The Sound of Freedom

We are staying in a military marina, a unique experience. We sit adjacent to a jet runway. Periodically during the day and night, the roar of jet engines fills the sky. The price of a cheap marina fee, I thought, until the man in the next boat looked at the sky and smiled, "THE SOUND OF FREEDOM," he said. Yes, indeed. It is. And that's what I think now each time a jet thunders past.

Key West Impressions

Key West is charming and corny, quaint and oddball. Here is probably the largest collection of Victorian houses in the country. The architecture has an island flavor with pastels, shutters, and yards of lush, exotic plants. There are lots of bicycles here and a lot of old men with Ernest Hemingway beards. One passed us in a tired old 70's car with a gray parrot sitting on the back of the passenger's seat. The main street blooms with tourists walking past t-shirt shops, boat chandleries, key lime pie outlets, outdoor restaurants strung with fairie lights, and transvestite clubs where "ladies" lounge with artificial boobs and too much makeup. I saw a sign that said "Old Hippies Store" and I do believe this is where they have all gone. At sunset in Mallory Square, old men with iron gray hair walk tight ropes, train cats to leap through hoops, play music and juggle for the dollars that tourists throw into their hats.

Cookie's brother Jim and wife Linda have joined us as our first visitors here in Key West.
We found Jimmy Buffets Margauritaville Cafe with no problem.

Our 24 hour sail from Charlotte Harbor to Key West started out beautifully, 10 kt winds, a sunset at sea, grilled steak, baked potatoes, and ice cream for dessert. We lost our wind atnight and had to turn to the engine, but by 4am, we were back to 6-8 foot seas and 20 knot winds. Our arrival at Key West included a surprise wave through the stern that soaked us to our calves and taught us that we better close the hatches if the waves are that size! We arrived at the Navy Marina here. Great facility! We have a nice laundry and shower, a private beach, and a cool bar. What more do you need?

Forty-eight hours later, we put into Clearwater, Florida and Tom left us fro frigid Michigan. Rick and Cookie sailed a 24 hour sail in calmer weather to Charlotte Harbor, Florida where we spent two days, one exploring Boca Grande tied up at a marina with showers and dinner out, and the other anchored off Useppe Island, while a cold front passed through. Rick wanted a picture in his merchant marine captain's bars.

We, that is Rick, Cookie, and Tom Gunn, left Pensacola for the ultimate port of Key West JAnuary 7th. We learned several things on our second gulf crossing. One of them being that Cookie can indeed get seasick. The gulf lived up to its reputation with 6-8 foot waves at 4 second intervals. Tom and Cookie were soon wearing patches that proved to be a lifesaver. Here is a photo of Tom and Rick, looking salty.