Cap'n's got a brand new toy

We were awakened last night to one heckuva thunderstorm.  It was continuous lightening for quite some time.  I've never seen the sky lit up so much, for so long.  At one point we could hear hail pinging off the mast and stanchions.  Willis was a scared-y cat.  He was all hugged up to me, under the covers, with his head and eyes hiding in the palm of my hand.  Such a brave puss...

After breakfast, Cap'n and I set out to get some information on how to check the connections, and what I need to do to change out the VHF antennae on the top of the mast.  We stopped for gas, and I only paid $2.939!!!  I love my Winn Dixie customer rewards card :)  I haven't paid under $3/gallon in years!

From there, we went to West Marine and bought a new VHF antennae and a new pair of flip flops for Cap'n. 

We also stopped at the bank to get some cash for our ROAD TRIP tomorrow!  We are headed to Georgia with Kenny and Fran to go see our daughter, Carissa, who is on her way home from her deployment in Afghanistan!! Praise His Holy Name!!!  The day cannot go fast enough for this momma.

It continued to rain off and on all morning, so I decided to make a pot of homemade chicken and brown rice soup for lunch.  I cut up whatever vegetables I could find, added some fresh rosemary, and left it to simmer.  It was delicious, and the perfect comfort food for a rainy day.

Willis was supervising me cooking lunch from the chart table. It's one of his favorite laying spots.

I also did two loads of laundry thus morning.  By the time I finished with that, and lunch, we got mail!  Larry the dock master delivered it to us from the front office.  It was like Christmas, y'all!

Biddi came over to see what all of the fuss was about :)

We got our new dinghy! (which serves as our car when we are cruising :)

We no sooner got it set up and launched, and it began to rain.  Cap'n was looking forlorn.  He couldn't take his new toy out for a test drive just yet.  Dang it.

What to do on a rainy day?  Take care of a much needed job- writing down all of the replacements and improvements that have been done to Marquesa since we started coming to FL for the winter.  In three year's time, believe me, it adds up to a big bunch of B.O.A.T.S., y'all!  Hopefully next year will be much better.  The only thing I really want to replace yet is the bimini.  I'd like to get Laura, who sewed the dodger and wheel cover this year, to make us a new bimini, too.  Ours has gotten bagged out (no thanks to Willis) and it was not made with the same grade of sunbrella material- water seeps through.  

 By mid afternoon, the wind kicked up, and then it really started to pour.  It was blowing a steady 20 knots, and it was really putting it down!

Willis was not pleased with the storm.  I was reading up in bed, and he was sandwiched between two pillows. I covered him up with a beach towel.  Again, such a brave puss.  Not.

After about two hours, the sun shone briefly, and Cap'n took the new dink out for a spin.  He loves it.  He rowed all the way out to Pretty Joe Rock and back, and through the marina.  He's pleased with his new toy.  He said it was much easier to row than the last dink, as this one has an inflatable keel.  It should track better when we are towing it, too.

As soon as the storm passed, Willis was back to his happy, flopping self.  Dern cat.

There wasn't much of a sunset this evening, but look how quickly the Gulf had laid back down again.

Unfortunately, the wind has now once again picked up, and we are really getting tossed about as I'm laying in bed.  Naturally, it is out of the NNW at about 15+ knots. This just started in the last half hour or so.  I thought the front was to have already moved through.  To be honest, my stomach is a little queasy at the moment, as it's pretty rolly-polly and up and down to boot.  I hope I fall to sleep as quickly as Cap'n. So, I'll give you three guesses as to where the furry beast is right now...and the first two guesses don't count!  You got it :) 

It's after midnight, and AIS is 5:15am.  I hope I hear the alarm go off in about four and a half hours.  G'nite, y'all!

takin' care of business

After a slow start this morning, we got ourselves busy taking care of business.  Donnie helped Danny with two electrical issues on Biddi and the Beast.  His radar is up and running, and he has power to his computer at the helm again.  From there, he tackled the VHF radio on Marquesa.  Peter helped him with getting it connected when they visited Banana Bay, yet Donnie really needed to go to school on how it all works.  I got our membership and tow insurance renewed with Boats US, and from there, Donnie got the AIS registered for the VHF.   Now we want to purchase and replace our antennae on our mast. We're taking steps in the right direction to go cruising.  Speaking of...

