Week 5

Saturday, February 5, 2017
Beatlemaniax!


No work today! The Admiral has given me the day off! Even so, I took twenty minutes to clean the grill. Before lunch, we lounged at the point, after lunch, we chilled at the dock. Eventually, we made it to the Pigeon Key Art Festival. While there, we met some old cruising buddies we haven't seen in a few years. After the show, we stayed for the Beatles tribute band. Not one of the better tribute bands we've ever seen, but the music is always enjoyable.


Sunday, February 5, 2017
Super Sunday!
After a nice bowl of cereal and almond milk, we were off the the pool. The 86° water felt great. Between dips, the Admiral did a couple loads of laundry. The rest of the day was spent chilling on the dock and the boat. We're saving our energy for the Super Bowl Party at the Marathon Grille. They are offering a free half time buffet if you are seated before the second quarter! We'll be there way before that so we'll get a good seat.

I did one little (very little) project before we left for the pool. The clips that hold the boat hook had to be removed for the Bimini project. I reattached them today. It took all of four minutes.


In the evening, actually it was more like the late afternoon, we sauntered over to the Marathon Grill and Ale House for the 51st Super Bowl. We chose this place because it has a bunch of big screen TV's, comfortable seats and the happy hour BOGO dinner. We were rooting for the Atlanta Falcons but New England staged an historic come back winning the first overtime Super Bowl by a score of 34 - 28 after being down 28 - 3 late in the third quarter. Tom Brady was declare the MVP, having won his fifth Super Bowl.


Monday, February 6, 2017
A Trip to the Bike Shop!
The battery on my Cateye Bike Computer quit last week so it's time to replace it. I could perform the task but when I bought the unit, they told me to bring it back when the battery needs to be changed. The battery has to be insulated until the unit is powered up. That can be tricky. it took them less than five minutes and cost only $4.16.

While we in that partn of town, we rode to Burdines for lunch. Terrific as usual.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017
A Blank Slate!
We don't have any plans today!  Perhaps a boat ride and fuel stop is in order. Let's see, we had a leisurely breakfast while listening to the cruisers met. The we strolled to the point where we sipped our sarsaparilla on chaise lounges under the Tiki.


Tom left the dock to take a boat ride and Kismet slipped her lines a few minutes before we did. It was a glorious day out on the water. We zipped along a 7 mph on our way to the fuel dock at Faro Blanco. Glancing around, we noticed that there were only a few vacant slips. The dock hand suggested they would be completely full in a couple of weeks. We took on 25.2 gallons of fuel @$3.989/g) for a burn rate of  0.82 gph.

After fueling up we continued in a southwest direction toward the Seven Mile Bridge. After taking a few pictures, we turned around, heading back in the general direction from whence we came. After a time, we stopped, turned off the motor, and drifted with the breeze while we enjoyed lunch.













As we washed the salt off the boat, a Manatee came from out of nowhere to catch a few drops of fresh water.





Wednesday, February 8, 2017
One of Us Goes Snorkeling!

When we came back from getting fuel yesterday, we pulled into our slip bow first. We had been stern to before we slipped our lines. The rational is simple. We now have access to sand and varnish the starboard eye brow from the finger pier. That is/was the plan for today.

Unfortunately, by 1000 hours, it was already 82° and would reach 85° soon. Add very light breeze, if you could find it, and it seems that it's too hot to do our planned work. Instead, I donned my cheap K Matt snorkel gear, headed to the point, and entered the water. It was colder than I thought it would be. After five minutes or so, I was acclimated enough to snorkel. I saw plenty of fish and a small sting ray. I didn't dive down to look for lobster. I may do that the next time.

In the afternoon, we played Bocci with other boaters from the harbor. On the way back, we bought Mahi Mahi from the Keys Fisheries. Back at the boat, we welcomed Debbie Mulcrone to Paradise. She has joined Tom for a weeks worth of fun in the sun. We made blackened Mahi, baked potatoes, and zucchini/squash veggies. We also blackened two mackerel fillets given to us by our fishing neighbors. The mackerel was particularly good, considering we always heard it was oily and fishy tasting, we found it to be a white and flaky with a mild taste, not fishy at all!

After dinner, we took a stroll to Red Box to return last night's movie and make a selection for tonight. Last night's flick, Denial, was outstanding! And, we enjoyed our selection of The Accountant this evening. Life in Paradise marches onward.

Thursday, February 9, 3017
Happy Birthday, Madi!
The big news concerns Madi. Shelley's youngest baby turns thirteen today! We face timed with the family and got to watch Madi open our gift. The box held thirteen balloons, each contains rolled up bills inside. Madi popped each to get the contents. When finished, she had thirteen bills totaling $50.00. I think she liked the surprise.

On another note, Bill and Kathy Towers along with Kathy's brother and sister-in-law stopped by for a quick hello. They are on their way to Key West for a few day and are meeting their son there.

Friday, February 10, 2017
A Cold Front!
A cold front worked its way through over night. Out of nowhere, the wind picked up and the boat began rocking. From the sound and motion, I estimate the wind was around 30 knots. Windfinder predicted the wind would be 19 to 22 knots between 0400 and 1000. It surly seems stronger than that. The temperature at 0400 is reported to be 73°. Our on board thermometer agrees. I'm too lazy to get out of bed to check the actual wind speed.

The boat was still lively and dancing around in the slip during breakfast. At 1000, we decided it was a good day for a trip to Key West. SUNSHINE's motion would prevent us from doing the starboard eyebrow, the last bit of trim we'll work on until we get home.

We caught the southbound 1023 bus. While waiting, I called Bill Tower's to see if he was able to meet for lunch. He didn't answer, so I left a message. The crowded bus had standees from Big Pine all the way to Key West. Besides that, the ride was uneventful. We got off, and Bill and Kathy were there to greet us. Terry and Barbara arrived shortly thereafter. The temperature was around 77°, and we enjoyed a delightful walk to Schooner's Wharf. Following our lead, everyone ordered our favorite, the Crab and Avocado Salad. We had delightful  conversation, and in no time, it was time for us to catch the 1500 northbound Keys Shuttle for our trip back to Marathon.

After another uneventful ride, we disembarked from the bus at our stop, crossed the ever busy US 1 and headed black to the boat, stopping at Paradise Produce to buy a couple of potatoes. Back aboard, I fired up the grill, roasted the potatoes, grilled the remaining Mackerel, and steamed some veggies, and enjoyed a nice meal as the sun set in the west.