Our first full week in Key Largo

We haven't posted for a while, getting lazy I guess.  It has been nice to not have to worry about moving the boat, especially when it's been windy.  Here is a break down of waht we have been up to.

Tuesday

John checked the holding tank level sensor and didn’t find any loose wires, don’t know why it still reads ¼ after the tank is pumped out.  He installed another fan in the cabin by the helm station.  We rode the bikes to Publix & K-mart where we found a lookie bucket, which is a 5 gallon pale with a clear bottom used to see underwater.  It is a three mile round trip to the Publix / K-Mart plaza.  We then biked a  couple of miles or so in the other direction to see what was around.  After all that riding we cooled off in the pool. 

Wednesday

We took another ride on our bikes, we probably went four or five miles.  When we came back we relaxed at the pool and hot tub again.  We are getting spoiled having a pool just a few steps from the boat.

Thursday

Mary had an appointment to have her hair cut, not to far from the marina. Tracy, thanks for giving me the formula that you use to take those nasty gray hairs away.  The color was great but know one will replace you!  There was a huge downpour while she was gone.  After the rain John worked on cleaning off some old caulking from around fittings, on the non slip decks.

Friday

Took the dinghy out and went to the Pilot House for lunch.  We had heard that this place has glass bottom floor and wanted to check it out and see if the grand kids would like it.  You couldn’t see too well so the jury is still out on a  return trip. We went along the shore and used the lookie bucket but only saw weeds.  We did come across a stingray but it moved too fast to see it with the bucket.  Then explored some of the canals.  We cooled off in the pool and went out to Sharky’s a “local’s” bar for their Friday night fish fry.  It was very crowded but quite good.

Only thing we saw was some sea grass

Saturday

We took the bikes out and checked out a restaurant on the bay side which we had heard about and  thought it would be a good place to take Dixie for her birthday dinner when she and Rob are here.  John went to the dollar store to pick up supplies.  We tried one of the other pools and it was much busier than the one by us.  Both pools are salt water pools, and are very clear without any chlorine smell.  The hot tubs however are chlorine.  The harbor that we are staying at is very busy with commercial boats taking visitors diving, snorkeling, and fishing.  It was especially busy since it was Saturday.  Fun to watch all of the activity.

Sunday

Went for a long walk amid cloudy skies, though quite warm.  After the walk the sun came out and we decided to take the dinghy out but  it became too rough to make it to John Penecamp State Park.  We explored a few more canals on the way back and met a couple living on a sail boat at another marina along the canal.  They had noticed our boat was from Michigan and they are from the UP.  We then decided to ride the bikes to a Stone Crab and Seafood Festival, 4.5 miles one way.  It was very crowded, there were vendors selling crafts and such, a local band and lots to eat.  We had plate of lobster, shrimps and stone crabs with sides for $20.00.  It was quite good.  There was also a Key Lime pie eating contest.  The sky was clouding over so we decided to head back.  We stopped at Publix on our way back.  All shopping is along the main highway and with only one rear basket and a backpack if we are near a store we will get what we can.  Well, when we came out it was pouring.  We waited for the rain to let up and set off on our 1.5 mile trip home.  The rain picked up about halfway there plus there were many large puddles along the bike path.  We were quite wet when we returned.

Monday

Another trip to Publix and K-Mart for supplies, then we gave the bike a good cleaning and lubricating.  We then took them for another ride and they were working much better.  On our ride we went by another marina which had only charter fishing boats.  All the boats were backed in towards the dock with no finger piers in between them, just pilings.  A lot different than what we are used to seeing up north. We went back to Sharky’s for $5.00 burgers.

Tuesday

Another windy day, it's a good thing we are  staying put as there have been small craft warnings for the past couple of days.  Washed the boat and cleaned all the upholstery on the bridge,  Mary did a couple of loads of  laundry.  Took a bike ride to a Hilton resort 3 miles west of here.  It was quite interesting there were all sorts of trees all along the bay side of the buildings we had to climb up to the 3^rd floor to get a view of the bay over the trees.   The rooms did not start until the third floor, it was like being in a tree house.  We spent the remainder of the day getting ready for company.  Rob and Dixie who are our brother and sister n law will arrive tomorrow and we are very excited to have visitors. 


John and Mary