We are now on to about Plan D for cruising yet this season.  I really wanted to get us back to the Bahamas. We got our registration with Customs, and Willis got his traveling papers to go overseas, too.  However, the fact of the matter is three-fold.  For starters, I have broken toes that are not healing well.  Cruising the Bahamas is lots of in and out of the dinghy to go to shore, and lots and lots of walking and hiking once you get on land.  I just don't think I am up for it at all.  Secondly, our son, Michael is graduating from law school, and our daughter, Emily, is graduating from AU- both on May 11th.  I'm not sure how we will work out being in two places at once, but we cannot afford to get stuck abroad and miss out on these two important accomplishments.  Going across the Gulfstream is always iffy, and you are truly at the mercy of the wind and weather.  If you remember, last year we were stuck in Nassau for five days waiting for a weather window to cross.  We finally hopped off and headed across, only to catch up to the storm we had been waiting out!  Marquesa handled it just fine, and we handled it just fine, but it could have been far worse.

So, back to Plan D (or E, or possibly F, as I've lost track).  We are thinking now of just cruising up the west coast of Florida.  We could cross the Gulf of Mexico at an angle, and hit Marco Island.  From there, we could island hop our way north.  I haven't been to Sannibel Island since I was a kid, and I love to go shellin' on the beach.  We already have the charts and cruising guide for all of Florida, so we'd likely get as far north as Tampa Bay before we'd hop off again for passage back to Marathon.  If the weather is too poorly to do an open water crossing, we could follow the ICW down the western side of Florida.  For today, that is the latest plan.  At any rate, we plan to be back in IN the first week of May. 

Today, I started provisioning to go cruising.  Biddi and I ran some errands together this afternoon.  I also got the Jeep washed and swept out for our trip to Georgia this weekend.  Our daughter, Carissa, is now safely out of "the armpit of the Earth" and is on her way back to the States.  She will be here briefly, at Ft. Benning, GA, before she is processed back to her base in Ramstein, Germany.  This little window of opportunity is the biggest reason we are not going to the Bahamas this year.  Family is far more important- the islands will always be there (we hope!)  She has just given up nearly eight months of her life in service to our country...we are so proud of her, and so happy that she is now back in safe territory once again...we just want to go see her and love on her, even if it's only for two days.  Besides, if we were going to the Bahamas, we would have already left by now, when many of the other boaters here casted off the docks.  So, that is that.

Tonight, Gary Bush was leading open mike nite at Salty's. 

They were just "Three Sheets to the Wind" as Dan and Penny leave for home first thing in the morning.

The boys did a good job, but I missed Dan and Penny on bass and harmonica.

So, for now we are in for the night.  We are supposed to get some big thunderstorms and winds tonight and tomorrow.  Today it was 91 with nearly 90% humidity.  Thank God the air conditioning works well on Marquesa!  Cap'n put out extra lines and fenders earlier today so we are prepared if the wind strikes.  Actually, it just started raining, as I hear it on the deck.  It's still so humid though, it  could just be that the skies are weeping.  At any rate, I will NOT be going up the mast tomorrow to connect a new antennae.  That would be like holding an umbrella on a golf course, only worse!  I am excited to get our new dinghy tomorrow, though.  It has been shipped and it's on its way :)  Tomorrow is laundry and packing, and keeping an eye out on the weather, and doing some more planning for cruising Florida.  Until then, G'nite, y'all!

gone fishin'

We left with Kenny this morning to go fishing...the day full of sunshine and promise.  Not for this fella- he was hard aground.  I have no idea what he was doing over there, he missed the channel markers completely.

Since the wind was blowing 10-20 E/SE today, we headed toward the bridge instead where it wouldn't be so bouncy. 

In the end, I caught one keeper mangrove snapper, Kenny had three keeper mangrove snappers and two keeper yellowtail snappers.  Poor Cap'n was skunked.  He caught plenty of fish, but none of them were of legal size.  Dang it.

