Key Largo - Waiting

Sunday March 1st

So we made it to Key Largo on Wednesday the 26th.  The Pilot House Marina is back a long canal that opens up into the marina basin.  We stopped at the fuel dock to fill the tanks to the brim.  This is the last fuel stop before the Bahamas, so wanted them all the way full as fuel in the Bahamas is much more expensive.  We got into our slip and Mark is 2 boats away.  The marina is well protected from the wind and waves, so has been peaceful nights sleeping.  Our original plan was to stay here until Saturday when we would cross to the Bahamas.  The weather (wind) is not cooperating.  We asked the marina to extend our stay until the 6th, but they said they were full an could not.  Have to start trying to find another marina.

The weather was very nice on Wednesday, so I gave the boat a good wash to get all of the salt off of her.  We all walked down the dock and had dinner at the Pilot House Inn.  Food was good and I finally got my conch chowder and had blackened Mahi tacos.  The memorable thing about dinner was Marcia's drink.  A salted caramel pretzel martini.  It had peanut butter whiskey, Godiva chocolate & caramel salted rim.

Thursday February 27th

After eating on the boat, we all decided to take a walk.  During the walk we found a large Diver's Direct shop.  I found a 3mm "shorty" wet suit, gloves and a shirt.  Marcia found some flippers for snorkeling.  Walking further down, we found the original boat from the movie the African Queen.  For those of you under 50 - Google It.

After a Bloody Mary stop, we walked back on the other side of the street.  Low and behold we found a liquor store.  No jalapeno vodka, but they did have Absolut Peppar.  Back at the boat we called around to try and find another marina to go to, but had no luck.  We walked over to the office to refill ice (yes, free ice here).  Said they had some cancellations, and we are good to stay now until Thursday.  Big relief.  We walked down the road to the Conch House for dinner.  Quaint place and very spicy Jambalaya.  I had a nice sweat going, but it might have been too spicy for Mark.  Beautiful sunsets here.

  

Friday, February 28th

Late Friday morning, we got the call that our new ice maker arrived at West Marine.  If you remember, it died while we were in Marathon.  We all took a ride down to West Marine in the Gabby Cabby.  We were only in West Marine for about 15 minutes and were able to get the same cab back to the boat.  Once back, Mark and I switched out the old ice maker and installed the new one.  Went pretty smooth for a boat project.  

Walking back down the dock, we saw a Manatee just hanging out.

Mark had made some chili before we left and was nice enough to share it with us.  We all had cheese coneys up on the bridge of our boat.  Been taking it easy at night, just watching some TV and turned in.

Saturday, February 29th.

Happy Leap Year to everyone.  Saturday morning, we cooked up breakfast on the boat.  Reminded me of the boat mornings on the dock

After breakfast we took another walk.  Being stuck here for at least a week, there is not a whole lot to do.  We did go past the Key Largo Fishery and decided it would be a good place for dinner.  You can tell you are no longer in Cincinnati when this is the first thing you see when you walk into the little store.

After the walk, I spent some time chart plotting course to and in the Bahamas.  Does not appear to be a good day to cross, but Thursday is the only day in the next couple of weeks that even looks possible. They are still predicting 3-4 foot waves, so everyone pray that it gets better.  We did walk back to the Fishery for dinner.  It was OK, but not as good as the one in Marathon.  Easy night back on the boat.

Sunday, March 1st.

Sunday started out with breakfast at the American Legion that is just across the street.  I had the Eggs Benedict Arnold, which had sausage and gravy on top.  Marcia had the Eggs Benedict Charlie which had canadian bacon and crab bisque on top.  Yes, it does seem like we are eating and drinking a lot.  I did mention there is not much else to do here.

The rest of the my day was engine room checks while Marcia cleaned inside.  Typical battery levels, strainer check, engine oil.  Everything topped off and ready to go, when we are able to leave.  Working on the blog now, and planning to cook up some burgers on the boat soon.  

Feels good to finally have the blog up to date.

Oh yeah - the cat (Lucy) seems to have settled back in nicely.

