UPDATE
I sailed from Isla Mujeres on a course to Key West, Florida and arrived there in one piece on Thanksgiving Day at 6:30 in the evening. The evening would have not been a problem if it weren't for having to pick up a mooring by yourself in the dark. I am proud to say that I was successful on the third try.
Now that I was back on American soil with my boat it was time to replace everything broken or need of repair with parts that I can now find just up the street. That is the good news. The bad news is that money was flowing out of my account into the West Marine account. They closed the store one day early for Christmas because their sales were well over projected. They begged me not to leave town.
I now have crew on board. Maggie who is from Australia joined me after I arrived back from California. I spent 6 weeks back home with my family and grandchildren and had a wonderful time. It was hard for me to leave but it was time to push off again.
Last week we sailed from Key West to Marathon with is about half way up the Keys toward Miami. We
are holding up here to provision the boat and wait for a weather window to cross the Gulf Steam. Our first stop is planned for the Bimini Island chain at the northwest area of the Bahamas. Our first stop is Cat Cay were we check into the country.
Key West is an interesting city. Every day on Duval St is a party from dawn to 4:00 am. Bands are playing, people are singing and dancing at all hours of the day. Maggie and I did a lot of walking around town to look at the architecture which is pure Southern.
So let's get onto the photos to share and notable stories behind them. This will be brief because this place closes soon.
Many of the homes here have a porch that wrap around the house. You can almost see Grandma in her rocking chair and Mr, Sanders with his white hat smoking a cigar.
A visitor that came by to say hello
We have seen many sign along the shore noting that you are to be careful not to run over one of these critters in the water.
Here is my First Mate Maggie.
During one of our walks we came upon a wealthy area of restored homes that are now condos and apartments. The second photo is were Harry spent his relaxed days in the sun.
This is another good example of the homes in Key West.
Chickens were imported from Cuba many years ago to help rid the city of some bugs. Bugs are no longer the problem. Chickens are now the problem as they wonder around the streets and cafes like they own them. It looks like they eat well
This is the top end of what is called the seven mile bridge as we got near Marathon.
The bridge was up as we entered the harbor.
Great photo of my favorite bird.
We took the dingy up little inlets around Marathon to explore the area.
Maggie is at the controls.
Although short blog I hope this gives you a little idea of what I have been doing and see since arriving back in the good old USA.
Soon I will be off again to visit islands in the Bahamas, the Turks, Dominican Republic, Porto Rico, Spanish and British Virgin Island and The Windward and Leeward island of the Eastern Caribbean. I plan to be in Granada my the end of June to hold up for this years hurricane season.
To all of you I wish good health and my you win the lotto. Until then be safe out there.