So, we pretty much failed at fishing today.  We got home only to discover that I failed to turn the crock pot of before we left this morning.  So by happenstance, we discovered the best burger ever- better than Burdines here in Marathon, better than a Five Guys...and the spicy fries with asiago cheese?  To die for.  So we did.  Darn near ate ourselves into a coma.  Or maybe it was a day on the water in too much sun.  At any rate, neither of us can keep our eyes open.  Good nite, y'all!

weather man said it's gonna be a hot one...

Luis' crew of technicians came over first thing this morning to test Bessie.  First, they tested the tachometer; ours was off and Cap'n needs to make some adjustments.

The boys then took her out for a sea trial and she performed beautifully under load.  No black soot at all...not a problem one.  This is the FIRST time she has worked properly this entire winter.  In a word, y'all, she is CURED!!!

 I went to the post office while they did the sea trial.  I had to get a money order for the company we ordered the new dinghy from.  It was only going to North Miami, so I am hoping they will receive it yet today, if not, then tomorrow for sure.  We should have a new dinghy shipped to us by the end of the week!  Hooray!  I was so excited to see the light at the end of the tunnel, that I stayed up late last night bookmarking websites, blogs and such for cruising in the Abacos islands, Bahamas.  If we can get a favorable weather window after we get back from seeing Carissa this weekend, I'm hoping we can cast off the dock, even if for a few weeks :)

When I got back, Marquesa was already back, too, and Donnie had her all hooked back up to shore power, water, cable and such.  He had a date with Kenny and Bryan to go do some fishing since Kenny's boat is finally working, too.  The old adage is that a good day for diving is not a good day for fishing.  I packed him a lunch, snacks, and plenty of drinks for the day. We shall see if there is any truth in that old saying or not.  My fingers are crossed that he comes home with a mess of fish.

Reflection left this morning, as did the Murphy boys-though their boat is staying here.  Banana Bay is starting to look empty.

With a clean boat, a husband gone fishin', and no plans for myself for the day, I decided to take a bike ride to the Seven Mile Bridge and back.  I have not exercised since I broke my toes and it's driving me crazy.  I figured I could manage on a bike, broken toes and all.  This picture from the bridge to the gulf side illustrates the need to be able to read the water...brown you're aground, white you might, green is lean, blue- sail on through.

I saw three cattle call snorkeling boats and two dive boats go out to the reef in a span of about 20 minutes.  Uh-oh, the fishing must not be very good- it appears the diving is good today.

Looks like the Coasties got a new boat- it has an open platform all the way around, similar to a pontoon.  But with three triple 300's on the back, it can haul a**.  Nice ride.  They seemed to be doing a training exercise at the bridge.

Speaking of the bridge....did I mention how hot it was today?  Mid 80's, humidity up, and only a slight breeze.  My big ambitions to pedal, pedal, pedal my clown bike to the bridge and back quickly went south.  I am so out of shape.  I had sucked my water dry before I even got to the bridge. Not a good sign.  While I was pedal, pedal, pedaling down and back on the bridge, I got clammy, dizzy, and nearly fell off my clown bike.  Except that I didn't- because I put my foot out to catch myself.  My left foot that is- which immediately sent a jarring, throbbing pain to my two broken toes.  First I tripped on my boot at the Hurricane last week and nearly fell, and now this.  At this rate, I will still be in a boot by the time I get home in May.  The healing process is not working out so very well.  Willis' paw is all better, though, in case you were wondering about the furry beast.

As I pedal, pedal, pedaled my clown bike back down along Hwy 1, I simply kept my head down and chanted, "you can make it- only a little bit farther..." over, and over, and over, again.  I kept looking at landmarks...C'mon Karyn, you can make it to Porky's.  C'mon Karyn, you can make it to Daffy's.  Except Daffy's isn't there anymore, so I couldn't stop in for a cold drink.  I was about to thirst to death at this point.  I mean, I was DYING, y'all, and my foot was killing me to boot. (Stephanie, does this sound familiar?)

