominoes.
The lightening and thunder started around 8:00 but the rain didn't come until we were in bed.
Then the lightening and thunder came smashing and cracking right overhead. It was hard to concentrate on our books! However, it passed without incident and the anchor held and we went to sleep!
What a great day it had been!
We're Off!
Day 222, March 20th, 2010
I'd had that itchy feeling since Pea Soup left to get moving again, but it was so sad to say goodbye to Marathon. We certainly had some fun there and met so many wonderful people.
As we pulled out of the harbour, it seemed as if every view had a memory. We shall miss it!
We left about 10:00 a.m. and motor sailed to Lignum Vitae Key. John was at the helm while I finished a good book! It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and a good wind. Just as we were coming around the 7 mile bridge John saw 2 sea turtles swimming. He called out each time but I missed them both! But I did see two dolphins a distance behind us! It always seems so special when we see the wildlife!
We arrived around 4:00 hoping to pick up one of two mooring buoys at Lignumvitae but both were taken. However, the weather forecast was good with winds out of the east and south east, so we dropped the anchor with no worries. I went for a quick reconnoitre in the dinghy and then we had supper and John trounced me at Dominoes! A good day.
I'd had that itchy feeling since Pea Soup left to get moving again, but it was so sad to say goodbye to Marathon. We certainly had some fun there and met so many wonderful people.
As we pulled out of the harbour, it seemed as if every view had a memory. We shall miss it!
We left about 10:00 a.m. and motor sailed to Lignum Vitae Key. John was at the helm while I finished a good book! It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and a good wind. Just as we were coming around the 7 mile bridge John saw 2 sea turtles swimming. He called out each time but I missed them both! But I did see two dolphins a distance behind us! It always seems so special when we see the wildlife!
We arrived around 4:00 hoping to pick up one of two mooring buoys at Lignumvitae but both were taken. However, the weather forecast was good with winds out of the east and south east, so we dropped the anchor with no worries. I went for a quick reconnoitre in the dinghy and then we had supper and John trounced me at Dominoes! A good day.
Our Last day in Marathon
Day 221, March 19th, 2010
Our last day in Marathon. Lots of do today to get ready to move. In the morning I did the laundry while John looked after topping up the propane tank and filling up the gas and water tanks.
All that work caused us to get hungry so we went to "Annette's" for the $5.00 lunch! Then off to Publix for food and drinks, brought back to the boat in a grocery cart (no we didn't steal it, they have some at the marina for that purpose!). By the time we got the groceries put away it was time to go to "Nautilus" for supper.
We had a great evening with Al and Rosie on Nautilus. Their friends Ken and Jan were also there having driven down from Islamorada where they have a condo. We had a lovely meal and then a game of "Catch Phrase". That was a laugh! We also saw pictures of Nautilus when they bought her. She was hit by a hurricane and had spent a week on the bottom with a big hole punched through her starboard hull. My goodness Al and Rosie have done an amazing job of repairing and refitting their boat over the last couple of winters. What an undertaking! As Jan said "They are visionaries!" The picture above is Nautilus - the big white trawler.
Our last day in Marathon. Lots of do today to get ready to move. In the morning I did the laundry while John looked after topping up the propane tank and filling up the gas and water tanks.
All that work caused us to get hungry so we went to "Annette's" for the $5.00 lunch! Then off to Publix for food and drinks, brought back to the boat in a grocery cart (no we didn't steal it, they have some at the marina for that purpose!). By the time we got the groceries put away it was time to go to "Nautilus" for supper.
We had a great evening with Al and Rosie on Nautilus. Their friends Ken and Jan were also there having driven down from Islamorada where they have a condo. We had a lovely meal and then a game of "Catch Phrase". That was a laugh! We also saw pictures of Nautilus when they bought her. She was hit by a hurricane and had spent a week on the bottom with a big hole punched through her starboard hull. My goodness Al and Rosie have done an amazing job of repairing and refitting their boat over the last couple of winters. What an undertaking! As Jan said "They are visionaries!" The picture above is Nautilus - the big white trawler.
Party Day!!
Day 220, March 18th, 2010
First thing in the morning we heard from Rick and Wayne from "Amber Lee". We had met them in Demopolis and they were such fun. They left Demopolis before us, confident that they could get under the one short bridge and we'd been sad to see them go. Then we met them again in Mobile,AL where Rick's daughter was taking part in a National dinghy race. Rick and Wayne left the boat in Mobile on the trailer and went to their respective homes for a couple of months and then came back for another month of cruising. They'd chatted with Pea Soup in Fort Lauderdale and heard we were in Marathon so looked us up on arrival. We were so pleased to see them. They came and anchored near our mooring buoy and John went over to fetch them in the dinghy as they didn't have their dinghy blown up. We had such a fun time chatting over a cup of coffee.
