January 16 - 22

Monday, January 16, 2012        Martin Luther King Day! At about 1000 hours this morning, festivities to honor Dr. Martin Luther King began in the little park across US 1, just opposite the Marathon Community Park. It sounded as though a DJ mixed old Motown hits and recordings of Dr. King's speeches. Although we didn't go over to the park, it was interesting to hear portions of the speeches. It served to remind me of the power of his voice. He was most assuredly a great orator! We picked up the parts we ordered from Eric. Tomorrow will be project day! Tuesday, January 17, 2012    Project Day! Right after the Pump Out boat finished pumping out SUNSHINE's holding tank, I began disassembling the toilet. It didn't take long. I've had a lot of practice recently. As a result, I've become become pretty proficient. We went ashore to cut some pieces that we'll use to modify the base and the cover the new access hole I cut. While ashore, we went to Home Depot to get stainless hex head bolts to replace the brass slotted screws that had anchored the base to the boat. Back aboard, after attending a presentation on making a Turk's Head bracelet, I finished shaping and drilling the new pieces. In no time at all, the head was installed and, what do you know? No leaks! A successful project to be sure. Wednesday, January, 18, 2012    Key West! Ah yes, it's time for a trip to Key West. One of our favorite places to visit. Ostensibly, we went to see the sailboat races, but, after lunch at Pepe's, the oldest eating establishment in KW, we took in a movie (Tailor, Tinker, Soldier, Spy) at the Tropic Theater (my favorite theater!) 1/2 block off Duval Street. Besides the movie and lunch, we managed to walk around KW for an hour or so. It was nice not to have to transfer to the local busses for a change. Last fall the routes changed and the Lower Keys Shuttle now goes into Old Key West! We were back aboard SUNSHINE by 1915 hours. After dinner we made a special Happy Birthday video for Geoffrey. We hope he likes it. Thursday, January 19, 2012    Happy 13th Birthday, Geoffrey! Did twenty miles on the bicycles today and enjoyed a picnic lunch along the way. Yesterday, we made a video of us singing a "calypso" type "Happy Birthday" to Geoffrey. We called him today to wish him Happy Birthday and to see how he liked the video. It was like pulling nails to get him to talk! The girls thought it was funny! Friday, January 20, 2012        Bocce in the Park! We had about 12people show up for the first Bocci Ball competitions of the year. Several of the folks played last year. George and Pat (S/V Air Time) brought a set of Bocci Balls so we had both courts in play. After another picnic lunch, we took a 7 mile round trip bike ride to Sombrero Beach. We got back to SUNSHINE by about 1700 hours. Time for a little R&R before dinner. NB: In the last sixteen days, we have walked or biked just over 100 miles, an average of 6.6 miles per day! Saturday, January 21, 2012    Another Picnic and Some Shopping! After breakfast, we got out the Yoga On Board book and tried a bit of Yoga. The session went well although it was short. We hope to expand it into an hour or so of daily stretching on board. We enjoyed another picnic lunch today, this time on one of the park benches on the bike path to Sombrero Beach. Earlier in the day, we attended a presentation on dehydrated food. Samples were available and tasted good. We decided to order a few things thinking that the items will come in handy when we cruise up the west coast. We went back ashore in the evening for the informal meet and greet. Music was provided by the crew from Valkyrie, Chip Ahoy, and Randy (1/2 of the duo The Barnacles). We haven't heard anything about the Barnacles this year and haven't seen Chris (the other half) in the harbor. We assume he's moved on to another harbor. Sunday, January 22, 2012        100th Anniversary of the Completion of Flagler's RR Our plan to go to the nautical flea market in Big Pine Key was thwarted when we decided to get some exercise in by walking to the bus stop by the shopping centers rather than the one near the marina. We didn't get there in time, so we stopped at Home Depot on the way back to get a couple of items needed to finish the head project. Shortly after returning to the boat, the trim was installed, the tools were put away and the head was cleaned. There are no leaks and the finished product looks neat. A successful completion! We went into the marina to watch the football game (New England beat Baltimore) and enjoyed a crispy, thin crust pizza at the Hurricane before heading to the Community Theater to see Paul Jellinick's portrayal of Henry M. Flagler. Today marks the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Key West extension of the Flagler's Florida East Coast RR.