That roaring lion called March exited like a lamb today! Talk about smooth water...perfect for water skiing....all day long....though most would think it a little chilly...started at 50 degrees and warmed to almost 70! Still pretty cool for being on the water. If fact, according to what we saw, it was actually warmer in Wichita today than where we are....Dataw Island, SC....wherever that is. We plan to stay here tomorrow then head in to Charleston on Wednesday. Dakota is scheduled for yearly routine doggie tests and a much needed bath on Thursday....some serious grocery shopping in store for us...then dinner with John and Dianne.

We've planned our stops after Charleston to Norfolk....and both of us are even making plans for our three weeks in Norfolk...I'm flying home for two weeks...leaving Floyd and Dakota to "bach it".  Scares me to think what mischief they will get into without proper adult supervision ...maybe I should leave them a list of chores???

And the winds blew!!! You'd think being from Kansas we'd know wind...but again much stronger and longer around these here parts. We were blasted in Key Biscayne ...then again in Ft Lauderdale...and now again??!! Started at about 11:30 last night...blasting us at 20-30 mph...weather man says to continue all day...we are not going anywhere. ...so scratch all those marina plans for the next couple of days....now we get to re-call, re-adjust, re-plan. Not a problem!!

As luck would have it, we had already adjusted our original plan for Charleston ....in case you weren't aware, Floyd has fallen in love with THE BILTMORE. When we left there last October, a docent told us we could take an exclusive behind the scenes tour...pricey but we'd get to see all sorts of places not open to the public. We had planned to put Dakota in doggie day care, rent a car, drive four hours to Ashville, stay in a hotel, take the pricey tour....than drive back....etc. we had talked to the Biltmore people once about it...but when I called yesterday to book it....they had a very different story. Seems that pricey two hour tour wouldn't really show us much we hadn't already seen....so we ditched that plan immediately....all things work....because now with this wind, we'd have not made any of those original deadlines.  Ah, such is the boating life.

Now I have some time for cleaning, organizing, laundry, reading...napping...our time in Charleston will be shorter..but less expensive.  Dakota still needs to visit a veterinarian ...and Floyd will need to change oil....and we'll get to spend an evening with our friends, John and Dianne, aboard TUTTO BENNE.  It'll all work out!

Kilkenny Creek...yep, pretty much like we remembered it...wooden rickety docks...in the middle of no where...oh, and a grumpy dock master. We hardly left the boat...and couldn't wait to move on.

Hilton Head Harbor..and to get there involved a few tense moments...I don't know about you but driving through a place called Hell's gate causes anxiety!! And what were we thinking to go through Field cut and Ransom Creek at low tide???? Yep, ran aground just once...and soft silty stuff...so no damage...the sail boat SOLAS , we were traveling with spent a while aground...then I guess a small motor boat came along and pulled them off! They stopped at Hilton Head Harbor for gas and we got the story on that.....we don't remember any of these issues last time through...must have come through at high tide...there was I reason I didn't want to do this part again...and today was a grim reminder!

On the plus side, this marina hosts a five star restaurant...which we visited tonight! Awesome experience !! Champagne dressing on the salad...cheesy homemade butter for our bread...chicken/ andouille gumbo soup...chessy grits and shrimp...crab cakes....all wonderful!!!

Short day tomorrow as we head to Datow Island....four and a half hours is a snap....

O dark thirty...and we are outta here....it's over 70 miles to our next marina...so after spending several long days cruising, we have a really long day today. Hopefully, the weather gods will start to warm things up, as some of these snaky creeky places are not so deep. We'd like to be able to drive from the flybridge and see the depth sounder. Though that may just make us more nervous.

Jekyll Island is definitely a place where we would have enjoyed more time...small island that was once the playground for the rich and famous ....maybe next time??.... We did visit the local restaurant...Floyd had a great bowl of crab chowder and then he tried the shrimp and cheesy grits. They were both awesome. I'm still in search for the best crab cakes...those I had last night won't make the list. The homemade key lime pie, on the other hand, was every bit as good as the one Floyd makes. Though he would say, " not quite!"

