SOMBRERO BEACH March 5, 2009

Catrina said goodbye to Clint and Pat as the courtesy car from Marathon Airport picked them up and delivered them to their plane. Tom really enjoyed their company and talking about airplanes and sailboats!

The rest of the day we used to re-energize ourselves. Tom did lots of projects around the Catrina and caught up on TV news. He also restocked the milk and cookies!


Debbie took a ride to Sombrero Beach and read her mystery book.

Previously, we had noticed how the seagulls were different in the Keys and Debbie finally got a picture of them.


Can you pick out the different ones?

Yesterday the Marina moved us to N-2 which is right off the main channel to MCM. Across the channel we see lots of boats in A-J.

In front of us is Second Avenue from Lutz FL


Beside us is Laura with no port of call.

Behind us is the biggest houseboat on a ball!


The big news from yesterday that we completely forgot to mention was our turtle sighting on the Gulf side. We thought at first that it was a big piece of board but as we got closer we could see it was a very large brown turtle, maybe 5 feet long. We think it was an Atlantic Green Turtle (which are brown) but when we got close he did not stay around for us to observe! He dove down into the Gulf and disappeared!

PELICANS March 4, 2009

As Catrina leaves Boot Key Harbor we pass the resting area for a large group of Pelicans. We have seen them here before but now we know it is a favorite spot for them.

We even see a Peligan on the 7 Mile Bridge.

This morning the wind is strong (15-20 mph). We could not pass up going out to sail as soon as everyone had breakfast. With a north wind we decided to try the Gulf side first. It did not seem to be quite as windy so we headed for the Atlantic side.

Tom and Clint chart paths on the GPS.

As we re-enter the Atlantic we see a large ship passing far out to sea. Debbie crops the picture and brings it in closer for you to see.


Clint took over the captain's chair for the rest of the day until we returned to port. He did a great job and we will miss him when he returns home tomorrow.

When we return to Boot Key Harbor, we have finally been issued a new ball much closer to MCM. We asked three different times to be moved so our guests did not have to travel so far to shore. Now that our third set of guests are leaving tomorrow, we get a close in spot.

When we are all squared away at N-2, we look around and find Clint like this--

And Pat like this--

Now Pat, do you really think we believe you were sunbathing?

As we leave for dinner, the sun is dropping over the boats where we used to be moored.

Everyone enjoys Annette’s for dinner. Salads from a very well stocked bar. Each person had a different kind of fish in a gourmet sauce. Debbie had a stone grilled meal which she cooked at our table. The grill was a square of granite heated to 750 degrees! She suggests if you have a meal like this, you don’t need to wear a sweater!

We had a rematch of Train and the men again won - Tom this time, Clint last time. Lady luck does not seem to reside in Boot Key Harbor.

GUESTS March 3, 2009

Ring-A-Ling goes Tom's Phone. Pat and Clint are taking off from near Weirsdale. Debbie and Tom hurry to MCM and on to Publix and the Showers. Catrina is ready.

Ring-A-Ling. Clint and Pat are standing on the dock at MCM! We quickly untie Catrina and head in. Clint catches the bow line. Pat and Clint are sailors and travel light. Also they arrived by small Airplane. We add fresh water and head out for a nice long sail. Clint shows his skippering ability and Tom relaxes!


We sail to Sombrero Reef but it is too wavy and not clear enough to look into the coral. Pat and Debbie attempt to make sandwiches as Catrina pitches up and down.


In the late afternoon we head in. After mooring, we relax for a while and decide on dinner. A pleasant dingy ride through the sailboats leads to a walk to Keys Industries and a good fish dinner.


All is quiet at home. A little newspaper reading and then Tom and Clint set up Train.

Here is a winning first play at 5 p.m! All chips down in one play!

ANNETTE'S March 2, 2009

The northwind was down a little from yesterday and last night but the water still glistened as it kicked up ripples. We decided to make it a day ashore or in harbor.

We got a late start heading up to MCM about 9:30. Just off our boat we spied a bunch of floating debris blown out of a side canal.
Debbie started bread in the activity area. We tried to watch news in the big barn area of MCM but the noise was too much. All the old Washers and Dryers had been removed and they were cleaning the floors. Word is that when the new ones arrive, they will be installed here. Does this mean they are not going to open the new bathhouse or they were never going to be put there in the first place?

We decided to exercise Tom’s leg. We headed south but crossed back over Route 1 to check out the Salvation Army for bike seats. They recommended a bike store.

On the north route Tom’s bike took him to Annette’s Lobster and Steakhouse. Rumor has it that they have a very good $5 lunch. We were their first customers.


Stain glass windows line the walls and the dark wood inside is covered with fish models (for sale) It was so dark that Debbie with her dark glasses on could not read the menu! Tom ordered from the $5 menu and was stuffed. Debbie had chicken salad (salty) and salad (delicious).

On the way out Debbie checked out the Ladies and found the only bright spot. Below is a picture of one of the tiles!

Tom again watched news at MCM and Debbie relaxed at Catrina and washed windows. The wind is down some. The temperature is dropped and it maybe in the lower 50’s than last night.

Below is a map of the middle and lower Keys. Marathon is on the far right.

The large number refer to Coral Reefs. Yesterday we were at #12 Sombrero Reef.

When our next guests arrive we may go north east to #13 Coffin’s Patch or South. The island at the end of 7 Mile Bridge is Bahia Honda, a State Park, where we stayed last November. Just below that are two more Reefs, #11 Newfound Harbor and #10 Looe Key.

RABBIT, RABBIT March 1, 2009

Catrina starts a new month with a non-typical Florida day. We start with a warm, sunny day. Tom heads for the MCM to do laundry and catch up on the news. Unfortunately, the women who are also at the laundry require that he stay at the machines or lose his spot! The machines are going downhill quickly. We cannot wait for the new bath/wash facility opens!