In the middle of our visit "Barnacle Bill" arrived to dive on Periwinkle, clean the bottom and change the zincs. It was all good! Lots of entertainment! At one point (while Bill was below, breathing with his "hooker system" attached to an air compressor in his boat) Bill's boat came untied from the bow and started drifting away. Fortunately a stern line was still attached. John hopped over onto his boat and we managed to retie it. It caused the four of us some excitement. It was all news to Bill when he surfaced!
We were sad to say goodbye to Rick and Wayne and wished we could have spent more time with them. However, we're going to keep in touch and may get the opportunity to meet again as we move north.
We then smartened ourselves up and headed into shore. Met up with Barefoot and Cakaro in the common room and shared some info. re good anchorages on the way to the Chesapeake.
Afterwards we left in two cars for supper at Key Colony Beach Inn. Only about 20 minutes up the road. Had a lovely supper with Wayne and Bobbie, Ron and Meg and Ken from Dream Catcher. Ken is from Birmingham, England. His wife went home early to start a new job.
We had a yummy supper, and then went onto the local community theatre to see "Guys & Dolls". All done by volunteers. It was so good! They just did an excellent job. We all really enjoyed it. It was a great way to spend one of our last evenings in Marathon with good friends.
Again, we really hope to bump into Barefoot and Cakaro on the way north.
First thing in the morning we heard from Rick and Wayne from "Amber Lee". We had met them in Demopolis and they were such fun. They left Demopolis before us, confident that they could get under the one short bridge and we'd been sad to see them go. Then we met them again in Mobile,AL where Rick's daughter was taking part in a National dinghy race. Rick and Wayne left the boat in Mobile on the trailer and went to their respective homes for a couple of months and then came back for another month of cruising. They'd chatted with Pea Soup in Fort Lauderdale and heard we were in Marathon so looked us up on arrival. We were so pleased to see them. They came and anchored near our mooring buoy and John went over to fetch them in the dinghy as they didn't have their dinghy blown up. We had such a fun time chatting over a cup of coffee.
In the middle of our visit "Barnacle Bill" arrived to dive on Periwinkle, clean the bottom and change the zincs. It was all good! Lots of entertainment! At one point (while Bill was below, breathing with his "hooker system" attached to an air compressor in his boat) Bill's boat came untied from the bow and started drifting away. Fortunately a stern line was still attached. John hopped over onto his boat and we managed to retie it. It caused the four of us some excitement. It was all news to Bill when he surfaced!
We were sad to say goodbye to Rick and Wayne and wished we could have spent more time with them. However, we're going to keep in touch and may get the opportunity to meet again as we move north.
We then smartened ourselves up and headed into shore. Met up with Barefoot and Cakaro in the common room and shared some info. re good anchorages on the way to the Chesapeake.
Afterwards we left in two cars for supper at Key Colony Beach Inn. Only about 20 minutes up the road. Had a lovely supper with Wayne and Bobbie, Ron and Meg and Ken from Dream Catcher. Ken is from Birmingham, England. His wife went home early to start a new job.
We had a yummy supper, and then went onto the local community theatre to see "Guys & Dolls". All done by volunteers. It was so good! They just did an excellent job. We all really enjoyed it. It was a great way to spend one of our last evenings in Marathon with good friends.
Again, we really hope to bump into Barefoot and Cakaro on the way north.
Marathon
Day 219, March 17th, 2010
Pouring with rain this morning. All the baseball crowd had been invited to a get together at one of the member's house at 2p.m. but I didn't feel like going in the rain. John did venture out to walk up to West Marine. I stayed home and worked on the Blog.
It did clear later in the afternoon, so we quickly made a salad and went off to "Meet & Greet" at the marina. Always find somebody to chat with and have a laugh.
Pouring with rain this morning. All the baseball crowd had been invited to a get together at one of the member's house at 2p.m. but I didn't feel like going in the rain. John did venture out to walk up to West Marine. I stayed home and worked on the Blog.
It did clear later in the afternoon, so we quickly made a salad and went off to "Meet & Greet" at the marina. Always find somebody to chat with and have a laugh.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Marathon
Day 218, March 16th, 2010
John had a couple of little jobs to do on the boat so he stayed home. Rosie and I went to baseball together! Rosie was good - she played pitcher for her team. I was asked to play catcher for mine! Some of the players have already left to head north so numbers were a bit thin. Only three out in field meant those guys had to run out there! My poor team were way behind so our captain tried to change around the players to see if we could outfox the opposition - silly man asked me to pitch - well that was a big mistake as far as I was concerned!!! Out of about 40 throws, I think I got just one over the plate!!! I gave up and went back to catching! We still lost horribly, but I did manage two moments of glory - caught a fly ball to get the third person out in one inning, and scored my first run!! Not a complete loss.