I happened to have some one dollar bills tucked in my soaking wet underwear (did I mention how hot and humid it was today?) so I stopped at my favorite little Cuban café.  I fortified myself with another water and a guava and cheese pastella.  There were roosters on the tablecloth...I imagine Cuba is crawling with roosters.  I didn't order a Cuban coffee today  My heart was already racing, I was afraid I would expire for sure.

The little Cuban cook invited me to sit at the little table by the kitchen...in front of a fan.  Do you see how red-faced I am?!  Pretty soon, he brought me out another guava pastella.  I think he likes me.  I used all the Spanish I could to converse with him, but he knows about ZERO English.  I told him all about my husband, and five kids, and I live on a sailboat with MY HUSBAND and el gato (the cat).  He laughed and said he loves me.  Oh dear.  Time for me to leave.  But the fan felt so good, y'all.

I pedal, pedal, pedaled on down Hwy 1, past Faro Blanco resort and marina which was taken out in Hurricane Wilma.  If you remember from past blogs, we call it the "Haunted Lighthouse" or "Jurassic Park" for all of the huge iguanas laying on the busted up docks.  Anyhow....this beautiful bougainvillea caught my peripheral vision, and I had to stop for a pic.  Oh let's be real, I just wanted off that damn clown bike.  My face was as red as the stupid bush.

I finally made it back to Banana Bay...I had been gone over two hours...in the heat of the day.  I pedal, pedal, pedaled straight to the pool and dropped my clown bike.  I hobbled to the pool deck, stripped off my boot and tank top (the bikini top was on, folks), and jumped in with the rest of my clothes on.  It was a huge disappointment.  The pool was not even cool.

I went back to the boat, sucked down the third water of the day, and laid down for a nap with Willis.  He had already beat me to the bed. 

I woke up an hour later to one passed out pussy cat.

Donnie got home not soon after I woke up, and he was also burning up from fishing in the hot sun.  He said it was hard fishing today, and the water was crystal clear.  They could see down to the bottom, in 50' of water.  Guess there's something to be said for the "good day of diving is a poor day of fishing."  He only came home with one yellowtail and a few grunts.  He snorkeled around the marina looking for the lionfish he's seen several times.  He was wanting to shoot it.  He didn't find the lionfish, but he naturally saw three big legal lobsters.  Of course, the season ended on 3/31. 

Donnie and Danny went to Salty's for some seafood gumbo tonight, while Biddi and I joined Fran and Diane for a girl's night out at the movies.  We saw Safe Haven and it was good :)  I hope I have pleasant dreams of Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome tonight.  Of course, I mean Cap'n ;)  G'nite, y'all.  I gotta get some sleep; momma is fishing with the boys tomorrow!

spring cleaning!

Now that the mixing elbow/exhaust system is reinstalled, I finally got to put Marquesa back together today.  First thing this morning, we took care of some banking business, bought some anti freeze, took back some stuff to Home Depot, and met with Luis.  He was glad to see us- even more glad to hear that Cap'n rebuilt the mixing elbow and reinstalled it over the weekend.  He has been confounded by the soot problem- the soot does not leave an oily film, we haven't been blowing black smoke, etc., the usual sorts of diesel problems.  After talking to various people from Universal and Kubota, he felt that it was not an issue with the valves or injectors.  In fact, according to the manufacturer, there shouldn't be any shims used at all.  He also said we should pull about 2800 rpms under load.  Donnie got 2600 rpms under load at the dock yesterday.  However, Cap'n also replaced the tachometer earlier this winter, (the other one was ruined in the flooded cockpit over the summer) and it may not be dialed in correctly.  At any rate, we are finally on the right path, it seems.  Luis wants to take Marquesa out for a sea trial tomorrow morning, to see how it performs, and to see if our tach is reading correctly or not.  Fueled with this good bit of news, that the engine should not need any more real 'major work' done, I was eager to get home and get cleaning once and for all.  I was also fueled by a Cuban coffee, so I was really jacked up and ready to clean!

