TROUBLE X 2!

We pulled out of our campsite at Phipps County Park at 0800 on March 17. Motoring north on I 95 at a leisurely 60 mph, we were making decent progress. We passed through Jacksonville with the usual traffic, but no delays. We were thankful for the relatively easy passage through the city.

We were looking forward to crossing the Florida/Georgia boarder while changing our target destination. We would arrive at our planned stop at about 1400 hours. The trip was going smoothly and we decided to locate a campground about 100 miles further north. That's when we ran into TROUBLE!

The F 250 abruptly lost power. We had a few minutes to find a relatively wide, safe shoulder and managed to pull over without incident. A quick check of the engine compartment revealed that the serpentine belt fell off its various pulleys. Further inspection showed that the vacuum pump pulley was missing. Last year, as we were towing M/V Sunshine home, the vacuum pulley seized. This time,   it may have seized and the spindle/axle broke off.

Our insurance company arranged for a tow to the local Ford Dealership. We phoned them to alert them to the problem. They told us they were busy and couldn't look at it for a week. We changed the plan and went to the tow operator's shop. He can secure the needed parts and get us underway tomorrow.

He even dropped us off at a safe hotel. It seems that several in the area are frequented be the local prostitutes. He offered that they wouldn't be particularly safe for travelers.

By 1300 hours, we were able hook the boat and truck together and be on our way.

The F 250 being off loaded at at the repair shop.

We stopped at the South of the Boarder Campground on the North/South Carolina boarder for the night. The trip from the repair shop to the campground was uneventful. We even managed to miss the rush hour traffic in Savannah.

We drove home from South of the Boarder without incident. We took our usual route, departing I 95 at Emporia, Va to head east toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. We arrived home in time to unhitch the truck and drive to Medford to see Sandi's new house. Along the way, we picked up Geoffrey and Madi (Claire was at a soccer game) for Pizza night. With that, our cruise was officially over and we eased into home activities.

The very next day, we woke up to more trouble... wait for it... SNOW!

More trouble!

We left Marathon on  March 14 to meet my sister and Ed at Phipps County Park in Stuart.

M/V Sunshine is a camper now!

Retro Winnebago Brave

Marje and Ed watching the St. Patty's Day Parade in Jensen Beach.

Haul, Powerwash, Barrier Coat, Bottom Paint and Place on Trailer!

This is a series of photographs documenting the work that the folks at Outta the Blue Marina did to M/V Sunshine.

Hauled!

Power wash complete. Taping  for dustless paint removal underway.

Dustless paint removal

Brian continues to work in the dark.

Barrier coat applied, first bottom coat going on.

Because the paint was still soft, we put plastic on the bunk rugs to protect the bottom paint.

Sunset!

Watching sunsets is something of a sport in the Keys. We watch many sunsets. We don't always photograph them. I have tons of sunset photos. On this particular evening, we photographed the sunset from Banana Bay Marina.

This is a watercolor of the second photograph, painted by the Waterlogue App,

The Ford!

The first trip-motor Transcontinental plane visited the Marathon Marina. Read about at this link: The Ford Tri-motor Airplane (Wikipedia).

This is a video of the flight of a Ford Tri-motor:

 Here are some photos of the classic Tri-motor plane that was on display at the Marathon Airport. For $75.00 one could board the plane for a ten minute flight around Marathon.

Music, Music, Music!

Many Keys establishments try to enhance their diners experience with live music. There are so many music venues that it might be a musician's idea of heaven. But, there are a lot of folks who offer their talents and I doubt the establishments pay very well. I suppose that most of them depend on the tip jar to enhance their income.

This year we saw Howard Livingston in an acoustic performance and with the Mile Marker 28 band. We also saw the Doerfels in concert. Other performers that we liked were the Jesse Brown Band, Island Time, Dan Sullivan, Joe Mama and we don't remember the names of all the bands we saw at the island Grass Festival in support of Habitat for Humanity.

Playing Janga during Island Time's performance

Island Time performs at Cabana Breezes

The Doerfels perform at Boondocks

Mangia, Mangia!

Ya gotta eat, right? Of course! We frequented many Marathon haunts with our friends Joe and Dee. The list includes, Sparky's (25 cent shrimp and wings), Cabana Breezes (25 cent shrimp and wings), The Island Fish House Tiki Hut, Herbies, Sunset Grill (good happy hour deals), Porky's (beer butt chicken), the Stuffed Pig, Barnacle Barney's, IHOP, Boondocksand The Marathon Bar and Grill (delicious happy hour 2 bogo dinners). I don't have photos for all of the restaurants we visited, my camera doesn't have enough memory for that!

Shrimp at Banana Breezes

Just add a straw for a refreshing beverage

Beer Butt Chicken at Porky's

Free Pancakes at IHOP in honor of National Pancake Day)

Shrimp and wings at Cabana Breezes

Boondocks on Ramrod Key

Water, Water, Everywhere!

This year, we spent much of the winter in and around the Islands of Marathon, one of our favorite cruising destinations. While there, we walk a lot. Sometimes on the beaches, but almost always within view of the water. Here are some of the scenes we encounter during our walks.

The waters off Coco Plum Beach sparkled today! 

The view from "Old Seven," the old 7 Mile Bridge currently open for walking and bicycling.

Full moon rising over our back yard!

Pretty Joe Rock (from Banana Bay Marina)

Spring break at Sombrero Beach 

Kite boarding at Coco Plum Beach

The view from Outta the Blue Marina

The Harbor Hillbillies!

Shortly after we left Boot Key Harbor for the dock at Outta the Blue Marina, the Harbor Hillbillies opened up shop. Here's a link to an article about their business.

The Harbor Hillbillies