A Change of Seasons is Evident

We continue to enjoy our time in Marathon this winter. It seems to me that most of our activity is not so much boating related, so I haven't been motivated to share a blog update. Now that we're into April, we find ourselves noting the change of seasons here, so I thought it time for an update.

One of Sandra's most recent additions

Our activities haven't changed much from the earlier reports. Sandra is still involved with the basket classes. She has helped start quite a few in this craft. Now they have gotten so excited about it, they are planning trips to Big Pine Key for needle collection, trips to flea markets for items to add to the baskets and finding places to order supplies online. We both continue with Tai Chi. Since this is our second year going through the beginning classes, we have been able to help some of the first timers. We've also enjoyed the contra dancing.

Much of my boat work has been focused on power generation. Our wind generator and solar panels provide what we need most of the time. In looking for ways to eliminate a bit of our power demands to reduce charging demands, I've replaced our lighting with the more efficient LED lights where they would make a difference. This has gotten our power generation vs use to the point where we need to run the engine only about once a month, given the breeze and sunny days here during the winter.

The windless is working again, so I won't have to pull the anchor and chain up by hand on our trip north. However, it won't run as smoothly as I'd like, since the part of the chain rode that doesn't get used much has rusted and therefore hangs up when running through the windlass. When we get back up north to VA this summer, I'll plan to clean up the chain a bit. That should help. I've also completed a few other minor projects while putting still others on the list for completion once we get back to Virginia.

The harbor is no longer as full as it has been for the past two months. The breezy days are not as consistent, so weather windows are opening up for those wishing to move on to the Bahamas. Others are finding that it's just time to begin the travel back north. As a result of the exodus, the morning net is not quite as full of announcements for events and activity here. In spite of that fact, we continue to meet people and enjoy time with new friends. The harbor staged a dinghy poker game for St. Patrick's Day. Five boats in the harbor had decks of cards. We were instructed to find each boat and pick up a card. At one boat we also got to sample some green beer or wine. At a set time all participants met at the marina. The dinghy participants with the best and worst poker hands were awarded prizes. This was just a different way to meet other cruisers. One of the couples handing our cards was on a boat just like ours. One thing led to another, and we ended up heading out by boat with them to visit Bahia Honda State Park and then spend a night at Coconut Key, one of our favorite spots for just getting away from it all.

Keeping our schedule full, we managed to volunteer our time at the annual seafood festival here during March and also volunteered at the local community theater. This got us in to see their current production of Sound of Music with great performances by the cast, some of whom were boaters here in the harbor.

We've continued to enjoy the company of visitors here in Boot Key Harbor. Our friends on Tarwathie, Dick

A long awaited swim for Dick and Libby

and Libby, arrived for a visit.  They apparently missed Marathon, since they were spending the winter way up north in North Carolina. We had a great four-day visit with them, during which they also got to catch up with a few of their other friends.  Libby even got to a basket making class, one that she had started a couple of years ago.

As we got to the end of March, Jennifer and Kaya arrived for a week's visit. Jennifer appreciates the warm weather more than most, so it was unfortunate that a cold front passed through shortly after she arrived. This meant that some of the clothes she brought for traveling to and from Virginia were needed while she was here. We managed a nice trip to Key West and another to the Dolphin Research Center in addition to getting out for a night a Coconut Key again. We also got over to Boot Key for a walk as well. Kaya loves the water and thoroughly enjoyed her time at Sombrero Beach, even if the water was a bit cool for us. She didn't want to come out of the water. We don't know if her swimming and barking while doing so was what

Jenn & Sandra enjoy great weather at the beginning of her visit.

attracted the dolphins so close to her

As Jenn drove back north, my sister Mary Jo and her husband Scott and son Toby came down for a day visit from West Palm Beach. We managed to get them out for a nice sail with several dolphins coming by very close to the boat.

Although many of our friends on boats have already left or are planning to do so in the next few days, the locals are still here for us to enjoy. We got a front row seat while a local fisherman caught and fought with a six foot tarpon for what seemed like a half hour. The following afternoon he was back with another big tarpon on the line. The fish were either released or got free of the hook after a good fight. On the

same day as the first tarpon fight, I noticed another local cleaning up the algae at the dinghy dock – a manatee. And of course, it's always fun to watch the pelicans diving for dinner in the harbor.

Samantha and family are our next visitors. They are due here in a little more than a week. We really look forward to spending time here with our three grandsons. It's such a different place from their home in NH.

Come the first of May, we'll begin to get ourselves heading north. Because we have the car here, we'll be driving that to VA first and flying back to move the boat.

In spite of all the planning, we try to live each day fully. This is a great community with lots to do, so we do our best to remember that. An example of how helpful the community can be when one is need came this morning. During the overnight we got hit by a line of thunderstorms with winds gusting up in the mid 50s. One sailboat had some worn shrouds which let go, causing the mast to come down. This morning, a call went out for help to get the end of the mast out of the mud and get it back on deck safely before the next round of storms came through today. They had more help than necessary within a short time and quickly got the mast secured on deck. Yesterday I got to help another boater who, in attempting to move their boat past other moored boats, managed to get blown into the shallows where they ran aground. With the assistance from several of us, they got a halyard stretched over to another boat and then got their boat healed enough to free the keel and get the boat into deeper water. They were appreciative, and it felt good to be of help to them.

As we prepare for our last weeks here and then head north, I'll try to be a bit more regular with blog entries. Hope all is well with you readers.

Carpe Diem,

Captain Bob