Homeward bound

Had such a great time with Margot and Mike and Ali and Josh just roaming around Key West and of course eating and drinking. We took turns on the stand up paddleboard and when I was on, I had a dolphin as my companion right next to me. 

Off to Venice now!

Still chillin

Weather is gorgeous. Yesterday we had a very strange experience. We endured rough seas so we could attend Yizkor services yesterday. The website for the conservative shul said services begin at 9 so we assumed that it would be a normal morning service and so if we got there at 10 Yizkor would probably start around 11. We were ready to go early so about 915 we took off on our bikes. Just before leaving Eric realized he forgot his reading glasses but we decided to go anyway. We walked into the synagogue and 2 minutes later Yizkor began. I was shocked. Had we waited a bit before leaving or if Eric would have gone back for his glasses we would have missed the service, despite having weathered rough seas to get here. I told myself that it was divine intervention and that Poppi was right there with me. 

Already went out on the stand up paddleboard and the kayak today. Awaiting the arrival of Benstock's on Sababa. 

Chillin in Key West

Had a pleasant overnight sail to Key West.  A bit choppy but ok. Caught a huge kingfish and Eric fileted it and we had a great dinner. Arrived in Key West at 7 am.  Spent the day renting our bikes and napping. Happy to be here.  Dinner at our favorite place Schooners Wharf

Key West bound

Had a nice trip to Ft. Myers and stayed at the Pink Shell resort and marina right next to our Harborage Marina friends, Tom and Bahama.  The resort is beautiful. Amazing pool etc and the beach is wide and white sand. 

Out friends came to us for Happy Hour. Bahama grew up living on a boat. Her parents didn't buy a house until she was in college. 

Off now to do our overnight to Key West.  Weather looks good!  Preparing to turn off phone because we will be out of range soon.  What a strange feeling to be " disconnected" when we are all totally connected every second of every day!

Forecast is only a forecast

Weather forecasting is a mystery. We stayed in Venice yesterday to "hunker" down for inclement weather. Turned out to be a nice day.  A little breezy and some rain but not bad. We rode bikes and walked.  I took out the paddle board not anticipating the strong current and had a challenging time getting back to the boat. Ran into some old friends, Nick and Sharon, from Harborage. Both retired and went cruising for 6 years. Just when they left she became very ill with a rare autoimmune disease and ended up at Hopkins for treatment. She recovered and they carried on and she's ok for now.   As Poppi said "don't put anything off."  I asked Nick how it is that they were able to retire so early and he said they were very "focused."  I wonder what that means. 

We are taking the intercostal south right now to avoid a rough ride in the Gulf. It's a narrow passage with interesting homes, nature trails etc to see. 

Key West bound April 2014

After an exhausting day of work (the day before leaving for vacation is always hectic), last minute grocery shopping, and packing the boat for two weeks away, we are finally on the boat and getting moved in for our voyage.  We went for our traditional "Bon Voyage" dinner at Fishtales, and we are full and tired.  Eric is busy studying the weather forecasts, which are nothing really but somewhat educated guesses.  It is very windy tonight, and there is rain expected in the next couple of days, so we are not exactly sure when we will do the long trip to Key West.  We are not in any rush, which is nice!

Home again

We spent our last day in Key West grocery shopping and getting the boat ready for our trip back. After dinner we went to Schooners Wharf for one last visit. We made it to Venice in about 25 hours and on the way we were surrounded by about at least a dozen dolphins swimming all around and under the boat. It's those moments that make this life irresistible. It was a very warm day and the captain was very cooperative in keeping his crew comfortable by stopping the boat 3 times so I could take a dip.
We arrived in Venice just on time as it rained the entire day. It was a perfect day to be stuck on the boat at a marina. We read and rested up from the long trip. I even did an hour of yoga on the boat.
We left early this morning as I am anxious to get to our new house and see Jacob. He arrived home last night after completing his Junior year at UF and I felt bad that I wasn't there to welcome him to his new home. He and Josh had dinner together and you can see by the picture, did quiet fine without their parents.
So another Key West journey closes and this time the march down Duval and the visit from Ali and Josh were definite highlights. As the country western song goes, "I love this boat."