Saturday, February 26, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

The Matthews Home

The weather continues to be flawless! Temperatures in the low 80’s bright blue skies with a gentle ocean breeze.

This nagging cold that every one is experiencing just keeps slowing everyone down. My get up and go has got up and went!

Carl picked Barb and me up less Ricki who has joined the ranks of the sick! She elected to stay on the boat while we drove to a nautical flee market 50 miles from here. By the time we got there the traffic, and finding a parking space, nearly impossible so we turned around and returned to our boats. It was the right thing to do considering no one is feeling great! Another day of R&R won’t hurt any of us!

I’m going to find shade under a palm tree and read a book until sunset! What a great way to fight off a cold!

Friday 25, 2011

81° 05.412’ W

24° 42.065’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key



Today Ricki, Carl, Barb and I went to the Dolphin Research Center and had an enjoyable morning. In some ways they are similar the Turtle Hospital but much larger. The center takes in injured and other dolphins from different institutions. There is a breeding program here that is used by different zoos and aquariums from around the world. One of the performing dolphins is a descendent of Flipper from the TV show Flipper!



Sea Lion



Research is conducted daily to understand their intellectual capabilities while interacting with humans. If in the area it’s a must see. For those who want a closer look at the dolphins the opportunity to get into the water with them is possible - for an additional fee.



There are also a few trained sea lions which were fun to watch. All in all it was time well spent!

Everyone is feeling better but not 100%, so we returned early to the boat for R&R!

Thursday 24, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

 

AGLCA gathering



Sunset

Most of the day Barb and I sat around the boat or dockside and took it easy. After watching the Space Shuttle launch on TV we drove to an AGLCA “LOOPERS” reception at the Banana Bay Marina. Every one brought food and drink and a great reception was had by all. By 7 pm everyone had returned to their boats. The days start and end early here! 9 pm is called Marathon midnight!



Wednesday 23, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

Carl, Ricki, Barb and I drove to Key West today. On the way we stopped for breakfast on Big Pine Key then drove into Key West. We spent a few hours on the Conch Train that drives all over Key West explaining the history of the city. From there we went to the southern most location in the US. We did a quick visit to Hemingway’s house then headed to Sloppy Joes a famous bar where Ernest Hemingway hung out. There was plenty of live entertainment, food and drink for all.



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Key West Lighthouse



Home in Key West



Barb drove us back home earlier than one would expect because the dam cold is still lingering!



Hemingways Home



At Sloppy Joes











Carl - Ricki - Skip - Barb



Tuesday 22, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key



Leaving Sombrero Dockside



Sister Creek aproaching the Atlantic



Today we moved our boat from the marina to the sea wall at Virginia and Gordy’s home. They have a beautiful seawall in a quiet and protected canal. Once tied up to the seawall we just sat around and got reacquainted as it’s been a few years since last seeing them at our home port – Starved Rock Yacht Club in Ottawa, Illinois. They are great people and fun to visit with!



Key Colony Beach in sight



Channel into Key Colony Beach

We are still a little bit under the weather so we just sat around and talked the rest of the day and enjoyed home made soup that Virginia had made.

If we feel better in the morning we will drive to Key West and play tourist!



Gordy waiting at their dock

Monday, February 21, 2011

81° 05.412’ W

24° 42.065’ N

Sombrero Marina Dockside on Vaca Key

Marathon, Florida



Sombrero gathering



Today was spent resting trying to fight off the bug that every one continues to suffer from. As the evening approached there was a get together on the dock at Sombrero and then went for a light dinner with Carl and Ricki on their boat which was very much appreciated then back to the boat for more rest. Carl also has the mystery bug!

Tomorrow we will move our boat to the Matthews home!

Saturday & Sunday, February 19 & 20, 2011

81° 05.412’ W

24° 42.065’ N

Sombrero Marina Dockside on Vaca Key

Marathon, Florida

The upper respiratory illness that has been spreading around finally caught up with both of us. Fluids and sleep seem to be the magic formula to getting rid of the bug!



Turtle Hospital



Turtle Hospital



We did take time to visit the Turtle Hospital on the 19^th which is both educational and entertaining. The facility is set up to do surgery on injured turtles then rehab and release them into the ocean. The turtles that can not be returned to the sea are kept there and are cared for

Most of the remainder of the day was spent resting!

