Back in Marathon

Today we wanted some new scenery so we headed further south to Marathon which is about 30 miles from Islamorada.

We quickly discovered the busy season has started in Marathon.  Last year we had no issues getting a mooring ball at the City Marina.  Not the case this year.  Several day wait.  So we started to call around and finally got a slip at the Banana Bay for a few nights.

 

The trip down included a mine field of crab pots, but not at many to dodge as last year.

We got set up in our slip pretty quickly.  We met a few of our neighboring boaters pretty quickly.  Looking forward to getting to chat with them more in the next few days.

Then we were off on our bikes to explore.  We went to the Keys Fisheries for my first pina colada of the trip..... super yummy.  What a beautiful view to enjoy a drink!

Then off to the Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House for the best key lime pie ever!

When Corp was in the parking lot he met Cheech from Cheech and Chong.  He was really bummed he didn't have his phone for a photo.  He shook his hand and said he was very nice.

I think tomorrow we will bike to Sombrero Beach for a beach day!

We feel like we are living like kings with electricity and fresh water... life is good!

Still In Islamorada

We are still in Islamorada.

Winds are pretty high gusting up to upper 20 mph so we decided to stay anchored where we are.  Better to be safe than sorry.

We just hung out on the boat in the morning and caught up on some needed sleep. 

We took the dingy into shore and biked north of the OV this time.  Yesterday we biked south.  Not as much to see going north. 

At the dinghy dock there were at least 500+ little jelly fish. They were about 3 inches in diameter.

 

I should have taken a video so you can see all the movement from these tiny jelly fish.  It was pretty mesmerizing. 

We stopped at Founders park that we visited last year. Nothing changed from last year.

Then we stopped for a drink at Hog Heaven bar. The photo shows our "bikes" in the motorcycle parking area. Lol

 

On the way back to boat we stopped at OV for drinks and buffalo shrimp.  Very tasty, but not as good as Fletcher on Lake Minnetonka.

I finally had a chance to take a video of Corps putting together our folding bikes. 

https://vimeo.com/193642525

They are kind of cumbersome to load and unload in the dinghy, but have been great on for exploring on land.

When he viewed the video he was surprised at the spot on the back of his head that is thinning.  He said its time to start wearing a hat. Dam Campion genes!!!

A lady was nice enough to take a photo of both of us.

 

Our boat is the third boat in the right in the way, way, way background. The dinghy dock is quite a distance from the boat.



Corp also wanted to show a photo of the tides we always have to keep in mind.  About a two feet change with the charge in tide today.

 

We turned on the platform lights and tried to cum in some fish in. We just got little ones tonight.  You can see them at the beginning of the video. 

 https://vimeo.com/193642454

Dolphin and Manitee Spotting Day

In the morning, we said our goodbyes to Derrick and his guests.

 

He took this great photo of us when we were leaving.

 

We traveled about 20 miles south and anchored outside the OV on Windley Key.



Our boat is the third from the right.

 

The located provided great protection from the waves since the winds are 20 mph from the east.  

While I was making lunch we saw three dolphins playing off our starboard side.  I told Corp they were welcoming us when one jumped out of the water.  Again, I couldn't get the camera fast enough.

We threw the bikes in the dinghy and explored south of the Oceanview Bar most of the day.   I estimate we biked about 15 miles.

We stopped at the OV for a drink and photo opportunity with the fish chair.

I love the crab pot Christmas trees they display here.

Stopped at a beach location for a rest.

 

Also, stopped at a neighborhood park and found this orchid growing out of a palm tree.

 

We went to Loreleis for dinner/drinks and to see the Michael Trix show.  Corp tried alligator for the first time.  His description... it tasted like chewy chicken.  LOL

Corps took a short video clip of the band playing when the sun was setting.

We saw the Michael Trix magic show last year and it’s pretty good.  We had a front row table this time and his show was great again!

 

While we were waiting we saw three manatees come up the channel.  I am always amazed how large and graceful they are.

We rode our bikes back and dinghied out to the boat in the dark which went pretty well for the first time.

Tomorrow our liveaboard life will take us 20 miles further south to Marathon and Boot Key Harbor.  My favorite place for key lime pie!

Catching Up With Old Friends and Making New Friends

Saturday night we anchored outside Sundowners in Key Largo and all was well until the winds changed to the NE and we had a choppy night. 

At sunrise we decided to move about two miles south to Tarpon Springs, which is a much better protected area and got a bit more sleep.  Then we were off in the dinghy to explore.  We found the dinghy dock pretty easy at their City Hall. 

 

Corp had a fix one of the engine thermostats that was stuck open.  It happened when we suck up some silt bringing up the anchor at Gilberts.  Corps has fixed this problem before so it wasn't a major issue. 

When we returned to the boat we saw our first manatee surface right off our starboard side.  Bummed I wasn’t quick enough to get a photo.

Sunday evening we met up with our sailing instructor Derrick Polt at Gilberts….again we had the awesome jumbo chicken wings.  We also met Derrick’s dad Jim and two of his charter guests Randy and Evett from Toronto.  I’m bummed we didn’t get a group photo, but did get a few photos with Derrick.

Derrick and crew were anchored next to us outside Gilberts so we invited them over for a little boat party after dinner.  Lots of fun meeting new people!

 

Key Largo Here We Come

Turns out the water was not as choppy as we were expecting last night.  The wind died down to 4 mph and resulted in much calmer water and much better sleep.

