Hard to believe but Deb only has one picture to post this morning. This spot is where we ate lunch, and dinner on Wednesday. When hurricane Wilma came through here in 2005, the only thing left of this place was the roof. Everything else was under water...and they have about 50 pictures that captures the whole event.
Log 104Day 289
Friday, March 06, 2009
6:00 AM EST
Location: Sombrero Resort and Marina, Marathon, FL.
Weather: 68 with East winds about 15 mph...the forecast is for 77 today
The winds are starting to lie down a little now. Everyone is complaining down here that this is such a tough winter. I just look at them and smile. It only got down to 68 last night, and will be in the upper 70’s for the next 10 days. Yea...tough winter.
We took the car back to Enterprise...after having it a week. You don’t understand what it’s like without a car...until you don’t have one. And when you get one, you want to run out and do a bunch of stuff in it. But after a couple of days with one, you realize you don’t need it anymore (at least for a while). When I am planning the marinas we will be stopping in I always look for 3 things. Close to a grocery store; close to laundry facilities; close to West Marine. If we can find all three...we in. But I will say, although it can be a hassle, using the bikes to run errands, can be fun and a challenge. Many people plan their day around taking a bike ride to get supplies. Life on a boat is just different. Good different.
We continue to really enjoy Marathon. It has everything you need. Warm weather. Good marinas. Lots of places to dinghy. Good lunch spots...that can be reached by the dinghy. Easy to get supplies. And...good fishing. At this point we plan to be here for at least another week. About now, I start to look at the 10 day forecast and formulate a plan for our departure and the next stop. As we speak, the weather looks good, with winds out of the east at about 10 mph, for the next several days. The only issue I see is on the 15th (which is when our month at Marathon runs out) the winds are forecasted to switch to the NNW, and I’m not sure if that means another cold front, or not. For us a cold front does not necessarily mean colder temperature...it means stronger winds out of the North, which is not good for cruising. We have had those strong winds for several days now, and there are many boats in the harbor waiting for the front to pass, so they can leave. It looks like this will happen late Sunday or Monday...then the winds look great for almost a week...just when we would plan to leave. If there is another cold front coming through...we will wait until it passes to head North.
The last couple of days has been about boat chores. I changed the oil in the transmissions; cleaned all the water strainers; washed the boat; and put 2 coats of wax on the hardtop (a job I hate...but it looks soooo good now). Deb helped me with washing the boat, and did a thorough job of inside cleaning. Last week I waxed the top sides of the boat, and the stern. We are looking good. I still have some engine room chores to complete before we head north (installing new air filters I had sent to me) and a few minor things...but we are almost set. Also...on Wednesday evening, we had dinner with Tim and Jan, on Full Circle. We first met them at Joe Wheeler State Park in Tennessee, at the Looper get together. They are a retired couple from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and on the loop...without a destination, or an end date. Great couple...great time. We plan to get together again before we leave Marathon.
This weekend Deb and I plan to relax a little (I’m not sure if I mentioned that we have a 4 day work week...which starts on Monday and ends on Thursday...and our weekend begins late Thursday afternoon). For me, that means lots of dinghy rides, and some fishing. For Deb, it’s dinghy rides and lots of reading, while I’m out fishing. She told me yesterday she is really happy when I go fishing...because she can enjoy a good book, without feeling guilty she should be doing something. There is a very nice beach on the Atlantic side, that we can dinghy to, that Deb has said I could drop her off, and go fishing, and pick her up when I’m done. Sounds like a plan. As they say here...another day in Paradise.
Well it’s time to get the day started. As I have been writing this, I have been listening to the VHF radio, and the traffic leaving the harbor. The boot key bridge tender doesn’t start until 7, so normally the traffic is ready to head out when he starts. This morning is no different. About 7 sail boats have already left the harbor. Three of them heading up the Atlantic, one as far north as Boston. The other 4 are heading up the Gulf, towards Fort Myers. Interestingly enough...they did not know one another, but via the VHF they found out they are all heading for the same anchorage spot (on the Little Shark River) so they decided to sail together. It’s cool...it happens like that more than you think.
I’ll keep you posted.
Bob
