Openning Day!

Weather: Isolated thunderstorms moved through last night signaling that a cold front would soon arrive. We had rain on and off overnight, but the temperature remained at 79 degrees. We awoke to a shower, the last one of the day as it turned out, and 25 knot winds (gusting to 30) out of the northeast. It most probably will blow for the next couple of days. We wait for the winds to subside a bit before we leave the harbor. The temp dropped through the low 70’s and into the 60’s during the day and ended in the high 50’s by 2200 hours. After the rain showers, we had periods of bright sun although there were clouds passing by most of the day.

Comment: Although this was to be our last full day in the harbor, we will wait for the cold front to move through and for the wind to subside. The day started out as usual (cereal for breakfast, listen to the cruisers’ net do a couple of boat chores and have lunch aboard).

Following lunch, we donned our foul weather gear, piled into the dinghy and set off for the marina. The ride wasn’t as wet as I had anticipated. We headed directly into the wind (due north) at a snails pace. Our objective was to get into the lee of the land in the shortest possible distance. Once we got to calmer water, we turned to starboard and picked our way through the shoals. Some thoughtful mariner has placed additional PVC pipe markers and affixed red triangles and green squares to clearly mark the safe way through the shoals. Very helpful!

Our first objective was the opening ceremony of the Marathon Little League Season. It seems that there are four minor and major league teams (the Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox, Marlins, and Braves were represented).

After the ceremony, we intended walk across the park to the amphitheater to see the Army Band. Alas, the weather caused the performance to be moved indoors to the high school. Not being exactly sure about the location of the H. S., we opted to stay at the ball park to watch the Yankees and the Red Sox do battle. It was a very entertaining game which the Yankees won; coming from 2 runs down, to win by a score of 6 to 5. It was great fun. While watching the game, we enjoyed a great frank and some peanuts! Just like the big show!!!

After the game, we hoofed it to the theater to see “Fool’s Gold.” It was a nice romantic comedy about treasure hunting - very appropriate subject matter for the Keys. Part of the story was to have taken place in Key West. Judging from the background mountains, it is safe to say that the film wasn’t shot in Key West.

The dinghy ride back to the boat was a “down wind” run and we made it back without getting wet.