Monday 2-27-12
I am sitting here trying to think about what we have done this past week and not allot is coming to mind. Thursday i wnet to a a charity luncehon/fashion show at the Marathon Yacht Club with Joyce, Pat, Sue and Betty. Jon flew back north on Sat. for a meeting, and will be coming back tomorrow. Sat. Pm Susan joined Betty and Sue whose husbands were also coincidently out of town. Fun – but no pictures. Yesterday a gathering was hosted here at Banana Bay by George and Pat for the AGLCA – American Great loop Cruisers Association. There were about 150 people and food, food and more food. One thing about boaters – they do like to eat, drink and be merry. We have 2 couple here in the marina who have recently completed the great loop – Steve and Pam, and Dave and Joyce (Crew’s best pals). I have been trying to convince Jon that going 6,000 miles in the new 25 foot boat is a fabulous adventure and great idea, but he is bucking me on it. I have tried all of my old tricks like trying to make him think it is all his idea; if we don’t do this we will die regretting it; that we are not getting any younger so now is the time, and when all else fails, I can usually wear him down till he says yes. This time he is not budging much, so I need some help and suggestions on this one. I am thinking the summer of 2013 so I still have some time. Jon is still not 100 % happy that I turned our shower on the boat into a closet for me, and his best defense about not taking the trip on a 25 foot boat (or any boat for that matter) is that I will not have enough room for all of my “Stuff.” My goal for this summer on Moondog is to prove to Jon that I actually can get by with only 12 pairs of shoes on board, and I am sure this will start to turn the tide to my side, and he will begin to buy into my Great Loop plan. I have suggested that maybe when we bring our car back to Palm Coast at the end of March, that we should leave Crew at the sitters. That way we can return via the west coast of Florida, cross the Okeechobee, and that way we will already be completing some of the great loop – he did not say no.
I am sitting here trying to think about what we have done this past week and not allot is coming to mind. Thursday i wnet to a a charity luncehon/fashion show at the Marathon Yacht Club with Joyce, Pat, Sue and Betty. Jon flew back north on Sat. for a meeting, and will be coming back tomorrow. Sat. Pm Susan joined Betty and Sue whose husbands were also coincidently out of town. Fun – but no pictures. Yesterday a gathering was hosted here at Banana Bay by George and Pat for the AGLCA – American Great loop Cruisers Association. There were about 150 people and food, food and more food. One thing about boaters – they do like to eat, drink and be merry. We have 2 couple here in the marina who have recently completed the great loop – Steve and Pam, and Dave and Joyce (Crew’s best pals). I have been trying to convince Jon that going 6,000 miles in the new 25 foot boat is a fabulous adventure and great idea, but he is bucking me on it. I have tried all of my old tricks like trying to make him think it is all his idea; if we don’t do this we will die regretting it; that we are not getting any younger so now is the time, and when all else fails, I can usually wear him down till he says yes. This time he is not budging much, so I need some help and suggestions on this one. I am thinking the summer of 2013 so I still have some time. Jon is still not 100 % happy that I turned our shower on the boat into a closet for me, and his best defense about not taking the trip on a 25 foot boat (or any boat for that matter) is that I will not have enough room for all of my “Stuff.” My goal for this summer on Moondog is to prove to Jon that I actually can get by with only 12 pairs of shoes on board, and I am sure this will start to turn the tide to my side, and he will begin to buy into my Great Loop plan. I have suggested that maybe when we bring our car back to Palm Coast at the end of March, that we should leave Crew at the sitters. That way we can return via the west coast of Florida, cross the Okeechobee, and that way we will already be completing some of the great loop – he did not say no.
Joyce and Pat at luncheon
Kathy and Betty
Crew and his pals Joyce and Dave
Crew with Dave and his Marathon Girlfriend - Molly
Joyce and Pat at the AGLCA gathering
This was one of four tables of food that everyone brought !
Karen and Nancy
Larry doing the welcoming
Larry presenting Pam and Steve with a ship cruise log for completing the great loop
And then Dave and Joyce
Sat. 3-4-12
I am not complaining but is hot !!!! Already 91 at 9:30 AM. I picked Jon up Tues. AM in Key West and knew he just needed to do some shopping. It is funny after you have been married for awhile, you just know what your spouse needs. We hit the Kinos sandal shoe factory, which is a Key West landmark. I tried to explain to Jon that even though I bought five pairs of sandals, I was saving money because they were still less expensive than one pair of sandals anywhere else - he started to reply with his usual – the way to save money is not to spend money – blah, blah blah………We then had a great lunch at the Turtle Crawl. We decided that we needed to get some “culture” so we then toured the Flagler Historical museum which we both really enjoyed. It gave me a great opportunity to tell Jon that if Flagler could build a railroad to Key West, there was no reason we could not complete the great loop in a 25 foot boat. Speaking of the Great loop, I overheard Jon telling someone at cocktails last night that we are thinking about doing the Great Loop in 2013 ( I am internally yippeeing !!) Yesterday I went to lunch with the ladies, and hmmpphhh, I think that about sums up our week. We have a severe case of island fever – read: not doing much at all. Today our big plans are to give Crew a bath, then spend the afternoon at the pool. It looks like we will returning via the West Coast of FL and Okeechobee – new territory for us. Now I have to get busy doing nothing !
