Day 243 - 249 February 18 - 24 , 2023

Day 243 Saturday, February 18, 2023 

Stock Island Yacht Club and Marina

The marina had notified us that the pool area would be closed from 1-3pm today.  Friends and family were coming for a reception, a celebration of life.  We watched as the empty parking spots around our boats disappeared and golf carts filled with people arrived.  Lots of young people, we were right when we guessed it was for someone young. The week before a 21 year old was shot by a building owner and killed when he urinated on the outside of a building in Key West.  Both were intoxicated.  Sad.  Lots of people came to pay their respects. 

By late afternoon the beach was empty; we watched the sunset.   Pappa John's pizza on our boat with Phil-N-Wild and a game of 7's. 

Day 244 Sunday, February 19, 2023

Last Sunday in Key West and Stock Island.  We spoke with Father John Baker, the pastor of The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea, and told him how much we had enjoyed mass there each week.  After asking us how long we had been visiting he said "After 1 week you are no longer a visitor, you are a parishioner".  He is such a warm and friendly man.  He reminded us of Father John Yonkovik at home. 

Breakfast one more time at Sandy's Café then the ride back.  This time we took the A1A route back along the Florida Straits and the ocean. The beaches and water view were beautiful, more scenic than the gulf side ride we had been doing each time.

One more sunset on "our beach" with Karen, David, Susan, and Danny and then off for the "last supper" together at El Sybony, joined by Sharon and Grant.  Dinner was very good Cuban fare, the drinks awful, and the service very slow.  The place was packed and our poor server had her hands full trying to take care of everyone.  I would definitely go back. 

  

Day 245 Monday, February 20, 2023

To Marathon Florida.

Today Danny and Susan left at 6:30 am for Biscayne Bay where they will stage for their crossing to The Bahamas!  

   

 We left Stock Island at 8:30 am after refueling ($4.99/gal plus tax).  We have a shorter trip planned.  We are headed to Marathon, Florida only about 5 1/2 hours away.  We will spend a few days there visiting with Janet and Russ.  

 Fueling up

 Helped off the fuel dock by Henry, our favorite "pump-out guy". He says that his job "sucks"!  He's heard and told all the jokes.  Really nice guy.  Pump outs are weekly and right at your slip!!  Even better, no charge!!!

Traveling out of Stock Island Yacht Club and Marina

Resort and pool area 

 Hurricane damage

We had a nice beach send off from Karen and David of "It's About Time".

Out the narrow channel that Danny and Susan helped us through in the dark.

Very shallow travel with crab pots patrol required again.  This time the pots are like traveling a slalom course alternating with grass mats.  After a drizzly start the day was beautiful and sunny, water calm; 5.5 hours travel.  Can you see the crap pots?

Janet and Russ met us at our slip and caught our lines.  This is becoming a habit!  It was great to see their welcoming smiles!  We are at Safe Harbor Marathon Marina for a few days and then we will head north to stage for our crossing to the Bahamas.  

The marina has a beautiful walk-in salt water pool and an RV park - both located next to the restaurant.  That's convenient for happy hours! 

Floating bathhouse

We watched the sunset from the bow of Tug Bussle and then had dinner at the on site restaurant, Lazy Days. 

 

Day 246 Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Happy Birthday to Gary and Tiffany!

Today was chore day.  Groceries by taxi (no Ubers available), route planning with Tug Bussle and arranging for early prescription refills for Jerry; meds will run out while in the Bahamas.  We had a nice phone call with Dad.  Jerry saw 5 manatees hanging out at the marina but alas, didn't have his phone for pics.

Day 247 Wednesday, February 22, 2023

More route planning and a little bike riding.  We met Jeff and Doris from "Two By Two" who have officially crossed their wake in Marathon.  We met them last in Brewerton, New York at Winter Haven Marina.  That's where we had our propellers changed.  It seems so long ago!!

More route planning.  We still find it overwhelming to decide where and when to go.  So many options, so much to see.  And then, there's the weather.  Seems so difficult to anticipate where we will be and try to make reservations when needed.

 

It's National Margarita Day so we HAD to celebrate with our signature boat drink "Blue Lagoons".

Day 248 Thursday, February 23, 2023

Happy Birthday to ME and Johanne!  Hard to believe that I'm on Medicare now, woah......

Janet made sure that my day was celebrated with friends.  Rachel and Don from "Beyond" took the bus from Key West to Marathon to join us at a visit to the Turtle Hospital.  They rehabilitate rescued turtles as well as do research and education.  

  

Turtles are victims of propellers, entanglement from nets, fishing hooks, debris and pollution.  The hospital was started in 1986 with volunteer veterinarians and staff.  Surgeries are performed to remove fibropapilloma virus tumors caused by pollution, remove entanglements and foreign items they swallow and repair shells.  

Positive Buoyancy Syndrome (bubble-butt) is the result of shell damage from boat strikes.  Air gets trapped in tissue and prevents the turtle submerging.  Depending on the extent of injury turtles may become permanent residents of the hospital.  

 Weights are glued to their shell to help them counter balance the trapped air.

 Don and Jerry.

Check out their website for more info. 

Ellen and Joe picked us up (they have a car) and brought the 6 of us to Florida Keys Steak and Seafood for dinner.  We were joined by  Rachel, Don, Arleen, and Al for a nice birthday dinner. Arleen and Al biked down from their marina to join us. I enjoyed the "early bird" special of steak and broiled shrimp, baked potato, salad, and desert for $28.00. Not bad for Florida prices. Lots of great company.

 

It was a great birthday!

Day 249 Friday, February 24, 2023

This was a bonus day in Marathon due to wind and waves.  Jerry was still sorting out his prescriptions.  He finally got more than "we will pass your request to the pharmacy team" and "we will call you back".  Authorization for early refill accomplished he rode to Walgreen's to pick them up while I did laundry.  Since we were here an extra day we joined La Vida, Tug Bussle and Arrabella (Capel and Karen) for dinner.

Tomorrow we head for Key Largo.