We walked a couple of blocks from out boat to see the first sunset we have seen since we got to Key West...a perfect one
Yesterday we had 2 cruise ships and 2 Navy vessels in the harbor
Here is another shot of Reel Wheels...the 80 foot yacht owned by Rick Hendrick
This is a Manatee just off our swim platform
Deb not only took a picture of all the fish these guys caught...she hung around long enough for them to give her a bunch...which we had for dinner last night. Our boat is just off to the left in this picture
While Deb is on these walks she finds someone to take her picture. Here she is in the southern most beach in the US.
Local street vendors selling their paintings
Log 93Day 252
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
6:00 AM EST
Location: A&B Marina, Key West, FL
Weather: 71 with calm winds...forecasted to get to 80 today
It’s warm and muggy this morning...humidity of 90%. The wind switched to the south yesterday, and will continue for a couple more days. They forecast lows in the 70’s and highs near 80 the next 3 days. I’m up early (for a change) and watching the weather channel as I write this log, and the rest of the country is a mess with snow, sleet, and lots of ice causing problems across the Midwest. We certainly picked a great winter to make this trip...our weather has been great.
Deb has been taking so many cool pictures for the log, it’s hard to decide which ones to include. Her daily walks continue to improve her knowledge of Key West and her picture log. She also continues to get a real understanding of the Island and all it has to offer. For some reason I don’t get too far from the docks and the water. They seem to have everything I need.
One of yesterdays highlights was a manatee who visited our dock...and came up right behind Headquarters. Many on the dock were gathered to watch, and he stayed in the area for over 30 minutes. They come to the docks looking for fresh water...if you were to put a hose in the water...they would stay all day. Bad idea...Manatee’s and boat props don’t mix well.
We had a small issue with the dinghy. I went to get fuel a couple of days ago, and when I left the fuel dock the motor quit. This motor has run perfectly for 5 years so I could not figure what happened. After checking out the things I could, and calling around for someone to repair the boat, I called Boat US and had them tow the dinghy to a place called Fish and Race, a local Mercury engine repair facility. The tow was free to me, (because of insurance) but the guy who towed me charged Boat US $308 for a quick 30 minute tow. I rode back to the marina with him, figuring I would take a taxi back there the next day. As it turned out it was a very quick fix...a fuel line had somehow come loose (but was not visible to me) and was not getting fuel to the engine. $68 later...we’re back on the water.
Yesterday Deb and I also did some deeper cleaning of the boat. I took off the back isinglass and cleaned and waxed it. Deb used the same cleaner on the showers. For lunch we walked over to Schooners...the first time we had eaten there. It was very good food. Speaking of first time...we saw our first sunset since we arrived in Key West a little over 2 weeks ago. As it turned out it was a perfect sunset (as you can see by the picture) with no clouds. Deb took 63 pictures (yes...63) to get one she really liked. She deleted a bunch...but I’ll bet she still saved 10.
Today...I’m sure Deb will get another walk in. I want to finish the isinglass, and get prepared for fishing the next couple of days. Light winds on Thursday and Friday should be great for me going off shore to find some fish. We also have plans to have dinner with Andy and Susan from Maggie May. They are the couple who were on that great Nordhaven we met a week or so ago. They went up to Naples, and are back (but in another Marina) and they stopped by the boat yesterday and asked us to join them for dinner...so we will.
Well it is just starting to get a little light out, so I think I’ll take a dock walk to see if anyone is up. While I have been writing this log, along with watching the weather channel, I have been monitoring the VHF radio (which I do most of the day) for all boat traffic in the area. This morning the harbor pilot has been talking to an incoming cruise ship. He just told them he would come out a few miles to meet them. What happens is that a local pilot (boat captain) goes out a few miles and climbs a ladder to the cruise ship and then drives the ship to the dock. When the boat leaves later today, the procedure is reversed. The pilot boat is just down a few slips from us on the dock and I have talked to him several times. I am so intrigued by how things on the water happen.
Oh...I also saw Rick Hendrick (the NASCAR owner) walking our dock yesterday...which confirms to me we are in the right place. I love Key West.
I’ll keep you posted.
Bob
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