In the category of "you never know what you are going to see", we past this home made RV.  Thought of Andrew and Lindsay for some reason :).

Along that same line, I did hear the lady at the American Legion describe her food.  Quote, "it is like Lean Cuisine on steroids"  

Fingers crossed for Thursday or there may not be much to blog about.

The Keys - Part 2

Stats from leaving Punta Gorda - 333 miles - Total - 2597

On Friday, we got tied up at the Marlin Bay Resort in Marathon.  It is a nice resort with a very nice pool.  The only downside was that we were in the outer basin with not much of a break wall.  Had a lot of rocking and wave slap the first few nights but it did get better.  After getting tied up and the boat rinsed off we took off for a short walk to the Key Fisheries.   Don, Mark & Deb, and us decided we had to try the stone crab claws.  Yes they were awesome.  Think we went to the pool for a bit then out for pizza.  Don was having fun and had me and Mark on a 2 a day cigar path.

Keys Fishery

Marlin Bay Resort

 Marlin Bay Dock

 Thought of our friend Liz Bedway :)

 Marlin Bay Pool

Saturday we went to the Stuffed Pig for breakfast.  It lived up to its name.  After a huge breakfast we went and hung out at the pool for awhile. Was a little windy but the temperatures were great.  Saturday evening Don, Marcia and I went to a Looper Sunset party at a marina down the road.  They had a lot of snack food, cold beer and a live band.  We ran into some Loopers that we had not seen in awhile, so it was fun.  It was a good cigar walk back to the boat after.  On Sunday I got up early and did my 1st two open water dives in the morning.  We took a short walk and just relaxed at the pool.  Don treated all of us to an excellent dinner at the Seafood and Lobster house.  On Monday, I got up early again and completed the 3rd and 4th of my required open water dives.  It was on the Gulf side this time so not as much to see.  Good news is that I am now a certified scuba diver!!!

Heading out on the dive boat

Dinner at the Steak and Lobster House

When I got back to the boat from the dives on Monday, Don and Marcia walked up the Stuffed Pig and brought back massive sandwiches for lunch.  We decided to drop the dinghy in and go exploring for awhile.  We went a few miles back under the 7 mile bridge and toured through Boot Key.  On the way back we did have to stop at the Fishery for another beer.   We put the dinghy away and walked to tour a brand new 53ft Marlow that was at the marina.  Beautiful boat.  The only reason I mention this is because it is owned by fellow 4 Season's Marina friend Tom.  Some may remember him from D dock when he owned the boat "Crazy 8".  After happy hour on his boat it was back to the Fishery for Stone Crab and Oysters.  Don, Mark, I decided to have another cigar and get into the Bourbon.  Don was clearly over-served and somehow made it to bed.  Good news is that I think it was the best night sleep he had.  Saw Don off on Tuesday morning as he headed out to catch the shuttle to the Miami airport.  Felt sorry for him as he had a LONG day at the airport before getting home.  Sitting on the runway for almost 2 hours before cancelling the flight, but that is his story.  :(  Maybe the sunset picture will remind him that it was worth it.

Tuesday was a provisioning day.  We borrowed Rick and Rhonda's car and made a run to Publix.  Mark and I brought back cases of water, beer and soda while Deb and Marcia shopped. We picked them back up and brought bags of groceries back to the boat.  Lot of provisioning for the Bahama's.  As a side note, our ice maker died on Sunday in Marathon.  We ordered a new one and are having it shipped to the Key Largo West Marine store.  

Wednesday's wind and weather was OK, so we left out of Marathon and headed to Key Largo.  We ran on the outside in 2-3 footers in beautiful blue water.  

We made it to Key Largo without issue and are here now.  I am tired of typing as I am sure you are tired of reading, so will save Key Largo for another post.

Florida Keys

Stats - Will update on the next blog, but roughly another 400 miles.

So sorry for the delay in posting.  I know that there are a at least a few of you who enjoy reading this.  So let me see if I can recap what has been happening over the last several (10) days.

