1-28 We originally planned on leaving this morning but the weather was forecasted to be windy and with high seas. Needless to say that did not come about and we decided to spend another day here in Fort Myers Beach. I got a few boat projects done this morning along with my first eye spice in 1/4 inch line. We did go to the beach and spend the majority of the day there. It was a bit cool but sitting in the sun it was just perfect. Karen and I watched the sun soaked seniors pass by with far too little clothes, They are very comfortable down here with their appearances with or without clothes. One of the workers at the marina insinuated that they all come down here for the winter months to swing a little (you know what I mean). Our friends on S/V Fracas tell me the seniors participate in denture parties instead of keys parties.
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| The Enemy |
Our time on the beach was very nice and we decided to get something to eat. I ordered a Cuban sandwich and Karen a Chicken wrap. I bought them and returned to Karen at our perfect beach picnic spot. We opened the styrofoam containers and it was like I spread chum all around us on the beach. Seagulls were everywhere attacking while Karen screamed, one gull attacked from the rear and got a hold of one half of her wrap. Luckily Karen had a better hold than the seagull. I sprang into action and scared them away. I scantily clad senior walked by and said to keep the food very close to our bodies while we ate and we’d be OK. We followed his directions and ate feeling as though we were with Tippi Hendren on the set of the birds. They sat only feet away from us watching our every move. Occasionally I would need to swing a mesh bag around to scare them a few feet further back. I only hit Karen in the head twice. They stayed there staring us down until the leather skinned woman behind us let her dog, a visor wearing Yorkie out of its home which looked like a large purse. The gulls scattered after that. Hurray for the Yorkie and many thanks to the owner.
We arrived back to the boat just in time to watch the sun go down. We prepped Last Mango for our 7 AM departure.
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| Karen hard at work. |
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| Isn't a beauty! |
1-30 We had a good travel day today even though we motored the whole way. The water is now a beautiful shade of blue and the weather is warm. While traveling today Karen cleaned the inside of Last Mango, washed the floors, windows, hatches and screens. She looks great, all she needs is a good washing outside to remove the salt caked on from the past week.
We receive news and comments from people back home and they know we’re having a good time. Karen thinks that I only put good or fun things on the blog which is true. I don’t speak of the difficulty of doing simple things or of being uncomfortable missing the luxuries of a home and unlimited water or even hot water and power. Being able to visit a store without having to arrange for travel or carrying groceries back. Earlier in the week I rowed back and forth several times to the dock shuttling water to Last Mango. We don’t use much water but I moved about 60 gallons in 6 gallon jerry cans sometimes having to row three quarters of a mile. Karen is adjusting to the inability of not being able to move about easily. Getting on and off the boat requires climbing down the back of Last Mango’s boarding ladder and into a moving dinghy which moves up and down with each wave or bit of current. It’s similar to climbing a 4 foot ladder and stretching a foot across a 2 foot gap wearing roller skates, not that easy. Anything that goes on or off the boat moves up and down the ladder, groceries, water, beer and laundry. Needless to say it’s not easy. Granted we’re not working and do have more time to perform these tasks, but going shopping for groceries can be a day long affair. We have not watched television for weeks, I can’t say I miss it but I do hope to visit a bar for the Superbowl. We do have fun though. You make it what you can.