After the game Rosie and I biked up to the Dollar store for a few bits of shopping. We had a good day together.
In the evening we got together with some friends for a birthday supper for Ron from Toronto.
Ron and Meg are down here for the first time on Cakaro. Wayne and Bobbie, from Barefoot, hosted the party. Ken joined us from Dream Catcher - Ken's from Birmingham, and also Marty from Montreal. We had a lovely supper and a good chat.
Dominoes
Day 217, March 15th, 2010
This afternoon we met Al and Rosie from Nautilus under the Tiki hut and played Mexican Train Dominoes all afternoon. Al and Rose own a marina on St. Mary's River in Sault St. Marie, MI and spend their winters down here on their trawler. We must have passed right by their marina when we brought the boat down to Collingwood from Thunder Bay. Al had never played Dominoes before. It was a fun afternoon. Apparently they both played baseball last year and Rosie felt she'd like to try again, so we made plans for the morning.
This afternoon we met Al and Rosie from Nautilus under the Tiki hut and played Mexican Train Dominoes all afternoon. Al and Rose own a marina on St. Mary's River in Sault St. Marie, MI and spend their winters down here on their trawler. We must have passed right by their marina when we brought the boat down to Collingwood from Thunder Bay. Al had never played Dominoes before. It was a fun afternoon. Apparently they both played baseball last year and Rosie felt she'd like to try again, so we made plans for the morning.
Marathon
Day 216, March 14th, 2010
I didn't feel like baseball today but John went. He was moaning and groaning again when he got back poor guy. He reckoned everything hurt!! I stayed back on the boat and read my book.
I can't remember much else. I think we barbecued for supper and watched a movie. Oh Yes! We talked to all our kids on Skype. Thank goodness for Skype! Its so lovely to see their faces and catch up on their news.
I didn't feel like baseball today but John went. He was moaning and groaning again when he got back poor guy. He reckoned everything hurt!! I stayed back on the boat and read my book.
I can't remember much else. I think we barbecued for supper and watched a movie. Oh Yes! We talked to all our kids on Skype. Thank goodness for Skype! Its so lovely to see their faces and catch up on their news.
Seafood Festival
Day 215, March 13th, 2010
The Seafood Festival is an annual event. All the fishermen in the region get together for a fund raiser. The proceeds go to a list of the local charities. They sell an enormous amount of lobster, fish, conch, crab - you name it. Its all good. In addition to the seafood there are all kinds of local businesses that set up booths - arts and crafts, clothing, real estate, boat yards, all sorts. The Relay for Life Team had a booth selling various bits and John and I helped out between 12:00 and 1:00p.m. before walking around and having something to eat. It was a good time. There were bands too, playing at the amphitheatre, that went on well into the evening. (We didn't stay for that part but could hear the music very well from the mooring.)
Marathon
Day 214, March 12, 2010
Walked up to Publix to do some grocery shopping, stopping for lunch at "The Cracked Conch". Very yummy - I had a grilled Mahi Mahi sandwich with Key Lime Pie for dessert! On the way back to the boat we picked up a lilac "Relay for Life" T shirt for John as he'd agreed to help me at the Relay for Life booth at the Seafood Festival on Saturday. He looks good in lilac! (You have to be in touch with your feminine side to wear pink or lilac!)
Then we needed gas so we dinghied down to the Burdines Marina and it just started to pour with rain as we arrived there. Got soaked. And got more soaked on the way back to the boat.
We got all gussied up to go dancing at the Legion after supper, but then the rain came pouring down again and we chickened out and watched a movie instead.
Sadly, a boat went up in flames sometime during the night, really quite close to us. It was a small houseboat kind of vessel, the home of a liveaboard. Everything was lost and he just had time to swim aboard, so we heard the next morning. We didn't hear a thing!
Walked up to Publix to do some grocery shopping, stopping for lunch at "The Cracked Conch". Very yummy - I had a grilled Mahi Mahi sandwich with Key Lime Pie for dessert! On the way back to the boat we picked up a lilac "Relay for Life" T shirt for John as he'd agreed to help me at the Relay for Life booth at the Seafood Festival on Saturday. He looks good in lilac! (You have to be in touch with your feminine side to wear pink or lilac!)
Then we needed gas so we dinghied down to the Burdines Marina and it just started to pour with rain as we arrived there. Got soaked. And got more soaked on the way back to the boat.
We got all gussied up to go dancing at the Legion after supper, but then the rain came pouring down again and we chickened out and watched a movie instead.