On our way to Kilkenny Creek marina...we've stayed there before...it was a real character place...just a small spot in the swamp with rickety wooden docks...plus we were attacked by the green headed flies...oh, the memories!! We think we are early enough in the year that the flies won't be an issue...but last night we were attacked by sand gnats...so who knows what bugs lurk just around the corner???

We blew into Palm Coast...and very friendly place...big space for Dakota to run but it was full of stickers...so once was enough. They had sweatshirts on sale...I couldn't resist. Another quiet evening at the fuel dock...I could  a barely get off the boat so I didn't! Winds died a little over night...but 48 degrees when we left there.

We spent a long day Wednesday  cruising to Jacksonville...we could have stopped at Matansas Inlet...where we anchored in a 13+ mph current last time....no! thank you!....or St Augustine, with those brutal tidal currents...no! Thank you very much!! Instead we opted for the Jacksonville City free docks...no electric, but a lovely, cement floating dock next to a city park and some sort of bus departure point. According to reviews we looked at, we thought maybe we'd be the only boat there but two other boats pulled in about 30 minutes behind us. Not loopers, and weren't very social...so another quiet evening on the TUMBLEWEED!!

Just a few words about dolphins and manatees...we never grow tired of seeing dolphins. They are a part of our daily sightings....sometimes singles but more often small groups, even babies. So graceful and sleek ....we've even watched them circle, hunt and catch....pretty exciting stuff. We try to keep track of how many we see... Often reaching 20+ per day. We love 'em. Those manatees are another issue....since arriving in Florida in January, numerous times during each day we are in " go slow zones" ...."manatee watch area"....and we have yet to see one in those areas. We did finally see one as we docked in Titusville...then later as we passed through the Canaveral Haulover Canal , we saw so many in the boat launch cove that we couldn't count them...or see how you could get a fishing boat in or out of there. Nothing pretty about a manatee...brown sludge, big back and tail, nostrils and snout like a hippo....and how do they know to stay in those manatee zones???

Tonight we'll be in Jekyll Island...working our way to Charleston. It is a little warmer but the sun has yet to make an appearance. Dakota seems to rest better during the day when we drive from below...which is the way we travel on cold cloudy days.

I thought Sunday was windy....Monday was worse. Cloudy, cold and windy, windy , windy.   Good that all that wind was on the nose....but sure makes for wind in your face...which is the name of the boat that passed us! We thought we were the only crazies...actually, before the day was over there were five of us in a caravan.   We drove from below most of the day. Halifax River Yacht Club for a quiet peaceful night....we were the only people around...then on to Palm Coast tomorrow.  Floyd is a little worried about going north...it is still cold and snowing up there...maybe we should slow down a little! Give 'em a chance to thaw!

On Sunday the wind blew us into Titusville....literally ! I thought Kansas was windy...Florida is sure doing its best to keep me from missing it! We managed to find the shocker radio station web site to live stream the basketball game...We arrived as the WSU women's basketball game was reaching its ending! Just when we thought they had it won...down they went.  I took Dakota for a little run in the dog park next to the marina while Floyd finished securing the boat...and we settled in to cheer on the shocker men against Kentucky....and what a game it was....nip and tuck, tuck and nip...our boys played with such heart and grit....but with nano seconds left, they scored and we missed the go ahead shot! Dang, the end! But alas, there are lots of good teams who are done! Now we owe Susan and Carolyn drinks plus we don't have to time boating around basketball games or keep track of brackets!  Folks came out of boats and hung around our dock...all talking about the game...yes, seems they are from Kentucky...I couldn't listen, even though they were saying great things about our shockers...Dakota and I went  back to the dog park....where he made friends with another lady who threw the ball...and he even took it to her....really, who is this dog??? Short night and we head to Daytona tomorrow.

Sebastian ....always a delightful stop! But what were we thinking arriving on Saturday! Captain Hiram's is a busy marina, bar, motel, resort kind of place....and it was hopping today....sunshine, basketball, spring break, fishing, jet ski rentals, boaters coming and going. Floyd has happy memories of other times spent here...in fact he claims to own one of the bar stools. We walked over to Squid Lips for happy hour and to get Floyd a new t-shirt....then back to Capt Hiram's for supper and another t shirt. Live music was to our liking and didn't even keep us awake past bedtime. Though the bass guy was surely trying! Boat ran great!!

