November 10, 2004 ... Waiting For Weather in Marathon, Florida!
Come Visit Our New Neighborhood!
Sobering news to end this week in Marathon ... when we tuned into the morning net this morning, we heard that a body had been discovered in the harbor. Apparently, the victim was a late 40's/early 50's man living alone on a sailboat about 30 boats up the harbor. He had a drinking problem & apparently fell & drowned sometime during the night. Very sad, alot of people on boats around us knew him & liked him.
Come to think of it, the start to the week wasn't all that great either, altho' it was just another misadventure on Winterlude..... Monday morning first thing, we had scheduled a pumpout boat to visit. David went up to open the waste deckfill and did NOT enjoy a geyser almost as big as Yellowstone! :) Both portholes were open, luckily the only one that got massively splashed was the shower where the dirty (now REALLY dirty!) laundry was sitting. It took a couple more hours to clean up the mess and then the rest of the day to dismantle the holding tank & follow all the hoses to find the clog in the air vent line. David actually pounded a screwdriver through it because it was clogged with a combination of rust & salt.
All is not always pina coladas in paradise!!!
Come to think of it, the start to the week wasn't all that great either, altho' it was just another misadventure on Winterlude..... Monday morning first thing, we had scheduled a pumpout boat to visit. David went up to open the waste deckfill and did NOT enjoy a geyser almost as big as Yellowstone! :) Both portholes were open, luckily the only one that got massively splashed was the shower where the dirty (now REALLY dirty!) laundry was sitting. It took a couple more hours to clean up the mess and then the rest of the day to dismantle the holding tank & follow all the hoses to find the clog in the air vent line. David actually pounded a screwdriver through it because it was clogged with a combination of rust & salt.
All is not always pina coladas in paradise!!!
The Morning "Newspaper"
David sanding a new jerry can board.
One of the best things about being stuck in Marathon is the neighborhood we live in! Every morning at 9 AM, Channel 68 on the VHF radio blares "GOOD MORNING MARATHON" and the morning net begins. The purpose of the net is to let all the boaters discuss matters of importance, social plans, who needs help for what, free stuff being given away, anything for sale or wanted to buy, formulating buddy boat groups for boats traveling the same direction, a daily trivia question, & so on. Two mornings ago, a blue dinghy (i.e. family car) had escaped & was hiding in the mangroves behind s/v Julio, it was reported & a friend of the owner retrieved it for them while they were still at work. Yesterday, s/v Ilira needed help to go up the mast, instantly two boats volunteered. We needed someone to replace zippers on our new dodger -- the guy that made it forgot the zippers attaching the isenglas (clear plastic) to the back of the dodger forming our "greenhouse" around the cockpit in bad weather. We asked on the morning net & immediately afterward, Andrea, came past our boat in her dinghy, took the measurements, made arrangements to pick up the dodger on Saturday & had it fixed & back to us less than 24 hours later!
|
This afternoon there was a potluck up at City Marina - a huge old empty warehouse ... very similar to Y Flyer potlucks, BYOB & meat & a dish to pass. There was SO much food, that from now on, we won't be bringing meat!!! 40-50 cruisers attended and at least 6 dogs. After the meal, the captain of Flying Fortress (a former RAF - royal air force - pilot)gave a nice discussion of celestial navigation. Several boats brought their sextants & we all learned.
|
 David swears the boat won't hold more food! |
New to the neighboard is "Smorgasboat", a service started by Chris on s/v Tevake in front of us. "Smorgasboat" is an electric boat -- actually two, one is named "One" and the second is named "The Other" -- very creative, huh? :) "Smorgasboat" delivers fresh ground, delicious columbian coffee, warm pastries & the morning newspaper daily along with other errands -- a floating Starbucks that will also get your propane tank refilled! He doesn't do groceries though, claims we women are too finicky about specific brands!
Then there's "The Ericka", circa 1928 82' luxuryliner that's anchored about 4 boats west of us. What a GORGEOUS old wooden boat. It's owned by Reynold & Marlene who restored it from the empty hull. They have all the ownership papers & history on the vessel - fascinating! Reynold also invented his own LED lights which he's selling all over the harbor! The LED anchor light replaced our existing anchor light that burned 2 amps an hour. The new LED version burns 80 milliamps, or .08 amps an hour!