Sadly, a boat went up in flames sometime during the night, really quite close to us. It was a small houseboat kind of vessel, the home of a liveaboard. Everything was lost and he just had time to swim aboard, so we heard the next morning. We didn't hear a thing!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Marathon
Day 213, March 11th, 2010
Off to baseball in the morning. 9 innings today with 2 teams. Lots of people seemed to be hurting - lots of pinch runners! We still had fun though!! By the time it was over, 2 hours later, poor old John was really sore with 2 strained quads and 1 sore arm!!! I wasn't quite as bad but was glad to sit on the boat in the afternoon. We're both reading exciting books but that didn't stop us having a snooze too! Pina colada for medicinal purposes seemed to help too.
Off to baseball in the morning. 9 innings today with 2 teams. Lots of people seemed to be hurting - lots of pinch runners! We still had fun though!! By the time it was over, 2 hours later, poor old John was really sore with 2 strained quads and 1 sore arm!!! I wasn't quite as bad but was glad to sit on the boat in the afternoon. We're both reading exciting books but that didn't stop us having a snooze too! Pina colada for medicinal purposes seemed to help too.
Continued!!!
Day 212, March 10th, 2010
Oh dear! Sorry, this is getting a bit monotonous. Nothing much to tell you today. Did the laundry in the afternoon. In the evening we went to Meet & Greet. Had a good chat.
Oh dear! Sorry, this is getting a bit monotonous. Nothing much to tell you today. Did the laundry in the afternoon. In the evening we went to Meet & Greet. Had a good chat.
Marathon
Day 211, March 9th, 2010
We went to baseball again in the morning. Both complaining of one sore quad. We didn't do very well but had fun.
We split up after the game. I went to "the Hurricane" for lunch to meet the Relay for Life team. More fund raising on the weekend at the Seafood Festival coming up.
In the evening we had a little get together. Cathy and Darius from Breeze Hunter (Toronto), Marilyn and Vic from Whisper (St. John, NewFoundland) and Bobbie and Wayne from Barefoot (Baltimore). Had a good chat and laugh.
We went to baseball again in the morning. Both complaining of one sore quad. We didn't do very well but had fun.
We split up after the game. I went to "the Hurricane" for lunch to meet the Relay for Life team. More fund raising on the weekend at the Seafood Festival coming up.
In the evening we had a little get together. Cathy and Darius from Breeze Hunter (Toronto), Marilyn and Vic from Whisper (St. John, NewFoundland) and Bobbie and Wayne from Barefoot (Baltimore). Had a good chat and laugh.
Marathon
Day 210, March 8th, 2010
Nice day, warm and pleasant. Went for a dinghy exploration and then to the beach to walk. It clowded over in the afternoon but still nice.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Injuries!
Day 209, March 7th, 2010
Pea Soup and Sea Sharpe left first thing this morning, calling into "the Net" to say their goodbyes to the harbour. We shall miss them. In many ways I rather wish we were setting off again but the timing isn't quite right for us yet, so we'll keep busy with the many activities and leave here on the 20th.
We both went to Baseball at 2:00 p.m. They had such a good turnout, there were enough to make up 4 teams. Only 2 women this time! John and I played on different teams. Both our teams won the first round and then we played each other! My team won overall by 1 run!!!
I really didn't have much to do with the win though. I pulled a thigh muscle running to first base the first time. They appointed a pinch runner each time after that! I managed to hit the ball each time but not very well. Overall, I felt a bit disappointed - I used to play baseball like a guy but something seems to have slipped!!! John really played quite well. He got some good hits and managed to score several runs too. Unfortunately he wiped out in the first game, running between 2nd and 3rd. Scraped his knee and pulled a muscle in his hip! He was moaning and groaning by the time we got back to the boat in the evening.
After the game we went visiting in the dinghy. Ended up meeting a nice couple from Newfoundland, and had a nice visit aboard Breeze Hunter from Toronto. We hope to have them aboard Periwinkle in a couple of days.
Pea Soup and Sea Sharpe left first thing this morning, calling into "the Net" to say their goodbyes to the harbour. We shall miss them. In many ways I rather wish we were setting off again but the timing isn't quite right for us yet, so we'll keep busy with the many activities and leave here on the 20th.
We both went to Baseball at 2:00 p.m. They had such a good turnout, there were enough to make up 4 teams. Only 2 women this time! John and I played on different teams. Both our teams won the first round and then we played each other! My team won overall by 1 run!!!
