BIG CHANGE

Well, we have some big news. We are in the process of buying another boat. The new to us boat is considerably larger than Morgan, and I can stand up anywhere in the boat. We are going for the "sea trial" on Monday. It is a Marine Trader 36. A trawler (slow power boat). It does have a mast with one sail though. The sail is used to steady the boat in rough weather not for propulsion. I know, I know it's not a sailboat, but it is a boat. After living on Morgan for some time now we are both ready for more room, lots more room. Even though it will feel like a mansion to us it would still be quite small to a dirt dweller. I will post pics soon.

That means Morgan is for sale. If interested please contact me. I will be making up an ad soon and will put it here on the blog along with other places.

One good thing about the new boat is that it has two bedrooms and two bathrooms so we can now have guests, so start lining up. Wow we will be going from a boat with no shower to one with two. Live is good.

Key West

We took a drive over to Key West yesterday. We drove around, walked on the beach, and ate lunch. I am so glad we went to Marathon instead of Key West. It was so busy with so many people it was unbelievable. Also totally geared to tourism. I actually couldn't wait to get out. Marathon is so much more laid back. It is so nice to watch the beautiful sunsets here in the harbor. There is also feeling of community here. It has much more of a family atmosphere than most places.

After we got back from Key West we went to Sombrero Beach here near Marathon. It was a good day.

Sharon enjoying the ride with the windows down.

Key West beach

Beach at Key West

Key West

Sombrero Beach

Sombrero Beach

Pigeon Key

We went for a bike ride the other day to Pigeon Key. It was the 100th anniversary of the Flagler railroad. Pigeon Key is an island that is in the middle of the seven mile bridge. They built buildings there for the bridge tender and the workers building the bridge. It was about 3 miles to where the bridge starts, and then another 2 1/2 miles of bridge to the island. A pretty good bike ride. the original bridge is closed now. It was replaced years ago with a new one. It was an interesting time.They had a lot of activities. One was to let kids hold and play with snakes and a couple of gators. The ranger was letting one kid sit on a small gator, while he was talking to someone the kid jumped off and the gator took off. The ranger had to dive to catch it before it got away.

Old bridge to Pigeon Key

Old bridge on the right, new one on the left.

Ranger diving to catch the gator.

Bridge tenders house.

Kids having fun.

If you look close you can see a sea turtle.

I know, I know...

I know it been awhile since I blogged, but you have to remember that I am in paradise. The high yesterday was 79. We have been sleeping with all the hatches open and it is about perfect at night. I have been very busy doing nothing. I have a to do list for the boat with about 10 things on it. So far all I have got done is one item, and it wasn't even on the list!

I don't know where all my time goes. One cruiser was asked "Aren't you bored? What do you do all day?" His answer was "I don't know, but it takes me all day to do it." That is exactly how I feel. We have been here in Boot Key Harbor for two and a half weeks now and it feels like three days to me.

We have been meeting alot of people. It is like a small town here in the harbor. Lots of get togethers, pot lucks, and a movie night. We found a really good church close by that I really like going to.  We may end up staying here for awhile. I can think of worse place to be.

Time will tell.

Stormy Night

Well they are predicting 30 knots of wind tonight and tomorrow here in Boot Key Harbor. We are already rocking and rolling, but we are on a mooring instead of an anchor. As I sit here thinking about the weather forecast I have mixed emotions. First of all I am on a mooring, If the mooring is properly installed and maintained, that is much more secure than an anchor. The reality of it is though we are in a government ran mooring field. That means the guy with the cheapest bid got the job of installing the moorings, and the guy with the cheapest bid for maintaining them also maintains them. Oh well I am sure it will be fine.

We have been having a good time here in the harbor. I have been riding my bike alot. We were going to go to Key Weird, I mean Key West tomorrow, but decided to wait until Wednesday instead because of the weather.

Entering Boot Key Harbor

Gonna be a windy night