After Dave successfully replaced the water pump on the starboard engine while we were in Everglades City......
....we went back to Russell Pass to anchor for the night to be "on deck" to head to The Keys. While there a group of kayaks came by. If you think we are crazy living on a boat, these people were on a camping trip in the Everglades National Park carrying all their supplies on their kayaks! To add to their fun, it poured down rain all night.
Leaving the anchorage at Russell Pass heading south on January 27th started in a foggy rain. Our destination, The Florida Keys!
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| The rain got progressively worse for a couple of hours until we finally broke away from a fairly stationary front. We even got to see a rainbow as we pulled away from the storm. |
After a long day on the water, we made it to Shell Key to anchor for the night. This was the view of the sunset from inside our boat. It was breathtaking!
After a couple of days at Shell Key, we travelled a short distance to Islamorada. There we stayed on anchor for several days until we could get into a marina. A short dingy ride to Lorelei's Tiki Bar & Grill for breakfast and happy hour quickly became our routine.
A view of the anchorage from Lorelei's, with Phase II in the distance.
This would be Lorelei.
The sunsets in The Keys are so beautiful, as you can see here from Islamorada.
At Coral Bay Marina, we were welcomed by the many friendly people who make Islamorada their winter home.
On February 4th, with a very unpleasant forecast of high winds, waves and lots of rain beginning the next day, we headed for Faro Blanco Marina in Marathon.
There we met up with our great friends from Longboat Key on Grayling and Seadog to hunker down until the nasty weather passed. We quickly caught up over Happy Hour. It was so great seeing them again!
And shared another beautiful sunset with Bob and Jeanne on the back of Grayling.
Also while at Faro Blanco, we were greeted by at least a dozen other Loopers. Over nightly "docktails" we met many new friends that we will be cruising with over the next year.
And Dave has had fun meeting "the neighbors", like Sonny on Corkscrew.
The high wind and waves forecasts continued, so we decided to drive down to Key West to visit our dear friends Jim & Nancy Marsh. On Febuary 12th, the Longboat Key crew headed across the 7 Mile Bridge in Marathon, destination Key West!
We had a great day with Jim & Nancy, sight seeing KW on scooters!
On Tuesday, Feb 16th, it looks as if the weather conditions are finially right for cruising back to the mainland. In the meantime, we'll enjoy lunch at local restaurants ......
and walks on the dock ......