I really didn't have much to do with the win though. I pulled a thigh muscle running to first base the first time. They appointed a pinch runner each time after that! I managed to hit the ball each time but not very well. Overall, I felt a bit disappointed - I used to play baseball like a guy but something seems to have slipped!!! John really played quite well. He got some good hits and managed to score several runs too. Unfortunately he wiped out in the first game, running between 2nd and 3rd. Scraped his knee and pulled a muscle in his hip! He was moaning and groaning by the time we got back to the boat in the evening.
After the game we went visiting in the dinghy. Ended up meeting a nice couple from Newfoundland, and had a nice visit aboard Breeze Hunter from Toronto. We hope to have them aboard Periwinkle in a couple of days.
Goodbye Parties.
Day 208, March 6th, 2010
Pea Soup and Sea Sharpe are leaving tomorrow. They both have to be back in Canada for the middle of April. So we met Sharon and Reg, Bill and Laura, and another couple (I can't remember their names) at the "Panda" for the Chinese buffet for lunch. The food was delicious and we all had a good chat. A bit sad. I don't like goodbyes!
At 4:00 p.m. a whole bunch of people met at the Tiki hut at the marina for munchies and drinks to say goodbye to Mike and Judy on Sea Sharpe. There was a great turn out. Mike had spent hours making a taped collage of clips of music representing each boat. He really went to a lot of trouble and we all had a good laugh.
Pea Soup and Sea Sharpe are leaving tomorrow. They both have to be back in Canada for the middle of April. So we met Sharon and Reg, Bill and Laura, and another couple (I can't remember their names) at the "Panda" for the Chinese buffet for lunch. The food was delicious and we all had a good chat. A bit sad. I don't like goodbyes!
At 4:00 p.m. a whole bunch of people met at the Tiki hut at the marina for munchies and drinks to say goodbye to Mike and Judy on Sea Sharpe. There was a great turn out. Mike had spent hours making a taped collage of clips of music representing each boat. He really went to a lot of trouble and we all had a good laugh.
Key West
Day 207, March 5th, 2010
There were several things we hadn't had time for the last time we went to Key West. So Sharon and Reg and John and I caught the 8:12 bus again down to Key West. John and I were wearing light fleece sweaters, thinking it would warm up as the day went on. It didn't. It was pretty chilly, not too bad while the sun was shining but got downright cold when the sun went down.
However, we had a great day. We started off with a breakfast buffet on Duvall Street. Then we visited the Custom's House Museum. Lovely statues surround the building by J. Seward Johnson. Very much in the genre of Norman Rockwell. They are really charming. There are more inside too. Other local artists are featured in the museum as well. Also displays on Ernest Hemingway and Babar (the artist has a home and works in Key West every year).
Then we walked over to Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum. Its all about Mel Fisher's discovery of the Atocha treasure. The ship went down in the 1600s. Mel Fisher started looking for it in 1969 and 16 years later found it on the sea bottom in 19 feet of water just past the 3 mile limit in International waters. Gold and silver coins and all sorts of precious artifacts. Amazing. Reg had read the book some years ago, so he really was excited to get a chance to look at it. Sadly Mr. Fisher lost a son and daughter-in-law during the discovery process when their boat was lost in a storm.
We walked around the beautiful Mallory Place - a lovely public area looking over the anchorage.
The we visited Harry Truman's Little White House. This house used to be a duplex, part of the officer accommodation for the Naval Base in Key West, but was converted to a lovely summer home for Harry Truman where he spent 6 months of his presidential office and ran the country in 1949. He grew very fond of Key West and loved the relaxed life style. He went back several other times for extended vacations before his death. Other presidents have also spent time there: Eisenhower, Kennedy, Clinton, and others. It was also used by Collin Powell for a Mideast summit. There is still a private suite there which is used for dignitaries today. It was closed as part of the Navy in 1974, bought by a private individual, and then gifted back to the US Government because he felt it should be kept as an important historical landmark. Its been renovated and furnished as Harry Truman and his family would have used it in 1949 with many of his personal items. We really enjoyed this tour.
After eating fishing chips at "B.O.s" which is just a funny little shack outside, and getting gradually more and more freezing cold, we caught the bus back to Marathon, arriving home at 10:00 p.m. It was a great day.
There were several things we hadn't had time for the last time we went to Key West. So Sharon and Reg and John and I caught the 8:12 bus again down to Key West. John and I were wearing light fleece sweaters, thinking it would warm up as the day went on. It didn't. It was pretty chilly, not too bad while the sun was shining but got downright cold when the sun went down.
However, we had a great day. We started off with a breakfast buffet on Duvall Street. Then we visited the Custom's House Museum. Lovely statues surround the building by J. Seward Johnson. Very much in the genre of Norman Rockwell. They are really charming. There are more inside too. Other local artists are featured in the museum as well. Also displays on Ernest Hemingway and Babar (the artist has a home and works in Key West every year).