I am not complaining but is hot !!!! Already 91 at 9:30 AM. I picked Jon up Tues. AM in Key West and knew he just needed to do some shopping. It is funny after you have been married for awhile, you just know what your spouse needs. We hit the Kinos sandal shoe factory, which is a Key West landmark. I tried to explain to Jon that even though I bought five pairs of sandals, I was saving money because they were still less expensive than one pair of sandals anywhere else - he started to reply with his usual – the way to save money is not to spend money – blah, blah blah………We then had a great lunch at the Turtle Crawl. We decided that we needed to get some “culture” so we then toured the Flagler Historical museum which we both really enjoyed. It gave me a great opportunity to tell Jon that if Flagler could build a railroad to Key West, there was no reason we could not complete the great loop in a 25 foot boat. Speaking of the Great loop, I overheard Jon telling someone at cocktails last night that we are thinking about doing the Great Loop in 2013 ( I am internally yippeeing !!) Yesterday I went to lunch with the ladies, and hmmpphhh, I think that about sums up our week. We have a severe case of island fever – read: not doing much at all. Today our big plans are to give Crew a bath, then spend the afternoon at the pool. It looks like we will returning via the West Coast of FL and Okeechobee – new territory for us. Now I have to get busy doing nothing !
Baseball season is here ! Austin Nola, our Harwich Mariner from 2011 flying as he throws to first base !
Austin Nola and his brother Aaron playing baseball for the first time on the same team at LSU - Aaron is pitching - Austin at short stop - we hope to have Aaron as our Harwich Mariner this summer !!
Crew's Girlfriend Molly asking Crew to come out and play -
Crew and Molly at the beach having a fun game of tug of war
Crew is twice Molly's size but he lets her drag him all over with the tug of war rope - must be love .......
Crew at sunset cocktails with Dave and George, Crew is calling Molly over to sneak a kiss under the picnic table
Molly gives in and gives Crew a quick kiss !
Key West
Kinos !
Kinos - they make the sandals in the back, then throw them in old boxes by size - you can check them out on the web - kinosandalfactory.com - most sandals are only $12.00 !
Ahoy Mate !
Crew bored at nap time, trying to think of something fun to do , hmmpphhh.....
I know - I'll bother my mom who I know is pretending to sleep !
Girl's lunch - Barbara, Nancy, Trina, Susan, Peggy, Sharon, Stacy, Mandy and Karen
Thurs. 3-16-12
NO, I have not been so busy that I have not had time to write. Actually, just the opposite, we have been so unbusy, not much to write about !! I guess because we have been down here several times before, I feel that frequent writing would be akin to me writing about our daily life in either Palm Coast or the Cape. As usual our plans have changed multiple times. Most current plan – Barre and family are coming to Raleigh NC for work/visit and we plan to drive up from Palm Coast on April 9th. We got a bit nervous about returning via the Okeechobee because weather is really the dictator for passage, and the weather has been windy, windy and windier our while time here. To ensure we can be back in time to get for NC, we will leaving here a couple days earlier that planned. We have been doing our “thing” – walking, lunching out, tinkering on the boat, cocktails at sunset down on the point, a couple more trips down to Key West, dinghy exploring, lunch out with the girls – just a very relaxing with lots of down time. I have been busily planning a trip to Oregon to see Barre and family in Sept., then on to Utah, Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota to do a National Park loop and hiking – so excited ! Not happy to learn that Sept. is still considered high season – ol’ rusty wallet is actually considering a tent and sleeping bag trip……….
NO, I have not been so busy that I have not had time to write. Actually, just the opposite, we have been so unbusy, not much to write about !! I guess because we have been down here several times before, I feel that frequent writing would be akin to me writing about our daily life in either Palm Coast or the Cape. As usual our plans have changed multiple times. Most current plan – Barre and family are coming to Raleigh NC for work/visit and we plan to drive up from Palm Coast on April 9th. We got a bit nervous about returning via the Okeechobee because weather is really the dictator for passage, and the weather has been windy, windy and windier our while time here. To ensure we can be back in time to get for NC, we will leaving here a couple days earlier that planned. We have been doing our “thing” – walking, lunching out, tinkering on the boat, cocktails at sunset down on the point, a couple more trips down to Key West, dinghy exploring, lunch out with the girls – just a very relaxing with lots of down time. I have been busily planning a trip to Oregon to see Barre and family in Sept., then on to Utah, Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota to do a National Park loop and hiking – so excited ! Not happy to learn that Sept. is still considered high season – ol’ rusty wallet is actually considering a tent and sleeping bag trip……….
