New Scooter and Thanksgiving here in Marathon

This boat is actually going to tow
the other one to Honduras!

Cleaning the Whaler - always something

I really did help - just taking a break in my beach chair!

Another beautiful sunset!

Here's our new scooter!  Zoom! Zoom!

Beautiful sky tonight - over the Country Club

Having turkey dinner at Sunset Grill

Happy Thanksgiving! 
We have so much to be thankful for!

Thanksgiving Day sunset

Saturday morning (Nov 17) Mike picked up the rented mini-van at the airport and we were on our way to Lake Placid FL at about 10:00 a.m.  Yes, there’s a Lake Placid in Florida.  Who knew?  I thought it was in New York.  Learning a lot about geography, it seems.  I know more about Florida now than I ever thought I would.  Anyway, we were headed to Lake Placid about 260 miles away – through Alligator Alley – still didn’t see any alligators!  The objective here was to pick up our new “used” Yamaha Zuma Scooter – 49cc.  As I mentioned in my last blog – Mike sold our “Tank” – and found this little scooter for a bargain.  He’s also looking for another one so I don’t have to rely on him all the time…..  Look out!  I can be dangerous on a scooter – just ask that taxi driver in Key West – but now, that was a long time ago and no one was hurt- long story – ask me about it sometime.  LOL!  J

Anyway, we finally made it there about 4:00 – a little longer road trip than we anticipated – they were a very nice couple – Bobbie and John.  While Mike and John loaded up the scooter in the van – Bobbie took me out on their property where there is a swamp area – they have a resident alligator named ‘Zilla there.  Yea!  Or at least I thought.  Not one alligator showed its face.  They must be frightened of me!  LOL!  They hide in fear – yeah, that must be it!  I can still say “I have not seen one alligator on this entire boat trip”.  We did see some Sand Hill Cranes though.  There are two that live on their property.  What neat birds!  I’m told that they mate for life.  They didn’t seem to mind we were around.  They just walked right on by.  They were huge!

We decided not to drive back in one day  - it would put us back really late and we really didn’t have any real reason to be in a hurry.  We stopped in Clewiston FL for dinner at Beef O ‘Brady’s Sports Bar – not bad – and then we found a pretty nice Best Western nearby.  The motel wasn’t so bad but the walls were paper thin.  I mean we could hear the couple next door all night – if you know what I mean.  Eeewhh!  The complimentary breakfast turned out to be a disappointment too.  It sounded so good!  BUT – wasn’t…. They had scrambled eggs and sausage, etc.  BUT no salt.  Nope!  They were OUT!  You mean to tell me there was no salt in the kitchen?  The shakers were completely out on the counter.  Now there was a Wal-Mart Supercenter right across the street but no one would put out the effort to go get salt!  Sheeh!  Not really a big deal but – scrambled eggs need salt – at least Hot Sauce!  They didn’t have that either.  HA!

We did a little sightseeing along the way home.  Not really a whole lot to see.  We stopped at D-Hookers in Key Largo for a break and to watch some of the NASCAR race.  This is a really cool place.  I highly recommend this place for anyone that is cruising through Key Largo.  We had stone crabs and peel ‘n eat shrimp.  Yum!

We saw this nautical consignment shop along the road and had to stop. “Mother Earth” it was called.  Mike bought a cast net – and even got a lesson on how to throw it.  Now he’s going to get in to “live bait” fishing.  We’ll see…  We also bought a ladder for the Whaler.  Now when we go snorkeling – we can get back in to the boat!  Ha! 

We finally made it home and unloaded the bike from the van.  I went to the local Publix taking advantage of having a vehicle.   After that we just rested from our big weekend road trip.

Then Monday morning Mike took the van back (before 7:00 a.m.) and spent pretty much the rest of the day working on the scooter.  Hmmm.  Wouldn’t start.  He finally decided to have someone else look at it.  The problem is there is not one shop here in Marathon that works on scooters.  The closest one is in Key West.  He did find someone that would transport it to the Key West shop for $25. The guy does this quite often I’m told.  Anyway the shop said that we should have it back in a few days.  There is also a couple of bikes in Key West he wants to check out.  Sounds like another bus trip coming up.

In the meantime we are working on refinishing the teak furniture on our sundeck and the bright work – sanding – staining.  It’s really looking good!   There is always something to do on NautiNell.  Good thing – keeps us out of trouble! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

This is the second Thanksgiving that we have been away from our family and friends.   We are having a great time aboard NautiNell but we do miss being home this time of year.  We are truly blessed though and wish everyone a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Several restaurants here had special Thanksgiving meals.  We spent our day at Sunset Grill with a couple we have met here at the marina.  The food was great and we all ate entirely too much!  OF COURSE!  Mike and Linda keep their boat here and live in Naples.  The name of their boat is “Calypso Poet”.   It used to be named “Life’s 2 Short” and was owned by a couple from Springfield MO.  What a small world!

We have a week to finish up the teak refinishing and to get NautiNell all spiffed up.  Next Friday we have two couples from back home coming for a visit.  Can’t wait to see them and catch up on everything!  I see another trip to Key West in our future!

Till next time!

Admiral “C”