FLORIDA KEYS ADVENTURE

[Ixneigh]

My forecast for the upper and middle keys
Windy.
Ix

[Gazmn]

I wonder How Norca is doing...
& where he is...
It is windy. So windy, that I don't mind that I'm not on the water yet.

It was beautiful today, though. 80* & all sun.

I got a really late start. Mainly because my phone rang. The Marina mgr (Candy) asked me to move my boat & trailer. Before that it was a sweet sleep, as I hadnt slept fully horizontal since Sunday

It was 1:30PM by the time I got outside, starting with official marina registering, then boat moving. I worked on emptying the boat from 2- almost 6, caught a bit of the Sunset. You have to find your "spot" to do that properly, mine was more a pause from work.

Earlier I was a hot, sweaty mess till I got a boom tent up, over the horizontal mast. That really helped as I worked clearing out the boat. Alot was just getting stuff out of the cabin. I can't put much away in their place yet because I never had a good place for them in the first place

I'll upload & edit in some pics later. I made some shelving before I left & put it up. Hopefully, I now have "a place". But untill it's put away I just have alot of stuff around and on my boat
Oh, & the boat has to be ready to go in it's slip by tomorrow - cause I'm out of the apt. Friday morning.

I caught the sunset as I drove S into Marathon. I refamiliarized myself with points of interst on my way down to Home Depot - The Hallmark of Civilization
I Love This Place!
Firstly, 'Cause it's Home Depot & I know, no matter what State I'm in, I can get a $9 screwdriver- & I know where the bathroom is.
But this HD has... Starboard & Boat Stuff ...
I don't even Need any starboard - but Now I can Get Some! To me, That's Exciting!
How exciting? I came out - only cause they were closing; 3 hours & $400 later... I have a sickness...

Then it was off to Publix. Cause now they're the only other place down here with the lights still on; Till 10... I left 10:15 because they're too polite to kick you out. In my defense, I was excited & didn't realize the time. They don't have starboard - they have food & booze- so I was still excited. Then hungry, cause I hadn't eaten since coffee & a muffin while moving my boat & trailer. Thank God for "bachelor surprize" waiting for me in my refrigerator.
& my post

[Gazmn]

Well it only took 4 days but I'm finally in the water
There's been a series of fronts that have passed through. One of em dropped 6"s of snow on my home in NY.
It was nice having an apt to use during transition & setup. & when I packed out of there I understood why one military leader burned the ships after troop drop off, so the only way home was Through the enemy

Nothing gets your tail in gear like sleeping on your boat in a desserted trailer parking lot. I got it in the next day.
Made it in just before the next horn blower. & it was a good one. Bone soaked wet in foulie top - who thought I'd need the bottom Fixed my dock lines, just right. Got electric, water & cable



Until I made the slip, I considered myself just a few de-evolutionary steps from a homeless shopping cart person
There's many here in the Keys...

Boat's tied in slip 39. After hot marina shower & a nice aged rum, glass, I crawled into the best sleep I've had in some time
I slept for 12hrs in my boat hammock. & Jackson Brown's "Rock Me on the Water" took on a much deeper meaning to me.

It's SuperBowl day - Who cares- no offense
Gotta get some supplies - & a tv cable...



The sun always shines bright - after the storm & full setup.

[Norca]

Nor-Ca is anchored in Sister Creek Marathon,
I have been without wi-fi for a while
Thursday and Friday we stayed tied to the mangroves in Tavernier. That is after riding out 20knts wind with gusts to 30knts in Little Basin not far from Lorelei restaurant. All night anchor-watch and a long day it was
We are staying here 4-5 days, so I will check in here now and then since we have wi-fi at the city dinghy-dock.
It was a wet dinghy-ride to the dock today, but going back with the wind behind should be easy

[bahama bound]

Gazm ,are you still at hawks cay ,the girl candy you spoke of had a mac when we were the but sold it ,also the is a hull of a nice guy ,mike from Chicago on a beneteau 375 named Barbara Jean that took us sailing ........

[Gazmn]

Hey Bahama,

Yes I met Mike. I'm a couple of slips away from him. I brought you up, & he remembered you and your family. It was a funny conversation, as I was setting up before the storm. I realized, I only know you as "Bahama Bound" - & I couldn't give a real name

He was on his way back to Chicago, the next day.

& yes, Candy told me about her Mac. She was very helpful getting me int the slip & setting lines. I'll be here for the month of February, thanks to your reccomendation.

Thanks Buddy

[Gazmn]

Nor-Ca is anchored in Sister Creek Marathon,
I have been without wi-fi for a while
Thursday and Friday we stayed tied to the mangroves in Tavernier. That is after riding out 20knts wind with gusts to 30knts in Little Basin not far from Lorelei restaurant. All night anchor-watch and a long day it was
We are staying here 4-5 days, so I will check in here now and then since we have wi-fi at the city dinghy-dock.
It was a wet dinghy-ride to the dock today, but going back with the wind behind should be easy

Glad you're alright
I was a little worried because I know what it was like the past week.

