Cheap Flight to New Jersey (Days 135 - 137)

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: Cool in NJ and Cool in FL when we returned.

Comment: Time for another adventure! We got cheap ($100 round trip from Ft. Lauderdale to Atlantic City for two) tickets so decided to pay a visit to our family in NJ.

The flight home was great; completely smooth and fast. Sandi and Rose met us at the airport and whisked us away to their house where we spent the night. Shelley and the kids came over and we had a great time visiting with them.

On Thursday, we drove home with Rose and Madie who were to spend the next couple of nights with us. We had great fun with them. I took Claire clothes shopping on Thursday night and we took everyone to the toy store on Friday night. All the kids stayed over on Friday night. We played games, talked and watched them play computer games.

We did it again on Saturday for a few hours. Greg drove us to the airport in time for our 2115 flight back to Ft. Lauderdale. We found our rental car just a few minutes past midnight and by 0330, we were back aboard SUNSHINE. It was a great visit and the price was right: A little over $100 for round trip air fare for to from Ft. Lauderdale, $42.00 car rental from Ft. Lauderdale to Thrift Car Rental in Marathon.

Hello Joe and Dee (Days 126 - 134)

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: We’ve enjoyed spring like weather for the week. The wind was variable ranged from calm to 30 knots during the week. The temps ranged from lows in the high 50s to the high 60s and the high temps ranged from the low 70s to the low 80s.

Comment: We had a great week! Joe and Dee visited. Joe likes to drive, and since they had a car, we went places that are out of reach by walking and biking. Dining highlights included 25 cent shrimp at Sparky’s, Pizza at the No Name Pub, fish sandwiches at the Islamorada Fish Company, Stone Crab Claws at The Keys Fishery, seafood at Schooners Warf in Key West, Beer Butt Chicken at Porky’s, cheeseburgers at the Marathon Elks Lodge, and a pig roast at the Dockside.

Activities included a trip to Deer Key to see the little Key Deer, walked Key West and viewed the Sunset, repair of the hydraulic steering (Marathon Boatworks), heard the Doerfel Family again (this time a the Hurricane), shopped at the Nautical Flea Market in Islamorada and the weekend flea market in Big Pine Key and went to the Marathon Community Movie house (Mall Cop), visited the Funston’s and watched the sunset from their dock at Marathon Marina.
We also toured local resorts and marinas on a scouting mission for the Fritz’s next boating destination to the Keys.

On Wednesday, the Fritz’s dropped us off at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. We taking advantage of a $9.00 flight home aboard Spirit Airlines (round trip for two including taxes and seats in a little over $100.00). We’ll be back aboard SUNSHINE early Sunday morning. The Fritz's are heading home after a most enjoyable visit. We hope they can return for another leg of the trip.

Hyrdraulic Steering (Day 125)

Steering Repair @ Marathon Boat Yard

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: Here we go again! Bright sunshine, light wind, 80 and 70 degrees

Comment: Once Again, the steering fluid reservoir is empty. This marks the third time on the trip. The leak must be getting worse. We decided to have it fixed once and for all. Marathon Boat Yard has a hydraulic steering mechanic. He immediately found a leak in the cylinder.

The yard is working up a price on replacing it with a new one and another price for “resealing” this one.

Happy Valentine's Day & More (Days 123 & 124)

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: Mostly sunny; high near 80, low near 70; light & variable wind; calm in the harbor; two beautiful days!

Comments:

Hootenanny!

Each Saturday night (weather permitting) musician-boaters gather under the Tiki Hut to play, sing, consume some adult beverages and enjoy the camaraderie. Sadly, most of the Saturdays since we’re been here have been too cold for the weekly sing-along, but not this Valentine's evening!

A crowd of about 25 gathered with ten singer/guitar players. One captain brought his bongos and others brought marimbas to provide percussion. They played a good mix of songs and the audience was not shy about singing along.

Just imagine, a moonlit night in a quiet harbor, some guitars strumming softly and a couple of dozen people singing in harmony. It was a delicious evening! Happy Valentine's Day!

Another Body Found

CUDJOE KEY – A man’s body was pulled from the water off the shore of Cudjoe Key earlier in the week.

The sheriff’s Office and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to reports that a couple on a sailboat had spotted a body. They found the body face down in a muddy area. The man’s kayak was nearby. A vehicle belonging to him was found parked in an access area.

