HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i (pronounced how-oh-lay la ho-o-ma-key-kah-ee)

A Short Drive Home!

SUNSHINE was moved to the marina last Monday. The rest of the day was spent preparing the boat for a short lay up while we go home to play with the grandkids!

On Tuesday, we drove up to New Smyrna Beach to visit friends. On Wednesday, we headed north and stopped to camp in Florence, SC. The following day, we camped in Chincoteague, VA and on Friday, we finished the drive home, after meeting friends for lunch at the Elmer Diner.

Completing the trip in four comparatively short days made for easy driving and we managed to miss all of the rush hour traffic.

We're ready for Thanksgiving and in about a week, we'll be ready for Christmas too.

Aviation Day at Marathon Airport

Aviation Day at Marathon Airport

Experimental Airplane

Sky Divers

About to land

A day at the Pool!

After days of rigorous exercise, we decided that today would be a good day to try out the pool at Banana Bay. So we hopped on our bikes for the 1/2 mile ride to the resort. We spent several hours by the pool and perhaps 1/2 hour in the hot tub. A great remedy for a sore back!

At about 1600 hours, we returned to the boat and relaxed for awhile before grilling a nice, juicy steak for dinner, which we enjoyed al fresco in the cockpit.

This is the view sunset we enjoyed from our back porch.

Cocoa's Princess Grace!

Princess Grace lies off the ICW near Cocoa Village, FL

We first saw this vessel in November of 2008 just off the ICW near Cocoa Village. Each time we cruised by, we wonder how the ship came to be in that particular location and what its fate might be. Today, we came upon the real story. Click here to learn more about to learn about the Princess Grace..

Conch Republic Radio!

While in Key West today, we stopped in the offices of Conch Republic Radio to visit with Gail and to pick up one of their coconut radios. We had a nice chat about their TV Production Key West TIme (DirecTV Channel 354) and Gail surprised us by making a gift of the coconut radio. Thanks Gail! We'll tell all our friends to listen to the great sounds on conchrepublicradio.com (or visit conchtv.com)!

Our Conch Republic Radio Coconut 

Squawks is keeping an eye on the new radio

Bike Rides!

Monday, November 8, 2010 Day 50

Lay Day: Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida Keys, Mooring Ball D2, MM 1195.0

L/L: 22 42 43N 081 05 40W

Weather: overcast all day; high 75 low low 60s;  N  20 knots diminishing to < 10 in the late afternoon 

Comment: Typically, our day begins with breakfast and the Cruisers’ Net. At this time of the year, with few boats in the harbor, the  cruisers’ net lasst all of ten minutes, and sometimes not that long. When  the harbor is filled with boats, it could last for 30 minutes or more.

Once we got ashore, we took a 12 mile bike ride. As usual, riding into the 20 knot breeze made for slow going. When we finally turned around, the wind speed was considerably reduced. At twenty knots, the wind would have blown us back to the marina, or so it might have seemed. Still, it was good to have a ten knot breeze at our backs for the final five miles. 

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 Day 51

Lay Day: Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida Keys, Mooring Ball D2, MM 1195.0

L/L: 22 42 43N 081 05 40W

Weather: bright sunshine all day; high 77 low mid 60s;  NE  10 knots diminishing to < 10 in the late afternoon 

Comment: After another short Cruisers’ Net, we went ashore for another bike ride. Before setting off, we went to the Keys Fishery for some iced tea and to enjoy the spectacular view. Workers have started construction on a new Tiki Hut which will be adjacent to and may even incorporate the upper deck. 

Following this little respite, we set off in a northly direction. After five or six miles, we stopped at the  Island Fish Company and Tiki Bar for lunch.  Wenenjoyed a light lunch and the view. Once we had our fill, we continued north. We made it to about MM 59, ten miles from the marina. At this point, the bike path ended. To go further north, we would have to pedal on the dirt path or on the shoulder of US 1. We decided it was time to turn around. The trip back to the marina included one stop for water at the Burger King and a quick stop at Publix for some groceries. We made it back to the marina in a little over an hour.

Oncew aboard, we rested, grilled a couple of brats and enjoyed a dinner as the sun was setting.

We biked on the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail

The trail ends at Mile Marker 59, about 10 miles from where we started

Gypsies in the Palace!