What a day...Thursday we wanted a pump out before leaving....and that required the marina guys...waiting, waiting, waiting! Once they arrived it didn't take long...but instead of leaving at 9 , it was closer to 11... And we wanted to stop for gas along the way....

We did stop in Jupiter ...where gas was about 75 cents a gallon cheaper than places we are headed. Pleasant cruising into Port St Lucie...but then as we rounded the bend into Manatee Pocket and Sailfish Marina, Floyd watched the oil pressure gauge go to zero! He immediately turned off that starboard engine...and we panicked slowly! Calls to our friends at TOWBOAT US...for help docking this heifer ...and calls to marina about where and where not we could be docked. A mechanic came within an hour....diagnosis was oil cooler ...part ordered to arrive at 1030 Friday AM...short install and we should be on schedule.


Our plan for this stop was to rent a car and do serious restocking of supplies ...see my niece Lindsay, check in with Floyd's instructor at Chapmans, get some dog supplies and cheer on our Shockers at 7PM. Needing to be on board with a mechanic sure cut into those plans.  We talked about adjustments  and how it would all work or not....then to add to our excitement Dakota managed to miss his leap aboard...and guess what, he can swim. Thank goodness, we had a plan...he was wearing his harness collar and leash...I assured Dakota while Floyd grabbed the boat hook, got me the leash, then I was able to steady Dakota while Floyd hooked the harness and pulled him back to the dock. A quick rinse off, a little towel drying, and he's not even traumatized!! Amazing!!

Friday Floyd did get the car rented...and I ran all those errands with Penelope's help. At 4, the mechanic still hadn't finished so Dakota and I navagiated our way to Lindsay's apartment...to meet her 3 young charges, cheer for the Jayhawks, have a bite of supper(pizza delivery), and catch up. Those girls are precious bundles of energy...but very fearful...of lots of things...including Dakota. He eventually won over Natalie and by the time we left, JoJo had warmed a little. At least she wasn't screaming. Allison, on the other hand, hardly made an appearance...scared to death. And can I just say that without our help, the Jayhawks would have been one and done! Geesh, they were ugly!

Lindsay had to go play softball...and Dakota and I needed to cheer on our Shockers...plus see what Floyd was up to....

So back to the boat, deposited one pooped dog, picked up one happy captain...and off we went to Duffy's ....in our Shocker gear....what a game!! Almost felt sorry for those Cal Poly guys....we managed to win some Florida guys over to shocker fans...and we are outta there.

Tomorrow we head to Sebastian ....right on schedule ! Though Floyd's wallet is lighter!!

Left Ft Lauderdale right on schedule...and our exit plan worked well...we didn't need the bridges opened and had witnessed a parade of big boats passing back and forth...big boat show this weekend in Palm Beach...our plan was to cruise out that narrow New River during the rush hour when the bridges weren't scheduled to open for anyone... No traffic!

Our cruise to north palm beach was pleasant...finally no wind whipping us around...we saw lots of big yachts....and were able to sneak around several as they had to wait for bridge openings...but we didn't. Sometimes it pays to be short.

North Palm Beach Marina is as quiet as the ft Lauderdale one was busy. Absolutely nothing going on here. Dakota keeps looking out the side panels wondering where all his dog friends are! We did meet another labordoodle who had a tip about those hot spots he keeps chewing on....we are off to find Zymox to treat his leg...it's been a problem since we left Wichita in January .

