2025 March: CT Grandkids Visit

 15 March 2025

As we anticipated our son and his family arriving this evening, we took care of some chores, relaxed a bit, and prepared the boat for our visitors. I worked on the Blog to get it up to date knowing I would be busy for the next few days having more fun to write about in the next update. Clark took out his guitar and played non-church songs just for fun. 

We planned to meet our friend, John aka "Johnny Live", for lunch today. On our way walking out of the marina, we came across some boating friends by the pool. Tomorrow would be Clark's birthday, and today turned out to be Roxanne's birthday. They are the same age just one day apart. We grabbed a couple of birthday photos before continuing on our way.

Ev & Clark

Roxanne & Clark

John and I left it to Clark to decide where we should eat today. He picked the 7-Mile Grill. I had never eaten there, and John had not eaten there this season, so it turned out to be a win-win for all. The restaurant is close enough to bike to, but John very kindly picked us up and drove us there to save us the time and effort.

Murals at the 7-Mile Grill ..

Decorations in the restaurant ..

The bar ..

An uninvited guest in the restaurant ..

Clark & John

After John dropped us off back at the marina, we headed back to the boat to begin prepping the boat for the family. Linens needed to be pulled out, and sofas needed to be converted into beds. The piece parts for these activities had to be dug out of storage. Space had to be made for suitcases, etc. With that activity completed, we decided to walk up to the pool bar to check out tonight's entertainment.

Lady A Blues Band

Decoration for Full Moon Party at Pool Bar

Sunset at Marlin Bay

On the way, our son, Chris, texted that the GPS ETA read 8:30. As we walked out the gate to look for them, they were just pulling up in the car at 8:33! Great timing! With hugs all around for Chris, Heather, Lillian aka Lil, and Jack, we were ready to enjoy some family fun over the next few days.

16 March 2025 - Sunday - Clark's Birthday

While the family got themselves settled in, Clark and I jumped on our bikes and went to church as per usual. Clark was playing in the band. Before the services got underway, Pastor Debra announced that it was his birthday and everyone sang Happy Birthday to him (much to his dismay). We later learned that another member of the church, Janet, shares the same day birthday with him. She made sure to remain quiet until after services so as not to bring attention to herself.

Church Band
Nancy (Mandolin), Tom (leader), John (singer), Steve (banjo), Clark (Guitar)
(Bob who plays drums cannot be seen in photo)

After we returned back to the boat following church, we quickly grabbed lunch and headed over to Sombrero Beach. The grandkids love going to the beach. They were disappointed in Sombrero Beach for two reasons. First, we were greeted by a sign saying that a no-swim advisory was in effect due to bacteria in the water. Secondly, the beach had a large quantity of Man-o-War Jellyfish in the water and scattered across the beach.

These poisonous jellyfish look like small, inflated, blue balloons! Many people do not even know what they are. We passed a very nice sand castle as we looked for a place to sit on the beach. The top of the sand castle had a Man-o-War jellyfish sitting on top of it as a decoration. Someone had to have picked it up to put it there!

Even with the health advisory, we saw quite a few folks in the water. They were not "swimming" per se so maybe it was okay. 

Sombrero Beach, Marathon, FL

We found an empty spot on the beach to put down towels, etc. All but I decided to go for a walk down the beach. Chris, Clark and the kids walked over to Sisters Creek and waded into the water. They dug a well into the sand that filled with water before walking back through the park.

Lillian, Chris, Jack, and Clark
(Heather not in picture)

As I sat roasting in the sun, I continued to think they would be back soon. That turned out to be a bad assumption. Eventually, when I was "well done", I decided to go in search of the crew. 

I did not immediately find them, but in my search, I did come across the pastor of our church in a pavilion holding a "Celebration of Life" service for one of their long-time parishioners. Debra said she had not seen Clark, so I continued on my hunt. Eventually I saw them in the distance heading for the playground equipment.

Sometimes Clark makes me wonder exactly how old he is ...

Besides riding on the merry-go-round, Clark helped Chris push it!

Clark said that we would have been better off had we gone to the beach at Sister's Creek instead of the one on the ocean. We should remember that for next time. 

After the beach, we decided to go to Sweet Savannah's for ice cream & cookie treats as I had a gift card burning a hole in my pocket! 

