Water, water everywhere!

While we were in Ft. Lauderdale Alabama won the Championship!  Great game we watched at our beautiful hotel

Mega yachts from our balcony

We found out this was Spielberg's

Our watermaker wizards 

That smile on Gary's face tells you how great we thought these guys are

Our current model but brandnew.  Sure gives you a secure feeling of equipment that will last the test of time.

Lots of accessories!

Gary removed the old system and will do the install on the newly serviced equipment.  Now all we have to do is enjoy the rest of our Marathon time and get ready for traveling to Ft. Pierce.

Boat Projects and Fun

As January 2016 starts. Gary and I started planning what boat projects could be done in Marathon. Keys Rigging finished LED spots on the spreaders, securing wires on the top of the mast and tuned all the rigging.

Keys Rigging up the Mast
Our friends from Burnt Store at Charlotte Harbor arrived and anchored out near the Boot Key Entrance.  We all collected at Sunset Grill and they dingyed in for a fun evening.

Trent and Monica from The pepper logs

Wild night ride!

Gigi and Mike from Drifters

One of the best things about cruising is meeting other cruisers and swapping stories.  I know that we don't talk about social aspects of living the salt life, but it is really a positive aspect.  Enjoyable and entertaining.  

New Years Feast at White Marlin

We had such a great time with our Amanada and the grandkids and enjoyed a wonderful football and feast day for New Years Eve.

Last sunset on Year 2015

Yup its a whole pig!

Sky lanterns

The Alabama Flag flies Proud

Happy New Year to All!

Wet Fun

We had to be sure to get some wet in despite the water being cold.  So, dingy trips, Kayak trips, and Jet ski fun. Tarpon Creek was directly across from our marina.

Key West with the Kids

We got a late start visiting Key West, but it was still fun, fun!  We did make it for sunset at the marina Gary and I went by when we brought Miss Em into Key West and entered the Hawk Channel.  We were excited to share the land side with our kids.

First stop! Favorite restaurant, My Blue Heaven

Sunset at Mallory Square

Sunset sails

Trying to get the best shot

Another huge power yacht

The dingy?

Ice cream time

We had to drop them off to get in line for the photo op! No parking here.  You know you had to do it!

Annamarie and her parrot friend

The beautiful Episcopal Church on Duval Street

Interior of the Episcopal Church

Hemingways Home

Really Salt Life!

Whose small boat is this?

Turtle Time!

All the kids are really science minded so we all went to the large Turtle Hospital here at Marathon Key. I was so impressed.  Turtle really have personalities! First we had to get the inflatable Kayak together.  Really a puzzle, but Kaitlynn, Annamarie , and Papa Blue suceeded!

The big saltwater pool at the hospital

Operating Room, surgical staff lives on the site

Xray room
We learned so much about the internal problems of trash and boat hits on turtles.  There was also a great presentation on species and how they live.

Not a petting pool!  Poor babies are sick.  They are also so cute!

My favorite was Sport, names are painted on the shells.  He was super friendly

We took tons of pictures!

Getting Healthy and ready to return to sea

Outside walking to the big pool

Little babies, this one is a Hawksbill

The back of the turtle does have a big hump or bubble, which prevents him from diving.  This is the original turtle, Bubble butt, who has lived here since the hospital opened.  He will never be able to return, so this is his home

Visiting Iguanas were everywhere.  This one surprised Amanada hanging over her head!

One of the Loggerhead turtles in their own hospital pool

This is a picture of what the turtle looked like when arriving and their history 

Happy faces all, great time!

Big Buck bids us goodby!