Moor $tuff

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

80° 10.521’ W

25° 31.429’ N

Boca Chita Key, Florida

We didn’t make it to Miami but we did get to Boca Chita Key! While under way to Miami I recognized the voice of Jim Hampton on Dream Catcher talking on the radio. Before the day was over Carl, Ricki, Barb and I changed our plans and joined three other boats. Bob on Dream Quest is doing the loop single handed on a 40 ft. Mainship. Carlton & Becky on Seamoore a 39 ft. Mainship was traveling with Jim and Brenda on their 40 ft. Formula Dream Catcher. A Canadian boat Twin Spirits with Tom and Sheila, already in port, joined us for a 5 o’clock dock party which was a hoot.

This harbor is a must stop for any one close to here! We are close enough to Miami to see the sky line but far enough away to enjoy the beauty of an island and its abandoned light house and all the trappings that white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and crystal clear waters has to offer! The harbor is one of the most beautiful harbors I have been in with Biscayne Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. There is no electricity or water but the seawall and the surrounding area are over the top!

A park ranger was on site so we had the opportunity to tour the lighthouse which was a great treat. For those who possessed a Golden Age Passport the cost to stay here is $10 a night.

Tomorrow we will cruise to Miami and stay in a marina close to South Beach. The plan is to celebrate Barb’s 39th B-Day a day early! From there we will move to Dania Beach, Florida.

NOTE: Will add pictures later............slow internet connection here.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Monday, March 7, 2011

80° 25.894’ W

25° 07.867’ N

At anchor Tarpon Basin

Key Largo, Florida

Robin - Barry
Gordy - Virginia

Heading to Hawk Channel

We were up at 6 am and made the boat ready to get underway. I had installed a few new hoses on the engine so wanted to check for leaks. With all the engine checks complete and everything made ready for sea we said our good byes to Virginia, Gordy, Robin and Barry. At 8:30 we departed their seawall and waved farewell. If it was solely up to Barb we would still be there! She had one great time and had a chance to relax from our adventure which can be a little exhausting at times! On the other side of the coin it was time to take advantage of the weather and move on.

Approaching Channel 5

There was a little wind blowing into the canal which made getting off the dock some what tricky but off we went to a local marina to pump out for our trip up the Keys.

Sunset in Tarpon Basin

At a pre determined latitude and longitude we connected with Ricki and Carl. From there we proceeded up the Hawk Channel to channel 5, crossing into the Florida Bay. The weather was great with flat water. We are now anchored in a beautiful location where we shared a pizza on Quest with Ricki and Carl.

Today we traveled 53 miles and tomorrow we hope to make Miami about 50 miles away.

Swimming along side the boat!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Saturday & Sunday, March 5 & 6, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

The last two days were spent with the Matthews or doing a little last minuet shopping. What a great time Barb and I have had with them their daughter Robin and cousin Barry. I think Barb could stay put in the Keys especially here! It’s going to be a tough departure tomorrow as we head for the east coast of Florida from the Keys.

We can’t leave the dock until 8:30 when the incoming tide presents us with enough water to float out of this canal! The plan is to meet Carl & Ricki at a predetermined location in the Hawk Channel then move up the Keys before crossing into the Florida Bay. Once in the Bay we will rejoin the Intracoastal Waterway.

Friday, March 4, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

Tonight we will dine with Barb & John (Scoperta), Ricki & Carl, Cathy & Jim (Merried with Her)!

I picked up Carl and Ricki from a new marina and crossed the highway to meet Cathy, Jim, Barb and John. An hour was spent on their dock with happy hour before departing for Annette’s Lobster House for dinner. The food was good and a good time was had by all.

With our side trip to the Bahamas we probably won’t catch up with the four of them for a couple of months. As always, it is fun traveling with Scoperta and Merried with Her. Barb and I look forward to catching up with them again!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Thursday, March 3, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

The weather is still to rough and windy to depart the dock. Hopefully the weather will improve by the weekend to start our journey up the east coast and then over to the Bahamans.

We did some major work on the boat replacing a few old engine hoses and replacing the calking within the shower stall. By the time we were finished it was 6 pm and we called it a day.

We joined the Matthews for dinner watched a movie with them before turning in. The wind blew all night rocking the boat with a few gentle bumps onto the seawall.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

The weather prevented us from departing and starting on our journey to the Bahamas. The next five days is not looking good. As a resident in a marina the weather is great! It is on the open water of the ocean is where the problem begins!

Since we were in port we attended a briefing on cruising from where we are to Norfolk, Virginia. The 3 hour meeting was put on for LOOPERS by an AGLCA member Robert Creech. Our time was well spent, very informative and worth wild.

Ricki put together a seafood salad for dinner that was terrific! Another couple from their marina Patty and Ashley joined us on their boat for a great evening.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

Crab pot

Man of War

Tomorrow we hope to depart for our trip to the Bahamas. Barb did a lot of provisioning for the trip - we have food in the pantry and cases of pop, beer and water stacked on the floor in our boat. I purchased additional spare parts for the boat, garbage bags, a supply of toilet paper and holding tank chemicals ----- all the necessities to survive in a foreign country!

Canal to the Matthews home

Moor $tuff in on seawall at Matthews

What we need now - is good weather so we can start this trip! It will probably take us three to four days to position the boat on the east coast before crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas 50 or 60 miles away.

Pictures are from our dinghy ride.

Monday, February 28, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

Today was Barbs day to be under the weather. We never left the boat or the Matthews resident all day! By early evening she was feeling human again but stayed close to the boat and rested.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

A view of seven mile bridge

The four of us went to a brunch on Sue and Darrel’s boat “PRESENT MOMENT”. Sue made waffles for their guests which were over the top great! I think the waffles were an excuse to eat blueberries, strawberries with mounds of whipped cream. We had lots of fun with our great host and their neighbors.

Band

From there we returned to Ricki and Carl’s boat to review charts to the Bahamas.

For dinner we drove to Ramrod Key about 25 miles away and had dinner at Boondocks a favorite spot on the keys. There was live entertainment preformed by a group called The No Name Band which preformed Beetles songs. We had an early evening but very enjoyable.

Boondocks

On the way back to our boat we saw a small deer on the side of the road. We were driving across Big Pine Key where they live and are protected. The miniature deer are listed as an endangered species! When the deer are full grown they are about the size of a Great Dane.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

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.

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!