There was no sign of foul play.

This marks the third body that has been found floating face down in the Keys since we’ve been here. The other two involved alcohol.

Laundry and Boat Chores

We continue to keep up with boat chores. I finally finished polishing the stainless that is on the transoms and stern. While in the dinghy, I was able to do a bit of spot fiberglass cleaning.

Meanwhile, Anna Marie did the laundry. She was fourth in line when she arrived at 0745. Her task was completed by 1200 hours and we spent the day on additional boat chores. She cleaned and I reinforced the fiberglass for the starboard engine lifting apparatus.

Exodus! (Day 122)

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: Bright and sunny most of the day, fog in the morning; High 80, low in the high 60s; light wind; flat calm in the harbor

Comment: Fog. It’s rather unusual in the keys, but we had some this morning. By mid morning, the harbor was clear of the fog which remained all around us until the afternoon. The harbor was a kind of bulls eye of clear sky but was surrounded by fog.

For the last three days, we have been enjoying great weather. Many boats have taken the opportunity to leave for other ports. Some are going to the Bahamas, others to the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Still others are going up the west coast of Florida.

New boats arrive daily, but in the last three days, more have left than have arrived, so that there are now mooring balls available.

Listening to the cruisers’ net is interesting every morning, but particularly so when you hear the new arrivals and where they have come from as well as hearing the departures tell where they are heading next. Most have to pass through the Boot Key Harbor Bascule Bridge and the captain and bridge tender always have unique exchanges. There is usually kind words for the harbor and the fun the departures have had. The bridge captain usually invites the crew back for another visit.

On the day, we rode our bikes a bit, and did a few boat chores, including removing the port stern hatch which leaks (only in the rain!). We’re going to rebed it tomorrow, hopefully that will fix the problem. I’m not optimistic. It looks like the glass doesn’t make a proper seal with the gasket. I suspect the hatch will have to be replaced.

Springtime in the Keys (Day 121)

View from a tropical beach restaurant (Morada Bay) in Islamorada (The temperature is 80 degrees)


LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: Partly sunny; high 80, low mid 60s; light wind, flat calm in the harbor; all-in-all a gorgeous day

Comment: It's is officially springtime in the Keys! All of the locals we have talked to tell us that winter is over.





We took care of some medical business, finished provisioning, met the Funston’s for Stone Crabs at the Keys Fisheries ($1.00 per claw on the upper deck) and then went to the movies (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) with them. The movie was long, interesting, and yes… it could happen!

When we returned home, we enjoyed coffee and tea in the cockpit (parat of our normal routine). The harbor was flat calm and there wasn’t a sound to be heard, except for the occasional dinghy motoring off in the distance. It was a most peaceful evening.

Provisioning Day Part 1 (Day 120)

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: Partly sunny, breezy, mid 70s, mid 60s, chop in the harbor

Comment: Provisioning Part 1 (refrigerated items and some general items) - will do Part 2 tomorrow (heavy items). When completed, we’ll be set for a few weeks.

We went to Sparky’s for the $0.25 shrimp. I also enjoyed what they bill as the best gumbo east of the Mississippi. I can attest to that. It is the best gumbo I’ve had since New Orleans. We’re going back for gumbo night on Tuesday.

Dinghy Motors Problems Continue (Day 119)

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: Mostly sunny, E Breeze @ 15 – 20 knots; High 70s, low 70s

Comment: The dinghy motor stopped running again. This time, I took all the fuel lines off, cleaned them and reinstalled them. While at it, I took the carburetor off thinking I would clean it again. I found that the choke butterfly was broken. Dave graciously picked Anna Marie up and took her ashore. She walked to Eric’s (Inflatable Boats of the Florida Keys) who exchanged the carburetor for a new one since it is still under warranty. When she arrived back, thanks again Capt. Dave, I reinstalled the carburetor and we took off for a fresh water run. Boy do we have power now. The engine never ran so fast.

Unfortunately, a new problem has arisen. The motor doesn’t idle anymore. Once back on board, we made a quick call to Eric. He was out on the water working on another boat but Fran patched me in and the three of us had a conference call. Eric said he would meet me at the dinghy dock at 1745 hours.

