Retired one year!

One whole year of retirement.  Gary likes to say a plan is just a point of deviation.  We had planned to be further from Florida by this time.  We have had a great time just doing what we want with no time tables.  If we wanted to stay we did.  If we wanted to go we did.  We gave new meaning to the word, fair weather sailors!  Who wants to get beat up if they don't need to.  I've enjoyed a year of excellent health that I haven't experienced in many years.  We love our home, Divine Miss Em, as much as ever and appreciate her even more.

We are now anchored at Palm Beach, Lake Worth.  It's a short trip to Ft. Pierce and we are waiting for a weather window.  When we get there we will be doing our last big project with Miss Em, new teak decks.  I am looking forward to bike rides, and fun as well as lots of hard work, varnishing the toe rail.  We hope to get finished in a couple of months and head to the Bahamas.  

Jan and Dockmaster Andrea at New Port Cove marina, friendly people at West Palm!

Anchor down Lake Worth Sunset, West Palm Beach

Morning leaving Biscayne Bay to Lake Worth, Gary driving, Jan sleeping

Lighthouse originally built in 1825, survived numerous hurricanes, a 1836 Seminole Indian attack.  Was in service until 1878 when Fowey Rocks Light took over.  Restored to original 1855 condition and still functioning

Stilt houses in Key Biscayne

Last Look at Miami

Dingy dock at Dinner Key, the town shops are in walking distance

Market at Dinner Key at Coconut Grove

Laundry Day!  Moved most of our clothing to hand wash in buckets and line dry.  Doesn't work for linens which have to wait for marina laundries.  Changing pillow cases helps to have a great night.

Beach day at Bill Baggs Florida State Park

Visiting dolphins at Hurricane Harbor, Key Biscayne

Traveling to Biscayne Bay

We got a final weather window from WRI and were all set up and ready to leave at hightide on the night of the 27th.  We had such a great time at White Marlin Marina and will be so glad to winter with them again at the end of the year. 

It was a beautiful day leaving to go to Roderiquez Key our first anchorage.
Very few crab/lobster pots to look for and I enjoyed sitting as lookout on the bow.  Gary just enjoyed being out I think.

By the second day out heading to Bisccayne Bay our anchorage was called Hurricane Harbor.  I had gotten some great tips on provisioning while cruising.  As sometimes is is too rolly to move around safely below, it is a great idea to put together the days meals first thing while on anchor.  I would put one of my ice bags (from the freezer) in a small ice chest with drinks for the day.  Then breakfast and lunch would be things that could be hand eaten, like sandwiches, boiled eggs, snacks, canned peanuts.  A friend at White Marlin said she would put the nights dinner in a small crockpot so they would have a hot meal when they stopped.  I checked and ours drew less than1 amp.  So first night out was lentils, and the second was roasted chicken with potatoes and onions.

Crockpot cooking in the sink during the trip

Biscayne Bay right before bad weather

Hurricane Harbor

A beautiful night!

Seafood festival

Great fun and a beautiful day at the Seafood Festival in Marathon

Just a few people enjoying the day, music, and food.

Marc just chillin

Lori finds a friend

Just dancing

Marc, Lori and Bruce

We had a great weekend riding bikes and going to the seafood festival here at Marathon.  I really made a 10 mile ride, 5 out 5 back.  The festival had great seafood including Lobster!  Great weather.  We are really going to miss being here, but our time is almost done and Ft. Pierce awaits.

Stopping halfway during the bike ride

More Marathon Fun

We have enjoyed great weather and social events that cruisers are always having.  Our dockmaster was given a surprise birthday party.  Annabelle is a fabulous worker who keeps White Marlin at a high level of beauty and comfort.  we were so glad to show her some appreciation for her efforts.  We had a potluck brunch with a suprise cake and gift.

Owner Sue, Dockmaster Annabelle, Marty and Jerry from P/V Monarch

Gary and his friend Marc have had some great fun fishing.  We were able to take more dingy rides when it wasn't blowing too much.   Lori and I went to the beach.  I also got brightwork done as prep for our last big project when we get to Ft. Pierce to replace our teak decks. 

The boat house from the water side

A lighthouse 

Shark catching!

Beautiful beach day

Manatee catching a drink

Marathon Winter

Great Places to hang out in Marathon.  Gary and I are finally feeling retired.  Lots of lazy mornings. Beautiful days of warm weather even if it is windy.  We have found lots to keep us having fun, in between boat jobs.  We will have to move on but we are waiting for more of a 5 day window for the next leg of Miss Em's journey.  Meanwhile we are enjoying Marathon Key.

Havana Jacks has the best lounge area

Nightly music and great drinks

new visitor at the dock

Found him!

bus trip to Key West with friends

Best part of trip was going, return trip was brutal

Rick's in Key West became our go spot

Why does a chicken cross the road in Key West?

Enjoying a dingy day

Marc and Lori also

Valentines day the men went fishing!  Girls to the beach!

Fishing was good, What a audience!

Lots of good eats tonight!