Debbie spends her time getting Catrina back in order. First on the list is to put the snorkel gear away. She creatively hangs it outside in the sunshine to dry.

Very soon the wind rises. Debbie uses special clips to attach the hangers to the main sheet to keep them from blowning away!
As she stores gear, she notices an unusual sight.

Can you pick out what Tom should not see?

If you guessed that the ladies are rowing their men upwind and all appear very happy, you win the Observation Award of the day!

In the early afternoon, the sky clouds over and the wind whistles by. It is a grey day!

We hear one clap of thunder and rush to close windows before a brief rain shower hits us.
About 3 p.m. we decide we need exercise and take the bikes for a ride to the Airport. Tom wanted to stop and get ice cream but by the time we visit Publix, it is biting cold and we head for home quickly. Next time we will wear long pants. Debbie’s hat blew off three times. It just might make 30 mph winds as predicted.

Of course, we stop at MCM to catch the news as Tom claims he was so busy tending the laundry, he missed it this morning!

When we reach Catrina and look back we see that the lights at the sports field are already on and it is way to early for that! If you cannot see them, they are directly over Aquila's sail cover and above her stern is blue sky!

Tom checks the mooring lines while Debbie whips up a Salad and Spaghetti. We pull Tigger out of the water because no one is going out tonight! We can see the sliver of moon through the top windows as Catrina wanders back and forth and rocks us to sleep.

LOBSTER HUNT Feburary 28, 2009

After a quick bike ride to West Marine and Publix (our favorite two stores), we set up the boat for visitors. Trish and Ted arrived from South Shore III, followed by Rose and Gary from Rose’s Pick. As we leave our mooring, we pass a new resident in our neighborhood!

We pass under the lift bridge and out of Boot Key Bay. Tom has information about Lobster areas from Pat and Colin and we decided to explore these areas in the Gulf where they might be found. Up went the sail and we moved along at a slow 3-4 miles a hour. Low winds mean less waves and a good day to snorkel.

Gary enjoys a quick lunch prepared by wife Rose.

Bethal Bank is north west of 7 Mile Bridge. Debbie drops anchor in about 10 feet of water. It did not look like a lobster bank with lots of places for them to hide in the rocks. In fact there are no rocks. Regardless, we decided to check the area out and suited up or not. After some exploring and no signs of any thing that might make anyone think lobsters frequent the area, we pulled anchor and tried another shallow spot a little farther south.

Trish and Rose keep watch.

The most exciting event in this area was when we gave up and swam back to the boat. As we got within 20 feet of Catrina a strong current (and we don’t know where it came from) surfaced and made it difficult to swim back to Catrina’s stern steps. Ted made it back, then Debbie and finally Tom but where was Gary? Rose said he was in front of Catrina. We got his attention and he swam directly along Catrina to the back. Tom had a rope ready in case he swam passed the stern and needed hauling back.

Later Bob and Gary are on the bow so long that we call them to find out what is happening. And of course we did not find out! Could they be looking for Lobsters?

We have had a great time snorkeling but would like to see some fish and beautiful coral. Tom takes us back to the Atlantic side to Sombrero Reef. It is so clear from the boat that we can see the bottom and many colored fish. This time we convince Rose to borrow some goggles, wear a life preserver and venture away from Catrina with a rope and floatation cushion.

In a very short time, we know Rose is hooked and Gary will have to shell out the money to get her snorkel gear! This part of the reef has deep narrow gaps in the coral which stretch 30 feet down to the sandy bottom. Many plants reside on the coral and the area is so full of different kinds of fish that we cannot count them. Being late in the afternoon we see patches of sun and shadows. It is beautiful!

Finally everyone is back in the boat but Rose. Gary finally drags her out and we pull anchor and head for Sister’s Channel.

Look at the grin on Gary’s face!

As we reach Sister’s Channel, the sun is setting.


On the foredeck we find Trish and Ted.


Okay, that’s better.



Tom drops dingies and friends at their boats and we head for U-6. Along the way the fleet lights up (mooring lights, that is) as night draws near.

RIDE TO 7 MILE BRIDGE February 27, 2009

On the way to the Marina we stopped to thank Pat and Colin for dinner. They must be out walking. This is our elegant restaurant from last evening - Lady Margaret.

We hurried on to the MCM to use the facilities as our black holding tank was at 100%, a number no one needs to reach. Fourtunately, we were on the list for a pump out today!

Our destination today is West Marine. We picked up a new boat hook which floats! This one is retrievable when Debbie drops it!

Can you find the new boat hook?


We continued south on the main drag to 7 Mile Bridge. The cars use the new bridge and the old bridge has been made into a walking, fishing and golf cart bridge to an island. The picture below shows the walking bridge on the left and the car bridge on the right.




We decide to ride our bikes on it. It is two miles of easy riding. When we reach the end, a section of bridge has been removed so there is no way we can go further.


Guess what - the ride back into the wind is much more difficult and we stop 3 times in 2 miles. When we finally get back home, we have riden over 7 miles. Our bodies feel invigorated but our bottoms are very sore. The bike seats leave a lot to be desired!

Colin and Pat are back on Lady Margaret and we wish them well on their trip to Fort Myers. We are happy to get home, eat lunch and relax. Debbie reads a book while Tom uses his computer and goes for gas in the dingy.

About 4 we head for MCM for showers and the news. We have a dinner invitation from Ted and Trish aboard South Shore II. They are docked farther up Boot Key in a slip. We have drinks and nibbles on the stern, brats and broccoli salad inside and strawberry and blueberry shortcake back outside. The moon looks in on us. We get caught up on our adventures on the Rivers and Loopers we know in common.