A DAY IN BOOT KEY - MARATHON

This is one big mooring field and anchorage!  There are boats as far as the eye can see.  And there are nice boats and not-so-nice boats and many in between. And boy, are there ever some real characters around here.  

Looking West towards bridge

Looking East toward marina

A "sea" of boats

Beware of mastless sailboats!

We have learned to beware of boats that look nasty.  The one above is only just questionable, there are alot worse around here.  

This morning we wanted to rehook our main anchor.  When we tried to pull it up in the storm the other night we were unable to.  We discovered there is a chain running the length of the anchorage (which is not marked or mentioned anywhere) and sure enough, we had hooked it.  Art on the neighboring boat S/V Salt Shaker informed us of the chain's existence and he came over in his dinghy to help out.  

We winched it up, put a line on the bad chain, dropped the anchor a bit and got rid of it.  We got reset and moved far away from that nasty chain.  

Then it was time to head into the Marathon City Marina for a shower and more. It is quite the place.  They charge $22/day to moor your dinghy but it does include a shower (or two as the case may be) garbage disposal and a pump out. 

Outer dinghy dock

They have a big shedlike building that houses the office a boaters lounge to use wifi and chat, 2 TV areas with theater seating a couple info boards, incoming and outgoing mail, a workshop where you can reserve space for special projects and rent storage.  

Behind this building are the laundry and shower facilities.  Felt great to take a nice hot shower for a change!  Once we were cleaned up we went to the Cracked Conch and had a spot of lunch, made a run to the grocery and headed back to the marina.  They have a tiki hut by the dingy dock that was full of interesting people.  

Tomorrow there will be a Super Bowl potluck in the lounge but it's supposed to be high winds and rain so we'll have to see if fate will allow us to attend.

Heading back to the boat we took a few pictures of some mainstays around here including Harber Hillbillies where you can pull in your dinghy and get breakfast or lunch.  

Rain moved in just as we got back to the boat so looks like this afternoon will consist of reading and/or playing gin or backgammon.  Weather is still looking not-so-hot for awhile so I have a feeling we will get the opportunity to experience alot more of this place before it's all said and done...