2002 - January - February - March 8th - Planning W. Coast FL trip

When we spent most of New Year’s Eve, 1/02, in the ER at Fishermen’s Hospital with my mom, I should have known it was a bad omen for the New Year. The first week was full of emotion and turmoil. It ended with the dreaded decision to place mom in the Key West Convalescent Center. My fears were unfounded as she rallied and was actually enjoying all the attention and activities. I felt great relief knowing she was safe and cared for. We took her for a fun filled day on Duval to enjoy the art festival.  

We turned our attention to planning another trip and possibly renting the cottage. Could I possibly be lucky enough to get a L.O.A. two years in a row? Never know till you ask...and what’s the worst that can happen anyway? Elation quickly turned to gloom when Meredith said she was moving out of the Keys-probably by the end of April. How do you replace someone with her knowledge, adaptability and that terrific sense of humor. And, of course, on the selfish side, how could I ever go on an extended trip again! After much discussion, we decided to go for it anyway & plan a 6-week trip before Meredith’s departure. I wasn’t keen on traveling in the “winter” months but it was that or nothing. I wrote my letter requesting the leave and spoke to my boss, Meylan. Always anticipating her thoughts and concerns about the job, I was prepared with all the answers before she asked them. She agreed. YIPPEE! It was a busy time with an already planned, one-week cruise January 6 aboard the Norway. This was Wayne’s first experience on a boat where he didn’t have to fix something or change the oil. The weather was
perfect in St. Thomas & St. Maarten and I got to dress up, gamble and be served luscious meals.

 
We went to the Miami Boat Show February 14 for 3
days. Found a youth hostile in Miami Beach with free parking, private room with bath, pool area with full bar, restaurant, free breakfast, and easy walking distance to the show and only $50/night. (most rooms cost $200++ & pay for parking) We’re keeping this ‘our secret’! We spent several weekends moving stuff from house to boat; taking unwanted clothes and “stuff” to Sally’s; storing unused “stuff” in the shed. Taking time to attend the Boat Show came with a price. We worked like dogs on Sunday the 18th cleaning every inch of the boat. You know, life always has it’s good news and bad news. The good news is renting gives you a nice income; the bad news, you can’t watch Aly McBeal on the boat!  Things are definitely looking up. Where to go? Cuba, Bahamas, New Orleans or West coast to the Panhandle. More discussion. Only 6 weeks. (only 6 weeks-most people would give anything to have this time-I’m very lucky and I know it) Decided the West Coast and try to make Cedar Key, visit friends & family; Greg & Joanne, Elaine & George, Jack & Mo and invite Lexie for a weekend somewhere along the trip. Sounds like a plan to me. My only wish was to fish for Snook and Redfish like I used to - on the beach with a bucket full of live pin fish just caught in my seine net, pole and pliers. Now you’re talking...It’s really the only thing I miss from living in that part of Florida. OK, I’m psyched, even though it is winter and full of tourists, I can do this! Work was going well. I had things well under control and had a plan. Wayne, on the other hand, had started to strip, sand and Cetol the teak on deck. Alfonso (a friend & local lobster guy) helped him strip it and was a great help. BLUE MAX will surely stand tall on this trip, but would the engine start, the generator work and batteries be charged? These were the questions burning in my mind the week before departure. Sunday, March 3rd We started the engine on and discovered the alternator wasn’t charging the batteries. Got his repair manuals out and down in the engine room he went. Performed every test suggested then put his “spare” alternator on. No go. Figured it was the regulator. Put his “spare” regulator on. No go. (It’s a wonder the boat floats-he has more parts than in a Defender catalog) Took all parts to Key West electric. Turns out, the spare alternator was missing a ground screw and the existing alternator was just exhausted- brushes were worn. Both regulators were peachy keen. YEA! I knew he could do it. Somehow, this trip was easier to prepare for...probably due to the fact that we had already relocated our “stuff” onto the boat weeks ahead of time. All we had to do was clean up from the ongoing “projects”, do laundry, food shop and pray for a high tide and no storms. Friday, March 8^th Departure The big day arrived - (Remember last year? it was Friday the 13th) All loose ends were addressed. We had to wait until 4-5pm for the high tide. I had that dreaded “waiting for the other shoe to drop” syndrome. It didn’t. Our neighbors, Shirley, Dick, Tom and Inky came to the sea wall to bid us adieu.

Wayne put the boat in reverse, just enough to loosen the spring line. “STOP...put the lines back”. The boat wouldn’t go into forward and the wind was blowing us quickly back down the canal! (It was the shoe- or the Gods like last trip) Down in the engine room he went. I paced trying not to show my disappointment. I heard him say “Ah Ha”. (That's always a good sign.) The cable end came off the shift lever, apparently bumped off when he was changing the heat exchanger or transmission cooler. Easy fix and we were on our way. Unfortunately, even though the tide was over the top rail of the swim ladder, it wasn’t a nice, full tide so we bumped all the way out. I was below when Wayne increased the RPMs. I never felt such horrible vibration before in the aft cabin. I tried not to panic and said, sweetly “do you feel a vibration”? Mr. “doom and gloom” figured it was a bent prop...had to be hauled out in Marathon...Timidly, I suggested it just might be something we picked up on our way out. Good idea...Engine in neutral then reverse & a moderate sized brown piece of something floated off.... no more vibration!! Onward to Marathon. Wayne not feeling well. Figured it was the “getting ready to go away” jitters. It was “chilly” and damp, seas 1-2 foot with at least 10 knot wind. Anchored at 10:30pm, bayside just off the Banana Bay Marina. I couldn’t wait to snuggle under the blankets.                      Sunset over Pretty Joe Rock, Bayside, Marathon, FL