In the Keys

We are at Marathon Key, White Marlin Marina.  As soon as we arrived we recieved 4 days of rain.  We love the marina.  It is private and gated, however rental cars are again a must as grocery stores are far away.

Great Sunset at the Marina

Across the canal

Christmas has arrived


We met some fun cruisers here.  I appreciate how nice other boaters are.  Gary got our bikes out and we started back on walking and biking as soon as the skies became blue again.  It is great to be in 70's and 80's weather, soft nights and lazy mornings.  I think I am getting the retirement swing going!

Sunsets and Fun at Burdines

Burdines the night of the Boot Key boat parade

We like the coozies!

The pass coming into Boot Key

It was about 20 kt winds so not many boats

Really brave in that wind

We missed our children that night as the Panama City Boat Parade was the 12th also.  They sent us pictures and we sent them.  I think we were warmer.

Passage to the Keys Day 3

Tried to wait at Boot Key Harbor for high tide at our marina at Vaca Key, White Marlin Marina.  T storms were all morning, but Gary saw a split in the Weather later and thought we could make it.  Jan drove under the power lines at the bridge but had to turn it over to Gary to get out and make it on course.  It was so calm that we really could see lobster/crab pots every where.  Gary took his position on the bridge to spot and I tried to keep us on course to the marina.  We did fine till the last 20 minutes, a big storm was coming in fast.  Gary made the turn and got us in our slip about a half our before it just poured.  We are here!  White Marlin in Marathon Key! Yea!

Leaving Boot Key anchor

Amazing place.  They have a pump-out boat that comes by once a week to pump you out.  The City Marina has over 200 mooring balls.  Everything is in walking distance, and dingys are like cars.  We saw a Kayak wildlife tour on the way out.

On the way to White Marlin Marina
Gary on lobster/crab pot watch

Took my selfie on my last piloting leg, Happy Days
I wasn't sure before this trip if I could help Gary at all during transits.  I had some bad moments, but I feel that I have pulled a little weight this trip.  This is the happy times I dremed of.

Passage to Keys Day 2

Morning arrived with more crabpots and a T storm.  We decided to drift until it passed.  Our weather routers had predicted scattered but short storms.  As soon as we could see the pots again we arrived in Key West!

Thunder Storms in our way

Key West Harbor

Cruise Ship

Heading out to the Hawk Channel

Started rocking in the channel

Jan took the first shift going through the channel.  Winds started up 15 kts, but the waves were on the broadside so we couldn't get up more sail.  It was 3-5 ft. seas all the way to Boot Harbor.  Gary took over about noon and got us into the Harbor to anchor at the foot of the bridge.

Passage from Charlotte Harbor, Key West and Marathon

 We left on a beautiful day with little wind but calm seas.  Made good engine time mostly 7 kts. Biggest problem was avoiding crab pots.  We went out to 70 or more feet to finally avoid them.  This was a concern as we would be traveling through the night. Jan was able to steer most of the day and Gary took night shift.

Sunset on the Gulf

Night Sails

Cabbage Key Staging

Gary decided to stage our leaving Charlotte Harbor at Cabbage Key,  we had waited for a good weather window and were ready to go.  Across from Cabbage Key we anchored and dingyed over to have a fun afternoon.

beautiful houses on the way to the Key

Turtles and cranes at the Key

A good night sleep after a beautiful sunset

The private key has a restaurant and walking trails

One of the big ones!

Lucky we didn't see the nuisance alligator

We sampled the wares at the restaurant

From the water tower look out you could see the whole island

Miss Em from the Key

Friendsgiving at Charlotte Harbor

We got a few more pictures of a big manatee next to the boat .  Lots of fun on the last night at Charlotte Harbor with fishing and friends.

Here are the cruising couples at the Burnt Store Marina and decided to split a big Thanksgiving feast.  One couple still had ties on shore and offered their condo and transportation to the grocery store.  

All of us having fun on Miss Em before Friendsgiving

Next stop passage to the Keys!