Then we walked over to Mel Fisher's Maritime Museum. Its all about Mel Fisher's discovery of the Atocha treasure. The ship went down in the 1600s. Mel Fisher started looking for it in 1969 and 16 years later found it on the sea bottom in 19 feet of water just past the 3 mile limit in International waters. Gold and silver coins and all sorts of precious artifacts. Amazing. Reg had read the book some years ago, so he really was excited to get a chance to look at it. Sadly Mr. Fisher lost a son and daughter-in-law during the discovery process when their boat was lost in a storm.
We walked around the beautiful Mallory Place - a lovely public area looking over the anchorage.
The we visited Harry Truman's Little White House. This house used to be a duplex, part of the officer accommodation for the Naval Base in Key West, but was converted to a lovely summer home for Harry Truman where he spent 6 months of his presidential office and ran the country in 1949. He grew very fond of Key West and loved the relaxed life style. He went back several other times for extended vacations before his death. Other presidents have also spent time there: Eisenhower, Kennedy, Clinton, and others. It was also used by Collin Powell for a Mideast summit. There is still a private suite there which is used for dignitaries today. It was closed as part of the Navy in 1974, bought by a private individual, and then gifted back to the US Government because he felt it should be kept as an important historical landmark. Its been renovated and furnished as Harry Truman and his family would have used it in 1949 with many of his personal items. We really enjoyed this tour.
After eating fishing chips at "B.O.s" which is just a funny little shack outside, and getting gradually more and more freezing cold, we caught the bus back to Marathon, arriving home at 10:00 p.m. It was a great day.
Sports Day!!
Day 206, March 4th, 2010
I'd walked passed the baseball diamond several times and thought what fun that looked. It was announced on "the Cruisers' Net" on the radio in the morning that all were welcome so I set off at 9:30. John didn't think his ankle was quite ready so he stayed home.
It turned out to be good fun. They have special rules for girls. We get to be safe to first base. However, I hit two fly balls, both of which were caught. The third time up to bat I hit a worm burner onto the grass and walked to first base! There were only about 3 women. Some of the men are pretty serious. It was fun.
In the afternoon, John and I, Sharon and Reg and another couple, Bill and Laura from "Monkey Girl", played bocce ball. All that curling seemed to help a lot - John and I won two games and came second in the third game. Bocce ball is fun!
In the evening, it was back to Dominoes on Pea Soup. John won!
I'd walked passed the baseball diamond several times and thought what fun that looked. It was announced on "the Cruisers' Net" on the radio in the morning that all were welcome so I set off at 9:30. John didn't think his ankle was quite ready so he stayed home.
It turned out to be good fun. They have special rules for girls. We get to be safe to first base. However, I hit two fly balls, both of which were caught. The third time up to bat I hit a worm burner onto the grass and walked to first base! There were only about 3 women. Some of the men are pretty serious. It was fun.
In the afternoon, John and I, Sharon and Reg and another couple, Bill and Laura from "Monkey Girl", played bocce ball. All that curling seemed to help a lot - John and I won two games and came second in the third game. Bocce ball is fun!
In the evening, it was back to Dominoes on Pea Soup. John won!
Another Day
Day 205, March 3rd, 2010
Laundry day in the morning. Very pleasant really - good company, always someone nice to chat with! We all laughed when we agreed that it must be pretty sad when you are entertained by doing the laundry!
Made a big pot of macaroni cheese with wienies in the afternoon, in preparation for Wednesday's Meet & Greet! (There are always lots of people but food seems a bit thin if you're at the back of the line!)
John dropped me off early at the marina so I could join the meeting for "Relay for Life". Many of you will be aware of this annual event that occurs all over. It involves fund raising for Cancer Research via sponsored lap walking over an 18 hour period. The event in Marathon will be held on April 9th. We won't be here but other fund raising events are going on as a wind-up for the event itself. The team already have raised $2,500.00 from cruisers in Marathon. I thought it might be interesting to join the team and help out.
John then joined me for the Meet & Greet. Its always fun and there's lots of opportunity for meeting new people and having a laugh with others. (My macaroni cheese and wienies disappeared within five minutes!!)
Laundry day in the morning. Very pleasant really - good company, always someone nice to chat with! We all laughed when we agreed that it must be pretty sad when you are entertained by doing the laundry!
Made a big pot of macaroni cheese with wienies in the afternoon, in preparation for Wednesday's Meet & Greet! (There are always lots of people but food seems a bit thin if you're at the back of the line!)
John dropped me off early at the marina so I could join the meeting for "Relay for Life". Many of you will be aware of this annual event that occurs all over. It involves fund raising for Cancer Research via sponsored lap walking over an 18 hour period. The event in Marathon will be held on April 9th. We won't be here but other fund raising events are going on as a wind-up for the event itself. The team already have raised $2,500.00 from cruisers in Marathon. I thought it might be interesting to join the team and help out.
