Marathon, Florida

 

We left Key Largo at 7:45 this morning. It was a beautiful day all day; sunny, breezy, perfect. 

Bill and I arrived in Marathon, Florida on Vaca Key around 5:30. Yes, it was a long day. We traveled around 70 miles. 

We are staying at Sombrero Dockside Marina between a beautiful houseboat and the restaurant/bar. As I am typing we are watching the sunset and listening to the live blues music next door. 

Today we saw a few shallow spots (6.2 feet) lots of wind (20+ knots) and dolphins (finally!)

 

 

(Three dolphins following us at Boot Key! 

Boat is all fixed

 

Well, Mary Elizabeth is in tip-top shape again. The mechanic came on Monday morning and spent most of the afternoon troubleshooting. Turns out that the ground for the bow thruster was loose. When Bill tried to use the bow thruster it caused a fuse in the charging system to blow, which was keeping us from charging the batteries with the alternator. We are very thankful that someone at Ocean Reef was able to come on short notice and give us a hand.

 

Tuesday Bill played another round of golf at Ocean Reef, which turned out to be one the best courses he has played in a very long time. I spent the day walking around Ocean Reef and eventually ended up at the pool. Tuesday night Dave and Molly were back in Key Largo and we were able to see them and go to dinner one last time before they head north and we continue south. 

 

Ocean Reef

 

We have had a great week here at Ocean Reef in Key Largo. There have been days at the pool, golf cart rides, Red Sox, poker, Skip-bo and Go Fish games, golf, and food, food, food. All of the Taylors left yesterday afternoon for Ft. Lauderdale after Bill and Todd played a round of golf. 

Last night Bill and I stayed on the boat and had pizza and watched the amazing Red Sox sweep the Yankees. 

Molly and her sister-in-laws put on a huge spread every night at the house, which was a lot of fun. It has been so nice to be around a big group of really great people. Thank you Molly and Dave for sharing your family with us!!!

 

This morning we are expecting a mechanic who will work on the alternator. After troubleshooting with Dave, Jason, and the IP folks, Bill figures that the bow thruster problem is really a result of the alternator problem (not enough juice) so hopefully Mary Elizabeth will be in tip top shape soon. We are going to rent a car and drive to St. Petersburg on Wednesday or Thursday for the Rays vs. Red Sox series with Mary Alice. 

 

Blues and Greens

 

Bill and I left Miami around 11:00 on Wednesday in order to arrive in Key Largo at high tide. As we were taking the lines off and leaving the dock, Bill realized that the bow thruster wasn't working. Another blown fuse? 

About 10 minutes after we left the dock, Bill also noticed that the "charge" light was on on the engine console. There were -18 amps going into the batteries -- meaning that the alternator was not working. Since we only had a four hour trip, it wasn't a big deal; the batteries would stay charged enough until we got to the dock and could plug into shore power.  

 

While we were underway, Bill brainstormed about the alternator and changed the fuse out on the bow thruster, but it still didn't work. He thinks that maybe there is something stuck since we sat at the dock in Ft. Lauderdale for so long and there was a lot of growth. 

Despite our few issues, it was such a beautiful day on the water. The colors were amazing. The ocean would change from navy to light blue to almost neon green within seconds. In parts it looked like the water was polka dotted. 

Molly and her brother-in-law met us at the dock at Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo around 4:00. Bill docked the boat bow-to since we are without a bow thruster at the moment. We had a perfect lasagna dinner with Dave, Molly, Dave's sister and her family, and Dave's brother and his family all of whom are visiting. 

 

Today we washed the boat and then went for lunch at the pool side restaurant here at Ocean Reef. Bill is about to start on more troubleshooting. 

 

Leaving Miami

 

The sights, sounds, and amazing colors of Miami have been fabulous. Neither Bill nor I realized how BIG Miami is -- not just in population numbers, but in area. Miami is spread out and there are actually several sky lines. We took a cab from South Beach to downtown Miami and drove through the city. There are honestly more sky scrapers than Boston. It is a great place to visit and we are glad we have had a few extra days here. 

We are off to Key Largo to see Dave and Molly in about a half an hour. There is very little wind but it is sunny and hot. 

 

 

Miami Seaquarium

 

Bill and I are still in Miami. We decided to stay here in South Beach until Wednesday, which is when we will leave for Key Largo to see Dave and Molly. Yesterday Bill and I went to the Miami Seaquarium in downtown Miami. It was a beautiful day to walk around and see several shows -- including a Killer Whale show! 

Today we are doing boat projects (cleaning sumps and strainers, troubleshooting the AC, etc.) and doing laundry. We met a liveaboard couple on a blue hulled IP last night at Monteys, the marina restaurant where Bill has feasted on oysters and crab claws almost every night we have been here! 

 

 

 

Botanical Gardens

Here are some pictures of the botanical gardens in Miami, which I visited today. Bill and I continue to have a great time here. The weather has been very nice -- and hot. We are looking forward to having dinner and experiencing some of the night life tonight. 

 

 

 

 

South Beach

South Beach is great. Yesterday Bill and I walked around for about two hours. We walked through a newly opened park along the beach down to Ocean Drive, which wasn't 'happening' yet in the afternoon. Ocean Drive is lined with lots of old hotels, restaurants, cafes, and lots of people walking around. We walked through beautiful neighborhoods and Espanola Way before ending back at the marina for oysters and fish tacos. We'll be in Miami until Sunday morning, when we will head for Key Largo to see Dave and Molly. 

 

 

 

 

Hello Miami!

 

Well, we finally left the dock at Ft. Lauderdale (after three months!) and started to cruise again. First destination - Miami. OK, so we had an easy three hour trip -- but neither of us have been here before and we are looking forward to finding a cafe and people watching! The weather is beautiful and hot. We are staying at Miami Beach Marina in South Beach, which several people told us is rolly (so far so good for us though). We decided to stay here since we are only about two blocks from Ocean Drive. 

 

 

 

Goodbye Ft. Lauderdale

 

Leaving Hall of Fame Marina

 

View of downtown Ft. Lauderdale

 

The 17th Street Bridge opening. We met the bridge tender Ron a few days ago. He is a fellow Bostonian who moved to FL a few years ago. 

 

Last glimpse of Ft. Lauderdale beach. 

Last pictures from Ft. Lauderdale....