Bon Voyage Dinner Guests

Weather: The wind picked up over night, blowing a steady 12 -15 knots out of the south (not good for the solar panel); the overnight temp was 77 degrees and the high for today was 85 degrees with plenty of sunshine. For the last week, we can really feel the heat of the sun as it makes its way to the northern hemisphere. The feeling is noticeably different that January and February!

Comment: Recall that last week, the water heater stopped working. After a couple of phone calls to the Manufacturer (Excel America), they agreed to send out a new electronic module. It was to be put in the mail on Tuesday, March 4. We were concerned that delivery might be after our departure. The module arrived on Wednesday, March 5! Great service to be sure!!

Before breakfast, I replaced the electronic controller for the water heater. It was a simple procedure to connect the plugs in the appropriate order and attach the ground. We flipped the appropriate switch on the electric panel and then flipped the solenoid switch to the “on” position and then opened the hot water faucet. Uh oh! No hot water, no sign of life. The module replacement was easy but it appears that the module is not the problem. More phone calls and investigations to follow.

After breakfast, Ray stopped by to pick me up for a trip to West Marine where I finally broke down and purchased a door knob to replace the broken one.

Back on board, we waited for the pump out boat and then I began to fashion some ideas to check the water heater for electronic or other problems and Anna Marie prepared to make a final laundry run to the Marathon Marina. Eventually, I was able to get ignition after reducing pressure in the line. I would appear that the problem is the pressure sensor that triggers the ignition sequence. One problem with that thought is that once ignited, the burner shuts down in less than a second. I have sent and e-mail and made a phone call to Excel America but have not heard back from them. Being the weekend, I don’t expect a response until Monday.

The rest of the chores went as follows: Anna Marie did the laundry while I removed some rust stains on the transoms and polished the stainless steel transom handrails, davits and the bars that hold the solar panel.

Anna Marie returned at 1600 hours and we began preparations for our “Bon Voyage” dinner. Pat and Ray (Reflection) and Sigi and Joe (Sigi VII) were to arrive in an hour. We enjoy their company very much and will miss them when we head out on Sunday (weather permitting). This was our chance to offer a formal good bye even though we’ll see them tomorrow at the Army Band Concert in the Park.

After conversation and cocktails (Sigi made her special Salmon dip that was most excellent!), I grilled a pork loin marinated in a portabella mushroom vinaigrette and a beef tenderloin marinated in a tequila lime sauce. The grilling gods were with me as both meats were cooked to perfection! Anna Marie sautéed mixed vegetables and we all sat down to a delicious meal. Pat offered a perfect salad complete with cranberries and apples, not to mention lettuce and other delights. The dressing provided a nice accent. It was perfect!

Following dinner, we sipped English Toffee Cappuccino and played several rounds of the Mexican Train Game. We had great fun. Pat proved to be the master of the game on this day.

We were graced with a very brief rain shower while playing the game. Hatches were closed and after the shower, the air became very heavy. We need more rain but the stars began to shine. Brief showers did eventually return but we’re still waiting for it to cool down. A cold front is supposed to move through overnight. Predicted high and low temperatures for tomorrow are 70 and 58 degrees. We’ll believe it when we see it. High winds are also predicted. We can believe that!

Shopping

Weather: Another hot one! Overnight temp was 77 degrees and the hot was a very muggy 85 degrees. Isolated thunderstorms were predicted, but, once again, they didn’t show up in Marathon! The wind was out of the south at about 10 knots. It felt much cooler on the boat than on land.

Comment: We have the rental car until 1700 hours. We were up at 0700 and off without breakfast or coffee. We stopped for a cup of brew at McDonalds and continued on as we weren’t hungry for breakfast.

The drive to Homestead was uneventful. I dropped Anna Marie off at the WalMart while I took care of business in town. My transaction went much quicker than anticipated, so I was able to get back to WalMart just in time to help with the shopping (Yippee!). We stocked up for several weeks, buying more than usual because we have transportation. In fact, we bought so much stuff that we had to make two trips in the dinghy to get it all to the boat.

On the way back to the boat, we stopped in the Key Largo Boater’s World where Anna Marie found a sale on shorts. I don’t have to tell you that she made a purchase or two. We then made our way to the Islamorada Fish Company for lunch and then to the World Wide Sportsman. We bought pants at that establishment.

We made it back to Marathon by 1600 and ferried the supplies to the boat. I returned the car by 1630 and the nice lady at Avis drove me back to the marina. After another dinghy ride, we were back aboard by 1715. The task of stowing all the supplies took hours and we needed several breaks to cool off.

We had leftover pizza for dinner and chilled for the rest of the evening.

It's an MTOA & No Name Day!