Just a word or twelve about "the boys"! ...obviously, they are grown men and ever so interesting.  Manuel Ramirez just celebrated his 90th birthday...and does he ever have stories to tell. He is originally from Peru and for many, many years served as the Chief of Protocol for the OAS...he told stories about Presidents that were amazing....everyone from Truman to Bush...even a few Obama...his favorite though was Jimmy Carter.  He has declined a bit since we were with them last year...but hey, at 90, won't we all??  His companion, David Eccleston, has been with him for over 30 years and worked as technology chairman at several universities. They have a spacious condo in Ft Lauderdale (actually two units they have totally re-done) and another in Washington, DC.  They were getting ready to host a birthday gathering for Scott...so we got to see all the elegant china etc.... H. Scott Johnson was the third charmer. Originally from Chicago, he attended Julliard and then spent years teaching and singing in San Palo, Brazil.  He has a condo about 20 minutes away from Manuel and David. Kinder men you will not encounter.  While Scott's area is very dog friendly, the other is "no pets allowed".  They were great harbor hosts...wining and dining, squiring us around, showing us the sights, letting us use their laundry facilities, and encouraging Dakota to play. I think they enjoyed seeing our humble house on the water...and they got a very different view of their city as well. Saturday evening on the river was a boat parade they had never witnessed.   We had great fun re-connecting...and sure hope our paths cross again soon.

So despite anchor issues and strong winds, we cruised into Ft Lauderdale. OMG!! The cruise ships were restocking...and the mega yachts were everywhere...we tried not to gawk but OMG. Steven Spielberg's yacht 7 SEAS, and the biggest yacht built in America since 1930, CAKEWALK. You can google photos...but OMG, that was just the beginning. We turned up the New River into downtown...bridges, water taxis, fishing boaters, and day cruises...coming and going, going and coming....no wonder we missed our "slip". Then we had turn around and search again....found it!! Against the pilings along the river wall in front of those high rise condos....we have another front row seat. And what a parade it was.....the only issue for short legged me was the leap to shore. Dakota and Floyd seemed to have no issue....I on the other hand take a breath, hold a hand or rail, and leap! So far I haven't missed...but every time, I think twice.

Luckily, I had called ahead and a mobile dog groomer was scheduled to show up for Dakota at 4:30. It took a little doing because we weren't really at the marina address...we were on the street across from those condos. But several phone calls and missed turns later, Julia and her grooming van arrived. She was an interesting gal and since we were the end of her day, we got to visit a little. Amazingly, it only took a little over an hour...and Dakota was looking fine!! And smelled better too!!

These condo owners are dog lovers...so there is a constant parade of dog walkers on one side of us...and then the boat parade on the other side. One lady I asked did recommended a hair salon within walking distance...so I made that call. They could do a hair cut, but no time for a much needed mani/pedi....:( little did I know then that the weather gods would conspire to make it possible on Tuesday!

Anyway, Saturday the 15th, we cleaned up our act...which really doesn't take much....for our date with "the boys". Manuel, David, and Scott were our table mates on our April Transatlantic crossing on the EURODAM....we so enjoyed getting to know them. And when they heard we were stopping in Ft Lauderdale, they insisted on being our tour guides. We spent a most delightful evening at Capitol Grille and made several plans for Sunday.

Sunday morning, Scott returned to pick us up...we took Dakota and a couple of  loads of laundry to his condo. Dakota ran and played, we did sheets and towels, a little Thai lunch...and back to the boat to watch the parade. Then  back to see Manuel and David's place...and driving tour of the beach area, a stop for supper...and before you know it, we were saying good-bye again.

About those weather gods....the wind has been howling since we arrived....and seems to be worse. Floyd made the call that we wait until Tuesday to exit...with river traffic and ICW, he thinks the weather will improve on Tuesday...so Wednesday we can leave for Stuart... Phone calls to re-schedule marina stops and car rentals....I managed to book that mani/ pedi...."the boys" have a busy plate...so we are once again on our own. The parade of big boats being towed by us is entertaining enough...and the price here is among the cheapest...Dakota has made lots of friends...everyone is happy.

Our WSU shockers both men and women are headed to the NCAA...we are scheduling our future runs around game times....!!!

While we've had great fun in Ft Lauderdale...I have a plane ticket....and a desire to get to Norfolk. So once we visit with my niece in Stuart, we plan to book it north!! From here on, we've been there, done it and didn't really like it all that much! We only need to slow down for laundry and the dog!!

