Our Winter Time is Winding Down..

Taking out NautiNell to get her bottom painted!

You can see Mike might be a little nervous!

All done - after a few little touchups it was
time for her to be back in the water

Scott and Mike catching up on old times

Having fun with Scott and Julie at Sunset Grille!

Great Band at Blue Heaven

Mama and her chicks - they were everywhere!

At least I did get a picture before it was gone!

Blues guy - Bill Whorton

Drumming on about anything he could find

They had a little bit of about everything seafood here

Loved this band!

Everyone kicked back enjoying the day
at the Marathon Seafood Festival

Our motley crew having a good time!

Rejuvenated sign for the "Table of Wisdom"
NautiNell has been added!

Sunset - almost missed it!

This is a submarine - yes it is!

Not much to look at - and also very strange
It goes below water so not to be detected.......

Get together for another
Last Hurrah!

Mike and Mike - the Missouri boys

This is the mural that they painted on the wall beside the pool

Another view - you can see the sign post

One of the other sign posts

Can you see NautiNell?

Sign completed and ready to be hung

Great signs!

Very cool!

Mike couldn't resist grabbing
Karen's coconuts!

Julie and me enjoying the day

Shelf cloud moving in - pretty scary view

Another view from the mooring field

Guys gathered on Jeremiah

Candy took this picture of a Key Deer on
the way to No Name Pub
had to share

Carlton and his girls gathered on Jeremiah

Our winter time is winding down but the fun isn’t down here at the Keys!  Several boats are planning to leave this week when they have a good weather window.  As most of you know we just returned from a whirlwind trip back to Joplin to see all our family and friends – especially our grandbabies! 

Here is a little of what has been going on since my last post before and after our trip. 

First earlier this month we took another dinghy ride through what the boaters call Deliverance Canal (aka Boot Key).  It was just us and another dinghy (Jeff and Linda).  It was a great ride and we were able to go completely around Boot Key.  The area is really “rustic” as I mentioned before in previous posts.  It’s still pretty though and it was a great day for a dinghy ride.

Missouri friends – Scott and Julie – stopped in for a visit.  They were on their way to Key West so we had lunch with them at Sunset Bar and Grille.  We really enjoyed seeing them and getting to catch up on everything that has been going on in Missouri (besides the weather).  We were able to meet up with them again for breakfast a couple of days later on their way back.  They had had a fun time in Key West as usual.

Jeff, Linda, Mike and I took a fun trip to Key West later that week.  It’s so much fun to go there and just hang out watching the people.  Linda and I did a little shopping and of course, Jeff and Mike found a bar or two.  We ate lunch at Blue Heaven.  I love that place.  The atmosphere is like no other – not just anywhere can you eat lunch and watch the chickens and their baby chicks.  Oh wait, I think I used to do that on my grandmother’s farm – completely different thing!  J

The Sauce Boss (Bill Whorton) who is a great blues guy and tours the US was at Dockside the other night.  He cooks up a big batch of Gumbo while he plays the blues and the “heck” out of his guitar.  Mike and I had always wanted to see him but we never could be at the right place at the right time.  We finally made it – we were at the right place “The Keys” and he came to us!  He was quite the entertainer!

Carlton and Becki (Sea Moore) came down to visit us all by car one evening.  They were here last year and we had met and traveled with them while on the Loop.  They live up in Alabama and are traveling in an RV now.  It was good to visit with them.  We, of course, had to go to Hurricane’s for dinner.  After all, it was Thursday – wing night!

There was quite a little squall the came through here a couple of days before we left for home.  I’m glad we were in the marina when it happened.  Mostly just wind (a little rain) and it didn’t last very long but it did send everyone to their boats for a few hours.  The picture I’ve posted was taken from a boater out in the mooring field.  The Weather Channel used it during their broadcast, I’m told.

The annual Seafood Festival here in Marathon was held the weekend before we left.  This is a huge event.  In fact, it’s only second to the wild Fantasy Fest they have every Halloween in Key West.  Several thousand people attended according to the news.  It was a great time.  There was great food – lobster, shrimp, conch and on and on.  In fact Mike even tried a Konchwurst!  He said it was pretty good.  There was great music from several local bands – some came from around the Miami area.  My favorite was a reggae band that really heated things up.  I think the name was Island Vibe.  We spent the day checking out the vendors, eating seafood and key lime pie, drinking cold beer and listening to the music.  What more could you want? 

