2001- March - April - Preeaparation & on our way up the Keys

Wayne had his work cut out for him in the last few months before departure. Some work was truly necessary. Some, he just always wanted to do but never seemed to get ‘round tuit’. So, like most men, being “under the gun” made it the perfect time to accomplish these tedious tasks. (Replaced the exhaust elbow and installed an exhaust over-temp switch, adjusted the valves and installed a bypass lube oil filter on the generator. Also installed an automatic fresh water flush system, replaced the reverse osmosis elements and pressure vessels as well as the boost pump on the water maker. Meanwhile, a palm frond fell on BLUE MAX – one of the teak hand rails had to be replaced. There was more…refer to the BLUE MAX log book for more details) I had my own work cut out for me as I had the monumental job of educating Meredith in being adept at all I do, planning a network of people so my mom’s needs would be met and working together with Wayne to provision the boat. I came home on my last day of work extremely excited, just like a little kid again. 

THURSDAY, APRIL 12^th    SUMMERLAND KEY

The good news was: Captain Wayne was successful in getting BLUE MAX out of the canal and she was anchored in Niles Channel.  The bad new was: 

a message on the answering machine… “The dingy won’t go into forward…” he was stranded and that wasn’t all.  While waiting for me to get home, he opened the port lazerette and found a steady stream of water pouring into the bilge! There was a broken bolt on the swim platform bracket. (Probably a result of backing down on a snagged fishing line in big seas on our way home from Ft. Lauderdale last Christmas) Fortunately, we had not yet put my boat, TIGGER TOO, in storage so I was able to use her as a dingy.  This seemed to be yet another bad omen…was “someone” really trying to tell us not to go?

FRIDAY, APRIL 13^th       NILES CHANNEL

 For the sake of simplicity, I’ll summarize what happened on Friday the 13^th. The dink motor was taken to Marathon for repair. Wayne hitched a ride back to Summerland with his friend, Bob Lloyd.  My car remained in Marathon. I closed the house up and hauled the last of the provisions out to BLUE MAX. Next, we took TIGGER TOO to Keys Sea Center on Big Pine for dry storage.  Our neighbor, Tom, picked us up and drove us home. We then hitched a ride out to BLUE MAX with Jim, another neighbor.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14^th  Wind, SE, less than 10 knots, clear skies. At 1040 we proceeded out in the Atlantic about 10 miles. I had a troll line out but no luck. For some reason, one of the depth sounders was not reading. The seas were rough and confused in the Gulf Stream.

We arrived at the Bahia Honda anchorage at 1430. We put the dingy in and went ashore. I rowed.  Meredith was working (her 2^nd job). She helped secure our lines, got some water for Molly and offered some smart ass comments about me having to row shore (God, I’ll miss her).  We explored Bahia Honda and took the road up to the old bridge…Wayne’s first time up there. (now that’s a first – I’ve been, he hasn’t) We used the digital camera for the first time and took some pictures in the woods,  BLUE MAX in the harbor from the bridge and a magnificent sunset. 

 

 

Old bridge on the left - new one on the right

SUNDAY, APRIL 15^th (Easter) Calm, in the 80’s. Gorgeous day. We left Bahia Honda even though we would rather stay here than in a boat yard but we called ahead - Keys Boat Works suggested to come in on Sunday night so they could haul us first thing on Monday.

I got the car and spent the afternoon with mom and took her to dinner. Wayne stayed aboard and changed the oil in the main engine. Later, we joined Bob, Annabelle and Mable poolside at Sombrero Resort for happy hour and live music.

MONDAY, APRIL 16^th Calm and warm. Another beautiful day in paradise but, unfortunately, the Gods were against us once again – trouble with the travel lift which delayed the haul out until Tuesday. Meanwhile, Wayne picked up the outboard for the dink, hopefully, repaired. They said the linkage had come out of adjustment. Cost: $41.  He took the depth sounder to Jon Johnson for evaluation and repair. We spent another $100 or so at Publix on more last minute shopping. (with this much food onboard, we shouldn’t have to buy anything more!)

TUESDAY, APRIL 17^th  Calm and warm. Hauled BLUE MAX just before noon.

Wayne changed all the zincs and replaced the Genset through hull intake screen with a larger one. (the Genset always seemed to not have enough water flow even though it never overheated; the exhaust was noisier than it should have been.) I went to surprise mom at the senior’s meal center and to meet Bob and the rest of the ‘gang’ she hangs out with every day. What great people!! & they fed me too.  I brought mom over to see the boat on the lift. The broken bolt was replaced and the boat was back in the water by 1700.  Cost: $542. Ouch!

We went to Faro Blanco for happy hour then to Banana Bay Resort for dinner. (Wayne’s favorite place in Marathon). What a beautiful resort. I had been there only once and only to the Tiki hut. The Tiki hut had burned down since I was there so we went to see the newly built structure. 

It was good to see they kept the sand ‘floors’. We checked out the marina. Wayne’s friends, Pete and Geneva, who live aboard WOODJA, already left the marina.
By the time we got back to the boat yard, the wind had picked up & a commercial fishing boat, ROBERTO JR., was crossways in the channel. BLUE MAX was directly in her path if she came loose.  Wayne called the Coast Guard, who, in turn, called the Marine Patrol. I flashed the Q beam around in an attempt to get someone’s attention on ROBERTO. Finally, someone showed up and secured the boat. (the gods were still playing with us)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18^th Brisk North winds: 20-25 knots. Cold. Wayne picked up the depth sounder. (another $117, but it works better than ever) We took the car home, grabbed a few things we forgot and put away things we overlooked. (will we ever be ready to go?)

Bob Lloyd & family picked us up at the cottage with their van which was filled to capacity with provisions for Irrational’s trip to Ohio. (Wayne owned IRRATIONAL for 10 years before selling it to Bob) Bob and Annabelle plan to leave May 1^st for Cincinnati taking their boat up the Tom-Bigbee and Ohio River.

When we got back wind from the North was so strong BLUE MAX was pinned to the dock. It looked ominous for our planned departure in the morning.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19^th North wind: 25 knots; whitecaps in the bay and was cold. To leave or not to leave today – that is the question. After much discussion & in consideration of my depressed state for only being in Marathon, we left at 1400.