2015-4/1 to 4/30 - Lots of company - Still on the hook

APRIL

4/3 - A pleasant surprise - Kathryn drove down with Trixie in tow. We were preparing to cruise to  Key West for a long-awaited visit from my cousin, Sue & her fiance, Dean & Kate jumped at the chance to get back on the water. She left her car at the cottage planning to take the bus back to Summerland. (really?? how will you carry everything plus Trixie?)

4/4  Anchor up at 10:30 & we arrived at the new Stock Island Marina where Jay & Karen are docked.

We got fuel,(207 gallons @ $3.109/gal.) water & a pump out. The staff was kind enough to let us keep BLUE MAX at the fuel dock while we took the dinghy across the channel to the Hog Fish bar for drinks & dinner. We left the fuel dock & anchored outside the channel. There's a working boat yard next to the marina where we saw JUANITA. This is the boat our friends, Tom & Susan, lived on when we met them in Key West in 2007. Looks like someone is finally bringing her back to life.

 

JUANITA in her glory days - circa 2007

The next day we took all four pups to the dog park located at the marina. We re-connected with an old friend, Mel Brock, who lives aboard at the same marina. 

Mel in Marathon - circa 2011

 The marina also has a small, open air bar & (sort of) restaurant so we trekked over to see what it was all about. 

My dear Mel wouldn't tolerate Kathryn taking the bus so he insisted on driving her to Summerland on Monday. Can't thank him enough - I thought it was a crazy idea in the first place as she usually brings tons of 'stuff' with her. 

4/6 Anchor up at 10:30 for an hour ride to Wisteria Island, Key West where we'll anchor for the night. 
The waters around Key West are very busy with those buzzing PWC & para sail boats. It's scary to see how close they get to each other.

4/7 Little rain, partly cloudy & still windy. Good time to defrost the blasted freezer! (when was the last time you had to do that?)
4/8   - we docked at the Key West City Marina & waited for them at Dante's pool bar. Sue & Dean arrived after 7pm. We were so excited to see each other again.

Sue - happy again in the sun (US Coast Guard Station in the back ground)

By the time we had a few drinks & dumped their luggage on the boat, it was after 9pm - it was hard to find a restaurant still serving dinner. , the staff at Eat It Raw Bar was getting ready to close & hostess said 'no'. Luckily, someone above her pay grade said 'sure, we'll serve you'.
4/9 I don't remember what we did, but Sue & Dean went into 'town'. We reconnoitered in the afternoon & decided to splurge at La Trattoria, a lovely Italian restaurant on Duval St. We (sorta) got dressed up & off we went. 

One of my favorite restaurants in Old Town. Exquisite, old building - intimate, refined, white table clothes, excellent service & really good Italian food. So if you're in KW, this is a must stop.

Fuzzy picture from the web- but think you can see what I mean

Behind (& attached) the restaurant is Virgilio's. A vibrant venue for those who can stay awake till 10pm when the music starts. Amazingly, we did. It was Salsa Thursday & my favorite Cuban band was playing. The place was full of locals. The 'boys' were happy that Sue & I were happy to dance together & not insist they join us. Walking back to the boat was interesting after drinking all night. 

This wind won't quit! We deployed the para vanes & cruised 1 1/2 hours out to Boca Grande. Once anchored in the channel, the island blocked the wind & made for a comfortable few days. New signs on the beach - no pets...your kidding right? Everyone takes their dogs ashore...& so did we.

Dragging Sue back to BLUE MAX

Dean & Wayne

Wayne & Dean spent days & days talking  everything cars & drinking beer, of course. 
 Sue packed meat from her butcher - We always eat well when they visit. The marinated steaks were to die for. She even got me my favorite - pork roll.

It was a wonderful few days but, alas, they had to leave on 4/12. The smile on Sue's face didn't last long - she always cries when we have to say good bye.

Their rental car was in the parking garage. We did a 'touch n' go' at the fuel dock & said good bye again. 
Since the wind kept blowing like stink we anchored behind Wisteria Island for about a week. 

I love innovative people

While in Key West, we got to see Raven's 'show' (a great singer) at the Schooner Wharf.  We met Jay & Karen at the Tropic Cinema to see "The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel". I loved the movie. 
While pulling the anchor on the 23rd we encountered a bit of a problem & a surprise...this was wrapped all around our anchor chain.

Wayne couldn't release it from above - he took the dinghy forward then I lowered the ladder onto the dinghy where he was able to unwrap it. It's amazing how much s&#t is in the water!
We cruised & anchored outside the Safe Harbor channel again. It was hot, in the 90's. I made meatloaf, Karen supplied the sides. Another dinner & a movie night.
I'm over making dinner so is Karen. The next night we dinghied over to KW Harbor for happy hour & small plates. Another fine night with good friends, food & wine. 

Key West Harbor 2nd floor cozy restaurant

View from the restaurant

No comment needed

4/25 Anchor up @ 11:30 - it was hot & sunny; went 'outside' to fish...but, unfortunately, no catching. Anchored back in Niles Channel at 5:30.
Wayne continued with smaller projects like replacing the port/starboard light on the dinghy. Nobody seems to make anything that lasts more than a few years.
4/27 My permanent crowns were 'installed'. Only one event of gagging while flossing. I can't believe it's finally over. I will miss Chris & his amazing staff-especially Paula. Either Chris had to sit for the picture or all of us would have had to stand on chairs - He's 6'7" !!

Grace, Denise, Chris & Paula

 Three days left in the month. We trailer-ed the dinghy to Stock Island to have the 20 hour check done on the outboard. There was a pretty significant storm that came through with lots of wind & rain that filled our water tanks & cleaned the boat. (Several years ago Wayne put in a water collection 'system' from the hard top to the tanks - mighty clever)

Hope you stay tuned

We ARE leaving soon