March 7, 2014

Woke up to a calm morning, wind just slightly blowing warm and sun shiny.  Turned on the air conditioner because of the high humidity.  Thank God for the Air Conditioner and thanks to Darlene and Pete for it.
I spent most of the day doing new tatting designs, Curt finished some projects, calm day in the Marina even if the wind is blowing 15-20 knots. 
Had a special treat today, a Manatee came up to the docks, one of the boaters turned on the hose of water and the Manatee drank, nibbled the hose in his mouth for 20 minutes, drinking fresh water.   Apparently they can't drink sea water just like Dolphins and need fresh water.  He was huge and really got his fill of fresh water, loves the water hose in his mouth with cool fresh water running.

March 6, 2014 Still here

Very warm and humid, wind starting to blow.  Had a thunderstorm come thru in the afternoon.  Curt and I rode our bikes to the grocery story but got caught in the wonderful warm rain coming back, had the wind blowing on our backs about 25-30 knots.  Saw a back accident on the highway.  People were definitely a little crazy, grocery store was swamped, you would think it was going to storm for days and everyone had to get to the grocery store before the storm hit.  We were told by one of the shop keepers there was a Tornado watch out for the afternoon, we discussed where to go since there are no basements.  Stair well or under the bridge was decided.  On our way back to the Marina our boxes with groceries started to soften and didn't want to stay tied on the back of the bikes, new experience once again.  On the way back several friends called asking where we were and told us they checked on our boat, wondered if we wanted them to come get us.  We were having fun riding in the warm rain.  The coke box fell apart as Curt took it off his bike.  Took a shower and put dry clothes on, only to get damp on the way back from the Showers.  Glad we are in a sheltered Marina.  Boats were rocking in the wind and rain.  Settled down as the evening went on, nice quiet evening on the boat once again.

March 5, 2014, Still here

It's my birthday!!!  Never thought I would get this old and no way be on this adventure!  Thanks to all you Happy Birthday wishers!  Love hearing from all of you.

Went to the Everglades with Field Trip, Reunion.  Very interesting.  Ate lunch at Flamingo.  Got to see lots of alligators close up, lots of birds, many I have never heard of, saw Mullet jumping in the lake.
Went back to Sharkey's in Key Largo for supper and had a Bushwacker for my supper along with some of Curt's shrimp.  Stopped at the Carribean Club which was supposedly the site of the movie " Key Largo" with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, had a quick walk thru, other's didn't want to stay because it really still is a "DIVE", smoky and smells of beer, a few people there, definitely a beach bar.

This is winter in the Everglades, the circles of trees are from the alligators digging a hole in the ground till the water comes up then the birds and other animals come take advantage too.  The trees grow up around this hole.  Looking across the open fields we expect to see Giraffes or Zebras, it looks just like pictures of Africa.

 Nice walkways to walk over the spongy mat of algae, small fish can be seen in the open water as well as turtles.

 Air plants growing on the trees

 This red bark is a special tree found here in the Everglades will try to find out the name of it.

 Carol, Martha, Curt walking along the path, we try to be quiet so as not to scare the animals away.

 Bob said this smothering vine was in National Geographic quite a few years ago, he grew around a tree and killed the tree.

 Lots of little lizards and spiders in the trees

 We saw several of these birds, saw one in the Little Shark ancorage on the west side of Florida but thought it was a Flamingo.  Apparently Flamingos are not often seen in Florida wild.

 Would you camp in the Everglades on a Chickee?  Not me!!!!

 Finally got to see what a sea grape looked like

 Who would of thought Mahogany trees in the Everglades.

 Spanish moss hanging off a tree over the water at one of the lakes we went to.

 Orange butterfly by some flowers

 Open Everglades, sometimes the Duckbill Stork would fly over or you can hear the pig frogs, they sound just like a feral boar making noise.

 Just had to take a picture of this, there were several boxes to get tarps out of for your car.

 Cute bird, can't remember the name of him.

 Lots of alligators

 This one opened his eyes and would close them, we were 3 ft. away, not sure why we weren't more nervous about him deciding he wanted supper.

 Great gray heron waiting for supper

 The crescent moon was beautiful, as it was getting dark we tried to capture the reflection in the water

 Just happened to come up on this guy after he crossed the walkway in front of us.

Not often we signs like this but in the Everglades we saw them several places.  Just leaving at dark, the animals were really moving and making noise at our last site we walked around.

