Marathon

So here we are in Marathon... our favorite place in the keys. The place has changed a bit.

Gone is our old home marina in the keys, Faro Blanco. They have ripped out the hurricane damaged boathouses and the rest is like a beat up old skeleton of what it used to be.

No more Happy Hour on the dock to watch the sun go down with Mort and Estelle. Billy's garden has been bull dozed away. About the only thing left is the old marina office but without Merle and Bill and their mean ass little dog, Binicle. Not much left but the memories.

Oh well... as Mort always said. "Happy Days" and they were.

But some things are just as good. We take Radar for his first restaurant adventure. You see, here in Marathon it is cool to take your dog into most of the restaurants.

We go to the Castaway which is next door to the best fish market in the keys. We think this is the best and freshest fish in town.

Radar was a perfect gentleman. (except when the cat showed up)

We go to Marathon Seafood and buy a few pounds of Stone Crab Claws for appetizers.

Fresh and Good.

Happy days!!

More Birthdays

It's my Mother's and Radar's birthday.

Happy Birthday Mom and Radar!!!

The Keys

At first light we leave Naples and start our trek to Marathon. It will be a 100+ mile day and we will need every bit of daylight we can get.

I have a few apprehensions about leaving this morning. The forecast is for some pretty rough seas the further south we get.

But we throw caution to the wind and take off. We know the boat can take it.

Notice to Mariners>>>> Leaving Gordon Pass out of Naples, I run aground in the middle of the channel. It is obviously shoaling in. Luckily we push over the hump and get underway.

The forecast was correct and we did see 3 to 5's out there. These are not huge seas but in 20 feet of water the waves are stacked up and hitting us about every 20 seconds. It makes for an uncomfortable day. (The Crab traps were everywhere.) Radar did not like it at all and preferred to go below and stay in bed.

Istaboa was totaly salted from stem to stern.

But all's well that ends well...

We arrive at Marathon just in time for this glorious sunset.

Naples

Naples is a beautiful town. A mixture of the old Florida and new. You can sit in a bar or restaurant that has been there since the 30's and listen to the private jets that come screaming in about every 5 minutes. This is a town for the wealthy. But it is very clean, courteous, and fun.








Bev and Jim with their dogs Ruby and Sydney

Walking around town you run into a lot of boaters walking their dogs. Dogs are important to us boaters for some reason. I am not sure why. They are an added responsibility on a list that is already very long. But we do love our dogs and I guess that is why we do it.

Happy Birthday Sam Corcoran

Arriving at Naples

As we head thru Gordon Pass this old eagle seems to be standing watch.



The bottom picture is a fine example of Florida boating courtesy.

On to Naples

It was a beautiful day, the sky was clear, winds were light, and the seas were flat.

As we left Sanibel Island to port we were running about 10 miles offshore. It was such a nice day, I grabbed the wireless autopilot remote then Radar and I ran from outside sitting on the bow of the boat.



Nice day for sailing.

Burnt Store

Our Saturday at Burnt Store was an enjoyable one. Didn't do much at all, which makes for a great day for me.




Lots of pretty birds around. Like these who catch a ride with a local fishing guide in hope of being thrown a bait fish.

Our big task today was to give Radar a bath. In this warm Forida sunshine he dries quickly. Then Melonie tortured him further by brushing him out. He hates this as you can see in his pic.

Charlotte Harbor

We are now in Punta Gorda, Fl at Burnt Store Marina.

It's always nice here. Very pleasant folks, a good clean marina, and a good restaurant.

Sadie and Radar love the grass.

It's seems we are always escorted into Burnt Store by the dolphin of Charlotte Harbor. A nice welcoming.

I have finally caught up to real time with this blog. Today is Saturday and we are staying here at Burnt Store. Probably not much interesting to post today.

Happy days!!

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Right on schedule

We arrive at Venice light and the cut. The marina is the Crow's nest and it's 12:30. This marina has one of the best and most popular of all the restaurants on the west coast of FL. and we hit it at lunch time.

The marina folks were very busy tying up boaters who had all arrived at once for lunch.

Now here we come.

The picture above is of a big Hattaras that caused the only motion on the ocean since we had left Aplachicola.

Welcome to Venice!!

We stay here a night and make fish tacos from leftover Grouper. Happy days!!