He took off the cap and immediately noticed that the gaskets were installed in the wrong sequence. I assured him that they have been that way for months. I know this because that’s the way we put it back together in Jekyll Island, low those many months ago. It’s that sequence that I have been following.

Eric quickly (less than five minutes) made the correction, fired her up and, hey, she idled nicely, thank you very much!

I was back aboard SUNSHINE in a flash for our farewell dinner with Capt. Dave. He’s heading to Ft. Meyers tomorrow. We hope to see him in a couple of months when we head north.

I can’t say enough good things about Eric. He is very responsive, is an excellent trouble shooter and mechanic, fair and an all around nice guy. It is certainly a pleasure to do business with him. Anna Marie feels the same. We’d go out of our way to do business with him.

If you ever find yourself in Marathon and need any kind of marine parts, service or advice, especially pertaining to dinghies, gives Eric a call. You won’t be sorry.

Yellow Tails! (Day 118)

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: morning clouds give way to mostly sunny; high temp in the mid 70s (Yeah!) low temp in the high mid 60s; East wind #10 – 20 knots

Comment: Happy Fifth Birthday, Madie!

After listening to only one half of the cruiser’s net, we decided to have breakfast ashore, our first breakfast out since we’ve been in Marathon. We biked north to the Village Café and enjoyed a quiet breakfast in the restaurant. Following our respite, we continued north and took the bike trail behind the Marathon Airport. John Funston told us he heard it was a nice bike trail and, so it was.

The trail eventually brought us back to the moat which is US 1 and we continued north. We crossed over Vaca Cut and decided to stop at the Island Tiki Hut and Fish House for a cold beverage. We also sampled their Calamari and can say with out doubt that it is the best we have had. If you visit, it is a must try!

It was time to head south. We stopped on the Vaca Cut Bridge to watch two guys fishing from a flats boat that was anchored just on the bayside, only 50 feet from the bridge. One of the guys was using a white bucktail with a shrimp and the other had a light weight and shrimp baited on his hook.

I noticed that there was a fish flopping on the floor of the boat, but could only see the tail and so was unable to identify it. The guy with the white bucktail dropped his line in the water and let the strong ebb current take his line under the bridge. Almost immediately, he had a fish on. He didn’t use any finesse in reeling it in. He just muscled in to the boat, flipped up the tip of his rod and turned. The fish literally sprang into the boat. Then the fisherman put down his rod, picked up the fish and put it under his arm, pulled the hook out, dropped the fish, picked up his rod, baited it with a shrimp and had the hook back in the water. The whole operation took less than a minute.

Within seconds, he had another fish on. Following the same procedure, he boated the fish, both of which were the largest yellowtail I’ve ever seen. Within seconds of his line hitting the water, he had another. He was into them big time now. After getting the fish off the hook, he immediately put the bucktail back in the water, not wasting time to bait up with a shrimp. Sometimes, when he’d fling the fish from water to boat, the fish released from the hook when in hit the floor of the boat. In these instances, he had the line back in the water within seconds after the fish was off the hook.

Eventually the other fisherman switched to a white bucktail, having been skunked with just the shrimp. He almost immediately started catching the Yellow Tails too. We watched for almost twenty minutes and by the time we left, the entire port floor of the little flats boat was filled with large Yellow Tails.

At one point, I remarked that the fisherman was putting on quite a display of fishing. He offered that he was a flats boat captain, out oh his free time with his buddy. He charters out of Captain Hook’s, which was on the other side of the street and just under the bridge.

Now that’s my kind of fishing. You board the boat, motor out about two hundred yards, drop the hook in flat, protected water, and immediately start catching fish!

After tearing ourselves away from the action, we crossed the street to visit Captain Hook’s. We found out that the Captain we were watching is Jesse. A half day charted goes for $450.00 for two people (that’s about all that will fit on a flats boat).

By the time we returned to the boat, it was after 1530 hours. We had a great day and a nice, relaxing bike ride.

The Doerfels (Day 117)

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195
Still Cool, but Warming up

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: Mostly cloudy; high in the mid 70s, low in the mid 60s, NE wind @ 15 knots and gusty

Comment: We’re finally in a warming trend, although the wind is supposed be right around 20 knots and gusty for the next two or three days.