This morning we showered at the Dinner Key Marina..... what a great facility.  They were very nice and Corp chatted with a few people who has there dogs in shore so he had some puppy love too!

Here is another photo of all the boats in Dinner Key Marina.

 

Here are a few photos of our boat from the dinghy.

 

 

We traveled about 50 miles south to Key Largo today.  We stopped at Gilbert Tiki Bar, which as the best jumbo chicken wings we have ever had.  My mahi fish basket was great as well!

 

We left Gilberts and traveled another mile and anchored at Sundowners. 

 

 

We took the dinghy into shore to have a drink at the Caribbean Club.  It was nice visiting places we have already been to.

 

Of course, we had another beautiful sunset.  We tried to get a selfie at sunset but didn't work so well.

 

 

Not sure if we are going to stay in Key Largo one more day to see our friend Derrick who might be passing by with his sailboat or head to Islamorada.

 







We Are In For A Choppy Night

We started out the day with a dinghy ride around the Sunset Harbour Yacht Club.  We wanted to check out another anchor spot by the Sunset Islands.  We came across this crazy palm tree in the canal.  It was growing sidewalks from the canal wall.

 

Then we were off to shore to get groceries/supplies at Publix, which is only about 3 blocks away. 

 

We strapped the dinghy onto the back platform and we were off to Coconut Grove and Dinner Key Marina.

 

Along the way we had to go through the Miami Harbor which was full of huge yachts....I mean huge....$10s of millions of dollar yachts.  It was crazy!  What do people do that allow them to own such huge boats..... guess we will never know.

 

Corp did a great job navigating amongst them.  Check out this 3 story boat.  You can see people sitting on the second story.... crazy!

 

 

 

Here they were behind us coming through the Venetian Causeway.  They are so tall they have to raise the bridge for them.

 

Made it to Dinner Key Marina in about two hours..... beautiful weather today so we just putted along.

 

We are spending only one night on a mooring ball here.  The water is really choppy so I think we might be in for a long night.

 

 

We were surprised at the number of boats in the marina here.  150+ boats..... all huge yachts or sail boats.

 

 

We took the dinghy into shore and walked around Coconut Grove for a couple hours and then back to the boat.

 

Right before sunset about 30+ Hobe cats came racing through the mooring field.  Turns out the marina here is a U.S Sailing Training site.  One of the cats came within 4 feet of our port side.  I could have passed him a cup of sugar.... lol.





 

Our liveaboard adventure continues tomorrow when we head south to Key Largo and anchor outside of Sundowners.



So Much To Be Thankful For!

First off, Happy Thanksgiving to all reading this blog!  Although this trip was trying in the beginning, we have so much to be thankful today and everyday.  Travel is something we really enjoy and work hard to make it a reality.

Today was the unveiling of the folding bikes.  Corps insisted we have bikes this year.  He was right... they were great!  They were pretty easy to get in and out of the dinghy.  We only biked about 8 miles total north and south of Lincoln Rd. Mall along the beach until we ran out of trail.

 

 

We hung out at the beach and were surprised at the number of people on the beach.

 

We were surprised at the number of kite surfers too.  I bet there were 100+ kites on the beach.  This is a big sport in Cabarete in the Dominican Republic.  We didn't realize it was so popular in Miami.  It's fun to watch..... wished I had the guts to do it.



 

 

A few photos of us at the beach.

 

 

 

I had the best mahi mahi tacos ever at Cala Café in South Beach.....Corp even thought they were great and he is not a mahi mahi fan.  We also had to enjoy some big cocktails!  My mojito was so refreshing!

 



 

Ended the day with a beautiful sunset!

 

 



Tomorrow we leave Miami Beach and head about 7 miles south to Coconut Grove.  We didn't stop there last year so I am excited to check it out.  We are planning on mooring at the Dinner Key Marina for the next two nights.

 

Best Laid Out Plans Always Change

Today we thought we had the best plans laid out, but our original plans changed.   

Last year our friends showed us Collins Canal which has a great dinghy dock and is close to groceries, ice, etc.  So we thought lets give that a try.... seemed easy enough.

Well the canal was closed because of construction..... so now what?  We go back to where we are anchored and ask around.  We were pleasantly informed there is a dinghy dock much closer to us at the Miami Beach Police Station.  We motored in and started exploring on foot.  Nine miles later Corp was pooped. 

We walked to Lincoln Road Mall and saw a huge Christmas tree.

 

We also stopped at the I Love Liquor store and couldn't resist a photo opportunity.

 

 

I had some awesome drinks today.....one of the best mojitos at Maya Tapas and best sangria at the Beers and Burgers Joint.

 

We also walked down to South Beach and had a great breakfast at Café Milano on Ocean Dr.  We couldn't believe breakfast was $6.95 per person.... unheard of in Miami.

We love the wide open beach in Miami.  You can walk for miles!

We had dinner at the Beer and Burger Joint.  My mahi mahi burger was awesome and Corp's mushroom fries were the best!  We got caught in our first rain shower on the dinghy ride back from dinner.  Just a light sprinkle, but it made us laugh because last year it rain all the time during our trip.  Keeping our fingers crossed the skies stay sunny like the past two days.

 

Tomorrow the folding bikes make their début.  It will be interesting with all the road construction in the area.  Hopefully, I don't end up in the emergency room.....lol