Thursday & Friday, February 17 & 18, 2011

81° 05.412’ W

24° 42.065’ N

Sombrero Marina Dockside

Marathon, Florida

Nothing to exciting is happening here! Barb and I are all caught up with our shopping and most of our boating chores. I have two projects on the docket but they will wait until the parts arrive next week.

Barb is fighting off a cold and I’m waiting to get it! Most of our friends have had the bug and it’s just a matter of time before it got both of us. If it is going to happen let it happen in 80 degree weather.

Thursday, Ricki and Carl were having friends for dinner and also invited us to their boat and Friday the four of us went out for seafood dinner at a local restaurant.

We did drive to the Matthews home and checked out the canal we will go to next week. Another beautiful setting to park our boat!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

81° 05.412’ W

24° 42.065’ N

Sombrero Marina Dockside

Marathon, Florida



Sombrero Dockside



It was good to get a good night sleep. Barb and I didn’t waste any time getting our chores started.

I flushed both engines with fresh water then washed the salt from the boat. Barb did some laundry at the marina and squared the boat away.



We called the Matthews and let them know we were in port and requested a name of a dentist to reattach a crown that fell off last night!



Our view east



Our view west



Not only did Gordy and Virginia show up to welcome us to Marathon - they brought us a list of dentists and delivered a truck, to drive while here!



The tooth is back in place and with a truck to get to the store tomorrow we will re-stock the boat and purchase a few parts for the boat.

Tomorrow we will start discussing plans for the next few weeks while here.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

81° 05.412’ W

24° 42.065’ N

Sombrero Marina Dockside

Marathon, Florida



Leaving Little Shark River



Little Shark River



Last night while anchor we experienced a fast moving current when the tide waters of the river changed direction and dropped. Most of the night was spent making sure the anchor would hold and our position didn’t change. We didn’t have a restful night.



Dolphins along the way



Bridge in Marathon

Today was a 50 mile run to reach the Florida Keys. There was a mass exodus from the Little Shark River around 8 am. The weather cooperated giving us a great day to cruise. As we made way across the gulf dodging crab pots other boats joined us on their way to Marathon. We followed the boats Merried with Her and Scoperta until the last five miles then headed to a different marina. We bid our farewells via the radio and hope to reconnect soon. When we got to our assigned slip Carl and Ricki were there to meet and greet us. Other boats that we have cruised with were also in port so a small reunion took place on the dock after we got tied up.

Channel to Sombrero Marina Dockside



Almost at Dockside

For dinner we all splurged with one dollar tacos at a local restaurant. We met some old friends of Carl and Ricki then went to their boat for a night cap before returning to our boat.



Tomorrow we will contact our friends Virginia and Gordy Mathews that live in Key Colony Beach on the island. For now sleep is in order after our sleepless night before!

Monday, February 14, 2011

81° 08.412’ W

25° 19.680’ N

At anchor

Little Shark River, Florida

What a great day – the weather was about as perfect as it gets. The ocean was flat with little wind to stir things up.



Leaving Everglades City



Arriving at Little Shark River



Our view - Little Shrak River



Tie back to Mangroves



We departed at 8am and slowly made our way out of Everglades City through a maze of islands and channels before reaching the Gulf of Mexico an hour latter. We slow cruised for another five hours before entering Little Shark River. By the time we arrived we had traveled 47 miles. This river is a haven for boaters to anchor with ample room and plenty of protection from the Gulf. We were the first three boats to anchor before another ten boats arrived. This location is a perfect place to drop the hook. The water is ten feet deep and the bottom is mud which will hold the anchor. The banks are overgrown with mangroves which are good to tie a stern line to which helps keep the boat from swinging in the current.





Sunset - Little Shark River



Other than a good place to anchor this is total wilderness! There are no roads or people living near here. If they do I am sure they don’t pay taxes and live a life I just can’t imagine.



I used the dinghy to get the line to the mangrove trees so while it was still in the water Barb and I went for a ride hoping to see a few alligators! We didn’t see any but did hear and see a couple of big splashes close to the bank of the river! It’s possible that the splashes were dolphin as they are swimming around all the boats at anchor!

Tomorrow we will cruise to Marathon in the Florida Keys! By 8am we should be underway! 