John then joined me for the Meet & Greet. Its always fun and there's lots of opportunity for meeting new people and having a laugh with others. (My macaroni cheese and wienies disappeared within five minutes!!)
Just another day in Marathon
Day 204, March 2nd, 2010
The weather forecast wasn't good. Thunder storms were expected late morning and continue all afternoon with high winds.
So we left the boat by 8:30 and walked up to Publix to get some fresh vegetables. There were dark clouds overhead and we were quite sure we would get caught in the downpour before we got back but it didn't happen. In fact the sun was shining quite nicely on the walk home. We got back to the boat and spent a quiet afternoon.
The bad weather blew threw. We later heard Homestead got hit soundly with it but all was pretty good in Marathon.
The weather forecast wasn't good. Thunder storms were expected late morning and continue all afternoon with high winds.
So we left the boat by 8:30 and walked up to Publix to get some fresh vegetables. There were dark clouds overhead and we were quite sure we would get caught in the downpour before we got back but it didn't happen. In fact the sun was shining quite nicely on the walk home. We got back to the boat and spent a quiet afternoon.
The bad weather blew threw. We later heard Homestead got hit soundly with it but all was pretty good in Marathon.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Sombrero Reef
Day 203, March 1st, 2010
Did you say "Rabbit" this morning?!! For Good Luck!!!
We had a lovely day today. Sharon and Reg joined us aboard Periwinkle. We motored out of Sisters Creek to the ocean side and then to Sombrero Reef, about 3 miles off shore. It was coolish and a little chop. It took a little while but we finally found the mooring buoys at the reef.
The guys didn't feel like it but Sharon and I got our wet suits on and piled all our gear in the dinghy and dinghied over to a mooring buoy closer to the reef. John and I had bought this fancy dinghy ladder back at the St. Petersburg Boat Show and had never tried it out, but it looked good. In the past I have had great difficulty climbing back in the dinghy from deep water.
To say that I look like a beach whale is as close as it gets but in the past I've never made it back in the dinghy without first reaching shallow water! Just don't have the upper body strength I'm sad to say! So I was a little nervous that I would be able to get back in with the ladder but it looked possible! Sharon has another method - she ties a long line from the far side of the dinghy, dangles the line across the dinghy into the water and then climbs up the line! I didn't try it but couldn't see how this would made much difference to me! Anyway, we got the rest of our gear on in the dinghy and jumped overboard. The water was choppy but warm and the visibility wasn't too bad. We saw lots of lovely fish - yellow tailed snapper, angels, parrot fish and barracuda. There was lots of corral too, but the colours were somewhat masked. It was lovely though and we swam up to a pontoon boat on another mooring buoy and chatted with them a bit (from Quebec). After about half an hour it seemed to be getting more choppy, so that we had a little difficulty seeing the dinghy as it was hidden between the swells. So we decided to swim back and try getting back in!!! I was okay - up first time on the ladder, but I must admit I still did the beached whale thing! Then Sharon climbed up her line in the blink of an eye!!! My ladder cost us $100.00!!! I shall be really cross if I try the line and can make it into the dinghy!!!
We got back to Periwinkle feeling very brave and congratulating ourselves on our "Girl Power"!
We made spaghetti for lunch and sat in the cockpit and watched all the dive boats arrive. Lots more people went snorkeling. It was fun.
We sailed back to the harbour going the long way round as it was low tide. Lovely wind and it was really pleasant. Realised as we motored back to the mooring buoy that we hadn't taken any pictures!!! Sorry.
In the evening we went over to Pea Soup and played Mexican Train Dominoes. As usual I lost miserably. John won! I think its time we played Scrabble!!
Did you say "Rabbit" this morning?!! For Good Luck!!!
We had a lovely day today. Sharon and Reg joined us aboard Periwinkle. We motored out of Sisters Creek to the ocean side and then to Sombrero Reef, about 3 miles off shore. It was coolish and a little chop. It took a little while but we finally found the mooring buoys at the reef.
The guys didn't feel like it but Sharon and I got our wet suits on and piled all our gear in the dinghy and dinghied over to a mooring buoy closer to the reef. John and I had bought this fancy dinghy ladder back at the St. Petersburg Boat Show and had never tried it out, but it looked good. In the past I have had great difficulty climbing back in the dinghy from deep water.