Must be having fun...I am way behind!!!! Let's see how long it takes to catch up!!

Sunday the 9th we did a major grocery run, courtesy of a local taxi...$5 there...$5 back!! Spent the rest of the day getting organized and paying that marina bill!! Time with Faye and Sanford to end our stay in Marathon! Sometimes you wish you could take the people with you...this is one of those times.

Monday the 10th...right on schedule...we pulled to the fuel dock for a pump out...and then off to Caloosa Cove on Islamorada key...a real character marina...16-20 slips...lots of empties...cement wall crawling with ants...and a resort area next door that had signs eveerywhere...NO PETS ALLOWED. But the real attraction for us was the GAS!!! 45 cents a gallon cheaper than anywhere else....and when you're buying 200+gallons that'll add up quite nicely.... Anyway, it was just one night.

Tuesday the 11th...cruised for 5 hours to Garden Cove marina in Key Largo...and it was a good thing we'd saved money yesterday on gas...cause this dump was the most expensive marina we've stayed at in a long long while...at $2.50 per foot we paid $92 for one night... And yea, not much better than the last place...jagged cement wall...lots of dry stacked storage...but we were the biggest boat in the place...and there weren't many around....but it did host a pretty nice restaurant ...so why not?? Crab cakes were the BEST!!  Tricky getting into and out of the place...lots of shoaling issues...but tide worked in our favor...and an O'dark thirty start...

We were really looking forward to Wednesday .. Short cruise into No Name Harbor in Key Biscayne...we arrived just after noon to find about 16 sail boats and a couple of big cruisers at anchor...we had no problem finding a spot close to shore...dropped the hook...easy peasy...lunch...dog to shore...and then the real fun began...a 62 foot party boat arrived...full of party people and photographers...some sort of photo shoot for the boat manufacturer...and the beautiful ones began to party and pose....change and pose, play and pose, sing and pose, eat, drink and  be merry...and pose....we had a front row seat as the restaurant in the cove supplied huge trays of artistically presented snacks....then they began to assemble the water toys...jet ski, paddle surf boards, air slipper slide....the sail boater on the other side of us tried to enforce some water rules...without much luck....then as the sunset in our party cove, they put away the toys, and left!! We enjoyed a delightful evening on the hook....

Thursday we decided to stay the day...the winds picked up significantly and our anchor held
fine. Others seemed to struggle getting an anchor to hold. Even though the dinghy wouldn't start, Floyd paddled Dakota to shore three times a day and claimed he liked the exercise...boats came and went...though most just stayed...at one time we thought there were over 20... But it never felt crowded...always room for a few more. But no beautiful party people on Thursday...:(

Friday was time to move on....we soon discovered why our anchor held so well....it had dug in. It didn't help any that the wench wouldn't engage...but Capt Floyd managed to direct Driver Linda...and after quite a bit of finagling we got it. Floyd is still giggling that we somehow managed to bend the shank!! The strongest part of the anchor....I'm giggling because the anchor has been bent since I came aboard in '07. We just hauled that sucker to Wichita with us over the holidays to have it straightened...and now it's crooked again!! Hmmmmm, maybe a trend?? We just got the props reconditioned in Mobile...then banged 'em all up 6 weeks later.....dinghy motor worked on, now won't work.....hhhhmmmm.

9:30 AM and Sanford and Faye joined us to head out to the 38th annual Marathon Seafood Festival...big open area.. ...Big stage for bands....hundreds of vendors...lots of seafood....opening band was Eric Stone...we meet up with Martha and Bob...and several other loopers. We really enjoyed walking around looking at all the vendor booths...found several items we needed...like new hot pink OluKai flip flops....and sparkly Florida t shirt and some spiffy Bushnell binoculars (2 pair).... A little lunch and then back to the boat to cheer on our still undefeated Shockers!! They really didn't need our help to slam dunk Missouri State...it was a lovely afternoon on the aft deck. Winds have died down...temps are a little cooler. We are making plans to head out on Monday...which means we'd better make a trip to the grocery store. So the list making has begun...that'll be first on our agenda tomorrow.

