Sunday Funday, Monday laundry- not!

After church on Sunday, we came back to Marquesa for lunch.  While I cleaned the boat up and got ready for the afternoon BBQ, Donnie was out on the Pointe talking to a group of Amish folks from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  It didn't take long for them to become fast friends, and he was inviting them to listen to music tonight and to go for a sail Monday morning. 

This was the view from my galley porthole as I was getting ready for the
party on the Pointe.  It's Larry's birthday, and he's been smokin' his now
world famous BBQ.  Boaters eat almost as well as Wesleyans!
Seriously, though, it's an absolutely gorgeous day in paradise,
while the folks back home are lying in wait for the next winter storm.
It has been the winter that just won't end for them :/

Donnie's happiest playing music :)

They be jamming'

Len's song "inspired by Ellie".  I'm sorry I only caught the end.
Be My Baby Tonight is a catchy little tune :)
I find myself humming it several times a day now...

Meet my new Amish friend, Katie.  Her husband and siblings wanted to go
walk the Seven Mile Bridge and see the sunset, but she decided to stay
and listen to music :)  She was tapping her toes and really enjoyed the band.
She kept asking if anyone would get up to dance, she was hoping to see that :)

 

It was a gorgeous sunset this evening, and the first green flash of the season!
Even Katie saw the green flash- that was a real treat for her.

The rest of her family, Sarah, Amos, Mary, and husband Jonas came down
to listen to the music, too, after they got back from their walk.

The band stopped playing at about 7:30pm, but Katie stayed with Donnie, Len, Susan and I until way past her bedtime to hear the guys play more music, tell stories and share a lot of laughs.  I'm sure she had an experience like never before.  She was rather quiet, but smiling, and taking it all in.  After about 10pm, she excused herself.  She was getting up early (4:30am!) to do laundry before their crew was driving down to Key West for a look at the Southernmost Point in the US.  We had plans for them to meet us at 10am for a sail out to the reef. They had a quick trip to Key West and back!

Donnie, Len, Susan and I stayed up was too late listening to
music and eventually getting into deep philosophical
discussions, courtesy of Len, the resident PhD in Philosophy.
I finally took his hat from him in an effort to get him to
stop thinking such deep thoughts (his thinking hat).
It didn't work :)  Finally, by 1am, we bid our goodnights.

By 10:15am, we were off dock, with five Amish and
two Mennonites on board!  We had a boat full of people.
It was sure to be a fun filled day :)

They were like kids in a candy store.  They all had a million questions about
everything, including this lobster boat that passed by us.  Every one took
a turn at the helm as we sailed to the reef.  It was a light air day on Monday,
so we ended up motor-sailing quite a bit.  They loved it.  They decided that
driving a boat is nothing like driving a horse and buggy- it was way
more fun.  I think Mary took the helm at the bridge and wouldn't give
it up all the way to the reef!  Interestingly, a horse and buggy trots
between 12-15 miles an hour which is double our speed on a good day.
They were astounded by that fun fact.  (sidebar, none of them knew how to swim)

I took a selfie to sneak in a pic of the girls (Lord, forgive
me.)  Even though they slathered themselves with the 50spf
(twice!) they all still got scorched on any skin that happened
to be exposed- ouch.  They didn't seem to mind a bit, they
were having an experience of a lifetime.  They said their
friends and family back home would never believe they
went sailing on the ocean.  Thankfully, no one got seasick!

Miriam and her husband were the Mennonite drivers.
Each person had to take a turn in the "cat bird" seat-
sitting on the bow railing.  They all loved it!  When we
got to the reef, we grabbed a mooring ball.  I gave them
crackers to feed the fish.  While they all oohed and aahed
over the yellowtail, chubs, and such that were feeding,
Donnie grilled the hot dogs on the grill.  I was down below
warming the sauerkraut, slicing a pineapple, chocolate cake,
and putting out a veggie and relish tray along with chips,
pretzels and dip.  It was quite rolley-polley on the ball,
so as soon as lunch was set up down below, we got
underway with the wind and waves behind us.  It
was a more comfortable ride for everyone to get their
food and have lunch all over the boat.  They all seemed
to enjoy their lunch.  By the time we got back at 4:30pm,
they were all well cooked but happy and satisfied.
 

As we sailed back in the afternoon, the girls and I were all on the bow talking about what they typically would be doing on a Monday afternoon.  Katie said her laundry would most likely be done and dried on the line, and she would be helping her husband in the office (Jonas has a tool business. It was a trade show in Orlando that brought them to Florida this week.)  Sarah said since it was the winter, there isn't as much work to do.  She likely would have her baking done, and would maybe be doing some sewing before starting dinner with her mother.  Mary, who is 28, said she works as a caregiver to a Mennonite woman that has severe cerebral palsy.  She would have been helping her with her physical therapy. I found it interesting that of the 9 children, only two are married.  Their youngest brother was killed in a buggy/car accident four years ago when he was just nineteen.  Those that are single remain in the family home until they one day marry.  Mary said she doesn't ever plan to marry...she likes her life just fine, and a husband and children are too much work!  lol

We bid our goodbyes, as they had room reservations in Ft. Lauderdale for the evening. I got one mess cleaned up just in time to grab all my ingredients and go to Mom and Pops to fix our Monday night dinner.  I fixed pork chops with apples, onions and sage, wild rice, and green beans for dinner.  We skipped on the dominoes tonight, but still watch The Bachelor ;)  (We all think Juan Pablo will end up with no one!)  We were pooped from a short night last night and a long day on the water.  It made for some great memories, today though!  You don't see Amish people on a sailboat on the ocean just any ol' time :)  G'nite, y'all!