Chris & Heather at Sweet Savannah's

Jack and Lillian found the arcades located there.

Lillian found an interesting way to play the game though I don't think it helped her score.

The ice cream shop had a ring toss game. No one managed to get the ring on the metal loop on the wall.

Since it was a nice sunny day, folks were still wearing their swimsuits from the trip to the beach, and we still had time before dinner, everyone decided to take a dip in the pool. We had some dive sticks to drop in the pool to add to the fun. 

For dinner tonight, we dried off, got changed, and went to Lazy Days. 

After dinner, we took some sunset pictures at the marina as we walked back to the boat.

Heather, Lil, Chris, Jack, Clark, Ev

Lil, Chris, Jack

17 March 2025 - St. Patrick's Day

Unfortunately, a front came through bringing with it high winds of around 24 knots. As such we looked for things to do where the wind would not be a factor. We started the day playing pool / billiards and an indoor shuffleboard game in the Marlin Room at the Club House. 

After lunch we headed to the library to see what mischief we could get into there. 

We found various activity kits including ones to make graduation caps which turned out to be a bit on the large size!

Then we got goofy.

Jack also made one - his in green.

Next we found some word search puzzles and pictures to color.

Clark and Lillian had a "Draw Lillian" contest. The tables are made to be drawn on with markers and towels for erasing provided.

Jack and Ev played a game of chess. Jack is new to the game, and I have not played in years (and was never good at the game). Jack lost too many pieces, and I could not figure out how to get him into  checkmate although I had him in check multiple times. We gave up before finishing the game. 

The highlight of the day was a trip to the Turtle Hospital that Chris scheduled for 4:00 - the last show of the day. I decided to stay home on the boat. I really have no interest in observing injured turtles especially at $35 per person.

A turtle in the doctor's office for eye cleaning

Turtle tank

Lil

Looking in the turtle tank

I prefer to go to Sombrero Beach when they have a "Turtle Release". Once a turtle has recovered and deemed fit, they are released back into the ocean at the beach. Many people turn out for the event.

Heather and Chris left the rest of us for the night and went to the Butterfly Café for dinner. The rest of us ate on the boat and watched Moana on Disney+. The grandkids had chicken nuggets, broccoli, and fries while Clark and I had frozen pizza for dinner.

18 March 2025 - Tuesday

We had some spare time in the morning before heading off for today's big adventure at Aquarium Encounters, so we went back to the Club House to shoot some pool. While we were there, some a brother and sister came in and wanted to play. I worked on this week's jigsaw puzzle while the four of them played pool. 

I was very impressed by the young boy who took time to instruct Jack on the proper way to hold the cue. Where he would not follow my instructions, he was careful to listen to this young man. The visitors were not boaters, but were instead, staying in one of the condos.

 

Before heading off to the aquarium, we packed some sandwiches to eat later. We arrived around 12:30 and stayed for about three hours exploring the grounds and checking out the aquatic life living there.

Heading in ...

We decided to join the tour that started at 12:50 to get the lay of the land. Zach was our tour guide.

He showed us the various exhibits and explained about feeding and touching the wildlife there.

We walked by the parrotfish area, and Zach threw in a bunch of pellets to bring them around for viewing.

Parrotfish

He told us about the touch tank.

Sea Urchin and Starfish Touch Tank

He said we could feed the turtles (later) 

Turtles!

and told us to beware the Pig-nose turtles and alligators that bite!

Pignose Turtle

American Alligators

Lobster

Look very closely to see
miniature seahorses

Zach told us about ways we are trying to reduce the invasive Lionfish population by eating them and teaching aquatic predators that they are a tasty treat for them as well.

Lionfish

Chris bought a punch card so the kids had fun opportunities for feeding fish and turtles.

Lettuce for the turtles 

and cut up fish for the rays.

The rays practically climbed out of the tank to get the fish morsels being fed to them.

Shark

Hermit Crab

Today was a bit on the chilly side for some of the critters. The turtles had their own heat lamps to stay warm.

Lettuce for these guys too

Clark got a nice picture of the larger-sized seahorses.

The aquarium is directly next to Vaca Cut. We walked down to take a look!

