Jon and Crew on the Palm trail at the Crane Preserve
Kisses from Crew
Stopping to smell the flowers
Huge spiders everywhere - this one was right over our heads
Crew practicing for his Captain's license
Wed. April 8, 2009
8:00 AM
OK – I figure today must be day 28 since we left on a Wed. a month ago – so day 28 it is.
We have had a cold front come through with strong winds. Last night was the first night we slept without the AC, and we were actually chilly. It is 61 this AM which is cool for the Keys anytime of year.
Yesterday we spent a good part of the day at the Crane preserve which is a 65 acre nature preserve. It was a good day for Crew because he was running around all day. The preserve was very interesting with various displays, a museum, as well multiple well marked trails for walking.
Last night we went to dinner with Jim and Kathy at Key Colony and ate at Sparky’s. The food and atmosphere were both equally enjoyable. A small world incident: a woman at the table had a Red Sox shirt on, then next to them a guy with a Yankees hat. Well we all got into good humored bantering, when we learned that the guy in the Yankees hat, son, played for the team we host players for every summer– the Harwich Mariners, and lived with our friends two houses down from us on the Cape. It really is a small world getting smaller all the time….
We had hoped that all of the exercise yesterday would calm Crew down – quite contrary, we have learned that the cool weather is Crew’s energizer. He promptly started today with 30 laps around the boat, ten minutes of tail chasing, his best yet jumping moves that would rival Tigger, then his favorite game of trying to herd Jon and I by nipping at our heels. Jon denied giving Crew any of his chocolate last night – but this dog’s energy is just not right. Jon is out now trying to exhaust him but I have a funny feeling Jon will be the one who comes back exhausted.
8:00 AM
OK – I figure today must be day 28 since we left on a Wed. a month ago – so day 28 it is.
We have had a cold front come through with strong winds. Last night was the first night we slept without the AC, and we were actually chilly. It is 61 this AM which is cool for the Keys anytime of year.
Yesterday we spent a good part of the day at the Crane preserve which is a 65 acre nature preserve. It was a good day for Crew because he was running around all day. The preserve was very interesting with various displays, a museum, as well multiple well marked trails for walking.
Last night we went to dinner with Jim and Kathy at Key Colony and ate at Sparky’s. The food and atmosphere were both equally enjoyable. A small world incident: a woman at the table had a Red Sox shirt on, then next to them a guy with a Yankees hat. Well we all got into good humored bantering, when we learned that the guy in the Yankees hat, son, played for the team we host players for every summer– the Harwich Mariners, and lived with our friends two houses down from us on the Cape. It really is a small world getting smaller all the time….
We had hoped that all of the exercise yesterday would calm Crew down – quite contrary, we have learned that the cool weather is Crew’s energizer. He promptly started today with 30 laps around the boat, ten minutes of tail chasing, his best yet jumping moves that would rival Tigger, then his favorite game of trying to herd Jon and I by nipping at our heels. Jon denied giving Crew any of his chocolate last night – but this dog’s energy is just not right. Jon is out now trying to exhaust him but I have a funny feeling Jon will be the one who comes back exhausted.
Kathy and Susan
Thurs. April 9, 2009
Day 29 5:00 PM
Yesterday was a total R and R day on the boat. It is not often we have the opportunity to spend an entire day doing nothing – but yesterday was one of those days. We finally rallied around 6:30 PM and joined the rest of the world, meaning the other boaties at the marina, and watched the sunset. This is a wonderful nightly ritual that is both spectacular to view, as well as fun to catch up on everyone else’s daily activities – or lack thereof. We then went to a great Mexican restaurant – Lencho’s – with Jim and Kathy. Jon and I got to brush up on our rusty Spanish – one thing we know, is how to order beverages and food in multiple languages.
Something else we have not failed to notice is that Crew is the one with all of the friends here. People will give us a quick hello, then immediately divert all of their attention to Crew. He of course has learned which people have the dog treats and works his treat route every morning – a dog truly after my own heart.