Since we were going to be gone a couple of weeks, we decided it would be a good time to take NautiNell over to Outta The Blue Marina and have her bottom painted.  It’s about an hour or so away by boat up the Hawk Channel.  The weather was great for the trip and we were able to get her out of the water pretty quickly.  She sure looks big when she’s out of the water!  We spent the night on her “on the hard” before we headed off the next morning for Joplin.  They scraped and painted her bottom, replaced some zincs and made her look “almost” like new again.  When we returned there she sat looking good and ready to take on another voyage.  When we got her in December 2010 she had just had a bottom paint job – and was in fresh water.  It’s been three years now and most of the time she’s been in saltwater. Saltwater is harder on boats than freshwater of course and the warmer the water the more growth.   Of course, we’ve been pretty good about getting her cleaned pretty regular but we were still surprised about how good she looked when we took her out.  Now she’s ready for a few more years!

When we finally got back to Marathon it was really windy.  Several boaters who had planned to leave were still here.  We had another last last final hurrah party on the dock Friday night –  (I think they had had several of those while we were gone!)  Lots to eat and it was great to see everyone again.  We were still on the hard because of the weather so we had to come over by car but we still enjoyed it.  Although I didn’t like seeing our empty slip – something just didn’t look right….  The next day the weather settled down so we were able to get put back in the water that afternoon and made it to the our slip without incident about 3:30 p.m. – just in time for happy hour.  Good to be back – officially now with our boat in the water!

Sunday Karen invited us over to her condo for a pool party and the “unveiling” of the wall mural that several had been creating on her wall around the pool.  No, I didn’t participate in the painting – for those of you who know me and my artistic ability you shouldn’t be surprised.  Karen is happy about that I’m sure.  We do have several “artists” here at the dock and they did a wonderful job.  We also were able to install our “sign posts”.  Each member here of Dock Dynasty made up their own sign with their boat name and any other info they wanted to put on it.  We installed them alongside her pool too.  Now this summer when we’re all gone, she can sit out by the pool with all her Dock Dynasty friends.  It looks really cool!

It will probably be a couple of weeks before we head to the Bahamas.  First we need to get the generator fixed.  Ray and Jeff are going to help Mike with that.  It’s going to be a big project but they’ll get it done.  The weather isn’t going to be all that great for crossing the Atlantic anyway for a few days or more.  Some of the boats that are heading up the west coast of Florida will probably leave this week.  That side won’t be so bad but Neptune is keeping the waters of the Atlantic churning for a while.  We’re not in any hurry anyway.  The Bahamas will be there when we get there!

Mike and I have to go to Key West tomorrow to get our Local Boater Option that lets us check back in from the Bahamas with just a phone call.  We have to apply with Customs down there but it makes it a lot easier to check in once you’re back in the states.  Oh my, another trip to Key West.  Darn! 

I’m also pretty sure there will be another “Last Last Hurrah” this week for Dock Dynasty. In fact, word on the dock is we’re having a pizza party Wednesday.   I’ll keep you posted.

Till Next Time!

Admiral “C”

 

More Winter Fun in the Keys!

Enjoying the Super Bowl Party poolside!

Plenty of food and drink!

Gotta love Karen's shirt!

Glad we didn't have to pay these prices!

Mike made me a sign - says it all!
Doesn't it??

This croc lives on the golf course - right across the street
from the marina!  Now that's a hazard!
Yes, it's real!

Mike and his "coconuts"

Gathering at Castaway's - Happy Hour time

Linda (Second Noelle) made Rick a sign.
He's so proud!

Springers on Big Pine Key
Hilarious!

Maybe next time I'll try the sticky burger.......

Going into Boot Key  - a little tight!

Quite a sight back in Boot Key

Can you hear the banjos yet?

It really felt like you were out in the boonies

Yeah, I hear the banjos

Can you see him??

