2024 December: Marathon settling in

 2 - 3 December 2024

no boat travel

I am glad we came into the marina on Sunday when the winds were only around 15 mph. The last two days they have been reaching levels of almost 30 mph at various times throughout the day. Clark seems to enjoy the rocking we are getting during the night. He says it rocks him to sleep. 

We pulled out the bicycles on Monday to do errands at the stores. Clark had something to mail. He needed to pick up a prescription at Walgreen's, and then we hit Publix. Since we had bicycles and backpacks only to carry food, I had to be careful not to overbuy. I planned on one loaf of bread, but they had a BOGO so I ended up with 2. It seems obvious to take the free one until you consider how much space a loaf of bread takes in a backpack.

Although the cold north winds nearly blew us away on the docks, when it came time to bike along Route 1, we both "boiled over" and had to strip off our jackets. I was not thrilled at biking in ~ 30 mph winds, but it turned out to be a non-issue.

I have wanted to eat pizza since before we got here, and it has not worked out so well. Upper Crust was closed on Sunday night when we went searching for a place to eat. We ended up at Overseas and the only pizza they had was marked 'GF', so we passed on that. When we were in Publix, I decided to buy a frozen pizza regardless of how difficult it would be to fit it in Clark's backpack with all the other food I was buying. We had that for dinner Monday night. I buy plain and add my own toppings. Yummy!

I decided the 3rd, Tuesday, was "clean the boat day". Before getting started on that chore, I decided to walk to the library to pick up their monthly calendar of activities. Sadly, they have discontinued the photography class in lieu of sewing sessions. I attended one of their sewing sessions last season. That was enough. I might try their Tuesday morning Mahjong sessions. I have not decided yet as I do not know how to play.

After my visit to the library, I decided to take a stroll down by Keys Fisheries to take in the scenery. Mostly it looks just like it did every other season.

Crab pots galore
(a bit stinky walking by here on a hot day)

I wandered further than I have in the past and got some long distance pictures of Marlin Bay Resort to the east and Faro Blanco Resort to the west.

Marlin Bay Resort 
as seen from Keys Fisheries

I found a Tiki hut and took a picture peeking through it towards Marlin Bay.

Monday I tried to capture a picture of a small bird teetering on the top of a palm tree. Just as I raised the camera to take the picture he flew away. Tuesday I found a pelican resting on a pole by Keys Fisheries.

Faro Blanco in the distance as
seen from Keys Fisheries

Yet more crab pots

My decision to go "walk about" was made after I left Clark on the phone on the boat. He was wondering what had happened to me by the time I climbed back on board. 

Marlin Bay Resort

The condos at Marlin Bay

Once I was back on the boat, it was time to do the boat cleaning work I had been putting off. I managed to do four loads of laundry (the washer is very small in capacity), and clean the salon and the pilot house. By the time I was done it was approaching 5:00, and I was too pooped to do more. Our stateroom will need to wait for another day - perhaps tomorrow if I can move after all the work I did today.

While I slaved away cleaning the boat, Clark took off on his bike with his guitar strapped to his back for Sunday service  "band" practice. Once again he will be playing with our friends Nancy and Steve on Sunday mornings. 

The wind looks to continue until some time midday on Wednesday. Not surprisingly, no boats came in on Monday or Tuesday that I am aware of.  Backing a boat into a slip in 30 mph winds would definitely be challenging.