We joined the Funston’s and their friends (these folks were a hoot! We hope to meet them again) at the Bluegrass and Barbecue festival at the Episcopal Church in Marathon. The chicken B-B-Q was good and flavorful although not spectacular (they had no white meat) and the sides of baked beans and potato salad were typical.

The music on the other hand, was spectacular. The oldest five (of ten) children of the Doerfel Family sang with intriguing harmonies and displayed excellent musicianship. The 18 year old (only daughter) fiddle player was spectacular. Three of the youngest children played or sang on several songs. Mom and Dad Doerfel were introduced as was one of the grandmas. The oldest Doerfel (20) was married eight months ago and his wife, Angelica, joined in for at least half of the show.

Here's a video I found on YouTube (I don't think it does them justice, but it'll give you a samle of their talents):



This was a great evening and the proceeds from the affair went to the Grace Jones Day Care Center to help pay the mortgage and, it's one of the many reasons we like Marathon. There are plenty of things (like this) to do.

Days 115, 116

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: It is still on the cool side! On Friday, the overnight low was 48 degrees, up four degrees from the previous night. The high made it to 70 degrees on Saturday. 65; We've had sunshine and overcast conditions with strong, gusty N and NE wind @ 15 – 25 knots and some chop in the harbor, which can make for a wet dinghy ride.

Comment: Beside the usual boat maintenance chores, and reading (Bill read 7 books in January and three for Anna Marie) and game playing, we try go ashore for a daily walk or bike ride.

Our friends, the Hodder’s from SCYC, were driving by and pulled over to say hello. We rode with them back to the marina and visited for a while before they had to leave. They were on their way to visit Al’s brother who is staying on Cudjoe Key, about 20 miles from Key West.

We're thankful that we seem to have started into a warming trend today, Sunday, February 8. 2009. The wind is predicted to be out of the east, northeast and strong and gusty for the next two or three days. Small craft warnings are posted for the Atlantic and Gulf until Tuesday evening.

We are joining the Funston’s and their friends and will attend the Bluegrass and Barbeque festival at the Episcopal Church in Marathon. Just another of the many things to do in Marathon.

Wind Chill 30 Degrees (Day 114)

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: 0730 temp is 44 degrees (wind chill 30 degrees), it warmed up to the high 50s by mid afternoon; N wind @ 20 – 25 knots; moderate chop in the harbor;

Comment: What’s going on? We had a wind chill warning (30 degrees from Key West to Marathon) until 0900 hours!

The crew of SUNSHINE spent the day on the boat, playing games, reading books and doing a few boat chores.

Laundry and Dinghy Motor Repair (Day 113)

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: Bright and sunny at wake up time; wind light; low temp 55, high temp 67; NE wind picks up to 20 in the afternoon as another cold front moves through.

Comment: It is laundry day! We went ashore with a single purpose in mind; do the laundry. Anna Marie took her place in line. We arrived at the marina's laurdry facility at 0750 hours and there were already three people ahead of her. I waited around, checking the news and weather and walking the dock, but eventually returned to the boat to try to accomplish some boat chores.

I had just completed a couple of small tasks when Anna Marie called to say she was ready. On the way to pick her up, the dinghy engine stopped running. I was able to get it started again, but within minutes, it stopped running and no amount of coaxing could get it running again. I broke out the oars and rowed in to get her.

Captain Dave offered to tow us, but, given the fact that it was a bright sunny day with light wind, we declined his gracious offer.

Along the way, Larry (Tropical Gail Winds) offered to tow us. We thanked him for the offer but kept rowing. It really wasn’t tough to row but I wouldn’t have wanted to do it in 25 knots of head wind.

Within an hour, I removed, cleaned and reinstalled the carburetor, cleaned out the fuel line and had the engine running again. By this time, the wind had picked up and it was too lumpy to put the motor back on the dinghy. We left it on the kicker pad and will put it back on the dinghy tomorrow or whenever we need to go ashore again.

Cookingand Baking (Day 112)

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: cloudy & windy

Our New Stove Top Oven

Comment: We received the new Coleman camp oven in the mail yesterday. This oven was ordered to replace the Heat Pal oven we tried a last week. Since we stayed aboard all day today, Anna Marie wanted to try the new oven. She also wanted to make soup and bread pudding. It seems she spent the whole day cooking!