It just keeps blowing and blowing....
The north winds make for some rocking in the marina !
Lunch with Kathy at Morada Bay in Islamorada, not sure which was better - the beautiful view or....
The 32 oz. rum runners they served in mason jars !
At the Marathon Seafood fest - what Jon takes pics of....
and what Susan takes pics of
Great singer - Amber Leigh - current single on the CMT network
The lines were so long for the seafood that
we,
got hamburgers !
Key West mailman - now this is a good system - Ken - take note....
A rooster getting ready to jump through the hoop
Duval Street
Shopping for some pirate gear for the upcoming MTOA rendez vous
One of our fun walks is a four mile walk on the old seven mile bridge - new bridge for vehicles in front - old bridge for walking in the back.
Starting out to Pigeon Key
Almost there
The end of the walking bridge
Then turning around and heading back to Marathon
En route to Key Largo to join Jim and Kathy, Ken and Beth for dinner
Beautiful cloudy skies
Ken, Jim and Jon aboard Moondance, Jim and Kathy's boat.
At the Bayside Cafe - sunset no matter where you are in the Keys is always cause for celebration !
Beth, Susan and Kathy
Beth, Jim and Ken
Jon, Susan and Kathy
Me and my guy - we met 22 years ago today !
Gee tell a guy he looks sexy in glasses, and look what happens - only Ken !
Another Marathon sunset
Thurs. 3-23-12
We are winding down our time in Marathon. Jon left this morning to bring the car back to Palm Coast, and will be back tomorrow. Susan’s playmates have gone to Key West till Sunday night, so no antics while Jon is away. Captain Larry got a 50 foot boat for all of us the marina and took us out for a sunset cruise Tues. night. It was fun to be out on a boat and not have any of the responsibility. We really have a great group of folks here and we always enjoy when we all get together ! Crew is a bit traumatized today. I decided to get his hair cut yesterday. We agreed he could keep he dreadlocks, but everything else was going short. He is quite the teenager right now, and at the age where his looks matter to him. He also has another girl here, Arrow, but Molly is still his number one. So, the minute I picked him up, I knew he was not happy. He gave me that, Oh my God mom – I look like a poodle – look, and sure enough he does. The groomer cut of all of his hair on top of his head and he does look like a poodle. The groomer profusely apologized, and despite my assurances to Crew that his hair will grow back, he is not buying it and is very sulky. Oh, the suffering poor Crew must endure……… Anyhoo, I am praying the winds will lay down because it has blowing everyday since we have been here. The forecast is for them to start decreasing starting today. Sure enough we had a alot of rain last night, and it is a bit cooler out today, and the winds do seem a tad bit lighter. Hopefully by Sunday there will be just a tropical breeze……….
We are winding down our time in Marathon. Jon left this morning to bring the car back to Palm Coast, and will be back tomorrow. Susan’s playmates have gone to Key West till Sunday night, so no antics while Jon is away. Captain Larry got a 50 foot boat for all of us the marina and took us out for a sunset cruise Tues. night. It was fun to be out on a boat and not have any of the responsibility. We really have a great group of folks here and we always enjoy when we all get together ! Crew is a bit traumatized today. I decided to get his hair cut yesterday. We agreed he could keep he dreadlocks, but everything else was going short. He is quite the teenager right now, and at the age where his looks matter to him. He also has another girl here, Arrow, but Molly is still his number one. So, the minute I picked him up, I knew he was not happy. He gave me that, Oh my God mom – I look like a poodle – look, and sure enough he does. The groomer cut of all of his hair on top of his head and he does look like a poodle. The groomer profusely apologized, and despite my assurances to Crew that his hair will grow back, he is not buying it and is very sulky. Oh, the suffering poor Crew must endure……… Anyhoo, I am praying the winds will lay down because it has blowing everyday since we have been here. The forecast is for them to start decreasing starting today. Sure enough we had a alot of rain last night, and it is a bit cooler out today, and the winds do seem a tad bit lighter. Hopefully by Sunday there will be just a tropical breeze……….
Crew saying goodbye to his pals Joyce and Dave
The marina is starting to empty out, Sundance sitting pretty
Crew the man about the Marina playing with Arrow and Molly
Crew and Arrow having a romantic moment watching the sunset together
At the dock getting ready to head out, Captain Larry giving us a grand welcome !
Susan, Bob and Sue
Karen and Skip
Pam, Kim Steve and Stephen
Dan !
Susan and Pat
Jon and Susan
Sun starting to set behind the 7 mile bridge
Crew with long hair and bangs
A very upset Crew with his new Crew cut asking me if he looks like a poodle
I told Crew he did not look like a poodle and that his hair was not that short, he thought about it for minute then.....
Happy again and big kisses for momma !
Proud may she wave with a rainbow in the background