Every fiberglass surface was bleached and cleaned; every wood surface was polished. Marquesa was spring cleaned from top to bottom.  A clean boat makes for one happy, happy, happy First Mate!  (Willis was snacking :)  And when Cap'n got back from helping Kenny with his boat, he scrubbed the exterior of Marquesa, so she's sparkling on the outside, too.  Now THAT really makes the First Mate happy, happy, happy!

We finished cleaning the boat in time to finish up our researching on the internet for a new dinghy.  In the end, we decided on a new 8'6'' Saturn- it should be here before the weekend.  Hooray!

 

We no sooner got done spending another B.O.A.T., and we were called up to go for a dinghy ride with Dan and Biddi (on their dink, obviously ;) to watch the sunset.  One gallon Don, Thud (aka Kevin), Justin, and Diesel were also heading out in their dink.  It is their last FL sunset for awhile, as they are headed home to NJ tomorrow.  More friends are leaving us :(  In fact, Maya, Jenna Star, Yesterday's Dream, and Stevedore all left today.  The mass exodus off the islands has begun. 

Diesel REALLY needs to learn how to relax on a boat!

It was looking to be another promising sunset...

As pretty as it was, I think Diesel was sad.  He somehow knew it was his last night here.

As the sun continued to set...

Diesel continued to sigh and moan in the boat.  He was pitiful :(

But that was really the end of the sunset, because of the low lying clouds on the horizon.

Still it was a beautiful evening.

 

And for good measure, as we all pulled back into the marina, the boys threw a stick in the water, and Diesel jumped in after it.  He swam all the way back to their sailboat, and climbed the ladder for the last time this season.  We'll miss you, Murphy family, and Diesel...until next year :)  G'nite, y'all!

Easter Sunday in paradise

We welcomed Easter Sunday morning before sunrise, with at least 500 other worshippers at Sombrero Beach.

The sky was beautiful as the praise band lead in the worship songs...and the people kept coming.  It was awesome.

Before Pastor Keith began the message, the sun popped up through the low lying clouds.  It was breath-taking.

More than half of those in attendance were not from Marathon. To be worshipping with people, from all walks of life, from all over the world, really, was beyond cool.  It was beautiful, y'all.

...and when the sun hit the cross...It was perfect.  He is risen!

Polly (and Bryan) had us all over for an Easter Sunday brunch.  She really outdid herself....the meal was fabulous!  Lori, read Polly's sign above her stove- I thought of you!  Here is Edie with the best tan of us all, and she's only been here two weeks- geesh :) 

 

Polly was a most gracious host- she even had us all coloring Easter eggs :)

Donnie and Diane had us all in stitches as they traded horror stories of their youth...the time he accidentally killed her "half grown kitten", the time she kept him from using the phone and then he threw her in the pool, the time he chased her date off with a shot gun...do you see a reoccurring theme here?!  Cap'n was pretty rotten back in the day!  Poor Diane...

They kept us all entertained though :) 

I came home, finished laundry, and laid out in the sun at Paradise Pointe- and this fella came by to say hi. Willis didn't see him, because if he had, the chase would have been on!  Cap'n was busy in the afternoon reinstalling the exhaust system, then he went to cool off at the pool.  The guy deserved it- he did a major job in rebuilding and reinstalling the mixing elbow.  I was really proud of him!  It just provided me with extra assurance that I am in good hands out on that great big ocean when I am with my Cap'n.  I wouldn't be doing this with anybody else.

No day is complete in paradise without taking a few minutes to be still and watch the sunset...especially on Easter Sunday.  Whether I am in a woods, on a mountain, on my back porch, gazing out at the ocean, or listening to gospel music, I feel closest to Him in nature and in song.

Then I looked over and saw this father and his daughter, sharing the same beautiful moment together...

...and for a moment, I missed my own daddy...when I was that little girl's age, those were the good times between me and my daddy.  In that brief moment of sadness, I looked back at the sunset and was reminded of my Heavenly Father who never leaves me. ever.

...and I was happy for this little girl and her daddy, sharing their own beautiful moment together.

God is good.  All the time.  Happy Easter.  G'nite, y'all :)