Weather: It’s a beautiful morning in the harbor. There is not a cloud in the sky although isolated thunderstorms are in the forecast for the third consecutive day. We haven’t seen any in that time, so they must be isolated elsewhere! It is 76 degrees at wake up time. The overnight low was 77 degrees. The SW wind is light

Comment: We begin the day as usual with a bowl of cereal and the cruisers net, accompanied by copious amounts of harbor watching. Before heading to today’s special event, we’ll do another fuel run, we probably need to get about 10 more gallons. That means two fuel runs on the day.

We’re having a special treat today. We are invited to the Marine Trawler Owners Association get together on Sombrero Beach. They have hot dogs and burgers and the fixings for $5.00/couple and we’ll bring a desert to share with the assembled throng.

Since we needed to go to the mainland before we leave Marathon, we decided to rent a car for this evening and tomorrow. Having the car enabled us to invite Pat and Ray for a trip to the “No Name Pub” on Big Pine Key. Before signing in at the pub (there’s always a long line) we drove over the bridge to “No Name Key,” where we were able to see the world famous Key Deer. They small, but not too much smaller than our “Pine Barren Goats” that live back home!

At the pub, after almost an hour and one-half wait, we saddled up to the table for some of their world famous pizza. We weren’t disappointed. The pizza at the Upper Crust in Marathon is almost as good but it is within walking distance of the marina. Future visits to the “No Name Pub” will be made if we have transportation or an offer of a ride.

By the time we returned to the boat, we were bushed!

Another Day in Paradise

Weather: Guess what? It was mostly sunny, again! S then SW Wind @ 15 knots diminishing to <10 knots just before sunset; It was calm in the harbor; Temp range 73 – 83.

Comment: It’s pump out day! We were up at 0730, had breakfast and waited for the net and the pump out boat. After the net and the pump out, we did some relaxing (what, no chores?). After lunch, we went to shore to do the chores. We made two trips to the fresh water hose and two trip to the gas station (5.5 gallons purchased each time). In between trips, Anna Marie walked to the Publix and Home Depot while I went back to the boat to siphon the fuel and water into the appropriate tanks. All tanks will be topped off when we leave. Departure is still planned for Sunday, March 9.

Theses “filling” chores took much of the afternoon. When we arrived back on the boat, Anna Marie used the computer to research some information about Disney World. She's particularly interested in finding out about breakfast/lunch with the princesses. Yesterday, she made reservations at Harbortown Canaveral Marina for Easter week. We’re gearing up for a visit from the kids and grandkids. We hope to do Disney and the Kennedy Space Center right!

I barbequed chicken for dinner. The American Classic rub was great. It had a tang something like jerk chicken.

We saluted the sunset with the conch shell, as did at least a dozen others. Sunset spectators could be seen on the bows of many boats in the harbor. The calm water and wind made for an idyllic sunset. Clouds on the horizon obscured the sun as it was setting. No green flash again!

Since the wind was out of the south for most of the day, the solar panel didn’t add much to the batteries, so it was on generator for almost three hours. We charge all our devices while the genny was running and we had the luxury of a extended period of Margaritaville listening pleasure. For the record, a south wind in and of itself isn't problem for the solar panel, but, the south wind makes the bow point south. Since the sun is south of us and the solar panel is mounted low on the stern, it is shaded by the bimini in a south wind. It's the shade that is the culprit!

Chores Again!

Weather: Mostly sunny but a few clouds were present, especially late in the afternoon and evening; Wind ESE @ 15 – 20 knots; light chop in the harbor; Temp range 74 – 84 degrees

Comment: Surprise, surprise, our day began as usual!

The solar panel has been converting a lot of sunlight to electrical energy so, since our we mounted the refrigeration water pump permanently; we activate it during the hours we are getting solar gain. It helps the refrigeration unit more efficiently and the solar panel provides enough “juice” so the pump doesn’t drain the house batteries.

After lunch, we went ashore. Anna Marie took care of the laundry while I filled the water tanks, the solar shower, and two gas containers. the chores sound simple enough and, in fact, they are, but not as simple as it sounds. Here's a rough account of the procedure:

• Anna Marie gathers the laundry, sorts and bags it for the dinghy ride. While I gather two 6 gallon water jugs stored in the starboard bow locker, three gas containers stored in the port bow locker and the solar shower which is stored in the head. Once our equipment is ready to go, we ----


• Lower the dinghy, climb aboard, transfer all of the laundry, jugs and containers from the mothership to the dinghy and then fire up the dinghy. Anna Marie then climbs aboard and we're off ----


• It's a 10 to 15 minute ride to the dinghy dock, depending on wind conditions. If we're lucky, we can find a space to tie up quickly. If not, it'll take a few minutes to find a place, kick some other boats out of the way and secure the dinghy.


