The Admiral, her winch and anchor

Some time back in Louisiana when we were pulling up anchor, we managed to bend the shaft a good 15 degrees- so if it lands on its flat side, the blade is parallel to the shaft and doesn't dig in.  Not good in a hard wind.  I was truly amazed the winch could bend a steel rod 3 inches thick.  Yesterday we hoisted the anchor up on this barge we're tied to, put it in bondage, and bent the shaft back straight again using the same winch.  Lots of fun.  In fact, we went out to lunch at Pepe's to celebrate our injury-free accomplishment.  Tomorrow we fill our fuel tanks up and think about other chores.

Stock Island

N  24 33.540

W -81 44.144

Anchorage in Key West, industrial-style. It's about a half hour bike ride from the center of town (movies, restaurants, library). We'll probably stay here for a few weeks, repair the anchor and do a few other projects. Like redecorate.  But first, we need to update our cat containment program.

Key West

N 24 34.872
W -81 47.307

After a few days in a backwater (ie, unpopulated) key we decide it's time to go on in to the big city. We're approaching from the north side of the keys and staying out in deep water heading for the main channel into Key West when I notice a line of whitecaps a quarter mile off running across and perpendicular to my course, and a line on the plotter at about the same spot, so I ask my sweetie and navigator, Honey, what is that line? Damned if I know, she says, but there's a similar line on the paper chart. So I say, Honey, does the chart say what that line is? She says yes, it's called the east jetty. At this point we're about 300 yds away going full speed right at it. It seems the main channel has a jetty on both sides protecting it. Flat out ruined my day.

Then we have to work our way through the tight little harbor with three gigantic cruise ships, an incoming fuel tanker to service them, two tugs to service the tanker, and a Coast Guard cutter nervously zipping back and forth.

Today we're sitting here trying to keep our anchor dug in while the north wind howls. It seems we have a few feet of sand over rock and the anchor will only bite so hard. When the wind dies down we'll go back into town.

And it is charming. After wandering around for a day, we realize: it's got the the bookstores, the market with the homemade bread, the Victorian houses (each with its own work crew). It's got the restored movie theater with movies that are not family-friendly. So it's worth visiting- even when overwhelmed by cruise ships.  

Tarpon Belly Key

N   24 43.830
W -81 31.437

another day another key

this one already has a lawn chair on it- very decorative!

the trip here was fun- I, Joyce, got to drive, and it's all about avoiding crab pots. Oh, while staying on course, I forgot that part! We're idling about today, and tomorrow probably heading for Key West. Our credit card was borrowed- luckily, by some idiot who used it on Match.com- so we have to go to the PO and pick up a new one.

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.  

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.

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.