North to Marathon and Tavernier

March 6, 2015

It was wonderful to stay in Boca Chica near the southernmost point in the continental US during the winter days from February into March. The high winds were constant while we were there and when we saw a window of a few fairly calm days we decided it was time to move on. Our boat hadn’t been headed north since we were in Canada last year!

We had one last afternoon on the town in Key West with retired Air National Guard friends, Jim and Vicki, who are wintertime residents of Key West. We met at one of the many, many bars, but most famous, Sloppy Joe's on Duval Street, (thanks George and Martha!) where we enjoyed lively entertainment. We had to step outside for a minute to wave into the live web cam there while connecting on the phone with friends Mark and Melinda from The Villages. Fun! We all then went to the sunset celebration at Mallory Square.

 

Jim and John - old Vermont flying buddies
 

 

Vicki and Kathy at Sloppy Joe's
 

 

A Duval Street tradition - Ernest Hemmingway drank here
 


After consulting with fellow loopers, Jack and Sara on Ithaka, who were also planning to leave Boca Chica, we decided to travel together and leave on Friday morning.

Serenity casts her shadow in the early morning sun on a mangrove island
 

Ithaka and a sailboat lead the way out the channel - if we headed due
south for 90 miles we would have ended up in Cuba - we turned
 port and to the east

 

We retraced our path to the Seven Mile Bridge and the ocean waters did have a roll to them so we had to hang on when we moved about the boat. After we went under the bridge the waves smoothed out and we had a nice ride to the small Marathon Yacht Club.
That evening we walked the mile or so to the marina where Sara and Jack were staying to meet them for dinner and go over the plan for the next day.

We passed a turtle hospital on our evening walk - complete
with ambulance
 

Captain’s Log March 6, 2015

Departed: Boca Chica Marina at NAS Key West 6:58 a.m.
Engine hours: 6.1 hrs. - 547.4 total for trip
Actual hours: 5 hr. 40 min
Miles covered 45.74   Total for trip: 3866
Arrived: Marathon Yacht Club 12.40 p.m.
Wx: clear 70 degrees and rising, wind SE 5- 10 kts. We had 1 – 2 ’ waves in Hawk Channel but quite doable. No issues.
Traveled with Ithaka

Saturday, March 7, 2015

We decided to get underway at 8am, but when we woke up a rather large fishing boat was tied to a dock across the way that was going to make our departure a little interesting.  We asked another couple if they would assist us as we pulled away and maneuvered around the other boat.  Good thing we had help, we made it and didn't scratch anything, but it was close.  We still met Ithaka in the channel on time and it was a smooth uneventful day along the ICW in Florida Bay. 

Grounded sailboat is now providing a roost for the birds
 

We arrived at the Mangrove Marina in Tavernier but Ithaka went on to another marina. After looking at the wind forecast for the next few days we decided to sign up for the weekly rate and stay awhile.  We were not quite ready to leave the beautiful weather in the paradise that we found on the Keys.

The first morning we were at Mangrove Marina a rainbow in the
western sky showed a promise of good weather to come
 

Mangrove Marina is a good place to be. It is not a fancy resort but the people are friendly and welcoming. There is a grocery store and small shopping area just about a half a mile away and a bakery that also serves gelato just across Route 1. I was invited to go to a water aerobics class at Islamorada on Monday and Wednesday, which I did attend and loved it. The class was in a big outdoor pool with at least 50 participants and a retired gentleman was an excellent instructor.

Planters around the marina were filled with odd little curios
 

There are some other loopers here, and we were even invited to a wedding of some local live-aboards! It was a beautiful evening for a wedding.

Locals Cathy and Dave tie the knot on the waterfront at
Mangrove Marina
 

We had a visit from some friends Gail and Bill who are boat neighbors on our dock at our marina in Vermont. They are wintering in Key Largo and drove over to say hi. It was so great to see them!

John, Kathy with Champlain Marina friends Gail and Bill
 

Our week stay is almost over and we will be on our way soon, so check back and see what we are up to next. 

Captain’s Log: March 7, 2015

Departed: Marathon Yacht Club Island 7:55 a.m.
Engine hours: 6 hr.
Actual hours: 5 hr.  45 min.
Miles covered  44.78 entire trip 3911
Arrived: Mangrove Marina at Tavernier Key 1:45 p.m.
Wx: clear, 75 degrees, winds 10-20 mph. Inside Florida Bay on the ICW  the whole way, light to moderate chop – smooth ride but windy and lots of spray over the bow
Traveled with Ithaka