Traveling the Keys

Wednesday looks like the day we may jump over to the Bahamas, so I thought I'd better update the blog before we go.  We are planning to spend most of our time in the outer islands of the Exumas and I'm not sure what to expect in the way of internet service there.

At La Ti Da--Cher

Randy Roberts signature character

Since last writing, my sister, Pat, and her husband, Jim, from Wausaukee, Wisconsin (an hour north of Green Bay) have spent a week with us.  We met them in Key West and spent three nights there showing them the sights.  By now, we feel like tour guides in that area!  We were only going to be there two nights, but had an electrical problem that needed attention. Apparently a power surge hit us on a very windy day and fried two old TVs and the microwave.  We stayed the extra day to get everything checked out and working properly. Since we were there the extra night, Pat and I and Connie (in neighboring boat) took in a show at La Ti Da--Randy Roberts, female impersonator.  What fun!   He impersonated  Bett Midler, Cher, and a signature character.    When in Key West!!!!
     On Saturday, Jan. 7th, we left Key West and headed east on the Hawk Channel, the Atlantic side.  The water was fairly calm so we decided to make a side trip to Loo Key for a dive and snorkel.  Tom and I dove and came into a school of a dozen or more LARGE barracuda--at least 5 - 6 feet.  It was amazing, but also intimidating.  They had a sly "smile" that showed their teeth and I decided we should turn around and leave them to their business. Wish we had taken our camera with us.  After leaving Loo Key, we went just off Little Torch Key and anchored in Newfound Harbor.  The current was rather swift so it was not a very calm anchorage.  But we had an amazing sunset and Pat and I were domino champions!

Can't get enough of these amazing sunsets!

     The following day we moved east to Bahia Honda--a state park.  The entrance to the harbor is quite shallow, so we decided to anchor between the highway 1 bridge and the old railroad bridge.  Again, a swift current did not make for a restful night, so the next day we entered the harbor at high tide and tied up to the wall.  Ah!  No rocking and sound sleep that night!  Pat and I snorkeled and we all  hiked on the old railroad bridge which is now a national monument.  The bridge was built in the early 1900's and was a massive undertaking.  I believe it was only used until the late 20's.

Sunset through the old RR bridge at Bahia Honda State Park

Now a little flora so I can stay active with Nancy Weber Garden Club.  The following pictures were taken at the state park.

Sea grapes.  Look carefully you can see the grapes.
Apparently you can make jelly and wine from them.

Thatch palm-- for tiki hut roofs!

Leaving Bahia Honda on Tuesday, we headed for Marathon.  We paralleled the highway 1 seven mile bridge and a key named Missouri Key.  The story goes that some of the men working on the railroad bridge were homesick for their homes in Missouri and thus named the key, Missouri Key. Pat and Jim had a chance to see dolphins jumping in the distance.  I was hoping they would come alongside like the one below, but just seeing them anywhere is a thrill.

The high point on seven mile bridge is 65 ft. Most sailboats
can cross here from the Atlantic to the Gulf side.

Missouri Key

Keeping up with Raydiance (see the boat shadow and wake)
Taken as we were heading toward Coral Bay Marina at Islamorada

We stayed at a very nice resort/marina, Banana Bay, in Marathon.  We enjoyed the use of their pool and hot tub and a funky island restaurant next door.  Pat and Jim took a shuttle back to Key West on Wednesday.  Their visit went by much too quickly. One of the gold loopers (meaning they have completed the loop) on the dock offered us the use of their car so that we could do a  major grocery run.  We greatly appreciated that as we were supplying for the Bahama trip and our little roll cart wasn't going to be adequate!  The following day Tom and I rented bicycles and pedaled around the island.  We found Craig and Ginny (aboard Brown-Eyed Girl) in a marina on the other side of town and enjoyed reconnecting with them.  Last time we had seen them, we were anchored together up a small river and tied to trees hoping to avoid a tornado in Alabama.  

What a way to travel!

We are now at Coral Bay Marina in Islamorada.  The first night here we were invited to share in a dock pizza party.  We have met such generous people at each stop. Today we attended the Matecumbe United Methodist Church which is just across the road from the marina.  Many snowbirds and other travelers were there.  One man came up to us after the service and told us he knew Janis Chatman from Farmington.  So if any of you see Janis, tell her cousin Jerry Narrowmoor from Louisiana, Missouri says hello.

 Several people at this marina have been to the Bahamas and they have shared with us much advice and information.  They recommended that we leave from here and get the full advantage of the Gulf Stream, but the winds are not favorable yet.  So we are going to head east tomorrow up the ICW (which is on the Florida Bay side of the Keys) to Biscayne Bay.  There we will wait until the wind and wave forecast is a go.  I'll leave you with this picture of a unique boat in the harbor at Loralie Marina in Islamorada.  

This really should be in Key West!