Sunday, February 13, 2011

81° 23.259’ W

25° 51.505’ N

Rod and Gun Club Marina

Everglades City, Florida

Today was a low key day. The day started out cool but with clear blue skies! By mid afternoon the temperature was in the mid 70’s and very pleasant.

I put the dinghy in and exercised the motor for a ride around the harbor.

Barb and I took a very nice bicycle ride first to the post office and then to the Everglades National Park welcoming center. While there, I had an opportunity to chat with a park ranger and got a few questions answered.

Dinner was on Cathy and Jim’s boat followed by a movie. Tomorrow we depart for Little Shark River about 45 miles from here! Tuesday’s weather is looking good so we will finally make it to Marathon in the Florida Keys!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

81° 23.259’ W

25° 51.505’ N

Rod and Gun Club Marina

Everglades City, Florida



Museum



Today was a good day to stay in port when considering the weather! All morning the wind blew with overcast skies and an occasional rain drop or two! As the day progressed the weather improved.



City Hall



We walked to the local Museum of the Everglades about a block away from the boat. The museum was well done and very informative. Until the mid 1900’s this was a rough place to live. There was lots of moonshine stills and smuggling of drugs in the area until the Feds moved in and brought law and order to the area. The off season population is about 350 with the in season population soaring to 5000.



Moor $tuff
Merried with Her
Scoperta



Happy hour was on our boat tonight which is always fun. We had dinner on board tonight and will probably watch a video before turning in.

Monday is looking like the first day we can get out of here. We will probably go to Little Shark River and anchor - then move on to Marathon in the Keys on Tuesday!

Video is from airboat ride yesterday - enjoy!

Friday, February 11, 2011

81° 23.259’ W

25° 51.505’ N

Rod and Gun Club Marina

Everglades City, Florida



Barb - Barb - Cathy
Jim - John - Skip

 

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Gator



Mangroves



Gator



Not the greatest weather here --- but good enough for an airboat ride! Today was overcast and damp with the feel of rain in the air. The six of us piled into the boat and the driver pointed the boat away from civilization into the red mangrove forest. The forest is so dense that only small animals like raccoons can survive here. We had a hoot of a time zooming through the narrow channels at high speed. The driver did slow down and explain the forest and its wildlife as we worked our way through the many intersecting channels in the forest. As we entered one larger body of water, we finally saw an alligator live and close up in the wild. 



Peilcan on front of boat



Momma & babies

Today we had breakfast and lunch at the lodge that was constructed around 1860. Everyone in our group wanted to experience the unique surroundings of cypress paneling covered with mounted trophy fish and native wildlife so we had breakfast there. In addition to fish and game, the walls are filled with old guns and fishing tackle from 100 years ago. The reception desk of the lodge has two old nickel plated cash registers that operate with crank handles. The lobby is filled with heavy dark antique furniture from another era. Next to the chair I was sitting on was a stuffed otter standing on its hind legs and looking me straight in the eye! I had the feeling that I had stepped back in time.

 

The food served at the lodge was expensive for quality served! For the next two days, the remainder of our meals will be prepared on our boat or another restaurant if available!



 The weather is not looking good for a few days, so will wait here for a weather window. At present it’s cold, damp and windy with small craft warnings posted!





Thursday, February 10, 2011

81° 23.259’ W

25° 51.505’ N

Rod and Gun Club Marina

Everglades City, Florida



Cruising in the haze



This morning we had to wait for the fog to lift before getting underway. By 9:30 we were out of our slips and motoring to the Gulf. The entire day was shrouded in haze and light fog – not the best of conditions but good enough to move closer to the Keys. For most of the day visibility was 1 to 2 miles. Jim led the way as we passed through the ten thousand island area! Once off the Gulf and into the islands the weather improved and the scenery was magnificent!

The dolphins were out playing in our wake today. We also encountered a sea turtle, about 5 miles out. That was a first for both of us.



Fuel is expensive and hard to come by so Jim and I made a couple of trips to the local gas station two blocks away. With small shopping carts loaded with two 5 gallon gas cans each, we made two trips. We are now both ready for the next leg of our trip to the Keys around 85 miles away!



Docking at the Rod and Gun Club



Heading into Everglades City



Tomorrow the six of us have a reservation to take an air boat ride and I am looking forward to this boondoggle! One more thing to cross off my bucket list!

Sunday in now looking like the first chance we will have to cross over to the Keys.