For a short month, February certainly contains a lot of birthdays for my family! Starting with Devon on the 1st of the month and going all the way to the end of the month with my nephew, Bob's, birthday on the 27th! This year we added yet another February birthday to the list when my daughter-in-law, Devon, gave birth to a baby girl on my son's birthday -- February 12th! This is not the first shared birthday in our immediate family as Jeff's daughter, Sierra, shares her birthday on February 20th, with my other son's daughter, Lillian!
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| Devon, Jeff, and newborn Zoe |
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| Sierra - 6 |
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| Lily - 4 |
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| Zoe - not quite 2 weeks old |
Besides sending lots of birthday wishes to family, we have had a very busy month. So busy in fact that I have had no time to keep up with the blog updates!
We had a couple of disappointing Saturdays near the beginning of the month. The farmer's market that we shop at faithfully got an eviction notice from the neighboring property - Crane Point Hammock. We thought maybe we had lost them completely, but for the 8th, we learned that they had a new location, just around the corner, at the St. Columba Episcopal Church. So happy!
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| Our beloved Farmer's Market in its new location! |
Early in the month, we had a couple of slow days and got to see some of the local marine life. I am a lost cause when it comes to birds - I cannot remember their "names".
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| Truly ugly, Brown-Striped Jelly Fish |
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| Manatee snacking on sea grass surrounded by many, many little fish! |
Our big "travel" event for the month was a road trip with AC and Jim, "Hour Plan", to the Miami Boat Show. We had a dual purpose in attending. Clark wanted to talk to the techies in the booths, and we also wanted to meet up with our Looper friends visiting from Michigan -- Jim and Jo Ann on "Namaste". We were on the road by 7:00. Phil and Lynn, "Fins", traveled down as well in a separate car.
Of course traffic was nightmarish as we neared the boat show venue. Jim managed to get us parked at Lot B just after 10:30. Since it was a distance to walk, we grabbed one of the buses and were in the show by 11:00.
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| Monument at Lot B -- Virginia Key Park (I Googled this but could find no description / history behind it.) |
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| Quite a hike from Lot B on Virginia Key to the entrance - hooray for buses! |
I learned that all the docks for the boats are assembled for the show and then dismantled afterwards - what an undertaking! That, however, explains why I generally feel very uncomfortable walking those docks with so many people on them. They are pretty narrow walkways. I am always afraid someone will randomly swing an expressive arm out or back up without looking, and I will go for an unexpected and very unpleasant swim! Whenever we walk the docks, I hold tight to Clark's arm to take him with me if I go in! This year, we did not even bother to go look at boats. Clark had other plans!
Clark grabbed a program as soon as we entered the show, looked up where he would find the techies, and headed straight for Tent C. We entered "C" tent around 11:00 and did not leave until 3:00 except for a brief walk to the restrooms and to grab lunch around 1:00. Fortunately, I found a couple of places where I could sit while I waited for Clark to have his technical discussions on multiple types of boat equipment from smart plugs to chart plotters. I planned ahead, and at one particularly long discussion point, I brought out my Kindle and read some of my latest historical novel to pass the time.
Having agreed to meet Jim and AC at the car at 4:00, we rushed through tents "D", E", and "F" in the half hour we had left between 3:00 and 3:30. That was no fault of mine. I started at 1:30 giving Clark updates on how much time remained before we had to leave - at first by the half hour then every 15 minutes and finally every 5. We arrived at the car precisely at 4:00, but we got lucky. Shortly after we arrived at the loading zone, a bus arrived and had room enough for us to fit. Otherwise, we would have been late.
Jo Ann and Jim were vacationing near Fort Lauderdale and agreed to meet us around 4:30 in a nearby Costco parking lot. They arrived around 4:15. We, i.e. Jim, however, fought ridiculous traffic all the way from the show venue to the Cosco, about 8 miles, and arrived almost an hour later than planned. The route that the map-routing software found for us to avoid worse delays took us through sections of Miami where all the signs were only displayed in Spanish, i.e. no English to be seen. Even though I have never studied Spanish, I found I could translate a few of the signs. It kept me moderately entertained as we wound our way through the busy streets.
At the Costco, Clark and I left Jim and AC's car and hopped into Jim's rental car to travel to the Seasons 52 restaurant in Coral Gables, Florida. Jim and AC had some shopping to do before they joined us at the restaurant for dinner.
