Cruise 2019 - Week 1
The week in pictures:
The Rest of the Story:
Sunday, January 6, 3019 - Splash!
It’s 1000 and we finally decided to get out of bed. More chores await but first, a quick walk to breakfast. Before that, I lined up help for the launch. Alan, Gary and Carol and Kevin are set to help.
At the appointed time (1300), 3 hours before high tide, we assembled at the ramp. Alan backed us into the water, the engine fired up and, uh oh what’s happening? The boat slide to starboard before getting off the trailer. Alan managed to put the starboard wheels into a deep hole. We survived that and made our way to Slip 3. Our reservation was for Slip 4, but Alan and Shelley are there.
AM was attending to her duties while I thought it best to raise the motor (the new motor) out of the water. Unbeknownst to me, it was turned to port. As I raised it, I scrapped the port decal. I’m disgusted with myself for doing that. I usually have AM look to see if the motor is straight. I should have waited until she was available.
We set about tying off the boat, adjusting the dock lines and putting the canvas up. Chris dropped off some nice chairs and a little table for us to use. Have I mentioned that Chris is the new manager? Barry has purchased a home in Coral Gables. The canvas is a bear to install, but in an hour or to it was all zipped up.
We were exhausted, but summoned up enough strength to walk to the Marathon Grille where we enjoyed the delicious Crab Cake dinner (the BOGO is stilled offered) and the underdog Eagles victory over the Chicago Bears (16-15).
There was a raucous party happening among the North Dock group but rather join in the revelry, we stumbled aboard for some R&R before bed time.
Across the way are Divid and Loretta aboard their new Ranger Tug 27 “Toto’s Tug.” It’s the first 27 with an outboard (Yamaha 300hp) that I’ve seen. David says he cruises at 28 knots and the fuel burn rate is similar to that of a diesel (no longer available on the 27) which is slower.
Also across the way is Robbie and his Macaw 🦜 Pacho. Pacho likes to screech... a lot.
Monday, January, 7, 2019 - Another Arrival!
So, Gary and Carol Kramer arrived on Saturday, Alan and Shelley (Exit Strategy) we’re here when we arrived, as were Kevin and Sandy (Koastal Karma). All the North Dock folks are here except for Kevin and Deb and Sammy (Mocean Therapy). It seems they went home for Christmas and Kevin broke his arm or hand. He’ll find out today if he needs surgery. If so, they’ll be gone a while longer. If not, they’ll return in a few days. Jay and his spouse. sold their boat (Finz Too) to Ricky and Yvonne.
David and Marsha arrived this afternoon and after a bit of work on Indiana Keez, we launched it at the ramp. I backed it down the ramp with David and Alan aboard to get the boat into its slip. They had an army of people to get it safely into its winter home and secured to the piling.
AM and I chose today to have lunch at Burdines. The Mahi Reuben and fries are as good as ever. We the went to Fish Tales to pick up some Royal Reds for dinner. They were good too!
We ate in the cockpit on our new teak tables, installed this past summer. Before we could eat out there, we had to do a bit of cleaning to get the road grime off the tables and seats and while at it, I installed the cockpit lights. They add a nice bit of ambiance to the evening time spent having dinner, sipping beverages and enjoying the solitude.
Tuesday, January 8, 2019 - Another Day to Clean!
The outside of the boat was really dirty with 1500 miles of road grime on top of the incredible amount of dirt it got from sitting in the yard, uncovered since the end of August. So today was finish cleaning the outside day! I managed to clean and wax both cockpits. It took hours, but the exterior of the vessel is cleaned and waxed.
We still have work to do on the inside, but that’s for another day. While I was attending to my task, Anna Marie walked to Publix, did some shopping, and returned with so many supplies she could barely carry them all. Chris, the new GM gave her a ride in the golf cart. After a late lunch/early dinner, she did a couple loads of laundry while I finished my cleaning task.
At day’s end, we were both exhausted! Too tired even to go to the Point to watch the sunset. We laid in bed and watched a couple shows on Netflix.
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 - Dock Party #1!
Bev and Mike invited us to their first dock party of the new year. We met some old acquaintances and new ones as well. Bev had asked me to bring my guitar or ukulele to play some songs. Tonight I brought the ukulele and I did a few songs after Mike started the entertainment. Rick (Dark Star) maned the grill and did a great job with our Beyond Burgers. There were delicious sides to go along with the burgers and Klondike Bars for dessert! It was a nice evening and a great first of the year party.
The weather has been fantastic with highs in the high 70s and low 80s and lows in the low 70s. It got windy today and it built overnight. At 0400, I had to go out to adjust the line that holds the stern off the dock.
Thursday, January 10, 2019 - Keys Sweater Day!!
The high temp didn’t make it out of the 60s today and overnight it was 60°. So yes, today is Sweater Day in the Keys! The wind dropped down late in the evening. The cool, windy weather encouraged us to skip our cleaning detail today. We also postponed rebedding the round portlight until a calmer day.
We visited with Greg and Doreen aboard Blurred Lines, their new to them Bayliner. They’ve done a lot of work to it and having it looking great! After our visit, it was on to Publix to buy a few groceries. Once back, AM made Chili for dinner.it was delicious.
At 2100, we crawled under the covers to keep warm and watch a few shows.
Friday, January 11, 2019 - Back to the 70s!
That’s right, the temp climbed back into the low 70s and the low was in the mid 60s. Still, it seemed a bit cool today and this evening.
We went to Barnacle Barney’s to seeTy Thurman perform. We enjoyed his set. The Friday night fish fry was barely adequate. Not worth $13.95. Dan stopped by earlier in the day to warn us. He was right. We went because we wanted to hear Ty. We try to catch him a couple times each year.
Pacho is the talk of the Dock. The bird has a blood curdling screech and he screeches all day long! We think he’s lonely. When people stop to talk to him, he is quiet. Robbie leaves for long stretches throughout the day. While he’s gone, Pacho screeches.
Saturday, January 12, 2019 - The Celtic Festival!
The Celtic Festival was fun. We listened to Albannach, a bagpipe, three drummers, didgeridoo (not sure what that has to do with Scotland). They were rhythmic, to say the least.
I really liked the Screaming Orphans (please pardon our extremely white skin, we’ve been in Ireland these last two months!). They blend traditional Irish music with pop and some overtones of Scottish culture.
For lunch we had fish and chips from one of several food trucks. It was average at best. Wild Bill’s Old Fashioned Soda Pop provided our beverage. It was fantastic!
In the evening we went to Havana Jacks to hear the Island Time Band. They seemed to lack their usual energy, but so did the crowd. We had the Calamari and the Key West Steamer Poy while listening. The latter was terrific but the former left a lot to be desired.
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