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| Sundown at Indian Key |
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| Speed boats surprise us the middle of nowhere |
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| It was cool. We thought we heard military jets at first. |
1-31 Today Fracas and Last Mango left Little Shark River at 7 AM and were quickly sailing south to Marathon. The winds were 15 knots from the NNE and forecasted to build to 25 knots from the E as the day wore on. Last Mango was using her whisker pole and things were great as the wind slowly died late morning. I threatened several times to bring out the “Damn Sail” (Spinnaker) and finally did as the wind dropped to 10 knots. Shortly thereafter Last Mango was passing Fracas, not something that happens that often as Fracas is a 42 foot ketch and usually slows her self down so Last Mango can hang with her. As the day wore on Last Mango was screaming at over 8 knots before we took the Damn sail down and returned to jib and main. The wind really picked up as we saw gusts over 25 knots, we were reefed down cruising along at 5.5 to 6.5 knots comfortably. We did note a small tear in the seam of the jib while sailing and were very cautious sailing afterwards. If wind permits we’ll drop the jib tomorrow and use the Sailrite sewing machine to repair the seam and apply some sail tape. After crossing under the 7 Mile bridge we did have to motor the 2.5 miles against the wind and waves to Marathon where we anchored outside on the lee side of the key. The wind and waves kept us from moving any faster that 4 knots. Once anchored Karen and I both had a beer and cleaned up the boat and ourselves. We were exhausted and kicked back, ate dinner and then lots of peanut M&M’s. I can tell it’s going to be an early night.
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| Beautiful Fracas, She's a Whitby 42 |
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| Moving Under the Damn Sail |
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| The Damn Sail treated us well. |
2-1 After a little exploration by dinghy with the crew of Fracas we decided to move inside Boot Key Harbor in Marathon because of changing wind conditions outside. While motoring in I noticed Last Mango’s motor was not pumping as much water as usual and was concerned. I had cleaned the strainer not that long ago and went to check it again and it was mostly clean. After we anchored I started on correcting the issue to no avail. I checked everything, even dove under the boat and cleaned the through-hull, evening was coming on and we needed showers and to setup to watch the Superbowl, it will have to wait for tomorrow. Very nice to be inside where the water is calm except for the wakes of dinghy’s or moving cruisers.
It’s certainly crowded, everyone and their brother who owns anything that floats is in here enjoying the weather and other interesting things Marathon has to offer. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to get pictures of little oddities that I’ve seen and can’t really put them into words. I found out that old men like to dress up as pirates and ride really nice Cannonade bicycles though Marathon. Older women in Marathon who ride around in Boston Whalers appear to have issues with their swim suit bottoms disappearing up their butt cracks. I’ll try later to post a picture so you get the idea. One picture is worth a thousand words.
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| New Friend Charles |
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| Truly a House Boat |
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| Mangroves of Indian Key |
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| More of Indian Key |
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| Scuba Steve scraping barnacles off of Mango |
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| Seven Mile Bridge |
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| Not Sure |
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| Karen sewing a small tear in the jib. |
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| Small Eagle Ray swimming by the anchor. |
2-2 Tomorrow came and I did a few more engine raw water checks and started up the motor and it was pumping water like it should. Either I cleared a blockage or something like that, but things are good now.
For all the floating derelict boats floating around one would think that the area is very polluted, if it is I don’t see it. We woke up to dogs barking at dolphins swimming in the water near us and a Manatee slowly swam by as Karen was preparing to do some sewing on our jib. While Karen and Mary Lynn went shopping I stayed aboard and made sure I wasn’t getting too close to my new neighbors. The boat nearest Last Mango is Freyla and it’s been there for 2 years. I spoke with the owner and he didn’t seem fazed by Last Mango’s close proximity. My other neighbor Charles came to visit and told Karen and I that he’s new to boating and has been known to drag anchor, but he thinks it’s OK now. He appears to be about 70 years old and keeps to himself although he seems to be taking a liking to us. Today he gave us information on how to take the bus down to Key West for the day on the cheap. Also gave us the lowdown on where to tie the dinghy up for free. Free is good.
This morning I participated in my first cruisers net, the Marathon Cruisers net. I found it very informative although I think Karen thinks it is a little nutty. The Boot Key Harbor office / Boaters lounge is that biggest I’ve ever seen and it even has a work shop, library and 3 different TV’s. It’s a very busy place. Karen and I got showers again tonight and were able to connect to the marina WIFI to publish the blog.
We’re very happy here with sun and 80 degrees, not dealing with the 20 inches of snow that’s in Chicago now.
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