Florida

We traveled three days from Ft Myers, FL to Marathon in the Florida Keys. On the way down, we anchored in Naples, Russell Pass and Little Shark River in the Everglades.  We had very good traveling days, with low wind and small waves.  

At anchor at Russell Pass, FL.  

After we arrived in Marathon, we settled in and set two anchors in Boot Key Harbor.  A strong cold front was to bring in high winds.

We rented a car and drove to Key West.  Lots of fun restaurants and interesting places to see.  Below with Todd and Paula, from Ocean Breeze and Gary and Vicki, from Colorado.

At Rick's Place in Key West.  Last time we were here was over 20 years ago with Dave & Leslie Brown.

Famous Hemingway's Sloppy Joe's Bar.

A Key West house -  set right on the street with very small yards.

Lots of shops everything with a Key West logo.  We liked these t-shirts. I am wearing my new Key West sweatshirt.  I had to buy it because it is so cold here.  We expected warm weather.

Next day we traveled about 25 miles up the Keys to a chili cook-off in Islamarada, FL.  King sampled all the chili and voted for the hottest!

Gary, King and Vicki deciding on the chili.

Across the street from the chili cook-off is a beautiful park and a Bass Pro Shop.

We like pelicans.

I took this photo from the Bass Pro Shop second floor.  Gary and King are just to the left of the American flag.  The boat in the center is 'Pilar' the famous sister ship to Hemingway's boat.  

Next stop, Holiday Isle.  We remembered enjoying this outdoor beach and tiki style restaurant, live music and bar that we visited over 20 years ago.

Gary and Vicki lifting a big one!

We stopped at the famous 'Lorelei's' for dinner - what a pretty place.

Out to eat, again at Keys Fisheries.  We ordered the special of the house, a lobster reuben. 

At Keys Fisheries with Andy and Julie from Fruit Cakes and Gary and Vicki.  Six months ago, we traveled the Trent-Severn in Ontario with Fruit Cakes and had not seen them since Grafton, MO.  It was great to catch up before they head for the Bahamas and we start up the east coast.  We miss playing Mexican Train!

The next day we went to the beach, the weather was warmer than we've seen since Vicki arrived. Gary and Vicki left for cold Colorado the next day.  

Hi Ho Hi Ho Off to the Boatyard We Go

After a wonderful visit with the Brown family, we left Burnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda, FL and headed for Charlotte Harbor Boat Storage for a planned two weeks of maintenance work.

Charlotte Harbor is an inland storage yard with an approach through a long narrow channel.  The entrance is South Gulf Cove Lock, a self operated lock.  This is the only self operated lock that we have encountered.  

This is the entrance to the lock, very narrow and shallow.  The red triangle marker stays on the right of the boat and the green square on the left.  At one time we had only 18" under the boat, pretty shallow.  

Blue Moon is in the 'well' waiting to be taken out of the water.  

Blue Moon in the travel lift.

The operators of the travel lift move boats with expert precision into the work yard.  See the mustache on the front of the boat. This is from the tannins in the water in Chesapeake Bay (and other locations). One of King and Gary's projects - remove the mustache.  

Definition:

Cruising:  Repairing your boat in exotic locations

Yachting:  Paying someone to repair your boat in exotic locations

As you can see from the pictures below, we are cruising.

King working on the 7.5kw diesel generator.

King and Gary sanded, buffed and waxed the hull.  Looks great!

Gary giving the new kitchen steps a final sanding and coat of stain.

Sharon on the ladder.  This is the method to get on and off the boat in the boat yard.  

Sights around the boat yard.  A man working on sailboat rigging. I wouldn't want to try this on a windy day.   

A boat named Trinity, reminds us of our granddaughter, Trinity.  

An unusual paint job to resemble a pirate ship.  

The clubhouse at Charlotte Harbor.

Our friends Grant and Cindy from As The Crow Flies came for a visit.  We are always happy to spend time with them.  

Red skies at night, a sailor's delight.