Boats traveling through the cut

Pelicans hanging around hoping for food from
aquarium visitors
(bridge over Vaca Cut in background)

We found a place selling food at the aquarium, but since we brought sandwiches and snacks, we just grabbed one of the picnic tables to have our lunch.

As we wandered around, we found a woman giving a lecture on American Alligators. She had a 6-month old gator in her hands.

After three hours of seeing the aquarium exhibits, we were ready to call it quits and head back to the boat. With the family here for only a few days, we had to pack in as much as possible in the time allocated. When we got back to the boat, we rolled out the paint and the coconuts we had collected to do some coconut decorating. We ended up with rainbow and patriotic designs.

Since these works of art would not fit in suitcases, we have been asked to transport them back to NJ on the boat. Yay!?

Having seen a lot of fish today, we naturally decided to go to the Island Fish Co. restaurant to eat some! We looked into eating at the Steak and Lobster House but the wait was too long, so we went to a bigger restaurant and got a table right away.

We managed to get some sunset pictures from the west side of the marina tonight.

We played some card games and Cats Cradle before time for bed.

19 March 2025 

Lillian and Jack had a list of things they wanted to do, but as today was our last day together, we had to "cherry pick" from that list. We started the day, once again, playing pool up at the Club House. We made good use of the swimming pool one more time, and we ended the visit with a trip to play Miniature Golf.

On our way to the Club House, we spied a manatee floating in the inner basin. It did not move at all for so long, I feared it was deceased. Eventually, it put its head up for a sip of air. We decided it must be napping.

At the Marlin Room, we found that the Salvador Dali jigsaw puzzle had been completed! When I left it the other day, only white pieces remained. I was happy to see it finished.

The grandkids played pool. Since playing with the other children, they now play 8 Ball (solid vs. stripes) where before they aimed at random balls. Jack remembered the instructions he had received from the young lad the other day!

The water in the swimming pool was quite cool today compared to a couple of days ago when it felt too warm. Before getting dried off, we all took a dip in the hot tub to warm up! Brrr!

Heather had everything packed ready for departure. Before they left, however, Heather said the kids could cross one more thing off their list. We went to Porky's to play Miniature Golf on the new course they have there. 

The course was well designed and had interesting decorations scattered about.

Tropical theme ...

Fountain ..

Flora ..

Water hazard ..

The results were erratic. 5 hits was the maximum stroke count for a hole. Some holes the kids went over the max (the course was basically empty when we played with no one behind us), and some came out as a hole in one! Only Chris, Jack, and Lillian signed up to play. Chris let me play out the last 3 of the 18 holes for him.

When we left Porky's, Clark told Chris to pull into the Fishermen's Hospital lot to drop us off. With a traffic light there, it is safe to cross Route 1 and an easy, short walk back to the marina. This way Chris did not have to fight with Route 1 traffic to make a second left-hand turn back onto the highway - one is more than enough! 

As soon as we got back on the boat, I dove in to start putting the boat back together - stripped beds, turned beds into sofas, gathered up laundry, emptied trash, etc. I  signed up for two time slots for laundry tomorrow to wash all the clothes, sheets, and towels used over the past few days.

Once that was done, we relaxed by the tv until it was time for bed.

2025 March: Keeping busy in Marathon

 

Big Iguana blocking path to restroom

10 March 2025 - Monday

This morning I (Ev) updated the Blog with news from the past few days. While I did that, Clark was busy repairing our propane stove. It has a recurring issue whereby I have to light the burners manually with a lighter. They should ignite from a spark generated by a stove mechanism. Clark has addressed the issue multiple times during this season. Last time it was a bad battery holder that was replaced. With this current problem, I thought he said a repair could not be made. Apparently, what he told me was a repair would require a bit more work to open part of the stove. I had been fighting the stove for the past few weeks! I had stopped complaining because I thought it was a lost cause. He did not fix it because he forgot it needed to be done. This time it needed a new battery and one of the switch contacts had to be opened and cleaned. Also, one of the thermal sensors was slow so all the thermal sensors were cleaned for faster lighting. 

As I composed my Blog entry, I was interrupted a few times as he asked me to clean the various parts he removed from the stove in the process of addressing the issue. Now that it is back together again, we have a working stove that is way cleaner than it has been for a while as I got to clean places I cannot usually get to.

Almost like new!