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| On the street outside a Cigar shop in Coral Gables - note the "bicyclist" is smoking a cigar! |
While we waited for Jim and AC to join us, Clark, Jim, Jo Ann and I sat in the waiting area of the restaurant and caught up since the last time we saw them - about this same time last year. We obviously had a lot to talk about. At 6:15, Jim and AC joined us and we had a lovely dinner together.
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| Evelyn, Jo Ann, Jim, Clark, AC, and Jim (the pleasant waitress, expecting twins and showing it, took our picture) |
The next day, the 14th, was Valentine's Day. Clark and I do not like to go out to dinner on special days like this due to crowds, so I suggested we go to lunch. I invited our boat neighbors to go with us, Sandy and Bill, and they said yes. Since they have a car and we don't, Sandy volunteered that it was "her turn to drive"!
If Clark and I had gone out alone, we would have biked to one of a couple of local places we like. However, since Sandy said she would drive, I suggested she pick the place. It is always great fun when Sandy takes us out in the car - we don't know where we are going or when we will return. I refer to is as being "kidnapped" for the day. Today's adventure was not a disappointment!
I had heard of "Kiki's Sandbar" but had never been there. She decided that was our first destination.
Given it was Valentine's Day, I expected the place to be packed. However, when we arrived, there were no others seated for lunch. We got a prime seat with a great view. The food was filling and delicious. We all declined to partake of dessert. By the time we left the restaurant had filled up its tables. I guess they were all at the bar having drinks first.
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| Ev, Sandy, and Bill at Kiki's Sandbar |
After we ate, we walked around the grounds.
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| One of several fish on display at restaurant - Dolphinfish / Mahi Bill explained that their beautiful coloring makes up for their ugly faces. |
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| Cuban Raft Description |
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| Cuban Raft on grounds |
Once Sandy had us "trapped" in her car, she took her time making her way back to Marathon. We made several stops along the way where Sandy and I ran into various stores to shop and chat while the guys waited (and talked) in the car. By the time we finally got back to Marathon, the decision was made that it was time for dessert, so Sandy took us to one final destination - Sweet Savannah's for ice cream. Yummy!
Every seven to ten days, Clark takes the boat out for a maintenance run. He found that going out weekly keeps the bottom of the boat from growing a grass beard and barnacles. It also works the engines. On Sunday, the 16th, he decided to take it out for a run, but before we went, he invited Eric to come over to play some guitar together. That was fine, but afterwards he found something else to do and then something else again. I waited around all day for that maintenance run. Finally, at 4 o'clock or so, he decided it was time to go.
As we took our ride, we saw our "friends", Alex and Jackie, from the para-sail trip out having fun and earning some money.
One day as I sat on the back of our boat reading, Ella stopped by. She is one of the young girls that painted the palm tree scene with me a couple of weeks ago. I asked her if she would like to paint again. Not only did she say yes, but she knew exactly what she wanted to paint - a sea turtle. I said okay and immediately went on the hunt for a picture of a sea turtle that I thought we could all paint with some degree of success. I was not having much luck until our boat neighbor, Bill, came over to show me a picture he had on his boat - perfect!!
Because the girls live on boats and have minimal storage space, I decided that the best option would be something small. The small canvases that I ordered would not arrive until after our agreed upon date, so I improvised. Through a number of steps, I transferred an outline of the turtle to card-stock paper and folded the paper in half. This way, the girls could either frame the picture or mail it to someone. Due to the level of detail, it was much harder to paint the turtle than the palm trees we did last time.
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| Evelyn's finished example to go by |
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| Evelyn coaching as the girls paint |
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| Ella - in progress |
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| Anna May - working hard |
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| Ella - done |
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| Anna May - done |
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| Jasmine - done (She was the only one that put an ocean floor in her picture!) |
On Tuesday, the 18th, I visited the Key Colony Farmer's Market with Sandy, "L'Attitude Adjustment" and LuAnn, "Zoey's Adventure", where we all agreed we spent way too much money. The selection is good but the prices can be staggering.
Clark said that we would go out on the dinghy after I returned. However, the weather did not cooperate. A few rain cells passed over and twice Clark had to dry off the dinghy to get it ready for our little trip. We ate lunch while the rains passed and finally got on our way around 1:00. Clark wanted to check out the anchorage near Curry Hammock State Park where we attended the party for Cora's first birthday. It took longer to get there than we imagined it would.
The waters were stirred up, so we had a bumpy dinghy ride. Clark had asked me to hold his iPad and navigate. That only lasted a very short time as I yelled for him to slow down. I quickly gave him the tablet back and said that either it or both of us were going over the side. It was too hard for me to keep my seat without holding on with both hands! I said, "Take the table or take me back! I'm not having fun." He took the tablet!
