Sum Escape: Marathon Feb 22-March 3

Tuesday Feb 23 our neighbors at Faro Blanco (and one of the boats we hope to cross to Bimini Bahamas with next month) DeVere and Carole on Job Site invited us out boating for the day. Imagine that, after a month in the marina we actually went boating (no dinghying)! Jeff and Susan from Act III were also aboard. The original intent was lunch at the Island Fish Company followed by snorkeling, but the water was too rough for the snorkeling so we went to Burdines for key lime pie after lunch instead. Tough trade off there! Burdines is definitely my favorite key lie pie in the area! We spent a full day on the water aboard Job Site a beautiful Sea Ray 48 sedan bridge. Thanks so much DeVere and Carole, it was a great day on the water!
DeVere the captain and Jeff.

Beautiful water!

Tom's friends...

Returning...we are the small one!

It was a beautiful day here on Wed with bright sun and a high of nearly 80. Wed night we went to Sunset Grille with 12 others. Clouds came in to occlude the sunset but it was still a great time. It was a bit of a reunion as Ralph and Linda (Mazel Tug), Carey and Nancy (LeeLoo) and Dick and Pat (Dream Catcher) were all there too.
A nice moonrise....

Thursday we made a couple trips to the grocery store beginning our "stock up" for the Bahamas. We also purchased a new pannier for the folding bike to help us with grocery runs. It works great!

Friday we stopped by to say good bye to Ralph and Linda (Mazel Tug) over at Blackfin Marina as they were planning to leave for points north on Sat. It has been so much fun travelling with you both...we'll miss you guys but will see you in N Carolina this summer we hope! Thanks for the DVD's and old fire hose (used as chafe guard on dock lines)...they will all be useful.
We played cards with Carey and Nancy (LeeLoo) on Friday and also said goodbye as they left on Monday for points north.
It has been such a pleasure travelling with you Mazel Tug and LeeLoo....we will miss you but hope our paths will cross again.
Julie's brother Kevin and sister in law Deb arrived for two days on Saturday. They were on their way to stay in Key West for a few days. We had some great meals together and enjoyed watching all the really big boats come in from the Ocean Reef Yacht club (Key Largo). It was so relaxing to sit on the flybridge and visit and watch all the activity in the marina (which was completely full for this event). We were able to show them all around Marathon including a visit to Sombrero Beach. They commented that they slept well in spite of the relentless winds that kept us from dinghying around the area. They helped us with transportation to get heavy groceries and supplies for our upcoming Bahamas trip. Thanks so much for that help!! It was great to have you aboard!

Cruising in the van.

Snug in the slip.

The Ocean Reef Yacht Club arrived on Sunday. Wow!

On Monday and Tuesday we did some boat chores but also found time to relax at the pool a bit on Tuesday. Tuesday evening we met with DeVere and Carole (Job Site) and Bridgette and Scott (Putz'n Around) to discuss plans for travelling to the Bahamas together. Our timelines are very compatible and we now have a "rigid plan subject to infinite revision" (as Scott would say) to leave the Key Largo area on March 15 or the next available weather window after that. It will be wonderful to have other boats with us for safety and comradery. Now we just need God to bless us with some fair weather for our crossing. So we will be patient and await the day....
We arrived back at the boat and found a gift...an apple pie delivery form our friends Bob and Liz (Knot Sew Easy). Bob, I will make that blueberry pie at some point! If you get on the two year plan with us I can guarantee it! Thanks much for the tasty treat! Popcorn and pie for dinner....

We also booked February and part of March here at Faro Blanco next winter. We may decide to do the Bahamas again, but this gives us a solid reservation and another option. Remember, with boating one always needs two plans.....
Wednesday night Faro Blanco hosted a "open house" type event to preview their new menu and such. This resort has not been open too long and they are trying to "dial it in" a bit. A nice party.
The "crew' we have been hanging with here at Faro Blanco enjoying the party.