Then there's "The Ericka", circa 1928 82' luxuryliner that's anchored about 4 boats west of us. What a GORGEOUS old wooden boat. It's owned by Reynold & Marlene who restored it from the empty hull. They have all the ownership papers & history on the vessel - fascinating! Reynold also invented his own LED lights which he's selling all over the harbor! The LED anchor light replaced our existing anchor light that burned 2 amps an hour. The new LED version burns 80 milliamps, or .08 amps an hour!
 |
 |
Lest anyone think that waiting for weather is all toil & no FUN, think again! There were several gorgeous days - just not the 5 in a row that we needed for the crossing. Here we enjoy a wine dinghy cruise out to the little island David & I did our first PADI Open Water dives - just off Sombrero Beach, Marathon.
Barger & Betty requested a restaurant guide for Marathon -- our favorites are: Key's Fishery, a great little restaurant, bayside at 35th St -- turn right after the Overseas Lounge, a biker bar & it's about 2-3 blocks down, approx mile marker 49. This place is all picnic tables outside on the water, you order at a window, give them your favorite cartoon character & they call you by the cartoon character to come get your food. Drinks the same. Bon Appetit magazine wrote it up two years ago. Lots of atmosphere, but no "service"! Sandy -- that yellowtail was as good as I've ever had, two meals worth & $14.95 pp!!! Other restaurants we liked: The Quay, The Island, Castaways & Cabots (sunset).
Barger & Betty requested a restaurant guide for Marathon -- our favorites are: Key's Fishery, a great little restaurant, bayside at 35th St -- turn right after the Overseas Lounge, a biker bar & it's about 2-3 blocks down, approx mile marker 49. This place is all picnic tables outside on the water, you order at a window, give them your favorite cartoon character & they call you by the cartoon character to come get your food. Drinks the same. Bon Appetit magazine wrote it up two years ago. Lots of atmosphere, but no "service"! Sandy -- that yellowtail was as good as I've ever had, two meals worth & $14.95 pp!!! Other restaurants we liked: The Quay, The Island, Castaways & Cabots (sunset).
 |
 |
David & Jan, Bob & Sandy Rowland and Paul & Kay White enjoyed dinner our last night together in Marathon.
For those interested, Tony & Vicky made it to Mobile, AL last weekend & are in the process of getting the mast up & ready to sail further south! We talked to Jack & Linda Nash on s/v Nash On earlier this week. They left yesterday to sail from somewhere in Georgia to Florida to visit friends & then to the Keys. Ultimately, they're headed to Isla Mujeres, Belize & the Rio Dulce, same as Winterlude. I'm sure we'll buddy boat with them in the coming months!
Weather forecast: blowing 25, gusts to 35 tonight & tomorrow (Monday).
Blah, makes for a wet dinghy ride to shore! Late this week, we may have a weather window to leave Marathon & maybe even cross to Isla! Keep your fingers crossed that this time next week -- or maybe a day or two later, if we can't leave until Friday -- we'll be writing from Isla Mujeres, Mexico!
For those interested, Tony & Vicky made it to Mobile, AL last weekend & are in the process of getting the mast up & ready to sail further south! We talked to Jack & Linda Nash on s/v Nash On earlier this week. They left yesterday to sail from somewhere in Georgia to Florida to visit friends & then to the Keys. Ultimately, they're headed to Isla Mujeres, Belize & the Rio Dulce, same as Winterlude. I'm sure we'll buddy boat with them in the coming months!
Weather forecast: blowing 25, gusts to 35 tonight & tomorrow (Monday).
Blah, makes for a wet dinghy ride to shore! Late this week, we may have a weather window to leave Marathon & maybe even cross to Isla! Keep your fingers crossed that this time next week -- or maybe a day or two later, if we can't leave until Friday -- we'll be writing from Isla Mujeres, Mexico!
