Monday, 18 March 2013
Today was a day of ups, and downs…. We had a wonderful bike ride to and across the Old Seven Mile Bridge to Pidgeon Key; a great lunch at Porky’s with Kathy and Earl Davis; and a great Happy Hour on the recently arrived s/v “Chanticleer” (Pat, and Bob).
Those were the “Ups”…. The big ‘down’ came with a phone call this morning from Carrie, and John Weiss… They had been up during the night, with an eye problem… Serious enough to make them go to the ER here on VACA Key, at Fishermen’s Hospital. Ostensibly the replacement lens in one of John’s eyes had moved off center… (I didn’t know that was even possible)… Anyway… the Attendants at Fishermen’s recommended an expert in Miami. So when they called us…they were driving a rental car, up US 1 to Miami to an eye clinic there.
The end result was that the lens is now back in place, and they’ve been given the “go” to continue sailing. Wow. They should be back to the s/v Zepher shortly (tonight)(Monday).

One thing I forgot to mention last night… It was so clear right at sunset, and the contrasts were so vivid in the sky to the west… I saw “FAT ALBERT” again… We thought that the budget cuts were bringing ‘him’ down for good…. (Fat Albert is a ‘weather type’ balloon, that has floated above the keys for years… taking pictures of every boat in the Florida Straights and hawk channel…. Having more to do with customs, and immigration, than weather….)
We still missed the comet though.
We did extend our stay here at Boot Key Harbor… So many friends showed up over the last few days… We just can’t gather our lines, and sail away… (Last Boat is now here; Chanticleer is here; Zepher’s still here; Elle & I; Leap of Faith; Gypsy Song; Seeker; (we haven’t seen much of TwoMorrows, but they’re still here too).
SO…Tomorrow is another day in paradise… Jeanette Rice from Rensellearville, NY (near Albany) told us NOT to hurry home; they’re expecting a foot of snow, and it was 5F temp. BRRRRR
Right !!! not hurrying!!!