We left out of Pink Shell marina headed for Marco Island.  We had a good cruising day with Jim and Sarah Sutliff and arrived at Marco Island late morning.  We cooked up some dogs on the grill while waiting for the marina to make room for us to fuel up.  After fueling up we met up with Mike and Gloria from Four Seasons marina.  They picked us up and we had a drinks and snack at the local Snook Inn.  It was great seeing them again.  Had bacon and eggs on the boat then we dropped the dinghy in and went on a little cruise.  Beached it and went walking on the shell beach for a while then cruised through the Yacht Club.  We cooked up dinner on the boat and had a good day. 

We left early on Wednesday heading for Key West.  Could not have asked for better weather or a better cruise day.  Water was beautiful and we made the 100 mile run to Key West without issue.  After arriving at the Galleon Marina, we went to the the pool and relaxed.  We went out for dinner and met up later with Jeanie and Jack Halenkamp and Rick and Sarah who also were in Key West.  On Thursday my brother Don arrived and we did a little bar hopping.  The usual places, Hog's Breath Saloon , Irish Kevin's, Margaritaville, you get the idea.  We had an easy dinner with everyone and headed back to the boat.

 Entering Key West

Starting the cruise to the 1st way point

 Beautiful cruising day to Key West

Some bar in Key West

Sarah choking the chicken (Cluck Norris)

Boyle brothers with Dublin in the back ground

 Cluck's cousin

 Another cruising picture

 Galleon Marina Key West.

Our plan was to head to Marathon on Saturday, but the winds and waves were predicted to get very bad.  Plan B was activated and we ended up leaving at 7:30 on Friday morning to beat the weather.  Jim and Sarah left as they were taking the Express back to Ft Myers.  Was a little rough going to Marathon, but we were able to get into the marina a day earlier, but it was tough docking with 20 - 30 mph hour winds. 

Feels like I am at least partially caught up now.  Will still have to fill you in on Marathon and Key Largo, but enough for tonight.  Promise I will catch up on the blog over the next couple of days. 

Back on the Boat and on the Move

Stats -

Wow, yes it has been a while, but we are now back on the boat.  Have had a Bloody Mary and a few beers in me, but let's see if I can catch everyone up quickly.

Thanks-Giving was filling, Christmas was good, New Years was fun, all the family birthdays were intoxicating, but we are now back on the water and in warm weather.

We left out of Cincinnati in a rental SUV on Tuesday 2/11/20 and drove to just North of the Florida Line.  Wednesday was a long day.  We got up early and drove the rest of the way to Punta Gorda.  After arriving, we moved the boat over to Mark's house and then made the 1st trip to the grocery store (Walmart).  We finally stopped and ate dinner at 8:30 with Jim and Sarah.  The next few days were all about cleaning and provisioning the boat.  It was a lot more running around than last time, but we had several weeks to do that in Cincinnati versus the few days here.

We cast lines on Sunday morning at 9:00 and headed to Ft Myers Beach and are at The Pink Shell Resort now.  After the boat was tied up it was bloody mary time.  Walked over to the pool and then a long walk down the beach with a beer pit stop.  Back at the boat it was happy hour and a cigar.   Just had dinner at Pink Shell.

Sorry for the short post, but a lot going on - like having fun and drinking.  Jim and Sarah Sutliff are cruising with us to Key West.  Enjoy the pictures from the trip down and the cruise today.

Isles Yacht Club

Leaving Mark's house

 Casting lines

 Mark cruising

 Cabbage Key

 Entering Ft Myers Beach

 Pink Shell Resort

Bridge to Ft Myers Beach

Sarah choking my chicken (Cluck Norris)

Punta Gorda to Cincinnati

Stats Total days - 72, Travel days 39,  Total mile - 2264

Yes, I know!  It has been over a week since I have updated the Blog.  It has been a busy week and yes you read the title correctly.  We are back in Cincinnati, but let me give you a quick run down over the last week.

Sunday 11/17.