Friday dawned cloudy and extremely windy! Folks were still talking about all the rain...Floyd did a few chores...planning our route toward Ft Lauderdale...but mostly we lazed around waiting for the WSU BB game...we had to cheer on our undefeated Shockers! Game and done...at 3:45pm the phone rang...voice said, "your props are being installed as we speak...we are splashing you today"!! OMG...winds at 30mph...and we are suppose to maneuver a boat! REALLY! Yep, we did...4:10 and we were on the wall...moving all our things out of the bungalow...7:00...showered, dressed and headed out with FIELD TRIP and PAULA FAYE to Dockside Tropical Cafe, owned by Eric Stone. He wasn't playing tonight...and seemed to have taken all the CDs and t shirt supply with him...but we had a lovely night catching up with Martha and Bob...and Sanford and Faye. We made plans to attend the Marathon Seafood Festival in the morning. Big plus...we got to sleep in our own bed tonight.

Thursday morning the AC guy showed right on schedule and replaced that new AC....really they claim to have fixed the original that we had just purchased in Mobile but has never worked correctly. That remains to be seen...as we can't test anything with the boat on the hard. Prop guy hopes to have them fixed and returned to us on Friday ...weather is suppose to blow in rain and wind today.

We walked up to the Sea Turtle Rescue Hospital around 1.... Took a great little tour of that facility...and by the time we were ready to leave that strom was really brewing...a short taxi back to our little bungalow ...arrived just in the nick of time!! The rains came!!! Really blew and pelted us from 4 til almost 9....weather girl went a little crazy...just like home.  The poor pizza delivery guy was a little wet...but he said it was gonna be a wet night and predicted he'd make more money that way! We certainly made it worth his effort!

Also got a call from FIELD TRIP friends...they are here in Marathon as well.. Just a different marina...about 5 miles away...hopefully we can get with them before we leave!

Floyd wants to visit a restaurant here that was purchased by singer/song writer Eric Stone....and Faye and Sanford seem game for that as well...Floyd also says weather doesn't look to be calming down enough for us to head out until Wednesday...so the money for the bungalow will pay for the rest of the month on Sunday ...so we are in no hurry....it is almost 11 and no news on the props...Dakota is resting well...and while we'll be glad to be back on the TUMBELWEED...this place is all right!! Though still rocking!! Lol...my sea legs are still working!!

good news travels fast...bad news travels faster. While we are meeting lots of folks, they all seem to know that we are the ones that have the serious prop damage! But then they fall in love with Dakota and our little bungalow is right in the main walkway to and from the marina office. Floyd and I spend quite a bit of time enjoying the view from the lawn chairs in front...and there are plenty available...so folks stop and chat. And the dogs...big ones, little ones, friendly ones, not so friendly...they all look in envy of Dakota's great chew bars...Lance even tried to steal one...but that didn't work so well for him.

Anyway , Goldie (the teacup poodle) and her parents, Faye and Sanford, have become very friendly...so we made plans to venture into Key West together on Wednesday , March 5. The plan included the Key West Express bus which stops just outside the marina entrance...and for us senior citizens costs only $1.50 per person. That cheap cost should have been a clue. 

So Wednesday at 10... We headed out....bus due at 10:20, finally arrived at 10:40... And harangued us endlessly for not being in the spot he chose to pull off...that's because we were standing under the bus stop sign...Floyd apologized several times...but he just kept on us...kind of embarrassing...hour and a half later we were in Key West. Though it didn't take long for us to realize why some folks refer to it as Key Weird! Someone should tell these girls and boys to put on clothes! And wear sunscreen!!but you can't fix stupid....and we didn't try! 

Did I mention that the bus driver was beyond cranky! He made everyone get off the bus at the Key West stop...poor college kid was trying to get to the airport....which we learned later was the next two stops...his tall thin build reminded me of someone I love...who others have helped along the way...so I slipped him some cash to call a cab and hopefully make his fight out...I don't often give cash to strangers...but this seemed like a good call...hope he got to where he was going!

