Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-2021 (Part III - returning North)

   Sombrero Marina, Marathon, Florida:  March 22, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/@24.6982386,-81.0849577,15z 

Desert rose on the path to Sombrero Beach

Marc-  We will be starting our return trip North soon depending on the weather. I started planning this week.  Today we tried to refill our propane tank but the pump was out of order.  The boat bottom is to be cleaned this week along with the installation of a new shaft zinc (date uncertain).  Time seem to be different here in the Keys.  Our "plan" is to depart on the 28th if everything cooperates including the completion of repairs to Fiddler's Green.  

Sue and I took advantage of the car and went over to the West end of Vaca Key and took a tour boat (a dive boat) over to Pigeon Key.  This was the Flagler Railroad main construction crew site and staging area for construction of the 7-mile bridge as well as several other bridges in this area.  The island has preserved some of the buildings from the Flagler era and a tour guide explained some of the engineering and construction issues that arose including 4 hurricanes.  The whole railroad project from the mainland to Key West was completed in just seven years. The many bridges constructed survived the great hurricane of 1935 that ended the railroad.  Unfortunately the railroad bed washed out in the Islamorada area and Henry Flagler was not around to rebuild it.  The railroad was sold to the State who put in a highway using much of the railway structures as its base.

Leaving Faro Blanco Marina for Pigeon Key.

Docks at Pidgeon Key.

Entrance to the Flagler Museum on Pigeon Key (note that all of the buildings are painted Flagler yellow).

Sue spotted an osprey.

She followed the Osprey back to its nest.

I saw some interesting trees.

This is a sea grape tree (the grapes are edible by humans and animals).

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-2021 (Part II)

  Sombrero Marina, Marathon, Florida:  March 21, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/@24.6982386,-81.0849577,15z 

Fort Zachary Taylor Beach has several man made stone roofs to protect it.

The reefs are important habitat for fish.

Marc-  Today we made use of the rental car to venture to Key West and the Ft. Zachary Taylor State Park for beach and its reefs.  We brought our snorkel gear and the beach did not disappoint (my new snorkel was great no leaks).  The water was warm, the sun was out, and there were fish out on the reef.    Sue packed us lunch and I added some locally made French Fries from the Beach Café.   

After lunch we went off to see some of downtown Key West.  We walked down Duval street keeping our Covid-19 masks on throughout.  Only a few of the shops were closed.  We were happy to find the local Dairy Queen open for ice cream.

After the swim.

Sue became a monarch.

Then she became an octopus.

And back as a human she met up with an Elvis cigar.

Easter decorations.

Key West is certainly an artistic place.

 

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-2021 (Part II)

 Sombrero Marina, Marathon, Florida:  March 20, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/@24.6982386,-81.0849577,15z 

Gizmo the marina cat often greets us when we are heading out (our neighbor's scooter).

Marc-  Today started off with a walk around the Golf Course followed by a walk to Avis Rent a Car at the Marathon Airport.  We picked up our rental without issues.  We'll have it for a week.  Then we went over to the Eastern end of the airport to visit the EAA Aviation Museum.  Sue's Uncle Bob Whittier was an aviation enthusiast and an antique plane restorer.  We found a Piper Cub very similar to Uncle Bob's.  We were allowed to board a larger military transport plane outside of the hangar. I found my way into the cockpit and sat at the controls.  You have to be a contortionist to get into this cockpit.   The plane was manufactured by Beech Aircraft of Wichita, Kansas.  We went to visit Sue's sister Sandy and her husband, Jay, in Kansas when Jay worked for Raytheon (which owned Beech Aircraft).  That was circa 1998.  Thankfully Jay & Sandy are back in MA now.

An early Piper Cub.

After all of the excitement at the airport we headed over to do a few errands (nice to have a car for a change) and then to play some tennis.  Sue is definitely the ace in our family.

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-2021 (Part II)

               Sombrero Marina, Marathon, Florida:  March 19, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/@24.6982386,-81.0849577,15z 

Marathon Beach this morning had a few sand sculptures.

Marc-  Our daily walk to the beach always has something new.  Kids were busy this morning making sand creatures.  Sombrero Beach boulevard is also blooming:

Not only flowers but birds are colorful too.  

On our way back to the marina we often stop by Publix supermarket.  The parking lot has several islands of trees inhabited by feral chickens.

I still had time for some boat repairs today.  I was able to find the reason my stern and mizzen spreader lights were not working.  The cause for both was poor crimp connections.  The hardest part was finding the faulty connection.  They were easily replaced.  I also refinished the teak trim at the companionway hatch.  

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-2021 (Part II)

              Sombrero Marina, Marathon, Florida:  March 18, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/@24.6982386,-81.0849577,15z 

Sue doing her candy store birthday puzzle.

Marc-    We started the day off with a walk to breakfast at the "Stuffed Pig".  This was a delayed birthday present for Sue.  No crowds at 08:00 on a Thursday.  The tables are all set up outside in a rear courtyard beneath shade trees and various large umbrellas.  The food and service were fine.  By the time we returned to Lucy III the heat and humidity had arrived.  Luckily it was just right inside the cabin for the 10:00 NY Times Crossword Puzzle session.  

I have been mostly staying out of the sun but I still had time to treat the sunbrella covers with waterproofing solution.  Next is checking out the running lights and spare parts on board.  The bottom may need to be cleaned just prior to our departure and the main shaft zinc replaced.

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-2021 (Part II)

             Sombrero Marina, Marathon, Florida:  March 17, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/@24.6982386,-81.0849577,15z 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy Birthday Sue

Jasmine the boat dog from a neighboring sailboat.

Marc-  Today we did more than our usual walking.  We walked down to the beach (5 miles) and around the golf course (2.8 miles).  The humidity, 80%, is back and temperatures topped 85 degrees today.  The 15 knot winds from the East saved us.  On board Lucy III the temperature never exceeded 72 degrees with low humidity at 49% as a result of our air conditioning.  These conditions below deck were despite cooking corned beef and potatoes for several hours today.  We followed Chef Michael Gilmartin's recipe for corned beef including boiling the corned beef in two pints of Guinness.  

There were a lot of people wearing green today, and Docksides had some Irish tunes.  

We noticed a boat with a US Marshall's seizure Notice.  Apparently the owner of the boat walked away and has not paid rent for the past 5 years.  The boat survived Hurricane Irma in her slip unscathed.  The dockmaster took me aboard for a look and it is one big boat.  It does have a lot of potential.

Sombrero Beach this morning

The blues of Sombrero Beach

US Marshall's seizure

A project boat (length 44 feet, beam 21 feet).

Sailing South aboard Lucy III: 2020-2021 (Part II)

             Sombrero Marina, Marathon, Florida:  March 16, 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/@24.6982386,-81.0849577,15z

Piling replacement work taking place starting early this morning 2 slips over from us.

Marc-  Today started with sounds of a crane and a construction crew doing piling replacement and deck repair.  They are also adding new dockage for Docksides bar and restaurant.  

Sue found the local Green Heron hanging out on our dock today in different poses:

Keeping an eye on the fish.

Claiming our dock as his own.

This tour boat comes by our boat every afternoon.  The Dockside bar rings its ship's bell every time they pass.  We did not see mermaids today but several manatees swam along the docks.