Photos of the Inside (ICW) Route of the Upper Keys

Birds on stakes providing nutrients for new seagrass beds
Going though one of the cuts
Homes along Florida Bayside
Another cut passage

Marooned in Marathon, but Chillin'

The double thunderstorm wind (41 kts) and rain whipping through Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, The Keys, Florida.

Bobby was slung over the diesel engine and generator in the engine room installing the compressor for the new refrigeration system while Jenny was upside down with legs in the air inside the top loading refer box reinstalling the extra insulation and spraying foam. The old ice box is chilling down and ready to go once again. Except now the weather is not being cooperative - two thunderstorms went through yesterday afternoon and the wind is still up today, so departure is delayed until Wednesday for calmer seas.

Our plan now is to head up the East Coast of the US for the summer and return South as it gets cold. Tom and Sandy of S/V Magic Reunion are still in Palmetto, FL. We decided not to head to the Abacos Islands, Bahamas to meet up with the Texas Cruiser's Association this week (they are chartering), as we only know one couple from the marina in Texas and would only be able to stay about 3 weeks. Tom belonged to the Association for years. The Caribbean will wait for us until this winter.

Another Marathon "character" spotting at the Dockside Bar last week. Unfortunately, no camera available for documentation. She was perched in the lap of her date...he did not appear to really care even though it was in the upper 80s, very humid, and the bar is not air conditioned. Although the "date" was dressed conservatively in kahki shorts, polo shirt, socks and shoes, the "character" had on a white lace see-thru blouse, red bra, and a cut-off jean studded mini-skirt. So what's the big deal, you ask? They looked to be in their 80s! Got the impression she might be a biker chick from way back, although I did not see any tatoos through the blouse.


At least the sunsets are lovely to look here in Boot Key Harbor.

Back in Marathon

Channel entrance to Boot Key Harbor/Marathon and bascule bridge. Frank and Lisa on M/V Gnatnoop arriving to mooring field.

The new reefer system is ordered and we will spend another week in Marathon awaiting its delivery. We are managing by putting a layer of highly technical boat insulation (car sun shade) on top of the freezer box for the refer items. Being creative and adaptive is a major requirement for peaceful living aboard.

At least most of the really weird "characters" at the City Marina departed, which decreases the entertainment value, in addition to the waiting lines for showers and laundry. Bobby had no worries about losing Jenny to some boat guy here, as these guys are on the edge of just about everything. Now, when we sail through Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale, it might be a different story (if she can get past the nautical outfits).

Lisa and Frank (M/V Gnatnoop) spent a few days in Marathon this last week moored next to us. We discovered $1 taco Tuesdays at the Hurricane with Happy Hour drink prices making for a pleasant evening (specials start after 1800 or 6pm, so don't bother getting there earlier).

Today, we had a private tour (only because we were the only ones) of Pigeon Key. Pigeon Key is 2 miles off Marathon/Vaca Key. It was used as a construction camp when Henry Flagler (partner in Standard Oil with John Rockefeller) was building a railroad down the East Coast of Florida and all the way to Key West in the early 1900s. A brilliant man with the vision to bring people to this American wilderness. He would bring the railroad so far, build a huge, luxury hotel and then add all the power, water, government buildings, etc required to support the hotel and the town he built next to it. Of course, he knew he could get rich folks up North to come to the tropical South for the winter. Thus, the start of most cities along Florida's East Coast and the homes of the wealthy predominately in these areas.

Now, the part about taking the railroad from Miami to Key West was about business. Key West is the closest US port to Cuba and the Caribbean. Ships coming into Key West could offload after a short run and the Flagler railroad would bring the cargo up north. Not only did Henry Flagler use his own money to finance all of this, he oversaw most of the details. How would the East Coast of Florida look today without the impact of Henry Flagler?

The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 wiped out portions of the railroad (this storm has the lowest barometric pressure reading recorded of any storm in the world, ever), the state bought the railroad line and made it into US1 (opened in 1938). Pigeon Key's historical buildings are restored and mainly used as a marine camp for kids. You can walk the 2.2 miles along the old roadway/rail bridge to the island or take a boat from the visitor center. There is also a movie about Henry Flagler and a museum on the island. By 1982, the new US1 was completed, with the Seven-Bridge over the ocean, starting at Marathon/Vaca Key and ending at Bahia Honda Key. This was the bridge during the car/helicopter chase scene towards the end of the movie "True Lies".

