Monday, April 13, 2009
Day 33
12:00 PM
OK, so we originally planned to leave last week, then today, but Friday is our new departure day and we are sticking to it. All things going according to the lack of a plan – we should be back in Palm Coast next Friday – I think that is April 25th.
Saturday was a great day. We started the day by buying an underwater light at the dive shop. We then hiked around Deer Key where we saw the Key deer and the Blue hole. We stopped for a late lunch at the Rumba Bumba – or something like that like. I had planned on chicken for dinner but a boat neighbor gave us some dolphin they had caught that day so we had grilled blackened dolphin – delish !!
Jim and Kathy came over after dinner and we tried out the new underwater light and watched the aquarium come to life.
Saturday night we heard a loud noise – we thought maybe someone fired a cannon like we have – but we learned this AM that that there was an explosion and fire at the Marina next to us and several boats were lost. After the boat fire we witnessed this fall on our trip down from the Cape – I do not care to ever see another boat fire.
Easter Sunday started by Jon, Crew and I digging into our Easter baskets. Next we went sailing with Jim and Kathy on their catamaran – Crew’s first sail and he was exceptional crew…. We got back and took a late afternoon dingy ride. We then enjoyed an Easter feast here at the marina organized by Trina and Bill. Our group included Jim and Kathy, David and Jill, Arlen and Robert from Kansas – my birth state, and Cherie and Mike who were the stars of the play we recently attended while here in Marathon. We really had a wonderful time and it was one of the days where you were just grateful to be alive.
This morning we started the day by finally flying in the bi – plane which was a replica of the original 1935 planes. Jon and I sat in the first seat, and the pilot – Paul sat behind us. It was wild being in an open airplane, and the views were spectacular. Paul did just enough “tricks” to get our stomachs jumping, but enough to have to use the air sick bags. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone in the Keys – Paul is based out of the Marathon airport.
We are joining a group at the watering hole for lunch and then an open afternoon.
Day 33
12:00 PM
OK, so we originally planned to leave last week, then today, but Friday is our new departure day and we are sticking to it. All things going according to the lack of a plan – we should be back in Palm Coast next Friday – I think that is April 25th.
Saturday was a great day. We started the day by buying an underwater light at the dive shop. We then hiked around Deer Key where we saw the Key deer and the Blue hole. We stopped for a late lunch at the Rumba Bumba – or something like that like. I had planned on chicken for dinner but a boat neighbor gave us some dolphin they had caught that day so we had grilled blackened dolphin – delish !!
Jim and Kathy came over after dinner and we tried out the new underwater light and watched the aquarium come to life.
Saturday night we heard a loud noise – we thought maybe someone fired a cannon like we have – but we learned this AM that that there was an explosion and fire at the Marina next to us and several boats were lost. After the boat fire we witnessed this fall on our trip down from the Cape – I do not care to ever see another boat fire.
Easter Sunday started by Jon, Crew and I digging into our Easter baskets. Next we went sailing with Jim and Kathy on their catamaran – Crew’s first sail and he was exceptional crew…. We got back and took a late afternoon dingy ride. We then enjoyed an Easter feast here at the marina organized by Trina and Bill. Our group included Jim and Kathy, David and Jill, Arlen and Robert from Kansas – my birth state, and Cherie and Mike who were the stars of the play we recently attended while here in Marathon. We really had a wonderful time and it was one of the days where you were just grateful to be alive.
This morning we started the day by finally flying in the bi – plane which was a replica of the original 1935 planes. Jon and I sat in the first seat, and the pilot – Paul sat behind us. It was wild being in an open airplane, and the views were spectacular. Paul did just enough “tricks” to get our stomachs jumping, but enough to have to use the air sick bags. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone in the Keys – Paul is based out of the Marathon airport.
We are joining a group at the watering hole for lunch and then an open afternoon.
Captin Paul fueling the plane up
Getting ready to go
Safety directions
Our marina - Banana Bay
Sundance - second boat in from the end
Seven Mile bridge - Marathon FL New bridge (left) Old Flagler bridge (right)
Sombrero Beach
Wed. April 15, 2009
Day 35
Happy Tax Day !