We went to Key West with Kathy and Jim today. We took the trolley tour of Key West which was very informative, then spent time on Duval Street and finished off with a late lunch at Sloppy Joe’s. We of course had Sloppy Joe sandwiches and pizzas. It is a perfect weather day. Mid 70’s, sunny skies and a light breeze – a day you would like to bottle.
Tonight the plan is to join the other boaties for sunset on the dock, then another healthy meal at the watering hole aka Hurricane’s because it is wing night. All is well.
Day 29 5:00 PM
Yesterday was a total R and R day on the boat. It is not often we have the opportunity to spend an entire day doing nothing – but yesterday was one of those days. We finally rallied around 6:30 PM and joined the rest of the world, meaning the other boaties at the marina, and watched the sunset. This is a wonderful nightly ritual that is both spectacular to view, as well as fun to catch up on everyone else’s daily activities – or lack thereof. We then went to a great Mexican restaurant – Lencho’s – with Jim and Kathy. Jon and I got to brush up on our rusty Spanish – one thing we know, is how to order beverages and food in multiple languages.
Something else we have not failed to notice is that Crew is the one with all of the friends here. People will give us a quick hello, then immediately divert all of their attention to Crew. He of course has learned which people have the dog treats and works his treat route every morning – a dog truly after my own heart.
We went to Key West with Kathy and Jim today. We took the trolley tour of Key West which was very informative, then spent time on Duval Street and finished off with a late lunch at Sloppy Joe’s. We of course had Sloppy Joe sandwiches and pizzas. It is a perfect weather day. Mid 70’s, sunny skies and a light breeze – a day you would like to bottle.
Tonight the plan is to join the other boaties for sunset on the dock, then another healthy meal at the watering hole aka Hurricane’s because it is wing night. All is well.
Jon and Susan - Sloppy Joe's - Key West
Smiling Parrot fish at our boat
Full moon through the palms
Friday, April 10, 2009
Day 30 10:00 PM
Jill and David arrived late yesterday afternoon so the six of us we went to Hurricanes for dinner.
This morning Jon and I were supposed to fly in a bi – plane but a bank of clouds set in and the pilot told us that there was a plume of algae over the reef so we are going to watch the weather and reschedule.
Kathy and I hit all of our favorite stores shopping again. Jon and Crew had guy time on the boat. Tonight after joining the other boaties on the dock, we went to dinner at Burdines and listened to the musicians they had playing.
When we got back to the dock, one of the boats had it’s underwater lights on and we all watched the sea life activity. There were lobsters, a barracuda, and lots of little fish. It is really amazing just being able to sit and have an aquarium at your door step. Tomorrow we are going to try to find some type of underwater lighting so we can watch the fish at night at our boat.
Day 30 10:00 PM
Jill and David arrived late yesterday afternoon so the six of us we went to Hurricanes for dinner.
This morning Jon and I were supposed to fly in a bi – plane but a bank of clouds set in and the pilot told us that there was a plume of algae over the reef so we are going to watch the weather and reschedule.
Kathy and I hit all of our favorite stores shopping again. Jon and Crew had guy time on the boat. Tonight after joining the other boaties on the dock, we went to dinner at Burdines and listened to the musicians they had playing.
When we got back to the dock, one of the boats had it’s underwater lights on and we all watched the sea life activity. There were lobsters, a barracuda, and lots of little fish. It is really amazing just being able to sit and have an aquarium at your door step. Tomorrow we are going to try to find some type of underwater lighting so we can watch the fish at night at our boat.
Susan, Jon, Jill, David, Kathy and Jim
Kids showing us some dance moves
Crew's friend Hope Blowing some bubbles for him to chase
Sandy Face hanging out at the beach by the boat
Deep Blue Hole at Deer Key Preserve
Key deer relaxing in the shade
Key deer in the road and then he come over to our car window to check us out...
A pelican pool party
Crew's subtle hint for some chow
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Day 32
Happy Easter – we are counting our many blessings today…….
Day 32
Happy Easter – we are counting our many blessings today…….
Crew waiting to meet the Easter bunny
Jon admiring Jim's new sail
Jon and Crew
Cherie, Kathy, Adel, Roger, Mike, Jim, Jill, David and Jon at our Easter Dinner potluck
Trina (left) and Joe (right)