Did you get my PM with my phone #? Give me a call. I'd love to meet up. It's easy for me to drive down to where you are too. I don't think there'll be much boating with this weeks weather. It's also gonna go down to the 50's. There's a K Mart not too far from you. I can give you a lift if you need supplies.

I even picked up a cheap TV, but all I get is Spanish television through an air antenna
Let me know.

[Norca]

I'll give You a call I am just setting up a US cell this morning,
So now I avoid roaming charges.
I also need a US phone to be able to call homeland security,
I have a cruising permit, and I have to report my movements to them.
Canadian cell doesen't work on the 800 number.

[Gazmn]

I'll give You a call I am just setting up a US cell this morning,
So now I avoid roaming charges.
I also need a US phone to be able to call homeland security,
I have a cruising permit, and I have to report my movements to them.
Canadian cell doesen't work on the 800 number.

Very good. I'll look out for your call. We always have this site for contact.

[RGF]

Don't you find that just a bit ironic, Norca?! With all of the "unknown " folks in our country, a fellow cruiser from our great neighbors to north who at least bothered to check in, now must report your every move. Boy, oh boy!!! . Sorry to go off topic.....

[bahama bound]

To funny ,mike took us out in hurricane Joaquin as it past by ! We miss mike !!!!

[Gazmn]

Don't you find that just a bit ironic, Norca?! With all of the "unknown " folks in our country, a fellow cruiser from our great neighbors to north who at least bothered to check in, now must report your every move. Boy, oh boy!!! . Sorry to go off topic.....

Norca's doin fine - Key Stylin'. While we'll try to meet up, just to say "Hey ", & post a pic for the Site. We both have our own agendas goin.

But I'd like tell you guys, hats off to Norca & crew. It's been a rough few days, with some more to come. He stood his post & saw his souls through. I heard we may have lost a senior couple sailing in Lake Okechobee, due to the Horn blowers...
My baby at home bravely shovelled another 4 inches in "King of Queens", NY. She's my "Brick House" - built like an Amazon And "Three Times A Lady"

While she was shovelling, I woke up to "The day sfter the storm" kind of beautiful weather. I didn't expect it & was really surprised by it. Norca & crew went to Sombrero Beach, in Marathon; which is really nice. & I Paddle Boarded from Hawks Cay bay to the Ocean outlet & back around, oceanside for 4 or so miles. Great workout, with all safety precautions taken. I'm even still stoked.

The forecast again shows Small Craft advisory yada yada yada for the next couple of days, with 60 to no higher than 70* days comin - Beats working & shovelling, though

Thank you Jos, Wifey. She's coming back at the end of the week- bring a sweatshirt Baby, Winter's humming...
But it's better than shovelling


-Back @ Home...


Or...
"The weather is here - I wish u were beautiful..." J. Buffet




Sunset @ Sombrero Beach.

[Gazmn]

Ok. Two weeks in report:

We had a lot of days that while sunny were very windy. I haven't taken boat out of slip
The water around Hawks Cay is shallow great for paddleboarding & boating recon:



2/13- while closing up boat, to go pick up wife fr FLL & stay over in Miami for Boat Show, I slipped while stepping off bow onto dock. Jacked up my lower back, left side
Heavy ibuprofin & ab wrap since walking gingerly.
Am better 5 days out. I'm at about 90%.

Boat Show Likes:
Newer Version of Brownell Boat Lift, not out yet. ~$2k With Jacks & shipping


I'm also considering a stop on my N return home in NC for [url https://www.scaffoldmart.com/marinemart ... al-system/]this[/url]

There were a lot of boats I'm not buying & didn't bother getting on. ...
The only other thing that caught my eye & twixes my wallet is: this item
[& of course, I'm only interested in the 1600 model ]
But as sold through Brownies third lung, Fort Lauderdale, Fl.

I have paddlebaorded & started open water dive certification for me & admiral. Two days in; One more day. This has used most of our energy past few days & good weather. Diving will be done Thursday.

Diving @ Sombrero Key Lighthouse With Hall's Diving, on "The Lady Key Diver"

I get 1 & 1/2 days after with admiral & then she's back in NY as school teacher 2/22/16
I get to stay as long as she'll let

Afternoons have been sunny, with less wind than the AMs. For the first time, I wish we were out on Miss Ollie on the reefs rather than someone elses dive boat. But I want the training & certification. All in due time.

I just scheduled 3/14/16 return now

[whgoffrn]

Definitely jealous.....was thinking about driving mine down this weekend but looks like another weekend of wind so will have to post pone again :-/

[81venture]

How did I miss this post?? I've been so busy with careing for my wifes mom I guess (Alzhiemers)

now I feel bad i did.. i would've totally offered free overnight lodging here on your way down... It was right on your way. I saw you were in Selma (off 95) and I am only about 30 min from there.

Mom lives in Syracuse...so if I had known I would suggest you left NY to my house (10 hours) and then my house to FL another 15 hours or so to get to the miami


When you are on your way back let me know and Same offer applies.. I have space for both you and your boat. For a fellow member I am glad to help...and I get to see and crawl over your boat for ideas

Cheers Mate

Dave

Wake Forest NC