Last Miami Sunset

We enjoyed one last Miami sunset from our anchorage between Hibiscus and Palm islands. It was a nice sunset as the previous 3 were hampered by rain clouds. We pulled up anchor just after 7:30 this morning and are headed to ?????? I never really know until we get there.

Miami was an interesting stop, it was never our intent to stir up so much discussion but we did appreciate the support (thanks Martha W.)and those who feel that bullying is simply NOT acceptable. We do not wish bad things for Fred Karlton but hope he might become more respectful to the people he must share this planet with.

We hope to be in Marathon in Boot Key Harbour sometime on Wednesday. To insure we do get there we have two packages that will be awaiting us. A new swim ladder has been ordered. I am hopeful this will be the ticket for my swimming enjoyment. The second is a pair of 32 inch US #2 circular knitting needles, again for my enjoyment

I.C.W

Comments [2]

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mothers. I know lots of cruising moms who will not be with their children on this day. Time just passes so fast. I can still remember the pencil holders decorated with macaroni and the hand made cards, the dance recitals, ferrying girls to basketball games and soccer tournaments, all nighters helping finish geography assignments. It all passes way too fast. My girls have been a pleasure and they are always close in my heart.

I.C.W

Comments [3]

After what was turning into a fun & interesting discussion about Sunset Lake our comment & the whole thread has been removed by the moderators at CruisersForum. Guess they do not believe in freedom of speech or freedom of anchoring rights!!!!! Figured it was one place that would listen & be interested.

I.C.W

Comments [6]

Because I don't know how to post more than one picture with a post y'all get a bonus post. I tried the hat on in a more artistic pose and I like its attitude.

I'm still working on my test knitting assignment. Technically i could be fired since I am past deadline. But I do work away at it and its looking cute. I'll post it when I finish it.

I.C.W

Comments [3]

The weather the last 2 days has allowed me to complete a few WIPs. The posted photo was requested by my daughter and its done in a super wash Merino that I purchased when home at Wooltyme. During our almost 2 years travelling down the eastern waterway I have been fortunate to visit some great knit shops and meet nice people. I even met a very nice man Ken in Stuart who came by Great Balls of Yarn with a finished sweater he had knit and was looking to hire Susan from the store to sew it together for him. She quoted him about 4 hours of her time at $10./hour. I was dumbfounded, I asked her if she was serious. Sewing together a hand knit is a huge job and I'd never do it for 10 bucks an hour. But then it occurred to me Ken was kinda sweet, maybe she was thinking "a bonus".

My point is I have yet to meet any mean knitters or shops on the water way. I've sat in with some Stitch n Bitches when i could, shared stories and learned new techniques.

After yesterdays post Al and I have had emails from friends we have met on this journey who wanted to apologize on his behalf. We would never judge a whole nation on the behaviour of this fellow. In fact we discussed over supper last night the kindnesses bestowed upon us by complete strangers in this boating lifestyle. Deltaville resonates with me at the moment. In that town, if you are seen walking with a back pack you are automatically pegged as a boater and given a ride to and fro the grocery store and asked if there is any place else you need to be taken.

I.C.W

Comments [0]

Bullying on the Waterway

To quote from Active Captain anchorage review:-
"There have been reports of area homeowners arguing and hassling boaters who anchor here. If you need assistance, call local police at 305-673-7901. One home at 2344 North Bay Rd (above photo) has been especially difficult with directing loud music and bright lights onto anchored boats".

Yesterday was a great day of travel, we were off the dock by 9 in Fort Lauderdale, it was sunny and hot. Mid day Al decided to drive from the fly bridge (finally) due to the depth gauge that stopped working at the lower helm. It made travel cooler and the views spectacular. We had been told of a neat little anchorage in Miami and that was our destination. We were also advised that at one end was a rather obnoxious homeowner. We entered Sunset Lake, a very tiny quaint lake, more like a cul de sac, surrounded by lovely homes , each with a pool. We selected a spot in the North end, settled in at about 2:30. We parked in front of a gorgeous home, pool, big blue and white go fast boat in front on hoists, a shiny red sea doo on a lift.

We enjoyed a beverage on the aft deck and I saw a man swimming in front of his home. So I decided the lake must be Ok for swimming. I donned a swimsuit and proceeded to jump in. The temperature was perfect and the water a pretty blue. I had an enjoyable swim, then getting me back out and on board was a fiasco, since our swim ladder had broken. Al made some foot loops on a rope to help but I didn't have the upper body strength to get up. After about a half hour with the help of the dinghy and Al I managed to get on the swim platform. Al was getting worried as he feared I would tire before he got me out. Anyway I survived, and likely won't swim off the boat until we have been able to purchase an appropriate ladder that I can manage.

I prepared chicken and dumplings for supper in the pressure cooker. It was rather tasty if I do say. Al was just finishing up the dishes just after 7 o'clock when the home owner we were parked in front of came by on his sea doo loudly calling "Captain, captain". Al stuck his head out and he "told us to move, he and his family didn't want us there." Al told him that he believed by law we could be there, and the man agreed but still insisted we pull up anchor and go to the south end so he and his family didn't have to look at us. Al assertively told him that our anchor was down, we were settled in and we would not be moving (in other words go &*&*&*& yourself). The man grumbled some things about making our life miserable, said he'd be back and said he would park his boat right next to us tomorrow with the music going. Al didn't give him the satisfaction of a response. The man proceeded to his dock, put the CD player from his go fast boat on at highest volume, for our enjoyment and blasted RAP the same song on a loop at us, if we had other cruisers there we could have had a party!!!!. As soon as the sun had set and it was sufficiently dark he shone a gazillion watt flood light directly into Close Knit. Al had already donned our solid blue window covers knowing what he would do, blocking out the light. These were all things we heard he would do. It was really all quite ridiculous but lost on us, since I am deaf in one ear, have a moderate brain injury and sleep like the dead. Also he should some day go onboard a trawler, they are built so solid & have a wonderful noise insulation. We were unphased, although I wonder why the neighbors don't complain.

With our 12 volt fans inside we could not even hear his RAP. We settled in to watch a movie and were in bed just before 11, his light still shining and music still blaring. We are sure his neighbors love him.

True to his word he was up preparing his boat to anchor beside us in the morning. I tried hard to talk Al into staying the weekend just to bug him, but he didn't want to. We had our coffee, pulled anchor and set off to a more civilized anchorage between Hibiscus and Palm Island. The posted photo is of the home we anchored in front of. We encourage all and any cruiser with tenacity to enjoy his entertainment & bug the hell out of him.

I'm sure this was some sort of psychological warfare he was trying to conduct, but I think he forgets one thing, he may do that to some people & he may get a reaction he will not bargain for.

We are already cozied in to our new non-hostile anchorage and about to enjoy a late breakfast of bacon, eggs and home fries. We are looking forward to seeing the lights of Miami City tonight, which are only a mile or two from us.

Rain is expected today so knitting is on my radar and reading is on Al's.

I.C.W

Comments [9]