Holding on in Marathon

* Marathon, Florida *

We battened down the hatches for a big windstorm coming our way. The wind in March is relentless. We had heard March is a very windy time in Florida but are now hearing this has been one of the windiest winters in recent years. It certainly comes in to play when you are on a boat. We are in the outer basin at Marlin Bay. There is not much protection from anything. The outer basin sticks out way beyond land in both directions. Daily winds are from the teens to the twenties. This storm was bringing high 30 mph winds and gusts up to 50 mpg.

It took a few days for David to get the boat tied just right and a few 2:00 am adjustments to the lines to keep front banging against the dock. The tides add a whole new dynamic in securing your vessel. We were ready, the winds came, and they were blowing. It felt like we were on a bucking bronco for over 30 hours. The captain added one more line and a fender to the port stern corner as the winds were getting started. Winds started East and swung around 270 degrees and then blew from the North for hours. We were being blown off the dock. The video was taken as the winds started, they kicked in more at dark.

Boaters battening down the hatches

Tasha took Remy out at 4 pm just as the colors of the sky began to change, the clouds begin to build, and the wind picked up. By the time they walked back to the boat we were full in storm mode. There were about 15 minutes of rain, then the winds kicked up again. All our strata glass was closed but the back deck and fly bridge offered a great view of our surroundings. Many neighbors were out on the dock with boat poles pulling things out of the water they had just lost overboard. Directly to the front of us, our friend’s boat was taking hard hits to the port side against the dock and the front windshield cover was 2/3 of the way off. They were not on board (they had left the area for a few days), and they were having their boat waxed and buffed.

It would appear that the boat guy didn’t get it tied up like the captain would have and the cover back on correctly. Dave ventured out in the wind, climbed on board, secured their cover, and then attempted to reposition the lines and fenders to protect the port side of the boat from hitting the pier. It was almost impossible as the wind was pinning it against the pier. The waves would take it up and down and then push it against the pier. It made for some good people watching. He did what he could considering the conditions.

Boaters lost burgees, fenders, and covers and a few boats got great use of their rub rails from hitting the pier. We had friends in the inner basin and while it was blowing, they really felt nothing too far out of the norm. Big difference in basins!

The wind blew and blew, it was bedtime and Remy hadn’t been out since 4, luckily this pup can hold it and had already put herself to bed and didn’t seem too interested in going out. David thought it was too dangerous to try. We didn’t ask, nor did she seem to care, so we all went to bed. It blew all night and all the next day. We could get her off the boat in the daylight safely but it still was a full family affair. We were glad when Monday finally came and the winds went back to normal windy conditions.

The winds blow in a tremendous amount of sea grass to the basin and much of it gathers behind boat especially with winds from the north and east. David regularly checks the strainers to ensure all systems are not clogged and are running efficiently on board.

The winds also limit our dinghy days. When they’re howling a dinghy ride just isn’t feasible and even when they’re not, the wind and waves can still make it a wet ride, especially for the first mate who sits up front. Our most recent dinghy ride resulted in salt crusted sunglasses, rails of the boat, and even our arms. The captain needs to rinse the dinghy down after each cruise and the big boat down most days, especially the windy days. We are so surprised how salty it gets sitting in dock.

We had several nice dinghy adventures that had us going down around 7-mile bridge and back into Boot Key Harbor for lunch at Burdine’s with Judy and Dave from Freedom.

On our way out of Boot Key Harbor, we were escorted by 5 dolphins and were able to get a few shots and video. Sometimes you just get too excited and want to watch without messing with the camera. They are such fascinating creatures and being low in the dinghy was pretty darn cool to have them come along side you.

We love to explore by dinghy and this area is proving to be the most beautiful waters we have been in.

Friends Kenny and Susan joined us for a great couple of days. David and Kenny were road partners starting in 1980 and were on the Sheriffs Department together for close to 30 years. We have had dinner with them weekly for years (that is when we all are in town).

Kenny and Susan met us at Cortez Island (near Bradenton, Florida) for lunch back in late December as we were passing near their Florida home and now they made the trip to the Keys to spend a couple of days with us.

We headed back to Key West (our second visit ever and within 8 days of each other). This time we rode the Conch train around the city and learned a little more about the area.

Three Key West facts from our tour included:

FORTY-ONE DEGREES IS THE RECORD LOW TEMPERATURE IN KEY WEST.

This occurred twice since temperatures were recorded starting in 1873 on January 13, 1981 and January 12, 1886. Since it’s never reached freezing, there’s also never been snowfall in Key West. On average, you can expect temperature highs in the 70s to 80s year round with low temperatures in winter dipping into the 60s and sometimes 50s.

KEY WEST TRIED TO SECEDE FROM THE US IN 1982.

Key West is often referred to as the Conch Republic. This is because in 1982 the citizens advocated for secession as a revolt against the US Border Patrol who set up a roadblock and inspection at the entrance to US-1/Overseas Highway looking for illegal immigrants and narcotics. This proved to be a major inconvenience to tourists trying to access the island. Today, the Conch Republic Independence Celebration takes place every April with tongue-in-cheek celebrations and parties.

KEY LIMES DON’T GROW IN KEY WEST ANYMORE.

While key lime pie is abundant in Key West, key limes are no longer harvested in the Florida Keys. These sweet and tangy limes are imported from Mexico, India and the West Indies.

We stopped in at the famous Hogs Breath Saloon for some libations and appetizers, walked Duval Street, and checked out the street performers at Mallory Square prior to the sunset celebration.

It was a fun packed day and thanks to our dock mates Debbie and Dave for taking care of Remy, we didn’t have to hurry back.

The following morning we ventured to the Stuffed Pig for breakfast, highly recommended and we too felt like stuffed pigs when we left and then relaxed with dip in the pool and a drink from our wonderful pool bar. Just never enough time with these two.

Under the dock life

We continue to gather with our dock mates for docktails and the most magnificent sunset views commencing with the blowing of the conch shell by a fellow boater each night.

The view and the fellowship never gets old. The fish we can watch from our dock is mesmerizing. Certainly a change in scenery from our river days.

Remy also enjoys hanging out off of the boat with some of her new friends (4 legged and 2 legged) each evening. We continue to be amazed at how well our 14 ½ year old does and how she thrives visiting with people. The therapy girl in her truly shines and the love she shares in contagious. We are also encouraged by the stories we hear of other boaters who had goldens live to be older than Remy. Maybe she does want to be get to that gold looper status (one trip around) with us!

We have also been able to try out a lot of the local flavor and have visited quite a few restaurants with our fellow boaters. We are now learning why loopers talk about needing to go on diets once they return home. We need to start our diet now!

So much to do and see, we fall asleep easily each night and cannot wait for what the next day brings. Sunrise, suntan, sunset, repeat.

Cheers! David, Tasha, & Remy

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