Week 7

Saturday, February 18, 2017
Another Trip to the Flea Market!

The Ford Trimotor is still in town and giving rides. Speaking of rides, we took a bus ride to Big Pine where we went to the Flea Market. I picked up four shackles. Anna Marie bought a Salt Girl jacket with a turtle motif.

We went to lunch at the Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House when we got back to Marathon. The happy hour fare is served at the bar from 1100 -  1800. We are partial to the Shrimp and Crab Ball at $5.95 and fries ($4.00) made for a nice lunch.

Back at the marina, we secured a couple of beverages and went to the point to cool off from the mid 80s temperature. We promptly fell asleep in the chase lounges.

Another Ranger Tug 27 launched today. This one has a navy blue hull. The owners are from Doylestown and are familiar with boating and fishing in the Tuckerton area.





Sunday, February 19, 2017
Bahia Honda!

The forecast suggests light wind and lots of sunshine today with a twenty percent chance of rain and a high temp of 86°. After a short discussion, the crew of SUNSHINE AND Loafs and Fishes decided to take a mini cruise to Bahia Honda. It was already hot when we slipped our lines at 1130 hours.

While underway, we marveled at the exquisite water colors. At times there wasn't even a zephyr of wind and the water color, an emerald green around the boat, appeared iridescent from about 30 feet from the boat. We had a light ten minute shower as we traveled on a course parallel to the Seven Mile Bridge.

After 2.3 hours on the hour meter, we were tied up to #12 & #13, on the wall in the marina at Bahia Honda. We paid our fee ($2.00/foot + $2.50 sur charge). We quickly changed into bathing suits and took a refreshing dip from the beach.

At 1800 hours, we walked the Old Bridge Trail to, yep, the Old Bridge, where we watched the Sunset.

Monday, February 20, 2017
Back to Blackfin!
0800 has come and gone, but we're still tied to the wall at Bahia State Park. The wind is freshening and I expect it will soon get to the higher end of the 10 to 15 knot forecast. I walked to dock and talked to some of the small boat crew dock at the marina. There were two home built motor cruisers about 24'  LOA and an O'Day 222 whose crew hails from Montana. Their auxiliary motor is a 2np Honda! They like the Nomads, which drew attention from all the boaters.

At 0900, we slipped our lines for the return trip to Blackfin. Fifteen knots of wind on the nose caused some spray to fly and the  motion was a tad lumpy, but not hard on the boat. There wasn't any pounding a all in what would be described as moderate chop.

Our average speed was a little above 6 mph and we made it back the the marina in two and one-half hours, thus concluding to Nomad 2017 Rendezvous! After our arrival, we helped Tom dock and then washed the salt off the boat, added 2 cycle oil to the engine and flushed it out. In no time our little ship was concerted back into our little cabin.

After lunch, Anna Marie set out to do the laundry while I wrote these  ones. After our tasks, we chilled for an hour or so, then it was off to the Hurricane for pizza because we were too tired to cook.

The pizza was adequate. We like the pizza at the Upper Crust and Havana Jack's better. Following dinner, it was time to clean up and watch a movie before hitting the sack.


Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Saroo, Sheru, Lion!
We awoke to clouds this morning and had the thought that it would be a good day to board the bus for a trip to the Tropic Theater in Key West. Lion, nominated for six Academy Awards, has been on our list of movies to see. Today will be the day.

We arrived in Key West around noon and started to make our way to the Cafe, when we walked by Margaritaville. It just reopened yesterday, after being closed for three months because of a kitchen fire.  The Volcano Nachos tempted us, and after a short debate we went in. The Nachos weren't up to par with those served in Myrtle Beach or Atlantic City. They were adequate, but we were dissatisfied because we know how much better they could have been.

We thought the movie was excellent (here is a link:  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion_(2016_film))!

After the movie, we strolled around town for a while until it was time to catch the bus back to Marathon. We got off the bus at K Mart to return a movie to RedBox. We made it back to the boat at 2000 hours after a very full day.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Liquid Sunshine!
What's this stuff? Water... falling from the sky? Oh my! This is the first time we've had liquid sunshine during the day, since we've been here, and we're in our seventh week in the fabulous Florida Keys!

There was a break in the weather by mid afternoon making our Sparky's venture with Carol and Gary more enjoyable. The Shrimp weren't as good as normal, but they were good enough that we each consumed 1 1/2 dozen. After happy hour we walked to their rental house, right on the water in Key Colony Beach with their boat at the dock out back. Very nice!

Thursday, February 23, 2017
KEYS DISEASE!
The diagnosis is in! It's official, Anna Marie suffers from the malady knows as Keys disease! We've had numerous conversations concerning next year's cruising plans which include the possibility of visiting Vero Beach, Ft. Myers, Bradenton, Punta Gorda and Key West. Despite that, she made reservations at this facility, Blackfin, for three months next winter.

After breakfast and the Cruiser's Net, we fired up the truck for a trip to the Hawk's Cay. We checked out the new restaurant, Angler and Ale. It seems pricey but is upscale and attractive. While there, we watched the charter boats clean their catches.

We walked the norther bridge at Hawk's Cay and on the way back to Blackfin we bought some brake fluid from NAPA. I waiting for a brake line part from Franklin trailer. Once it comes in, I'll install it, add the brake fluid and bleed the brake lines. If all goes well, and why shouldn't it, the trailer will be ready for the trip home.

Friday, February 24, 2017
Tom's Last Supper!
By day's end, while writing these notes, I found it difficult remembering exactly what we did all day! Besides the usual trips to the point to take in the scenery and cool off when necessary. In the afternoon, we greased the trailer bearings and the coupler slide and we secured the brake lines. We're ready to bleed the brake lines, but we're waiting for the bolt from Franklin Trailers.

We had a special dinner planned for Tom's (Loafs and Fishes) last dinner before driving home tomorrow morning. Anna Marie bought some lobster tails from the Keys Fisheries. I baked potatoes on our grill and I grilled the lobster tails on Tom's grill. With some veggies for Anna Marie and me, the meal came together perfectly and it was delicious! Afterward, we bid Tom a good night. Tomorrow, we'll help him get Loafs and Fishes on the trailer.