• Anna Marie tracks down a cart so she doesn't have to carry the heavy laundry bags to the facility which is about 100 yards from the dinghy dock.


• After she leaves, I dinghy over to the potable water hose and fill both water jugs.


• Then it's back to the dinghy dock to tie up.


• I gather up the gas containers and walk one block to the gas station where I fill them and walk back. By the time I'm half way back, the jugs get very heavy and my arms are three inches linger than when I started.


• After loading the gas into the dink, I motor back to SUNSHINE and off load all the jugs. When filled, they're heavy. It's easiest to put them on the bow.


• After tying up the dinghy, I get on board, walk to the bow to get the jugs. I store the gas containers and empty the contents of the water jugs into the fresh water tanks. This process is good for about 30 minutes.


• Now it's back to the dinghy dock to pick up Anna Marie, who, if lucky, has finally secured a machine and might be three-quarters of the way finished with her detail.


• She folds and bags the laundry and then we climb aboard the dinghy and make our way back to SUNSHINE.


• All told, the entire operation can take between four and six hours.

During the course of the week, we are going to top off the tanks (water and gas) so they are full when we are ready to leave. Departure is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, March 9, weather permitting.

After chores, we went back to town and rode the rust buckets to K Mart and Home Depot. Our only purchase was a can of air. We use it to clean the computer keyboard and other electrical gear on the boat.

Being tired from the chores, Anna Marie suggested that we have a pizza. We’ve been doing really well budget wise, so pizza it is! We elected to have the deluxe pizza at the Upper Crust. It was great and we brought 1/2 back to the boat for lunch tomorrow.

We enjoyed great connectivity this evening. I was able to update the journal and add a bunch of photos.

We joined about a dozen other boats in the traditional Conch Horn Salute to the Sunset before retiring.

If Only We Could Relax!

Weather: Sunny most of the day; 15 knot N/NE wind; light in the harbor; temp range 70 – 80 degrees

Comment: The day started as usual (bowl of cereal, coffee/tea, Cruiser’s Net) after which it was time for more Boat Projects! We re-calked three windows, one hatch and the baby stay chain plate that leaked during the last storm. We’re not surprised by the need to re-calk. The bright sun and 80+ degree weather beating on the tinted Plexiglas causes a fair amount of expansion. The Plexiglas then contracts in the cooler evenings. It’s no wonder the seal breaks.

After our tasks were completed, we lounged on the forward nets, enjoying the warm sun and the cool breeze. It is fascinating to watch the comings and goings of boats, dinghys and kayaks. It is especially entertaining to watch new arrivals meander through the mooring fied and pick up their mooring pennant. Oh, the little joys in life! Following our relaxing interlude, we went back into the cabin where we read and/or played computer games.

Neither of us felt like making the trip ashore so we stayed aboard the whole day. At sunset, we blew the conch horn to salute the setting sun and then grilled a couple of steaks. With a side dish of corn-on-the-cob, we enjoyed a most delicious, leisurely meal.

Dinner was followed by work on the logs and some more reading before bedtime.

Arrrrgh!

Weather: Mostly sunny; still breezy N to NE @ 15 knots; temp range 70 – 80 degrees; light chop in the harbor

Comment: Arrrrrrgh! It’s Pirate Day at Pigeon Key. We met Pat and Ray for the bike ride to the Pigeon Key Visitors’ Center where we boarded the Paradise Dive boat for the “ferry” ride to the key. There were lots of pirates, swords, guns and muskets and cannon. We had a good lunch (choices were pig, cow or dog, soda, water or rum punch). One building had a nice collection of photos and artifacts from the construction of the Overseas Railroad. One room in the old house was set up as a theater of sorts and we watched a DVD tribute to Henry M. Flagler. The flick was made in the early 80’s and made Flagler out to be a hero, philanthropist and all around good guy. At one point the narrator claimed that he had mastered the “art of landfilling.” Who know filling in wet lands was an art?

Following the ride back to the boat, I finished reading about the first voyage of Christopher Columbus and its aftermath in all of Europe. I’m about to reread the chapters about his second voyage.

For dinner, we rode the dinghy to shore where we met Pat and Ray and Joe and Ziggy at the Chinese Restaurant. The food was very good and reasonably priced. Joe offered that this is his seventh trip to Marathon by boat and that he follows a routine. He visits the Chinese Restaurant once per trip and has always ordered the same meal. It was a delightful dinner with delightful friends.

Following dinner, Anna Marie and I walked to Publix to buy a few groceries. We walked back to the boat where we relaxed, tended to the logs and did some reading.