What Do You Think?

     Do you remember the song that had the lyrics "My future is so bright I gotta wear shades", well this entry is not about Sharon's sunglasses but her  suntan.  This is Sharon's first "full body" suntan.  When we had the swimming pool at Big Run, Sharon was only able to work on a suntan on the weekends during the summer because of work.  Today, Sharon is able to steal an hour or two each day.  I'm glad she is such a devoted sun worshipper, what do you think?

Dead Flat Calm

     Whereas when we got up yesterday morning to foggy conditions, today was completely different.  The skies were brilliant blue, no clouds and the wind was calm, as a matter of fact, there was no wind and the water was smoother than glass.  Conditions that I would call dead flat calm.

The Pelican Squadron

     We woke up this morning to very foggy conditions, but our spirits were quickly lifted when we spotted this flock of pelicans aka the Pelican Squadron.

  

Pre-flight briefing.

Test flight.

  

Flight conditions are favorable.

Mission is a go.

  

Last group taxiing to runway. 

Squadron is airborne.

Great Ride

     This past Monday we were cruising down through the Keys when we received a "private call" on the VHF.  It was Rick & Deb onboard Broulee.  We had just exited Jewfish Creek when Rick saw us motoring towards them.  Broulee was heading back to Miami so that their guests could catch their flight back to Minnesota.  We talked to Broulee for quite a while as we passed each other.  After all, we each had gone our own way almost 2 weeks ago because Broulee's family was flying in for a short vacation on the boat.  Shortly after signing off I hailed Broulee on the VHF to see if they were interested in getting together later in the week before they cruised over to the west coast of Florida.  We agreed on a date but we didn't know where, we could work that out later.

     So, last night we got together for one last happy hour before they haul the boat out and return to Minnesota for the summer.  We had a great time with Rick, Deb & Izzy in the Bahamas, and last night was no different.  We know that in the future we can phone Rick & Deb or we can send them an email, but there is nothing like sitting down with two very good friends (and Izzy) and enjoying the companionship of each other.  Thanks Rick, Deb & Izzy, it's been a great ride.

Patent Pending

     So everybody wants to know what it's like to be full time cruisers.  Here's a little insight - we get up in the morning when we want to, then, an hour or two later we may eat breakfast.  After breakfast we think about doing something but usually we don't do it.  After that it's time for lunch.  Then we'll wait the prescribed 2 hours before going swimming.  This 2 hour wait usually involves working on our tans.  After swimming, we are very tired so it's nap time.    We will usually wake up from our naps because we are so hungry and Sharon will start on dinner.  Once again we have eaten too much so we will kick back in our easy chairs and watch television till who knows when..........Wait....I forgot to mention all the boat work that needs to be done.  Last week I spent 2 days polishing the stainless steel fixtures on the exterior of the boat.  Last night around 7 pm I was in the engine room cleaning the seacock for the generator which had so much growth in it that no water was getting to the generator to help cool the engine.  And when you can't sleep at night you lay in bed thinking about projects that need to be done.  Take, for example, last night around 4 am, I was contemplating an issue with the anchor washdown.  The problem is that it just takes too long. When we anchor in a mud bottom (good holding) the chain, usually 100 feet or more, is retrieved with a coating of mud.  This mud needs to be washed off before the chain is stowed in the chain locker.  Believe me, it has to be washed or the boat stinks from that foul smelling mud.  Washdowns can take 15 minutes or more on a calm day.  If the wind is blowing, and remember we are on a boat and the bow (where the anchor chain is attached) is always/usually pointing into the wind when you are anchored, the washdown can take 30 minutes or longer.   Getting back to 4 am, the problem is that when I am washing the anchor chain, the water nozzle is 5-7 feet away from the chain and/or the wind is blowing the water stream back on me.  So at 4 am in the morning I developed Bob's Magical Anchor Washdown Wand - Patent Pending.

Above Photo - Bob's Magical Anchor Washdown Wand (Patent Pending!) is shown here attached to the coiled hose.  Yes, it's a 5 feet long wand complete with on/off valve and adjustable spray nozzle, available soon at your local marine store.

Time To Paddle

     Today, Sharon and I got the kayaks out and went for a spin around our anchorage at Barnes Sound.  We had discussed this yesterday when we realized that the 10 weeks spent in the Bahamas was done without kayaking.  All of that beautiful water and we never went kayaking.  We were to busy enjoying our journeys through the Exumas and when we weren't cruising we were swimming.  Hopefully, next year when we return to the Bahamas we will take the time to paddle.

 What appears to be a mess of tangled roots is actually a very healthy mangrove that surrounds our anchorage at Barnes Sound.

Key Largo Sunset

Miami

Just a few departing shots of Miami.

Home Delivery

     We arrived in SoBe (South Beach) last week on a Monday, and here we are a week later on a Tuesday and we are still here.  After being in a third world country (Bahamas) for 10 weeks, I guess we got caught up in the glitz and glamour of Miami and all that she has to offer.  Over the course of the last 8 days we have been to the local Publix grocery store 4 times, the liquor store once, Lincoln Avenue Mall 3 times, SoBe Beach twice, the gas station once, the laundromat once, restaurants twice and fetched water numerous times from the local water tap at the boat ramp.  So, once again,  Big Run is full of food, liquor, water and fuel. Speaking of fuel, the fuel came to us at our anchorage - as in "home delivery".

Upper Photo - the nightclub Fat Tuesday across from Lummus Park in Sobe.

Lower Photo - Sobe beach view in mega-hotel district.

Upper & Lower Photo - more beach views in the mega hotel district of Sobe.

 

Upper Photo - Petersons' Fuel Barge leaving Big Run after delivering 440 gallons of diesel fuel.

Lower Photo - our view of  downtown Miami.

 

South Beach

        It's everything and then more.  First, there is Lincoln Avenue Mall.  This is a great place to to see the next fashions coming out of Miami.  Lincoln Avenue Mall is about 5 or 6 blocks long running east to west.  But there is no avenue, the road area was converted into a courtyard for all the restaurants, art galleries and clothing boutiques that line the "avenue".  It's a great place to spend the afternoon shopping or eating your favorite cuisine.  Back in the 50's when there was a road and a conventional shopping district it was known as "the Fifth Avenue of the South".   You must include this in your travels to the Miami area.

     Then there is the world renowned beach.  We took a stroll on the beach although it was very windy today from a cold front that came through last night.  The ocean temperature was bearable and there were a few hearty souls braving the conditions in the water.  And yes, for women it is a topless beach, or would that be  topless women for the guys, after all it's South Beach.