Ran into some great kids who recommended a great lunch stop...Blue heaven...or maybe Blue Haven...but whichever, it was wonderful...chicken salad or grilled cheese...we couldn't decide which was better...then we left Faye and Sanford for the afternoon....

First stop for us was the Hemingway house...OMG, I got chills! Such a thrill to stand and see the place where the man who wrote all those great novels you taught actually lived and worked! The photos, the stories, the six toed cats....lovely just lovely! 

Then off to Mel Fisher's....Floyd wanted to purchase a little something for me from the collection for our anniversary ...I already own a coin necklace from Mel's wife's jewelry collection....with the help of a very nice sales representative we located another coin from the same collection. Now we'll have to find a jeweler at home to make a ring. Shouldn't be an issue! And exciting! Thank you, Floyd!

Just down a ways was the Truman Little White House Muesum ...so in we went! Very Interesting! Somehow they had managed to hang on to the actual furniture used by Truman...and of course, they had great videos of him actually strolling the grounds. History come to life! Don't get why it is so boring in a classroom....Floyd and I loved every minute of it. 

Ice cream stop at Kilwin's ...Floyd found a nice cigar stop....managed to find Faye and Sanford as we walked down Duvall street...then off to the square for the sunset viewing. Talk about mingling with the masses...whew!! Street performers everywhere....magicians, fire eaters, tumblers, dog acts...pick your poison! And a glorious sunset it was! Jack Flats for a bite to eat...then back on the bus! We expected it to be packed...and it wasn't! Surprisingly, several of the folks we rode in with were there as well! It was like a mini reunion....and this driver was so nice!! We made sure she knew how little we cared for her morning counterpart....

Long day...left at 10AM...Got home at 11PM...Dakota was glad to see us...but really seemed not to mind being alone so long. I don't think he naps like he'd like to when we are around...hard to sleep and keep track of Mom and Dad...they keep moving.and when we are boating, those engines are loud. He seemed rested and none the worse for the wear. Anyway, we felt like we had seen all we wanted to see of Key Weird...and really in some cases, more than we needed to see! 

Where does the time go? February has turned into March...and I seem to have missed it! And while I love my IPad, it is not conducive to posting photos. So you will just need to be a little patient. Floyd did take great photos of our new canvas...and once we settle in...I promise to post them!

We managed to leave Ft Myers and motor to Marco Island...a short lay over and we headed south ...with the Everglades on our port side, we went in at New Turkey Key...the only stop that indicated you could take a dog ashore....boy, was it a rough place. Very shallow going in...and we were at almost high tide. We anchored and went ashore...which by the way was R O U G H...beach filled with huge, broken shells and two groups of men camping and fishing. One fella advised us to move in more...deeper water. They also advised us to wait in the morning to leave until after the tide reversed. Conflict ...we have a 70 mile run...which makes for a really late arrival if we wait til 10ish to get started. Compromise...leave at 10... Drive a little faster than usual...which we did.

Sunday was not to be one of our better days of cruising. We carefully and slowly left New Turkey Key on the rising tide...stirring up sand most of the way. The further south we went the stronger the winds and waves...but hey, we had kicked it up to 10 mph...and nothing but green Everglades on our port...and crab pots everywhere else...seriously, rows and rows of crab pots...amazing! As we left the protection of the land, the winds and waves really kicked up...and our auto pilot refused to engage...still we were on track to arrive at the marina before they closed at 5.... Big seven mile bridge of highway one was really a jumble of current and pillars...somehow we managed to get through without crashing into cement...but then we went right where we should have gone left...or left where we should have gone right...grinding noise of gravel, weeds...yep, we were soft aground. Floyd was amazing as he managed to float us over and off...power up a little ...drift a little ...but the vibrations let us know that we'd done some damage.

Mariana was still open...and they are a full service facility...while it is pricey ...they had a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit available...and could pull our boat Monday afternoon. So we moved out/in Monday morning...they pulled the boat at 3... Props off and headed to ft Lauderdale for fixing. We can play tourist from here...and with luck, be back on our way this weekend.  So happy anniversary to us...prop work!!