Later in the day, Marcy from "Heart of Gold!" stopped by with a puzzle in hand to say she was walking up to the Marlin Room in the Club House to start a puzzle. I said I would be up shortly to help! By the time I got up there, she had all the puzzle pieces out of the box and had started on the frame. 

Marcy, her husband Jeff, Robin and I worked on the puzzle until almost 4:00 and time for Bingo at the Bar. With rain predicted for late afternoon and dark clouds appearing in the sky several times throughout the afternoon, we received an announcement that Bingo would be held in the Marlin Room. As 4:00 rapidly approached and no rain appeared, it became clear that Bingo would be held at the Pool Bar as usual. 

All three of them left me working the jigsaw puzzle. Just when I had decided that I had had enough and my back was aching from leaning over the table too long, Clark appeared. He noted that the frame of the puzzle was 7/8 done, and he decided that we could not leave until we had the frame completed. We did it!

Stopping by the pool bar later, we found Marcy and told her we had the frame together! We arrived just as they called the last Bingo. Most of the prizes are 10% off coupons for merchandise sold by the marina. Neither Clark nor I have a real interest in Bingo or the merchandise although I did buy a t-shirt for myself with a coupon earlier this season.

After dinner, I put together materials for Art at the Library tomorrow while Clark watched boating / dinghy / outboard motor-related videos on his phone.  I selected a photo to work on with acrylic paints while the majority of the class will continue their study in layering watercolor paints. 

11 March 2025 - Tuesday

Today I had a full day of arts and crafts planned. I decided to ride my bike to the library again as it is so much faster than walking there. Clark planned to work on Steve's boat, "Journey", this morning, so I made sure he got my bike off the boat before he disappeared. When the wind pushes the boat away from the dock, I have some difficulty getting just me off the dock. Today was one of those days.

With my bike on the dock, Clark set off to work on Steve's boat. Steve had ordered breakers for the electrical panel, and they had arrived. A short while later, I grabbed my backpack full of art supplies and jumped on my bike to get to art class before 9:30. 

I had a picture on my phone for the picture I planned to attempt replicating. I saw this piece of art at the Nearly New Thrift Shop when we visited there on Sunday. I decided I attempt my own rendition.

Original at store

Ev's version

Several of us do not work on the art instructor's task for the day. She does not mind at all. David comes and does pencil drawings that are breath taking. Pat P. did a palm tree scene today in black charcoal that was amazing. I managed to complete my parrot picture with time left over to do some drawing, so I drew the head of a heron. I am not quite sure where that picture is hiding but it is not on my phone!

My friend, Pat, attended art today. She half listens to the instructor but frequently wanders off to do her own thing as well. As today the library offered their crafts class in the afternoon, I did not plan to go back to the boat after art class. Instead, Pat and I planned to spend time together in between sessions. 

Pat forgot her phone this morning, so she had to go home to get it before either of her sons found out she was out and about without her phone. They worry about her. JoAnne was at art today, so the three of us went for the ride to Key Colony Beach to get Pat's phone. I had brought a breakfast bar with me to eat for my lunch. Pat stopped at Wendy's, and the two of them got sandwiches before heading back to the library. 

I missed the crafts class two weeks ago as we spent the day with our friends were visiting from New Jersey. Today's craft class was part 2 of a 2-part class. At the last session, the attendees poured paint over canvas and caught the drippings that would be used this week to make jewelry. The paint needed time to dry fully before the jewelry class.

Pouring the paint resulted in some great works of art.

JoAnne's Art

Pat's Canvas

A piece of wax paper in a basin caught the drips and produced the material used to create the jewelry. We picked the jewelry pieces we wanted to decorate. I selected a turtle necklace and earrings to match. 

Ev's Jewelry made from Poured Paint

Pat said she had materials at home she planned to use to finish making a turtle necklace and earrings.

Pat's jewelry from the same
Poured Paint

Craft class ended just before 2:00. The teacher, Angela, shooed us all away. Since I was on my bike, I got back to the boat quickly. I called Clark to be sure he was still there and said I would be back fast. I knew he had guitar practice at the church at 2:30, and he frequently leaves to get there early. 

