Week 11

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Flea Market; Farmers Market; Game!

The alarm went off at 0800 as scheduled. After five minutes, Anna Marie started moving. Ten minutes later I started moving. 

By 0845 we were on the road to Bistro 31 on Big Pine Key. We each had a Belgian Waffle that was average at best and it cost $2.00 more than the one at the Stuffed Pig. Next time, we'll try the new Bucktoothed Rooster, just up the road a piece.

After breakfast, we went to the Flea Market where we made a few purchases including two shackles to attach the trailer safety chains to the truck. It'll be a better set up that what we were using. We also bought T shirts for the grandchildren.

Before returning to the boat, we stopped at the Farmers Market to get freshly picked veggies. Then we returned to the boat to chill for a bit before the Villanova Basketball game.

Villanova could have and probably should have won the game, but they struggled throughout. They fell behind in the final few seconds and blew their chance to tie in the last seconds. 

We returned to the boat. Eventually Anna Marie walked to Publix to get a few items that were on sale. At dusk, we went inside for the evening. We don't party with the big boys anymore!

Sunday, March 19, 2017

The Wind Drops Below 20 Knots!

Overnight, the temperature got down to 71° in the boat. The high today is supposed to be 75°. The big news is that the wind has slowed a bit. It finally dropped below 20 knots in fact, right now, it is blowing at 14 knots, a veritable calm compared to what it has been for the past week or so.

Today's entertainment included listening to Joe Mama "Picking on the Porch" of the Hurricane. We also went to the get together at the point. It wasn't well attended perhaps because the wind picked up to 20 knots again.

After lunch, I cleaned a few pieces of bronze using the phosphoric acid. After an hour or so, he pieces look sparkle again!

Monday, March 20, 2017

Welcome Spring!

It's another Yoga day for Anna Marie while I attended to domestic chores on the boat. After lunch we took a six mile round trip bike ride to Sombrero Beach. The sun was so bright it hurt my eyes. We didn't stay too long because my eyes couldn't adjust to the bright sun. I even got a nasty headache from it.

On the way back we stopped for a beverage at Wendy's. Their senior drink is FREE! 

Anna Marie continued on to the Keys Fisheries while I returned to the boat. We had lobster tails and baked potato again.

We joined the Ranger Tug gang at the point for a Sunset Celebration. One half dozen people said they saw the green flash. It wasn't like the green flash we saw however. This was more like a green spot that lingers in one's eyes after staring at the sun for a few seconds. I've read about this affect before. It is nothing like the green flash we saw at sunset from our anchorage at Shell Key in 2006.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Bike Ride!

For some reason which escapes me, we got a late start to our bike ride. Curry Hammock, our target, may have to wait. The wind has laid down some and three Ranger Tugs, Vicki Lynn, Tug O My Heart and Pour House have slipped their lines. It's still blowing 10-15 knots and we'll be pedaling into it on the way north.

Our first stop was Burger King for a cold beverage. After that it was only a mile to the Island Fish House where we had Calamari, our favorite, and, still hungry, we split the Fish Tacos. They were good but a bit spicy for Anna Marie.

The ride back was much easier and faster. After returning to the boat, Anna Marie walked to Publix. She makes the walk almost every day.

We met other boaters at the point for cocktails and camaraderie. After dinner we boarded Kostal Karma and enjoyed a gam with Kevin, Sandy, Dave and Ginny.

Our movie tonight was Bleed for This about Vince Pazienza. It was sometimes tough to watch, but what an amazing story!

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

One Last Time: Fish On! 

Pat and Ellie slipped the lines of their Bayliner fishing machine as the sun rose. The expected calm conditions didn't materialize. Instead, we had a steady fifteen knot breeze. They fished for about eleven hours and reported that they had to work at it. Not only that, the breeze made for a wet seven knot ride to the fishing hole.

They managed to catch Lane and Mangrove Snapper and one Cero Mackerel. For the third time, they gave us a couple of fillets for dinner. We'll cook them up tomorrow night as we are going to Burdine's tonight.

Having returned to the marina after dinner and listening to Ty and Corey, we boarded Tiny Town, Dave's and Ginny's Ranger Tug 27. Kevin and Sandy joined us for a fun gam. I dusted off the old Jersey Devil story and the pig story and I did a few tunes on the Uke. 

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Brunch!

Weather permitting, Kevin and Sandy (Koastal Karma) are leaving on Saturday or Sunday. Sandy suggested a brunch for a final get together. We set up at the point and had a great time and enjoyed camaraderie and lots of good food. It was a very nice gathering.

After cleaning up we rode the bikes to Old Seven. It's been closed for reconstruction and will continue to be for a long while. There's lots of work going on.

On the ride back, we stopped at Barnacle Barney's for a cold drink.

Our dinner tonight was excellent. I prepared a Lemmon butter sauce with capers for the Snapper. That and corn-on-the-cob made for a great meal. We had fresh fruit for dessert.

After dinner, we zipped up to the bathroom for our showers. It was kinda early but we hoped to beat the pending storm. No sooner than returning to the boat, already prepped for the wind and rain, it started pouring. The thunder and lightening was intense. The main part of the storm lasted perhaps ten minutes but showers stayed with us through the early evening into the night. The wind came and went with impunity before settling into a steady 20-25 knots.

Friday, March 24, 2017

Storm Remnants!

With the wind blowing at 20+ knots and gusting higher, and radar showing showers up and down the Keys, we thought it a good day for a rad trip. We hopped in the old F250 and headed north out of Marathon. It's something we never do until we're leaving the Keys. This time we went as far as Key Largo to a inquire about slips and to check out the ramp at Pennekamp State Park.

The ramp is large and can handle multiple boats at one time. It was bust today, and it's not a good boating day. In fact, the Dockmaster told a potential customer that they won't be renting boats until Tuesday because of the predicted wind conditions.

Dockmaster Scott told us he'd give us a floating dock slip if it were available when we arrive. That's right, we're thinking of a Cruise to the upper Keys for a week or so.

On the way back to Blackfin, we checked out Snook's (it's become upscale since the fire), Lorelei and the Islamorada Yacht Basin (no finger piers and $2.50/ft.), and Bayside at the Worldwide Sportsman (don't have transient slips any more). It lo Kos like we'll be anchoring out if we do the cruise. Having a dinghy would be nice. Perhaps we'll bring it next year.