March 4, 2014 Tuesday Still Here

Calm sunny morning, woke up early 6:30.  Really!, Oh well mornings are also beautiful here.
Ross and Barb called, went with them to the Outdoor Bass fishing store at Islamorada.  Saw the sister boat to Hemingway's boat Pillar.  Nice wooden troller.  Had drinks out on the patio overlooking the Gulf, saw them feeding the Tarpon.  They looked liked Carp and were up to 4-5 ft long, guess their fun to catch but not good to eat.  Rode the bus back to the Marina, light shower that was a fine mist, could see it but not feel it.  Strange.

 Yes, I know, this is gross, but have you ever seen roadkill like this, poor Iguana :)

 Reunion to our starboard

The office to our Port with our bikes on the concrete walkway.

March 3, Monday still here.

Another sunny warm day, sl. winds in the marina but after looking at the weather forecast for the Dry Tortugas decided we only have a good weather window to get there then high winds and waves the next 3 days.  We've become too comfortable and don't want to sit out a storm anchored in the open waters around the Dry Tortugas.  So will catch up on some boat projects today and of course as you can tell the blog. Well we left on our bikes yesterday around 11:00 am, ended up going to several different stores looking for several different things.  Picked up two folding chairs, we have needed them multiple times for social gatherings on the dock, so broke down and bought some, boat is filling up.....  Curt got stuff to paint his new dingy seat.  I got ant houses, seems I need to spray the electrical cord more often to keep them off our boat.  I also picked up some spray starch to see if that  will work to hold my Celtic tatting more firmly together.  We ended up getting back with all our purchases including two 24 packs of water on the back of my bike and the folding chairs on the back of Curt's.  We were quite a site coming back, people were really staring.  I would have taken a picture but neither bike would stay up by itself because of the weight on the back. We also bought some No See'um spray which really works and is all natural oils.  Had something cold to drink and rested for a while when we got back, a little snack of guacamole and chips and off to the pool for some cool refreshing exercise after our 8 mile bike ride today.  The Italian Sub sandwich at Publix this afternoon still keeping our tummies full.  Quiet night, can't believe it's after 10 and the marina is very quiet and dark. Just couldn't stay awake to do pictures on the blog.

March 2, 2014 Sunday. Still here

Got up early to go to Church at the Martin Luther Church across the street.  Interesting that other Loopers went to 3 other different churches, nice to be in port on Sunday, all one in spirit though.  Our sermon today was named  "Living in a different country".  He talked about how more young people are not able to quote at least one of the 10 commandments or finish any well know bible verse.  Well know to the older generation of Americans, whether you're an atheist or a believer these things are usually common knowledge.  Curt and I feel we are in a different country by being a Looper but usually not by our common knowledge and faith.  God is Good.....all the time.  After discussion with a fellow looper and talking about friends health back home I decided I need to change my saying "God never promises us tomorrow" to "God never promises us how we'll physically be tomorrow.".  With friends having strokes, heart attacks, cancer treatment, broken bones, memory loss, financial crisis, then going to rehab after all of these illness working their way back to functioning in this world as much as possible we give thanks for where we are and what we are doing, feeling very blessed on a daily basis for good health, friends, and family.
After church we got to talk with Kiren and Andy.  Then rode our bikes over to the Key Colony Beach Days Celebration about 2 miles away.  Cute little craft fair and flea market.  Had a good Greek Gyro sandwich, listened to the music, visited with others.  Curt drooled over the Bushnell Scopes for $299.00 night vision scope, decided we really didn't need it since we could use it in the fog.  Back to help a couple of other Loopers with projects on their boat and Marilyn came back for a Sunday afternoon nap.  Decided at 4:30 time to get something going for the Looper's Potluck tonight.  Then found out we were out of water, so filled the water tank.  Curt got ice before the office closed since we were out, found out the hamburger had dripped in the bottom of the cooler so cleaned the cooler out and put things back, made the paper towel holder to get that out of the way and finally now can start the Dirty Rice and Chicken for the Potluck.  Whoops-it is 6:00pm and people are on their way to the Potluck.  Nothing is easy or just simple while living on a boat.  After 10 minutes Barb came over and said we want to take pictures, just come there is plenty of food.  Explained to her if I don't stay the fire sometimes go out and my contribution to the potluck won't get done.  After another call from Bob, we just turned off the fire and went over, everyone sitting in a circle.  We really need to get folding chairs but where to put them on the boat!  Came back since everyone eating got my finished food and took it back to share and eat other yummy foods.  Lots of good cooks.  Curt enjoyed the green been casserole and angel food cake with strawberries.  I enjoyed the spinach salad and Key Lime Pie. Someone else had made Fresh Basil leaf and Mozzarella with tomatoes.  Basil from her aboard garden.   After visiting and finding out another couple from Minn. were here leaving tomorrow for the Bahamas we said our good nights.  My dish almost gone, thank goodness cause with the big bag of ice I have limited room in the cooler.  Went for a swim in the pool again getting exercise, has really helped my sore knee, Barb came along and swam for a little while to.
We are always amazed at how bright the stars are in the dark sky.  As the coconut palm trees gently blow in the breeze, framing the view as we watch the sparkle of lights above us from the warm blue lit peaceful haven below, we are in awe that we're really here.  Others coming by, stopping to visit on their way back from the bathroom break up the solitude and our quiet night swims aren't so quiet and exercise in the pool not so much.
 Back to the boat, Curt finishing off the Banana Pudding so I have room for left overs.  We seem to be infested with these little ants that climb on the counter and floor, I sprayed the electrical cord again hoping that will stop our unwanted boarders to our boat.