To say that I look like a beach whale is as close as it gets but in the past I've never made it back in the dinghy without first reaching shallow water! Just don't have the upper body strength I'm sad to say! So I was a little nervous that I would be able to get back in with the ladder but it looked possible! Sharon has another method - she ties a long line from the far side of the dinghy, dangles the line across the dinghy into the water and then climbs up the line! I didn't try it but couldn't see how this would made much difference to me! Anyway, we got the rest of our gear on in the dinghy and jumped overboard. The water was choppy but warm and the visibility wasn't too bad. We saw lots of lovely fish - yellow tailed snapper, angels, parrot fish and barracuda. There was lots of corral too, but the colours were somewhat masked. It was lovely though and we swam up to a pontoon boat on another mooring buoy and chatted with them a bit (from Quebec). After about half an hour it seemed to be getting more choppy, so that we had a little difficulty seeing the dinghy as it was hidden between the swells. So we decided to swim back and try getting back in!!! I was okay - up first time on the ladder, but I must admit I still did the beached whale thing! Then Sharon climbed up her line in the blink of an eye!!! My ladder cost us $100.00!!! I shall be really cross if I try the line and can make it into the dinghy!!!
We got back to Periwinkle feeling very brave and congratulating ourselves on our "Girl Power"!
We made spaghetti for lunch and sat in the cockpit and watched all the dive boats arrive. Lots more people went snorkeling. It was fun.
We sailed back to the harbour going the long way round as it was low tide. Lovely wind and it was really pleasant. Realised as we motored back to the mooring buoy that we hadn't taken any pictures!!! Sorry.
In the evening we went over to Pea Soup and played Mexican Train Dominoes. As usual I lost miserably. John won! I think its time we played Scrabble!!
Monday, March 1, 2010
A Gold for Canada in Hockey!!
Day 202, February 28th, 2010
Fiddled and diddled around in the morning. We had a broken cleat on the starboard side of the boat for a long time. John happened to find an identical cleat in the flea market Saturday morning for $3.00! He was able to get the old one off and the new one on without a problem. Its nice to have that midships cleat back available again.
At 2:00p.m. we met Sharon and Reg and walked to Boatman's Resort & Marina where a whole bunch of Canadians were meeting to watch the Hockey game - Canada vs USA! It was great. About 50 of us turned up, along with about 15 or so Americans. Even I enjoyed watching the game (I never watch hockey!). It was very exciting at the end when the US tied it up 24 seconds before the end of the third and then Crosby scored the winning goal for Canada in overtime. There was some loud cheering!
Fiddled and diddled around in the morning. We had a broken cleat on the starboard side of the boat for a long time. John happened to find an identical cleat in the flea market Saturday morning for $3.00! He was able to get the old one off and the new one on without a problem. Its nice to have that midships cleat back available again.
At 2:00p.m. we met Sharon and Reg and walked to Boatman's Resort & Marina where a whole bunch of Canadians were meeting to watch the Hockey game - Canada vs USA! It was great. About 50 of us turned up, along with about 15 or so Americans. Even I enjoyed watching the game (I never watch hockey!). It was very exciting at the end when the US tied it up 24 seconds before the end of the third and then Crosby scored the winning goal for Canada in overtime. There was some loud cheering!
Marathon
Day 201, February 27th, 2010
First thing after breakfast, we dinghied into the marina. John went off to West Marine to buy a "cavitation wing" for the outboard. This looks like a big flat plate thing thats attached over the propeller. It changes the water flow over the prop., giving lift to the stern, and results in better gas consumption at slow speeds, reducing wake. While he was doing that, I walked up to the post office and sent off a parcel to my little Abby in Winnipeg. We each had a shower at the marina on our return and met up again to go back to the boat for the afternoon. The morning was pretty good with some sunshine but the rain clouds had return by the time we got back!
In the evening, we actually got dressed up and went back to the marina for a dance!! First time I'd worn something pretty in a long time! We had a great time. All proceeds went towards the American Cancer Society. It was lovely old time 70s music, with lots of swing! The company was good. Boaters' hours 7:00-9:00!
First thing after breakfast, we dinghied into the marina. John went off to West Marine to buy a "cavitation wing" for the outboard. This looks like a big flat plate thing thats attached over the propeller. It changes the water flow over the prop., giving lift to the stern, and results in better gas consumption at slow speeds, reducing wake. While he was doing that, I walked up to the post office and sent off a parcel to my little Abby in Winnipeg. We each had a shower at the marina on our return and met up again to go back to the boat for the afternoon. The morning was pretty good with some sunshine but the rain clouds had return by the time we got back!
In the evening, we actually got dressed up and went back to the marina for a dance!! First time I'd worn something pretty in a long time! We had a great time. All proceeds went towards the American Cancer Society. It was lovely old time 70s music, with lots of swing! The company was good. Boaters' hours 7:00-9:00!
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