Hydration stops were undertaken as we walked the few miles back to the City Marina following the Pigeon Key tour. From the various "Tiki Hut" bars bayside (Florida Bay side of the island), we watched the high speed drag boats warming up for tomorrow's race (bayside, through the old/new bridges to oceanside, and back). Then, another colorful sunset and the rising of a full moon.

Jenny and Bobby on old railroad/US1 with new highway/Seven-Mile Bridge to the left. Historic home on Pigeon Key.

Newfound Harbor, Big Pine Key

Onward back up the Keys - anchored off Big Pine Key up to the end of Newfound Harbor to be close a dinghy landing late this afternoon. We were settled in and making sure the anchor was fully set due to the amount of wind, when a man passed by in his dinghy and informed us we would have to move. Turns out we had to retreat to the previous channel marker to anchor. No masted vessels could be up the harbor that far, due to a sailboat drifting into the power lines next to the US1 bridge last year and taking out the power to 2 islands. So, that took all of 10-15 mins. But, now we were pretty far from the dinghy landing with choppy water inbetween. Not wanting to get soaked going into land and back, we nixxed our plans to tour the island.

Just off Hawk Channel, at the entrance to Newfound Harbor, is Little Palm Island (also known as Munson Key on the charts). A luxury resort, resembling a Fijian island, now resides where the movie "PT 109" (boat President John F. Kennedy was assigned to in the Navy) was filmed. Even lowly cruisers may dine at the gourmet restaurant and leave our dinghies at the dock, if we have made reservations.

Tomorrow, we will be back on a mooring ball in Marathon waiting the delivery of a new refrigeration system.

Resort on Little Palm Island

Key West

Local street entertainment in Key West and Bobby's new ride.

Bobby put on coveralls (finally - no greased up clothes and bloody nicks all over his arms) and got the generator heat exchanger cleaned out and reinstalled this week. Lots of water running through it now, so no issue of overheating anymore. Jenny cut up a disposed of sail (dumpster diving treasure) to make rain covers for the fore and aft hatches, along with 2 storage bags for under the seats in the dinghy.

Went into Key West today and met up with Frank and Lisa of M/V Gnatnoop and Tom and Susan of M/V Remedy. All of us spent time at Regatta Pointe Marina in Palmetto, Florida. The day was a continuation of Susan's 50th birthday week - we sampled a few bars and enjoyed the entertainment inside and out on the streets. We are all wondering about Bobby... he was promised a free lap dance by a male shill in front of a club while the shill slowly pressed a pamphlet into Bobby's hand. Okay, it is the start of the summer off-season, but there seemed to be plenty of people about, so how could they be that desperate?!

After one of the band's acts, concerning the need for more troops to fight terrorism, whenever I hear the "Green Berets" sung, these words will go through my head:
Silver crosses upon their chests
These brave nuns are the Vatican's best...
Fighting saints from the convent
Wearing the black habit

Bobby and Frank at the bar while Susan, Lisa, and Tom ensure the Hogsbreath Saloon remains standing.

Boca Chica and Key West NAS

Seven Mile Bridge from Marathon (Vaca Key) to Bahia Honda Key. Sunrise at Key West NAS, Boca Chica Marina.

Yesterday, the wind dropped, so we departed Marathon and headed to Boca Chica Key. The Star is spending 5 days at the Key West Naval Air Station Marina. Not enough water is passing through the generator, so we need to be hooked up to shore power while performing the required maintenance. In addition, the old reefer compressor is giving out, so we are working on ordering a new one.

Jenny's Dad was stationed at Key West in the early 1950s. The airfield is larger and a few more buildings litter the landscape now. With the clear water, we are watching large tarpon, needlefish, and other sealife from the dock.

Taking advantage of the dockside power, Jenny is sewing jib sheet bags and a cover (including an Eisenglass window) for the cockpit navigation monitor. Happy Hour at the Navigator's Grill is Bobby's hangout for $1 beers. Oh yes, it's still sunny and warm everyday!

Captain Ron is stopping over here also!