A trip to the airport

We biked down to the airport and found the EAA (experimental aircraft association) museum in Marathon and found many airplanes and models on display.

this is a GREAT wind vane.

one of the outside displays

This was a "luxury aircraft" in its day

Add very cute little single seater

 As a bonus, they was a 1929 Ford Tri-motor at the airport giving rides (for a $70.00 fee). That plane is almost 90 years old and still flying, just incredible! Here's a link to info about Ford trimotors.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Trimotor 


They had just started the far engine

notice the passengers?

Just after takeoff as it passed overhead

 

Marathon

It’s like coming home again. This is our 7th year of stopping in Marathon and after what seems like we were constantly changing our location this winter it feels good to not be on the move. So, we have decided to just stay here for a month+ and not go to the Bahamas this year. There’s lot’s to do here, lot’s of friends on other boats in the harbor, and I have a few larger maintenance issues that need to be addressed but, it's in the Fl Keys, what could be better?

Here's a few of the things that we have been seeing and doing.

one of the locals hanging out

I did lots of biking this year

Anna's "new" boat

We went to see a lot of entertainment this year, This is "Joe Mama" (on the right)

And, of course, fighting with the outboard motor...I eventually won.

You dirty rat!

Oh, I forgot this one, We had a Rat on board!

When we were tied up to Russ's dock in Punta Gorda unbeknownst to us we acquired an unwanted passenger, a rat! Russ spotted it in the evening after we left Punta Gorda and were anchored at Tom's bridge. He saw it run by in the twilight and we searched the boat but couldn't find the rat. The next morning we opened up the main sail to find a large hole chewed into it..

Not something you want to see when hoisting the sail

the "chew" before I prepared the hole for patching

Down it came and after wrestling it down stairs I sewed a patch over the hole. Getting a 350 sq ft sail down into our cabin and then sewing the patch on was a real challenge but it turned out well and we used the sail later that day to head up to Crystal River.

 

Squeezing the sail into the cabin

 

New patch on an old sail

On to the keys

The Trip back down to Punta Gorda was uneventful and we actually got to sail for a bit.

Running south under spinnaker

Once at their dock we picked up Russ and with the forecast promising an easy east wind we headed south to Key West. Oh what a lie the forecast turned out to be. The wind turned toward the nose and increased until we were jumping around so much that it felt like a washing machine inside of the boat. It continued all night & the next day, it was a truly yucky trip south. We were very glad to pick up the lights of Key West that evening and drop anchor. Once ashore, this is just a little of what we saw:

This sign was right next to...

This "fish cutting board" al-la pelican feeding station

This old guy sang sea shanties on one of the wooden tall ships

I meet Marilyn Monroe!

Saw this mermaid up on a building she's in great shape for being from 1889

We saw this picture all over Key West this year.

Key West is just a ‘hoot & a holler’ if you like that type of crowd. Lot’s of tourist and lots of locals trying their best to get a dollar or two off from everyone of those tourists. Lot’s to see around the island. We dropped Russ off (he was taking the fast ferry back to the west coast of Fl) and after a few days we headed north to Marathon and the Bahamas.

Finally, Sunset at Key West next stop, Marathon and the Bahamas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crystal River

After the cruise we thought that a trip up the west coast of Fl might be a good Idea. We have always wanted to see the Crystal River area because it has a large resident population of Manatees. It took us 30 hours of slow chuging up the coast on the outside to get there. Why the outside? Because the second bridge north of Charlotte Habor, the Tom Adams bridge, was broke and after sitting for a day waiting for it to be fixed we backtracked to Boca Gran Pass and turned north on the outside instead to go find manatees.

Mr. Manatee the mascot of Crystal River

The entrance to the Crystal river chanel is about 7 miles from the coast and then after you reach the coast you still have to go another 6 miles up the Crystal River to get to the town of Crystal River.



It's a long way jut to get to the coast and then up the river.
(double click on the pictures to enlarge them)

 When we got there we anchored in a large cove and found it littered with manatees. Later in the day we dinghied up the creek to the main springs area. They have the actual springs roped off to keep all those “humans” away but the water is clear and you could see the big “sea cows” floating, swimming and sleeping in the spring area. Once in a while one would come out and swim amoung the humans. It was amazing to watch them and to swim with them.

 

 

 

LOTS of tourists in the water to view the manatees

The town is a bit on the run down side but they are making progress capitalising on the influx of tourists to see the manatees and so it is on the up swing. All in all, it was worth the time and effort to travel up here.

 

 

 

 

More from the cruise

Just thought that I’d put in a few more pictures from the cruise that Anna and I went on. Hope that you enjoy them.

Beautiful church in Key West

Stain glass in the church in Key West

The one Behind is our ship!

This was our home for 10 days

Top view of the ship

Old church on Tortola

The flowers on the islands were fabulous

Just another beautiful beach

St. Marten, a nice, cheep place to visit!

We found a mouse hiding in our bed

 

Street performers in Port Rico

The old fort at the harbor entrance of San Juan, Port Rico

Close up of the side of the fort from the water

 

In the fort looking at the same area

 

Yet another lookout post on the side of the fort.

 

Nice schooner in Key West

What can I say... NICE HAT!