The day started out early for us with the alarm going off at 6AM. Today we're headed for Key West by bus to meet Wanda and Windy Chandler, our neighbors from back home. They were going to be in Key West on a cruise ship. After dinghying to shore and stopping by the "STUFFED PIG RESTAURANT" for a 'home made that morning cinnamon bun' and coffee, we hopped aboard the bus for our two hour ride to Key West. It's only 50 miles, but this 'local' bus stops often. We had a nice chat on the bus with a couple, also on their boat in our harbor, waiting for a good crossing day to the Bahamas. Exchanging tips with other cruisers is always fun. Key West was pretty much still asleep at 9:30 in the morning. As we walked toward the cruise ship docked near Mallory Square, roosters were crowing! It was not long before we met up with Wanda & Windy! It was really great to see familiar faces and we started talking just like we were back home! We walked a bit down Duval St and popped into Sloppy Joe's as they have a webcam. We sat at a table, ordered Bloody Mary's and e-mailed and called people to look at us on the webcam. Jonathan called from NY and we all got a laugh waving at the webcam. Carter, Wanda & Windy's daughter, emailed us that she had seen us too. After walking, talking and shopping much more, it was time to eat, again, this time at the Conch Republic Seafood Company. Nice yellowtail snapper and fish tacos. W & W re-boarded Enchantment of the Seas around 1:30, we walked around, and found a Wells Fargo ATM! Then we headed for a tour of the Ernest Hemmingway House. That was fun, even with the power going off, stormy, and six-toed cats running all around. Very enthusiastic, 21 yr old docent! We were able to make the 4:06 bus back to Marathon. It was dark and VERY windy! Much of our bus ride Brooke was checking Sombrero Light weather station, 5 miles off shore, directly out from our mooring ball and it showed steady 40 knots, gusting to 50! YIKES!!! We were just at Sombrero several days before to try and snorkel! Too many jelly fish. When we reached our dinghy, wind was blowing so hard, we decided to put on life jackets to go in the dark, the 200+ yards to Liquid Therapy. After Captain Brooke got us headed in the right direction,we made it safely to our swim platform!! Both of us got totally drenched from salt water coming from the waves into the dinghy. Oddest thing was this squall with such high winds was not predicted!! All in all, a fun day!
Picture is Wanda & Susan