Key West Week 1

Hello from Key West! We enjoyed the visit to the beach locally known as Ft Zach with Emmie and Bill. We rode our bikes thru the streets as we posed with one of the many lifelike sculptures in the city. Lunch was a hit at Santiago's .....flavorful salad and tapas...but great sangria! Time for our friends to leave....we so enjoyed your visit...

A calm beautiful day we took the dinghy around the island, stopped for a swim on the beach, saw a couple of sting rays, and had lunch at the Hurricane Hole on Stokes Island. We got a photo of the Southernmost Tip Buoy from the ocean side...only 90 miles to Cuba.

Here at A&B Marina...we are 3 boats away from several good seafood eateries....and ice cream shoppes. Early morning walks thru the city ring of constant rooster crows, a DJ does a morning fishing show from our dock, and our boat neighbor gets a haircut on the dock... We are meeting wonderful people here at the marina... great tips on shopping, boating, and life on board. Today is windy and chilly (60 degrees). Another 3 weeks here to see the real Key West...

Key West Continued

We had planned to leave Key West today for Marathon. We woke up today and said why are we leaving. Why leave paradise? So we're not. We're staying in Key West for a month (thru 2/26). Here are pictures of a manatee that swam up to our boat today, a crab pot line that a diver found around our propeller shaft, and an 80' yacht at the marina owned by Rick Hendrick (Hendrick Motor Sports). Stay tuned for more Key West!

Key West

Well here we are in Key West.....the ride over was a little too long.....5 hours...and I finally gave in and took some meds. First nite was Mallory Square and of course a beautiful sunset! Emmie and I took in the craft fair....and the prices were really typical of Key West...HIGH...but we had fun. Bill rented an electric car as a surpirse for us and took us to his favorite restaurant Cafe Sole' wonderful hogfish and hearts of palm salad....and great wine of course.....two bottles later and we were touring the town.....One more nite here and onward to Marathon. Check us out and leave us a note! SEA LA VIE

Our Day at Marco Island

What a great day we had today at Marco Island! Warmer weather brought us out to an arts and craft fair....we had a great time rummaging thru jewelry, handmade children's clothing and other treasures! Bill purchased jumbo fresh shrimp and we headed to the boat to cook lunch! Of course the captain had something more exciting things in mind...so off we headed to the beach...4 people in the dinghy

As you can see this was a special place....totally unspoiled....the birds waited patiently as we ate and threw our leftovers their way ....we walked along the beach...I have never seen such a collection of shells...and soooo many.

After hot showers we headed to Snook Inn for dinner....fresh grouper, crab legs, stone crab claws were all wonderful. Its 8 PM now and we are all ready for bed....awh the life of the boater.

And if you are wondering about this last photo........just a new experience....standing up.

Ft Myers to Marco

Ft Myers proved to be the BUS capital .....it seems all we did was wait for and ride the BUS....in search of "good " shopping...Emmie and I were relentless. Finally after a full day of benches, wind, cool temperatures and absolutely no FINDS we ended up at Publix to once again buy food for dinner.

The trip to Marco Island was uneventful....thank you Lord......as Bill and I tried to respond to all orders of the captain. Beautiful marina with views and very upscale....clean showers.....and close shopping!!!! YEAH Lunch at Snook Inn was great....outside dining proved chilly....frozen margaritas didn't help. On the walk back we discovered sale shopping at Kay's Boutique. Our aboard friends FOOTLOOSE came over for a visit and cocktail...all in all a wonderful day in Marco.....we decided to stay another day....

Ft Myers Continued

Ft

Ft Myers has proved to be a wonderful place for great seafood and Happy Hours....we have had a few of those....with the dipping temps ......what can you do? Emmie and Bill joined us from Knoxville and have actually had no problems sleeping with the rockin and rollin we are doing! A great dinner at SOB (Smokey Oyster Brewery) ...Thank you Bill.....with a tasty cosmo....! and another wonderful sunset!

Today into the town of Ft. Myers on the trolley....will keep you posted of our finds.

Ft Myers Beach

So onward toward Ft Myers...beautiful sunrise, smooth boating thru the bridge! Breakfast is always more tasty on the boat....have you noticed how often we are talking about FOOD? The shrimp boats are standing by to start their day...and a small single boat empties the crabpots as the birds enjoy the remnants of his catch.

The Mooring Field:

Large white balls floating thruout the area.....I am suppose to do what? Lay on my tummy, catch the hook, tie us up and all with a wimpy boat hook...who is this bearded man?? He must have me mixed up? So I learn how to shift the gears as the captain preforms this great feat....I should have photos of that one...they would resemble those of a plumber under the sink ..if you get my drift...droopy pants and all. Finally we are secure and our neighbor came over....Jimmy Tant...we had met him at Joe Wheeler in October..he came aboard with info about the area! Our friends from Knoxville will join us tomorrow and we will plan our route to Key West...But not before we become friends with Ft Myers...so catch us later.

Sanibel Island

We arrived in Sanibel 5 hours later via the ditch...2 feet of water and running aground only once...Mom you need not worry today about us drowning! Staying close to the wall...we docked just in front of the famous Grandma Dots! Charlie seemed to be waiting for us....an older gentleman who lost his wife a year ago...they came to this beautiful place every year....and he offered to give us "the tour"...by car even! Bike trails led us to the Lighthouse Grill for breakfast ...and of course more interesting shops! Shelling was a favorite...the beach was crowded....some wrapped with their scarves and some in swim suits....We wanted to move the boat, but with the low tide it was a waiting game.....I guess I never thought about there not being enough water to float???? So....early up ...7 am so we could catch high tide...and onward to Ft Myers Beach...will keep you posted.