Happy Hour at Sparky's

The beach is so pretty in Islamorada

Another view of the beach/park
where the Flea Market was held

View from our table at Whale Harbor

Another "sunset" from our boat

Coming back from the AGLCA gathering

One of my favorites

Looper gathering at the Yacht Club

along the way to New Found Harbor

Full moon on our stern

On anchor at sunset
Doesn't get any better!

It was so calm and flat!

Watching for the green flash!

Picnic Island - looks like it might be a fun place!

Residence just off Picnic Island
No, it's not ours!

Heading down a canal to Looe Key Tiki Bar

Some very cool sights along the canals

Sunrise on NautiNell
Gotta love it!

February came in with a bang!  We all spent Super Bowl Sunday at Karen’s condo.  The first Super Bowl party for us that was held by the pool!!  It was another gorgeous day here. There were close to 50 people there!  Bill and Patty (Conched Out Too) fixed a big batch of jambalaya and with all the sides we had enough food to feed twice that many!  The game was a blowout and in my opinion so were the commercials.  However, we all had a great time visiting with everyone.  Believe me, no one went home hungry!

We’ve had several dockside gatherings the past few weeks.  In fact, just yesterday Rick smoked a couple of briskets for everyone.  We do know how to eat!  Definitely a prerequisite to boating – is being able to enjoy eating, drinking and “merriment”! 

Oh and by the way – I mentioned in my last post that a local church was having a fundraiser for the employees of Salty’s and the fishing boat charters.  Well, the spaghetti was wonderful and so was the entertainment.  There was a huge crowd and at last count – they had raised over $16,000!  That’s a lot for such a small community.  Boaters and the locals have big hearts!

We took a dinghy ride “around” Boot Key the other day along with several others.  This is an area that has been cut off from the harbor for quite some time – since a hurricane took out the Boot Key Bridge (I think).  Anyway, it’s very “rustic” back in the canal – it’s been nicknamed “Deliverance Canal” – get my drift?  It was like going back in time to the “old” Florida.  There’s probably things going on back there that I don’t want to know about!  Anyway we saw a huge iguana hanging out in the trees along with a lot of other wildlife.  Pretty Cool!

We’ve been hitting our local hangouts too.  We took Bruce and Karen (OokPik), our Canadian friends we met on the Loop, to Sparky’s one evening.  You gotta love Sparky’s – 25 cent wings and shrimp during Happy Hour!

Every weekend there is a huge Flea Market on Big Pine Key.  We decided to check it out.  The boaters here call it the “dirt mall”.  Jeff and Linda went with us and we all found some treasures that we couldn’t live without!  After that we had lunch at Springer’s.  Springer’s is known for their pizza and their sticky burgers.  Sticky burgers are hamburgers with bacon, provolone cheese and peanut butter along with all the trimmings.  Yes, peanut butter on a cheeseburger!  Jeff had one and said it was pretty good.  I couldn’t bring myself to try it yet.  Maybe next time…..

Mike has spent time working on NautiNell. There is always something that needs to be done it seems.  He even got to work on the head again – his favorite.  This time he and Ray replaced the lines.  Works great again!  Ha! 

We had a little squall come through one day – bringing 40 mile winds and it turned rather cool!  Didn’t last very long but it sent all of us to our boats for the day.  Gave us time to catch up on a few things that needed to be done inside.  I mean it had to have been only in the high 60s!  J

When the weather finally decided to cooperate we celebrated with Painkiller Night.  We made painkillers in our blender for anyone who wanted to try them.  Turned out pretty good!

After being in the marina for over three months we decided it was time to take a cruise.  Conched Out Too went along.  We headed out to New Found Harbor about 25 miles away to spend a couple of nights on anchor.  Of course, we hadn’t made it out of the harbor yet, when our port engine started to overheat.  We had to drop anchor so we could find the problem.  I’m currently writing this while Mike changes out the impeller.  Hope that’s what it is.  Conched Out Too ventured on.  Hopefully we’ll catch up with them in a few hours.  L  Stay tuned.

To be continued……..

