Thursday, January 28, 2010

Marathon




We've been in Marathon for two weeks and are thinking about exploring some other keys- perhaps some with fewer amenities.  It's nice here, though- we can bike to the market and the fish restaurant, and check out the beaches and bike paths.  The water's a perfect swimming temperature.  There are free yoga classes in the morning, and a community dinner on Wednesday (we remembered to go, but  forgot to bring our plates!)  Today we went to a talk about Cuba, which seems to fascinate all boaters in Florida, no matter how law-abiding.  

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Key West


On the suggestion of other boaters here, we took the bus to Key West yesterday- what an introduction! The bus from Marathon dropped us off at a Sears several miles out of town. Then we couldn't figure out the buses, so took a $15 cab ride to get back there. On the other hand, everyone was delightful and chatty the whole way. Going there, we met a twentysomething couple from Toronto who had sailed down here over the past few months in a 24 foot boat- on their way to Guatemala. That's intrepid.  On the return trip, passengers bemoaned the state of the local economy.

So we weren't exactly on the insider's tour. Key West seems to combine the least attractive parts of SF (Fisherman's Wharf), New Orleans (Bourbon Street), and P'town (central Commercial St.). But then, who in San Francisco hangs out at Fisherman's Wharf? No doubt we were missing the whole charm of the place, and need to return.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Marathon Fl -what a hoot



N   24 41.798
W -81 07.070
also posted on Cruiser's Forum-
Dudes and dudettes, Marathon has got it going on! About 400 people living here in the harbor on their boats and everyone's smiling. I'm anchored outside with a dozen other boats because I'm too big to get in there, so we just dinghy in to avail ourselves of the services. Yes, they do charge some money, but the value is great.
I've been traveling the west coast of 
Florida, and following the anchoring forums and dealing with the cops in Sanibel and Sarasota, and I got to tell you that Marathon has figured it all out.
It's not really my scene and I'm not planning on staying longer than a week, so for me it's just a great friendly place to get stocked up and do some work on the boat, but the folks that stay here are happy.
Check it out.


Sunday, January 17, 2010

Pavilion Key



N   25 41.398
W -81 21.768
One of the personal keys- there's nobody there!  Lovely powdery beach, with troves of interesting shells- and some very large birds that might be ospreys (sorry, birders- I know nothing!)  
We spent a couple of nights anchored offshore, and then moved to the Little Shark River-
N   25 19.694
W -81 08.776

an archipelago of mangroves, and apparently a mecca for fishermen.  We were lucky to arrive in a week too cold for mosquitoes- they usually substitute for weather in the Everglades.

Monday, January 4, 2010



We got two bikes on Craigslist here- folding ones.  Delivered to the dock- perfect!  Now we can ride up and down the bike paths and go to the Sanibel Library- omg, the Sanibel taxpayer at work.  This library has everything- a brief survey: puzzle section, free book section, the largest audio collection ever seen.  Meanwhile, Lorenzo's been hanging around the market- also very well stocked.


This is all in the interest of indoor activities:  it's record-setting cold here, and we have more sympathy for everyone buried in snow in the northeast.  But you all have heating in your houses!  (we have heat, but not quite as full-time).  Florida weather reports are all over warnings:  wear a hat!  wear gloves!  wear social security number!  remember, hypothermia is afoot!

Friday, January 1, 2010


N   26 28.134
W -82 04.794


SANiBel !  A lovely place, featuring rental bikes, expensive boats, and bemused European tourists.  At least half the island is a nature preserve, which entails efficient herding of humans in the remaining parts.  We tried to go ashore in the dinghy, but were shooed away.  Later were able to tie up at the elegant marina, in spite of being somewhat to the left of the dress code.