She started out by “seasoning” the oven. When it was ready, she baked a loaf of Hawaiian Sweet Bread. As an aside, it should be noted that we used to sail to Block Island for summer vacations. While anchored in the Great Salt Pond, we would by the Portuguese Sweet Bread from Aldo. Aldo owned the bakery and patrolled the harbor in the morning and afternoon to sell his baked goods. We really liked the Portuguese Sweet Bread, but have never found a recipe that could reproduce the flavor. Anna Marie hoped that her find of the Hawaiian Sweet Bread mix would finally fill the bill.

Hawiian Sweet Bread

After some 45 minutes, the bread came out of the oven and it looked fantastic! After letting it cool for a while, I cut off a couple of slices. We both agreed that it tasted as good as Aldo’s Portuguese Sweet Bread. This box mix is a winner!

Following that success, Anna Marie set out to make some chicken soup from the carcass of the Beer Butt Chicken we enjoyed at Porky’s last night. Without a doubt, the soup was the best ever chicken soup we had even tasted! Anna Marie was on a roll.

The Beer Butt Chicken from Porky’s cost $13.50 and it served us not only for dinner, but we enjoyed Beer Butt Chicken Soup for the next two lunches. What a great deal!

Surprisingly, Anna Marie wasn’t done exploring her culinary talents. She went on the make a Sweet Beef Stew for dinner and Bread Pudding for dessert. Both dishes were prepared in the pressure cooker, which has been getting a lot of use. For weeks it has been too chilly and/or too windy to use the grill. Anna Marie has seemed to enjoy learning the ways of the pressure cooker and it has become the most used appliance in the galley.

Beer Butt Chicken (Day 111)

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long: 24 42 32N 81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

Weather: Overnight temp started at 64 degrees, but made it to 70 degrees by 0430 hours; overcast in the morning with showers; light wind out of the south in the morning; heavy north wind (max 60 mph) and heavy showers began at 2000 hours; the wind subsided by 2200 hours and light showers visited throughout the night

Comment: What do you get when you stick a can of beer up a dead chicken’s butt? After 350 degrees in an oven for who knows how long, it is served as Beer Butt Chicken. At Porky’s, this delicacy costs $13.50 with another $6.00 for sides, you get a tasty meal for two, with enough chicken left over for lunch (or in our case, soup) for the next day.

By the time the meal was over, the wind and rain had started. Rather than head boack to the dinghy, we boarded “Hielan’ Lass” for a game of cards. We played for an hour or two and by the time we finished, the wind and rain had diminished to a tolerable level. John drove us back to the Boot Key Harbor City Marina, where we pumped out the accumulated rain water that covered the dinghy floor and headed for home. With our foul weather gear on, we didn’t even get wet!

Super Bowl Sunday (Day 110)

"Valkyrie" a home built cruiser

LAY DAY: Boot Key Harbor, Mooring Ball L-10 MM1195

Lat/ Long:
24 42 32N
81 05 57W

NOTE: To view our position, click "Position Reports” in the right hand column. You can zoom in for a detailed view or zoom out to see out bread crumbs.

A live aboard Tartan 27

Weather: Partly Cloudy (solar gain 49.9 amp hours), low in the mid 60s, high in the low 70s; NE wind 10 – 12 knots

Comment: It is Super Bowl Sunday. We partied in the marina building with about 80 other people. Captain Dave is a Steelers fan so we joined him in rooting for the Steelers although we really preferred to see a good game. That’s what Captain Dave wanted too. We were joined in our “booth” by Chris from “New Wave.” Chris was torn between rooting for the Steelers or the underdog Cardinals. He too, was hoping for a good game.

An expanded houseboat

Our party consisted of hoagies and chips with some sparkling water to wash it down. Others partied with beer and spirits. One captain brought 14 cans of beer and 9 ounces of Bourbon. A couple of folks overindulged and wound up stumbling around and breaking things. One couple took a hard fall but appeared to have escaped injury and that was before half time!

Ian Farrier designed folding Trimaran

It seemed that the Cardinals were the sentimental favorite for this crowd. The Steelers won in the waning seconds of the game. Even Cardinal fans had to agree that it was a good game.

We took some pictures of interesting boats that are in the harbor. Some are included here, the others are in the February photo album.