Well, it’s been a couple of days since I was writing about the engine problems.  Mike did change out the impeller and that seemed to fix the problem.  Overall it took about three hours before we were underway again.  By that time Conched Out Too was already dropping a hook where we all would be spending the night.  Oh well.  It was a beautiful ride to New Found Harbor.  New Found Harbor is near Munson Island (aka Palm Island}.  Palm Island is a very exclusive and expensive place.  You can only get there by boat or seaplane.  We did see a seaplane bring guests over to the Island.  Pretty cool!  Also there was a huge yacht moored there named Line Drive.  It is rumored to be owned by Derek Jeter.  We looked it up online.  The owner was listed as a New Jersey corporation - so who knows.  However, we did find some interesting information – its home port is Ft Lauderdale -  it’s 112 feet long with 4 state rooms -  it sleeps 8 with 4 crew members.  AND you can charter it for a week starting at a mere $49,500!  Can you imagine that! 

After we finally found our boating buddies we dropped a hook too.  We had a couple of cocktails and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset while we cooked dinner on the grill.  While we do really enjoy all the antics at the dock, we sometimes miss the beauty of being out on anchor. We definitely had a wonderful night.  After the sunset, the moon came up over our back deck.  It was simply amazing. 

The next morning we were up early but not early enough to see the sunrise.  I’m sure it was as spectacular but I’ll just have to assume.  We hung out at an island called “Picnic Island”.   From the looks of it – locals have claimed this island for their hangout.  There was a huge grill/smoker, several chairs and a couple of swings.  Looks like it would be a fun place to be on weekends.  It’s pretty shallow all around it so you have to anchor your dinghy and walk a short ways to it.  Very cool!

We decided that we would dinghy into Looe Key Tiki Bar on Ramrod Key.  We had been there several times by car but never by boat.  It was only a few miles away.  We had to go down a long canal for at least a mile but it was very cool!  We saw lots of fish, jelly fish and several cool houses along the way.  We managed to make it in time for their $5.00 lunches and then we just headed right into Happy Hour.  We did make it back to the boat in time for another pretty sunset.  The winds were kicking up some (they weren’t supposed to do that for a few days) so we planned to head back early in the morning. 

We were up and heading out about 7:30 a.m.  It was an east wind so it was quite bumpy on the way home.  Good for us it was a short trip back.  We made it back to the marina about 10:30 and safely in our slip.  Now the wind can just blow – we don’t care!  Ha! 

Since we’ve been back Mike has been concerned about our generator.  It never has been right since we had problems in the Bahamas two years ago.  It doesn’t want to hold oil pressure.  It hasn’t shut down yet but we want to avoid that if at all possible.  It has been really weighing on Mike’s mind and after our little three day voyage, he realized something needs to be done.  We definitely can’t travel to the Bahamas without a reliable generator.  It looks like this may be a really big job and he’s not looking forward to it one bit.  Ray said he will help him but it may consist of changing out the bearings – we’re talking about probably a two week job!  Of course, we could buy a new one for a mere $10,000.  NOT!  It’s always something when it comes to boating.  I guess we’ll figure out something.  In the meantime, we’re hanging out here in Marathon and planning our trip to the Bahamas this spring.  This could change, of course.  We’ll see……

We’re going to Islamorada about 25 miles away (by car) tomorrow to the Annual Islamorada Nautical Flea Market.  Several here are going.  We haven’t been before but we are looking forward to it.  I wonder if they would have an 8KV generator for sale “cheap”……. 

Stay tuned…….

I’m back – the Flea Market was great!  Lots of vendors there and of course, we found things that parted us with our money.  We had lunch at Whale Harbor in Islamorada.  What a view they have!

Anyway this past week has been nothing much but Mike trying to troubleshoot the generator.  We have to have a working generator if we’re going to the Bahamas.  He’ll figure it out, I’m sure.  Hopefully soon….

We did go to an AGLCA (Looper) gathering this past Sunday.  It was held over at the Yacht Club.  Of course, we all brought snacks and they had a cash bar with Happy Hour prices.  They also had a pretty good band.  We enjoyed talking to everyone who are all in different stages of the Loop.  It was such a calm day we took the dinghy over there.  It was a wonderful ride over and back. 

We are planning a trip back to Joplin next month.  Hope to see all our family and friends.  In the meantime I’m enjoying the 80 degrees and sunshine!

Till next time!

Admiral “C”