Monday, Feb 16:
I took the day off so that we could go explore Key West. Wes went and picked up the rental car as soon as they opened and then we loaded up and headed out. We went to Truman's little while house. It was President's Day, so they were hosting a cook-out on the grounds. We decided to have our lunch there as it was very reasonable. We decided not to do the tour as Tutu couldn't get to the second floor and it was pricey. So then we walked to the Hemmingway House. We did the self-guided tour and Tutu was able to watch a video about all the history. It was neat to see the history and all the people he came into contact with. Then we walked the grounds and saw many of the 61 cats on the property. From there we drove to the southern most point of the US and got our picture taken there. Then we just drove around and enjoyed the views. Finally, we went to The Boat House for happy hour. We walked around the docks and a couple shops in that area as well. We were joined by Pecktacular (Jim & Vicki), Wild Goose (Dennis and Debbie) and Serenity II (Chris and Denise). We enjoyed beverages and food as well as many stories and laughter. We called it a day shortly after dark (around 1900) and started the drive back . It was a long ride back. We got stuck in traffic due to construction and made a couple stops (gas and beer). We made it back to the boat around 2000 and we all basically went straight to bed.
Tuesday, Feb 17:
We got up and started getting things ready right away for our departure. We said our goodbyes and then dropped the lines around 0900 (after Wes returned the rental car and got gas for the dinghy). It was rougher than planned so it was quite lumpy ride even with the sail up. There were also A LOT of crab pots that Wes needed to dodge. We arrived at Bahia Honda State Park around 1600. We got secured and plugged in, then John and Terri from Captain Kid II came in by dinghy and we had a nice visit. Then we went in, had dinner, watched a little TV then off to bed.
Wednesday, Feb 18:
I was moving slow in the morning as I am fighting a cold. Wes got up and made breakfast which we all enjoyed on the aft deck in the beautiful sunshine. I started working. Wes walked around and visited with some people around the marina. Serenity II stopped by via their rental car and visited a little bit. Blue Lobstah also stopped by for a quick visit as they were at the park to do some snorkeling. Then Captain Kidd II stopped by for some dock tales. The we went in for dinner, a little TV, then off to bed.
Thursday, Feb 19:
We all got up and I started working. Wes did computer work. Then he went and visited with Road to Nowhere. For my lunch break, Wes and I went for a dinghy ride to get some breeze as it was quite warm. Then Wes took me back and then he and Papa went out to see if they could catch any fish. They caught a few small silver snappers. Papa filleted them and we cooked them up with our fish dinner (tuna steaks and grouper filet). It was good, but not much meat to them. After dinner, we relaxed watched TV. I was still fighting my cold and didn't have the energy for cards.
Friday, Feb 20:
We were up and prepping the boat for travel first thing. We dropped the lines around 0800 and started heading toward Little Shark River. It started out very lumpy! We were rockin and rollin for the first couple of hours, but when we got over to the gulf side it leveled out and was a much smoother ride. We arrived at Little Shark River around 1400 and dropped the hook. We enjoyed a landing drink on the aft deck, then Wild Goose arrived around 1500 and they just rafted up to us. We enjoyed anchor tales on the aft deck. Then we went in as it was getting dark and we made chicken bacon ranch wraps. The we watched a little TV before calling it a night.
We got up and got moving right away. We were able to get some beautiful sunrise pictures! We untied Wild Goose around 0700, then pulled the anchor and started making our way to Marco Island. It was a smooth, beautiful day out on the gulf! I spent most of the day on my "perch" on the bow of the boat soaking up the sun. We arrived at Marco Island around 1500, dropped the hook and enjoyed the beautiful afternoon on the aft deck. The we went in for dinner, watched some TV to relax, then off to bed.
We got up and got moving right away again as the winds were picking up later in the day and we wanted to get to Bimini Basin before the weather hit. We pulled the anchor around 0700. There was a bit of a cool wind, but it was a beautiful ride. I was on the bow of the boat for most of the time. We arrived in Bimini Basin around 1330 and dropped the hook. Wild Goose and another cruiser were already anchored in there. We dropped the anchor and as we were trying to set the hook, Wes noticed something floating in the water that looked like a milk jug. He altered our course to avoid it which is a good thing!! Once we got the hook set and everything secured, we went inside and played some cards. Then Wes dropped the dinghy and took Wild Goose to shore as they were visiting friends for the next 2 nights. Wes checked out the milk jug more closely and upon further investigation, he found out it was a chain with an anchor that another boat had left. They couldn't pull the anchor, so they cut the chain and left it. The chain was too heavy for the milk jug to stay afloat though, so it was easy to miss. Wes returned, we enjoyed dinner and continued playing cards. The wind was swinging us around quite a bit, and while it looked like we were going to get rain, most of it missed us. After cards, we all went to bed.
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