We woke up to 53 degrees, wind and clouds.  Great day to take the boat over to the Punta Gorda Isles Yacht Club and fuel up and pump out.  It was a cool ride, but the Harbour was not rough.  No issue fueling up or pumping out other than you had to be a member.  Thanks Mark for picking up the tab!  (I did reimburse him).  

Boat ride over to Isles Yacht Club

 Isle's Yacht Club - Fuel dock

When we got back to Mark's house, I decided to use his pressure washer and clean off all the non-skid, bridge and cockpit.  It was not the nicest or warmest day to do it, but it needed to be done.  After that was done, we were invited over to Jim and Sarah Sutliff's house to have happy hour with them and Marcia Herzog.  It was nice to take a break.  After HH, we went back to Mark's and just grilled up some hamburgers for dinner.

Monday 11/18

Monday was a nicer day weather wise.  I decided to continue buffing and waxing on the inside of the cockpit.  Marcia ended up going over to Sarah's to do a few loads of laundry.  Marcia Herzog and her friend left to go home, and then we packed up a few things and moved off the boat and into Sarah and Jim's house.  No rest for them as they just said goodbye to Marcia and said hello to us.  We ended up just making dinner with Sarah and Jim.  By that I mean Sarah and Jim made a salad with shrimp.  We then sat out and had drinks until after midnight.   The real midnight (12:00), not Looper midnight (9:00)

Tuesday 11/19

Tuesday was moving day.  We moved the boat from Mark's house over to Joyce and Roger's house.   It will stay there until early February when we go back down.  It was only 5 miles away, but it took a hour to get there as it was all through the canals at idle speed.  After we got the boat tied up, I worked on flushing the engines, generator, and air conditioners.  Marcia worked on packing everything up inside.  After a couple of hours we were enough done that we headed back to Sutliff's house.  While flushing the engines, I did find a split in one of the engine water intake hoses.  Not sure how long it was leaking, if at all.  It might have just been weak and when I put the hose pressure on it started to leak.  Either way we need to get it fixed.  Having a mechanic come to take a look at it next Tuesday.  We went with Jim and Sarah for Italian.

Wednesday 11/20

Wednesday was another work day.  I went back to the boat to finish up a couple of things and to spin the boat around.  I was not happy with the way that it was tied up for the next 2 months.  After that we began happy hour at Jim and Sarah's.  Mark and Debbie came over and we made fresh Mahi Mahi with steak for a little surf and turf.  After dinner we ended playing the card game Golf.  Sarah and Jim have obviously been practicing, that is all I am going to say.  

The boat's new home for the next couple of months.

 Surf and turf

Thursday 11/21

Thursday was a play day.  We started out with a big breakfast and then Jim, Sarah, Mark and us headed off to the Ft. Myers boat show.  It was a good show and nice break.  After 5 hours at the show, we head back home.  We all rested for a bit, then we all went out to dinner at the Crab Shack.  Dinner is served in plastic bags, and was actually really good.  Great way to wrap up the week.

Friday 11/22 & Saturday 11/23

Time to head back to Cincinnati.  I know, completely backwards.  Supposed to stay in Florida for the winter.  Anyway, Jim drove me to the airport to pick up the rental car.  Got a nice car, but there is always a story with it.  I won't bore everyone here with the story, so ask me about it when I see you.  We packed the car to the gills and headed out around 8:15.  Marcia gave the cat her pills (sedative) and she was very friendly during the trip home.

Only downside was driving through Atlanta on a Friday night during rush hour.

We stayed in a hotel about 30 miles north of Atlanta.  Only reason I really mention this is because after our second load of bags to the room the front desk called.  Apparently the cat got out without us knowing it and was roaming the hallway.  Marcia went out and got her.  She was sitting in the window sill.  Early night and then rain all the way back on Saturday.  After unloading at the house, we then had to drive back to the airport to drop the car off.  

We are home now and are looking forward to seeing everyone over the next few weeks.  Oh, by the way, we have now had TWO AFD in a row!!!!  Have not had that in quite a while.  Back to a life of health.  :)