 Parade at Key Colony Days, Marathon

 Potluck with other Loopers at the Marina.

March 1, 2014 Saturday

Went to the Nautical Flea Market at the Marathon Yacht club with Bob and Martha, Ross and Barb by taxi.  Marilyn stayed back to finish Laundry and clean the boat.  Curt took his bike so I could catch up later.
Finally caught up with Curt and went by the pig races which were to start in about an hour.  So we rode our bikes around, went to a fish market on the Gulf side of the island, good prices on Lobster and shrimp as well as grouper, yellowfin etc.  A must come back to.  Rode our bikes on down the rode to a discount store so Curt could get M&M's for a buck a big package.  By the time we got back the pig races were just getting started.  George and Mary from BeachQuest came walking by so visited with them till the races began, didn't gamble on any pigs but money was being raised for a local charity?  Ended up going with George and Mary over to see an other couple who were thinking of selling their 38 ft Island Packet.  Had a good visit with them.  Found out they were from Minn., Minn., not sailing their boat so were thinking of getting a trawler.  They also have a sailboat in Minn. yet for the summer sailing months.  Boat was beautiful but more than what we are looking for at this time.  Had a fun visit with them on the Sombrero Beach Bar and back to our bikes.  Got to have a view of the Mooring field of 226 mooring balls all full with waiting list.  Amazing site to see.  Back to our boat after a 20 mile ride today.  Called Andy to watch Kiren decorate her birthday cupcakes and eat them.  She wanted a plate set for Grandpa and Grandma to have birthday cake with her and asked when are you coming home?  Heart strings torn with tears in the eyes we lost our skype connection.  Mike's phone lost power so said good night without getting to see her open her presents.  Happy we got to sing Happy Birthday to her live on Google Chat.  She is growing up so much in the last couple of months.  Hard to miss out on this time with our grand daughters, lost time doesn't seem to change things as quickly with our sons and other family. 

First pig race I've been too, had to come to Marathon, Florida.  Wonder why my cousins didn't have races they were only 1/4 mile away from the farm I grew up on.  Guess they were too busy feeding and cleaning up after them.

February 28, 2014 Friday still here

Took the bus to Key Largo, MM 100 for the afternoon, friends from Reunion and Attitude Changer went with.  1 1/2 hour bus ride for $2.65 one way.  Saw the original "African Queen" river boat from the movie The African Queen with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn.  We had just watched this movie a month ago so was fun to see the original boat, they were giving tours on it.   Dennis and Carol decided to go see the Reefs on the glass bottom boat, Ross and Barb stayed with us, went walking around the canal, meeting and visiting with other loopers.  Finally made our way to Sharkey's restaurant for drinks and Friday night special of Mahi Mahi all you can eat for $11.95.  We really over ate, the fish was wonderful.  Rushed to catch the bus back to Marathon leaving at 7:05.  Got back to Marathon by 9 pm and settled in for another good night

sleep.

.

 Steam engine is at the repair shop

 The African Queen at MM 100 Key Largo

 A cruise pirate ship

  A troller for sale, next trip down the river.

Dinner at Sharkey's on the canal, all you can eat Mahi Mahi, delicious!!!