Lay Day: Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida Keys, Mooring Ball D2, MM 1195.0

L/L: 22 42 43N 081 05 40W

Weather: mostly cloudy; high in the mid 70s low 70;  N  20 knots,higher  gusts; overnight showers again

Comment: Gypsies in the Palace! That’s right, the Parrot Heads in Paradise are having a Meeting of the Minds in Key West this week. We hopped the bus to check out the action and there was plenty of it, even though we didn’t have tickets to the main event(s).

Part of Duval Street was closed; a stage was erected; various bands played until who knows when. After lunch at Margaritaville, we paused to listen for a bit. COme to think of it, we pause to listen after a visit to the Federal Building where I applied for a replacement social security card. My original card was destroyed right in my own wallet years ago. Probably because it got wet from a dunking at one time or another.

The Parrot Heads are a funny group using whatever excuse they can for donning all kinds of unusual hats, glasses, shirts not to mention other gear that they carry or pull along (decorated coolers foe instance) beside themselves.  Most of the folks we saw were probably in their 50s and 60s and they were having FUN!

Parrotheads on Duval Street

Landshark

One of the bands performing on stage in the middle of Duval Street

Paella by the Pool!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010 Day 45

Lay Day: Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida Keys, Mooring Ball D2, MM 1195.0

L/L: 22 42 43N 081 05 40W

Weather: mostly sunny; high in the mid 80s low 80; 

ENE < 15-20 knots

Comment: Today’s objective was to ride to Pigeon Key following the bike path and the old bridge. Going would be no problem as we had a stiff breeze at our backs. Returning was going to be a slow. Unfortunately, we never made our objective as the bike path beyond the 7-Mile Grill is closed. Heavy machinery was everywhere. Apparently the path is being rebuilt. Our new plan was to check out Banana Bay Resort and Marina. They opened a new restaurant callee Cabana. The lunch special is a cheeseburger and fries for $3.99. While it wasn’t the best cheeseburger we’ve ever consumed, it was very good for the price. While enjoying the meal, we heard about the Tuesday dinner special, “Paella by the Pool.” For $7.95, you get a heaping portion of paella and a side of red cabbage salad. 

Before returning to the boat, we checked on slip prices to find that they are booked from January to April. We also checked on the day and season rate for the pool. We were told that the daily rate is $8.00 per couple and the season rate for two is $222.00. 

Later in the day, we decided that our entertainment for the evening would be to try out “Paella by the Pool,” and listen to the live music. We were not disappointed. THe food was very good and the price was right. THe entertainment was... entertaining. We capped off the meal with a piece of Key Lime Pie. This was not just any Key Lime Pie. It had a chocolate crust and was served with homemade whipped cream. THe Chef told us it was a recipe handed down from his Great Aunt. All we can say it that it is good!

As an aside, the Chef told us he is the co-owner of the establishment along with his sister and brother-in-law. THey seem to be off to a good start. Before leaving, we wished them luck in their endeavor.

The Chef prepares the Paella

Anna Marie enjoys the Paella

The Tiki Bar

Blowing the Conch Shell signals that another batch of Paella is ready to be served

A Beach Day!

Lay Day: Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Florida Keys, Mooring Ball D2, MM 1195.0

L/L: 22 42 43N 081 05 40W

Weather: mostly sunny; high in the mid 80s low 80; 

E NE < 10 knots

Comment: It’s a beach day! The bikes were loaded up with two chairs and a cooler, not to mention the packs we each wore on our backs, for the three mile ride to Sombrero Beach.

The beach was lovely and we were not alone. There were many people taking advantage of the great beach day. We found a nice spot to set up camp, which consisted of a place for our two chairs, a place on which to spread out the beach towel, and a place to put the cooler.

After a few minutes enjoying the view, we went into the water. The water temperature is 82 degrees, about the same as temperature of the air. The heat index was high and the reel feel temperature was in the low 90’s, so the water, even though warm, felt great.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch on one of the tables in the park.. The roof provided shade and the breeze made it feel perfect. Just like summer!

After lunch, we went back on the beach where we read and took another dip, strolled the length of the beach and watched a guy fly his polyhedral kite. He didn’t have much luck. The kite apparently needed a bit more wind to gain altitude. He had fun anyway, and after several adjustments, had it flying about 25 feet above the ground.

After about 2 1/2 hours, we mounted our bikes for the ride back to the marina. We made it back rather quickly. The dinghy was loaded with the remnants of our picnic and we went back to SUNSHINE where we opened up all the windows and relaxed in a refreshingly nice breeze.

Dorky Umbrellas? Don't care... they provide shade where there is none!

View of Sombrero Light from our spot on Sombrero Beach