As he helped me get my bike onto the boat, he said he was still finishing up with Steve's boat - cleaning up and returning tools back to our boat. "Oh, and by the way, I did not yet eat lunch, and I have to leave at 2:15." I had hoped he had fed himself, but alas, I dropped everything to make him lunch PDQ. He inhaled his 2 sandwiches and was on his way by 2:20!

At 5:00 today, a MTOA boater's meeting was being held at the Marine Park across the street. Clark planned to go there directly from guitar practice. Having been out and about all day, I had no interest in attending. Instead, I decided to work on the jigsaw puzzle for a while and then go to the Pool Bar to check out "Yappy Hour" with the dogs. Today the dogs needed to perform tricks, and the winner got a coupon for the Marina Store. Several dogs performed.

"Phoebe" won the competition as she knew the most tricks including "lie down" followed by "time out". For time out, she put her head down on her paws!

Phoebe ready for her reward

A couple with two dogs showed them together. They tried to get the brown one to balance a treat on its head, and when ready, throw the treat in the air and catch it to eat it. Well that did not work out so well, so we had more laughter than applause here.

The dog shown below was more interested in greeting people than doing any tricks.

"Bok Choy" was the best. No one expected him to do any tricks. His owners will tell you he is both lazy and not too bright. However, Trevor and Debbie came up with a plan to  surprise everyone.

"Bok Choy" is a pro at riding a scooter as that means he does not have to walk! He sailed into the pool area on his scooter easy peasy! Then he did his second trick, "Shaking hands"! Wow! 

Trevor and Bok Choy

Two King Charles Spaniels were in the show. Their visors were the cutest part of their presentation. Totally adorable!

 

"Tiller" from the boat "Steadfast" also showed us his talents. Clark can never remember Tiller's name and calls him "Rudder"!

Caroline and Tiller

Yappy Hour is held every Tuesday. Last week they all dressed up for St. Patrick's Day. Sorry I missed that.

12 March 2025 - Wednesday

If it is Wednesday, it must be laundry day. We started that routine when our washing machine on the boat started leaking and we took our laundry to the laundromat. Now that the marina offers a washer and dryer, I just have to drag it up to the Boater's Lounge to get it done. Typically I bring my phone / book to entertain myself while the clothes spin around and around.

After Clark helped me get my "Dolly Trolley" full of laundry off the boat, he went over to "Journey" to continue doing something with Steve's breakers. 

Once again I had a full day of activities planned. Every week at church I see a sign advertising Knitting at 1:00 on Wednesday's. I wanted to attend last week but had too many things going on to fit it in to my plans. (Good thing really as I discovered today that last week's session was cancelled due to church services for Ash Wednesday.) 

I grabbed my crochet hooks and headed off to find out what the knitting group was like. I had no yarn but had heard that was not a problem. Five women including me attended today. Sure enough they offered up an entire bureau stuffed full of whatever I might need to knit or crochet. I picked out two balls of yarn to work on making a turtle. 

These women have been knitting together for as much as 15 years! They fell into chatting about this that and the other. I mostly sat back and listened while I struggled to interpret the instructions for a crochet turtle I found online. Although I was trying for a "mini" turtle, I find myself working on a "small" turtle instead. I got the back and the belly completed. Now it needs a head and four legs!

Beginnings of a Crochet Turtle

Knitting lasted from 1:00 to 3:00. As I walked out to my bike for the ride back to the boat, I started chatting with one of the attendees, Betty. 45 minutes later we finally said goodbye. She claimed that we were "sisters" since we have had so many similar things happen to us. No sooner did she leave than "Johnny Live" walked by and then I talked with him for a quarter hour before I got on my bike to finally make the ride "home". 

When I got to the boat shortly after 4:00, Clark was gone again - working on "Journey", and I wanted to get my bike on board. A fellow boater was walking by, so I snagged him and asked him to help me with the bike. As he handed my bike to me, he told me he was having docktails on his boat this evening, and we should come by around 5:00 / 5:30. His boat is just a little further down the dock from us named "Soul Mates". 

Clark and I were the first to arrive around 5:15, but that gave us a chance to talk with Jim and Tiffney before others showed up. By 5:30 we had a boat full of boaters. Jim tended bar and made two very popular drinks - Chocolate Martinis and "The Key West". The "Key West" is a variation of a Pina Colada that is less sweet. I had a Chocolate Martini that was very tasty but hit hard. It took a while for me to feel it would be save to attempt getting off the boat. 

