HOLDING PATTERN

Well you may be wondering why you have not seen a post recently.  We are alive and well however we have been living in Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, FL for over a week now.  The winds just keep blowing from the wrong direction so we are just biding our time and trying to get used to life living at anchor.   We are adapting to life on the hook as best we can although it is a little confining as everything is a dinghy ride or more away.   We have enjoyed the lovely sunrises and sunsets, manatees roaming the harbor, some nice saxaphone playing at cocktail hour courtesy of someone on the boat Windancer and meeting other cruisers.  We get out and walk every day and always seem to find something new and different.  We are keeping busy just keeping up with cleaning and maintenance and studying the weather too.  All in all, life could definitely be worse!

Beautiful reflections

Momma and baby manatees right next to our boat

Another pastel sky

Almost stopped for a game of chess

You don't see an ambulance like this up North

Every morning there is a cruiser's net broadcast on radio channel 68 at 9 am. They have incoming, outgoing boats, general announcements, boats who need help, buy/sell/trade, trivia and then final business.  It is kind of neat.  They run these in many larger anchorage areas like this but it is the first time I have heard one, let alone particpated.  It gives you a clue as to what is happening locally and almost every plea for help whether it is a tow for a dinghy, fixing a steeringnsystem or help going up your mast is answered almost immediately. There are characters here but also a real sense of community.

John and I took a dingy ride to Sombrero Beach on Monday and walked the beach.  It was a nice day and in retrospect we probably should have moved North but the winds were supposed to pick up again from the wrong direction the following day, which indeed they did.  

We took a little trip to Key West one day with the crews of  Sea Pearl and Cool Runnings.  Left the boats about 7:30AM and headed for the bus stop.  The price was right, it was a total of $5.50 for John and I one way.  It only took a little over an hour and we immediately went to the wharf.  Had a spot of breakfast and it was off to Duvall Street.  

Made a few stops at various establishments but kept it pretty tame.  Gary insisted we go to the Garden of Eden but it was too early for the "regular" crowd and we didn't get to see anything shocking!  Before we knew it, it was time to try to find a bus stop and catch the Northbound.  That in itself was quite an experience.  We had to quit drinking liquid of any kind an hour in advance as it was a 2 hour ride home and we knew there would be no potty stops.  Sure was an interesting ride.  It was crowded and people were standing.  Met some other land cruisers and had a few laughs despite the length of the ride.  It was dark and we were all pooped by the time we got back to the boats but a day well spent.

Winds continue to be from the wrong direction to move north to stage for a Bahamas crossing and alas our little floatilla will be parting ways.  The other 2 boats travelling with us have decided to abandon their plan to go to the Bahamas.  They have had their fill of sitting at anchor and have reserved slips at Stock Island Marina near Key West for a month and pulled out this morning. We wish our friends all the best, we will miss them!

John and I are not giving up the hope that we will get a weather window and eventually be able to cross to the Bahamas.  Worst case, we will travel up the East coast a bit to Miami and check that out since we have not traversed those waters before.  There are plenty of folks here waiting to go to the Bahamas too so picking up another Buddy boat won't be a problem.  There is a list in the lounge here of folks waiting to go.  Can't get it to show right but here it is.

So, our plan for now is to continue holding here but we are anxious to be underway somewhere sometime soon.  In the meantime, we'll embrace what we have here and keep on smiling!  Happy Valentines Day to you all.  Love the crew of Free Bird!