Mandolin-at-Large

It's been a really long time since I posted a blog. I know, I should be more disciplined! But I have made numerous Facebook entries. That counts, doesn't it? I prefer Facebook when I have a bunch of photos to post. I can only post one on this site. So any readers who are not on my friends list at Facebook, let me know and I will approve your friendship.

We have really enjoyed our stay in the Keys. The weather has been fabulous, for the most part. The only cold spells have been when we've had visitors. Funny how that happens.

We have spent about 5 weeks in Marathon. The harbor is more protected meaning you can get off your boat easier during high winds. There is a great public Beach a short dinghy ride from the mooring field. There is also a great sense of community with a morning net announcements that welcome all to the harbor, asks people for announcements or requests for help and gives everyone a morning laugh with trivia. I looked forward to listening every morning and will miss it now that we have left. People have asked for help with their boats and engines and coordinated events. Every 2 weeks there is a pot luck breakfast which includes eggs, bacon, and sausage provided. Families organize play dates for their kids and dinghy drifts for the adults. We organized a group to go listen to a local band play at a bar on the Bayside. We we're lucky enough to be there for the Marathon Seafood Festival which was fabulous. There are quite a few bars and restaurants but music tends to wrap up by 9pm. We met many people who we now call friends.

We spent 2 weeks in Key West, one on a mooring ball. Alex and Lisa Tarlacky are working hard to creat the same atmosphere but it's hard since people are spread between the mooring field, Anchorage, and various marinas. There is no morning net because they don't yet have an army of volunteers to man it. It's more transient than Boot Key Harbor. They announce over Facebook so you must monitor that. They did organize a get together at the Brewery which was well attended. The mooring field is open to the north and can be difficult to get off your boat is high winds as it is a longish dinghy ride in.

Key West is a happening place, full of excitement, crowds, watering holes that are open late. Plus great places to explore like the Butterfly House and Hemingway's House. You have to see the street performers at Mallory Square at sunset. Lots of restaurants to choose from and lots of music. We stayed at a marina in Stock Island which was a neat little resort. Expensive, but all marinas in Key West are. It was very nice, we would stay there again when we return.

We are anchored off Rodriguez Key, off Key Largo waiting for bad weather to clear in Miami. Hard to accept that there are T-storms predicted as it is sunny where we are. Better safe than sorry. So now I have time to catch up on my blog.

We plan on leaving early tomorrow morning to head to Key Biscayne where we will either go to no name harbor or directly to a mooring ball off Coconut Grove. We've been told that this is a neat place to visit.

We are slowly making our way up North but the 32 degree temps make it hard to get excited.