When we arrived, we were told we could swing over using a rope (like Tarzan) or we could use the steps. The steps sounded safer but there is no handrail with a broad step to the boat deck from the top step. When it was time to leave the party, I asked Jeff to help me off. He and our friend, Mike, had such strong grips on me, I was completely safe and secure! Clark meanwhile was up on the fly bridge having a great time with no idea I had left. He returned to our boat a while later saying "Soul Mates" was getting too loud.

13 March 2025 - Thursday

On Tuesday Clark wanted my help weighing our engine room fire extinguisher. I happily escaped that chore by going to the library all day. Well, today, I had no excuses, so I got to help him dismount the fire extinguisher from the wall, lift it down to the floor, and weigh it on our bathroom scale. The fire extinguisher is mounted with large clamps and always seems to get stuck, so it is not easily removed. 

Clark used a crowbar to pry it loose from its mounting so we could lift it down. It weighed in at 58 pounds! He was hoping for 58.5 pounds which was the reading last time. After weighing, we had the fun of lifting it back up and inserting it into its clamps for next time. 

Later, Clark went to "Johnny Live's" new apartment to help him install a smart TV. Clark took a couple of pictures of the place when he was there.  The 1655 apartments are the ones owned by the St. Columba church to be used as Keys workforce housing. John said that it is taking him some time to adjust. Apparently roosters live in the area and like to cock-a-doodle-do at 3:00 a.m.!

While Clark was off working with John, I decided it was time to touch up the gray line in my hair and spent the afternoon reading a book while the dye set in. I use NaturColor which is all natural, herb-based dye. I have done it myself for years.

14 March 2025 - Friday

Art, art, and more art! That seems to be the theme this week. My library friend, Pat, told me about a group of women who get together every Friday at a local restaurant to work on art. She invited me to join. I packed paper and colored paper in my backpack and biked there to join them. Iries Eats is a 5-minute bike ride from the marina, and that was where they were meeting. 

For today's project, I decided to work on another parrot picture. I drew it out in pencil and then used the colored pencils to bring it to life.

Picture found on internet

My rendition of the one shown above

The group did art at the restaurant from 10:00 until noon. Then we adjourned to go on a "field trip" across the street to see the Art Show at the Marathon Theater.  Pat offered to drive me there, but I decided that I could most likely bike there just as fast as she could drive there. Since she refuses to make a left-hand turn on Route 1, I was pretty sure I would be faster. 

Sure enough, even though I had to go east to the traffic light and then back west to get to the theater, I arrived with enough time to have my bike locked to the bike rack and talked to others from our group before she pulled into the parking lot.  I did get very lucky though as I got the walk signal at the light just as I pulled up to the light!

Pat P. from library art class had some of her watercolors on display.  She is a member of the Florida Keys Watercolor Society.  who I believe hosted this show. I took pictures of the walls showing the variety of art. Most of the pictures were watercolor. We were given a slip of paper to vote for the "People's Choice" award.

Not included in the voting process
(love the Hibiscus)

Portraits - mostly done by the same artist

I love the water motion shown with the turtle

Picture bottom right done by same 
artist as turtle above

The egret wading in the calm water
was another of my favorites.

After viewing the art, it was time for me to get back to the boat. I arrived there at 1:00. Neither Clark nor I had eaten (I did not eat at the restaurant.) so I jumped into the galley to prepare us some food. 

While I was out and about, Clark was busy on the boat. Someone from the USCG Auxiliary called yesterday offering to due a complimentary inspection of our boat. She arrived at 9:30 and stayed about two hours. When she left, we had our four boats approved - "Sunset Delight", the dinghy, and our two kayaks. She gave Clark new stickers for the kayaks, since the old ones wore out,  that say, "If found, return to ...".  (fill in blank with name and number)

At 4:00 today, the marina had a singer at the pool bar. Clark and I decided to walk up and listen for a while. He played a mix of country and soft rock.

Dan Sullivan - guitarist

Our son Chris, his wife Heather, and our two Connecticut grandchildren (Lillian and Jack) are scheduled to arrive tomorrow for a few days with us. When not busy running around, we have been preparing for their visit.