Monday we joined a group at Hurricanes for lunch, and then pool and R and R afternoon. Chef salads on board for dinner – then entertained again, by a perfect sunset.
Yesterday, Jon went on an all day fishing trip with Jim, and Jim’s friend Mike. They ended up with lots of small fish, but no luck with any sailfish or dolphin.
Kathy and I went to the stuffed pig for lunch – then I spent the afternoon napping and reading. We had originally planned to grill the fish Jon caught but Jon was exhausted and it was so hot, we ended up jut going to Hurricanes for dinner.
We had quite a storm last night and finally got some much needed rain – Sundance was in desperate need of a bath. The lightening did not seem to bother Crew, but not much does.
Today Jon and Jim checked out a Tea Party held here in the Keys. Jon said he enjoyed it because there was no political affiliation – just regular people who want fair taxation and responsible government spending.
Tonight, we went to the Dockside with Jim and Kathy – they had a good musician, and we enjoyed just eating, consuming adult beverages and being waterfront.
Tomorrow we are spending the day getting the boat ready to leave on Sat. so that we can just relax on Fri. before we shove off.
Day 35
Happy Tax Day !
Monday we joined a group at Hurricanes for lunch, and then pool and R and R afternoon. Chef salads on board for dinner – then entertained again, by a perfect sunset.
Yesterday, Jon went on an all day fishing trip with Jim, and Jim’s friend Mike. They ended up with lots of small fish, but no luck with any sailfish or dolphin.
Kathy and I went to the stuffed pig for lunch – then I spent the afternoon napping and reading. We had originally planned to grill the fish Jon caught but Jon was exhausted and it was so hot, we ended up jut going to Hurricanes for dinner.
We had quite a storm last night and finally got some much needed rain – Sundance was in desperate need of a bath. The lightening did not seem to bother Crew, but not much does.
Today Jon and Jim checked out a Tea Party held here in the Keys. Jon said he enjoyed it because there was no political affiliation – just regular people who want fair taxation and responsible government spending.
Tonight, we went to the Dockside with Jim and Kathy – they had a good musician, and we enjoyed just eating, consuming adult beverages and being waterfront.
Tomorrow we are spending the day getting the boat ready to leave on Sat. so that we can just relax on Fri. before we shove off.
Crew getting a ride and treats from Billy the Dockmaster
Banana plant at Banana Bay
Crew on Jim and Kathy's boat sitting outside looking in..
The boy's catch for the day
Jon's idea of a Tea Party
Sat. April 17, 2009
Day 38
Thurs was boat prep day. Jim, Kathy, Jon and I ate lunch at Hurricanes. Thursday night Jon and I ate dinner at Castaways.
Yesterday our water pump started to act up – not good when we were planning to leave. We solved the initial worry by going to lunch at Hurricanes again with Kathy and Jim. We then went to Roger and Adel’s boat – Wild Horses for dinner with Jill and David, Jim and Kathy, and Adel’s brother Peck. Roger and Adel are from my home state of Kansas – it was odd to see a 40 foot long and 25 foot wide catamaran form Kansas. Roger was picked up Jim, Kathy, Jon and I at the dock with his dinghy, and even though I told him we all brought our PJ’s and were happy to the spend the night on board Wild Horses – he kindly declined and returned us all safely to the dinghy dock. It was a late night for us – past midnight by the time we got back and settled in.
We were all set to leave this AM but we were met with 20+ winds from the northeast which is a terrible wind direction for us. The wind is supposed to lay down tomorrow, so we are going to plan to depart tomorrow. Jon is going to work on the water pump today and try to get that straightened out. I will be doing my usual keeping busy doing nothing.
Day 38
Thurs was boat prep day. Jim, Kathy, Jon and I ate lunch at Hurricanes. Thursday night Jon and I ate dinner at Castaways.