We went through Florida Bay to Vaca Cut where we crossed over into the Atlantic Ocean and continued south until we reached our destination. Many times I got a salt shower as water broke over the bow of the dinghy as we fought the waves. My hat took quite a salt bath but did a great job keeping my head and hair dry. My pants and water_sports shoes got pretty soaked, but I did not mind as it was a pleasant day temperature wise.
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| Captain Clark at Vaca's Cut, Marathon, FL |
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| Curry Hammock State Park as seen from the Atlantic Ocean |
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| Anchorage just south of Curry Hammock State Park |
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| Another view of the anchorage |
We took our time on the Atlantic side as we made our way to the park. However, looking at our watches, we realized we needed to get back to Faro Blanco in a hurry if we were to be on time for our dinner date with friends at Marlin Bay Marina. It had taken two hours to get to the park, and we had less than one hour to return. I held on tight, and Clark took us on plane for the majority of the ride back.
As soon as we got back to our boat, I ran to change my clothes. Although I had on quick-dry material shorts, the water had gotten through to my underwear. They had to go. I made a quick change and dashed back to the dinghy for our boat ride to the nearby Marlin Bay marina where our friends are staying.
Kenny and Jeanne, "Daybreak", greeted us at the dock and gave us a walking tour of Marlin Bay marina.
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| View of Kenny's boat from the tower on site |
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| Outer basin at Marlin Bay Yacht Club |
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| Sunset Viewers |
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| Sunset at Marlin Bay - Faro Blanco Lighthouse is seen in the picture |
Kenny volunteered to grill Mahi Mahi for dinner. Sandy made rice. Debbie brought a salad and green beans, and Ev brought a fresh fruit appetizer / dessert. We ate dinner at a picnic table with a sunset view!
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| Jeanne, Evelyn, Kenny, Rob, and Debbie at dinner |
Since we specifically planned to see the sunset from Marlin Bay, we knew we would be returning in the dark. However, I did not expect it to be pitch black out on the water. Afraid of hitting a crab pot in the dark waters, we crept back to Faro Blanco with me holding a flashlight over my head to light the way. The mile we traveled felt a hundred miles long! We docked just after 9:00 and left the dinghy in the water overnight. Per prior arrangement, I texted Jeanne to let her know we arrived safely at our dock.
As it turned out, the next day Clark needed the dinghy as he volunteered to take the Wilson family tubing for Mia's birthday. That activity required a boat with a powerful enough engine to pull the tube along. Around 11:00, the whole Wilson family, plus Clark, was out in the water playing on their water toys.
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| Clark, Mia, Ella - in boat Wendy joining them Anna May in "La Cigale" |
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| Birthday Girl Mia with Wendy and Clark (Ella on tube) |
Mia rode first since it was her birthday present. Then Ella got a turn.
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| Ella riding tube! |
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| Ella |
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| Bobby on Kayak |
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| Anna May and Nina on StandUp Paddle Board (SUP) |
Nina eventually had enough and buried herself under her life jacket!
Later, Mel came out to join the fun.
Clark said the current was quite strong and while they changed dinghy riders they all got pushed westward towards the rocks. Eventually, Nina and Anna May managed to change places with Wendy and Ella.
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| There goes Anna May! |
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| I guess it was a rough ride! |
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| Nina and Mia watching the fun! |
The Wilson family had plans for Wednesday evening, so we scheduled her birthday docktails celebration for Thursday night instead. Meanwhile, we had a farewell docktails party for a fellow boater, Gordon, who recently sold his sailboat, "My Paradise", and is moving back to his home state to take care of elderly parents.
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| "My Paradise" |
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| Mel, Jim, and Gordon |
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| Gordon and drinking buddy Jim |
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| The guys at the party |
Like a junior high dance, the guys and the gals were mostly separated during the party with guys at one end of the seating area and gals at the other.
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| Jasmine learning proper football throwing technique |
The next night, we had Mia's birthday party complete with ice cream sundaes!
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| Birthday Girl - Mia - at the ice cream table |
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| Party goers! |
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| Cora (we went to her 1st birthday party in Jan) |
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| "Dozer" the bassett (Clark asked me if I had seen the dachshund! Seriously!?) |
On several occasions over the past couple of weeks we got to see the sunset. At Faro Blanco, however, it generally looks the same over and over again. In case people think we've forgotten the name of our boat, here is a sunset picture to finish off the blog entry.
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| Sunset view at Faro Blanco Resort in Marathon, FL |