Yesterday our water pump started to act up – not good when we were planning to leave. We solved the initial worry by going to lunch at Hurricanes again with Kathy and Jim. We then went to Roger and Adel’s boat – Wild Horses for dinner with Jill and David, Jim and Kathy, and Adel’s brother Peck. Roger and Adel are from my home state of Kansas – it was odd to see a 40 foot long and 25 foot wide catamaran form Kansas. Roger was picked up Jim, Kathy, Jon and I at the dock with his dinghy, and even though I told him we all brought our PJ’s and were happy to the spend the night on board Wild Horses – he kindly declined and returned us all safely to the dinghy dock. It was a late night for us – past midnight by the time we got back and settled in.
We were all set to leave this AM but we were met with 20+ winds from the northeast which is a terrible wind direction for us. The wind is supposed to lay down tomorrow, so we are going to plan to depart tomorrow. Jon is going to work on the water pump today and try to get that straightened out. I will be doing my usual keeping busy doing nothing.
Palm Coast in Marathon - Susan, Kathy and Jill
Susan, Adel and Jon
David, Jon, Jim and Roger
Crew Susan and Jon - Our last lunch at Hurricanes
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Day 39, 8:45 PM
MM 1135
Yesterday – at the risk of being redundant, we went to lunch, again, at Hurricanes with Jim and Kathy. It was the definition of and r and r afternoon, then out to Burdines for dinner.
We were up and on our way at 7:00 AM. There were high winds on the bay today, but we deiced to just see how far we could go. We had originally planned to go to Gilbert’s resort, but when I called they said they had a band playing during the day and a large crowd, so we could not get a slip until after 6:00 PM. I then called the Anchorage resort and marina right across the intracoastal and we reserved there. I turned out o be a great move s we were on a face dock right across from where we originally wanted to be, could still hear all the music, but were all snugged in by 3:00 PM. We enjoyed the music sitting out on board, and then went to Marley’s for dinner right next to the marina. We hope to get an early start tomorrow.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Day 40, 6:20 PM
MM 1075
We were off by 7:00 This AM, and crossed the Biscayne Bay and made it to northern Miami. Again, lots of wind, but today it was pushing us instead of being on our nose. We made it into the Turnberry Isle Marina around 3:00 PM, and have decided to eat on board tonight because rain and thunder have moved in. We have a long day tomorrow because we have bridge after bridge – hope to make it Lake Worth.
Day 39, 8:45 PM
MM 1135
Yesterday – at the risk of being redundant, we went to lunch, again, at Hurricanes with Jim and Kathy. It was the definition of and r and r afternoon, then out to Burdines for dinner.
We were up and on our way at 7:00 AM. There were high winds on the bay today, but we deiced to just see how far we could go. We had originally planned to go to Gilbert’s resort, but when I called they said they had a band playing during the day and a large crowd, so we could not get a slip until after 6:00 PM. I then called the Anchorage resort and marina right across the intracoastal and we reserved there. I turned out o be a great move s we were on a face dock right across from where we originally wanted to be, could still hear all the music, but were all snugged in by 3:00 PM. We enjoyed the music sitting out on board, and then went to Marley’s for dinner right next to the marina. We hope to get an early start tomorrow.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Day 40, 6:20 PM
MM 1075
We were off by 7:00 This AM, and crossed the Biscayne Bay and made it to northern Miami. Again, lots of wind, but today it was pushing us instead of being on our nose. We made it into the Turnberry Isle Marina around 3:00 PM, and have decided to eat on board tonight because rain and thunder have moved in. We have a long day tomorrow because we have bridge after bridge – hope to make it Lake Worth.
Susan trying to read and Crew having none of it
100's of commorants flying with us
Shades of blue
Cruising through the mangroves
Crew happy to be "crewsing" again
If you look closely you can see that Crew has lost two of his bottom teeth
Approaching Anchorage Resort Marina
Sundance on face dock at Anchorage Marina, across the ICW - Gilberts
Approaching Miami
Baker's Haulover Inlet