What We Do When We Aren't Doing Anything

Here is a typical day at the marina when we have absolutely nothing scheduled.

Cookie: watches the Navy Seals float down from the skies with their parachutes in the rosy dawn; watches the minnows, the reef fish, and baby barracudas as they sun themselves in the shallow water at the head of the pier; reads a book; checks email on the computer; watches the jets do fly bys and landings, writes in her journal, watches the white egrets stalk their prey with regal steps in the shallow waters; talks with friends in the laundry about cruising, watches a glorious, romantic sunset with a glass of wine.

Rick: pumps out the head; takes the tank covers off to see why it still says 1/4 full and be sure the $200 tank indicators and /or the pump is operating correctly; decides everything is fine, but maybe hosing out the tank while it is open is a good idea; checks batteries with expensive volt meter; writes down "need (expensive) AMP tester" on list of thingts to buy at West Marine; reorganizes cockpit lockers to correct list (tilt)to starboard; replaces everything because it was handier the other way; helps neighbor reposition his engine; talks with neighbors on the dock about how to solve boat problems; watches a glorious, romantic sunset with a glass of wine.

Kit and Tom Gunn Visit

Our friends Kit and Tom came for a brief visit. We have our own "tour" now, which includes the "must sees" of Ernest Hemingway's House, Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, and the magnificent sunsets at Mallory Square. With Kit and Tom, we once again we watched the street entertainers there. O.K. cat owners, tell the truth. Can you train your cat to do ANYTHING? Rick refuses to watch the cat show any more and excuses himself for a beer, but it is always a hit with our guests because of the cats and the crazy frenchman who shouts at the cats in accented french, throughout the show, "Hurry up. Take your time." Stay right there. Do what you want." The restaurants here are wonderful and we have tried a lot of them during the past 6 weeks, including this Cuban diner called Pepitos.

The Malott's Visit

Cruising might seem like a solitary venture, and it can be, but it is also about people, the new friends you meet, the old friends who visit, and the friends that you reconnect with while cruising. Gail and Kia Malott visited from SC. While they were here, we enjoyed gorgeous sunsets, enrolled Gail in the conchestra, explored Key West, and sailed.















Joining us on a sail were Ray and Carol Houle. Ray is an old raquetball partner from Rick's Navy Days. They are also sailors, and we tried out our Code Zero sail for the first time.

Getting Culture

We took time to visit several museums, including this one featuring Key West artists.

The Morphetts visit to Key West

Our friends Steve and Carolyn Morphett, from Dallas, via Austrailia, visited at the end of January. We had a great time sailing, touring, and watching those incredible Key West Sunsets.

The Conchestra

The marina has its own tropical tradition. Each night at dusk, groups gather at the end of the piers to "play the sun down". The air fills with a sound like a traffic jam in a parking garage, but they succeed in their mission. By golly, the sun goes down every night as they play.

An Elegy to an Anonymous Death

Life and death continue, even in paradise. Four days after we arrived in Key West, the man at the head of our pier died, sitting in his cockpit, under the stars. I do not know his name, although we had several conversations and petted his two dogs each time we passed. He was a disabled vetran, living alone on his boat, with the dogs for company. The day he died, a crusty sailor from a nearby boat walked into the dense srubbery and cut branches and flowers to place on his boat. Someone hung an American flag from his bow to honor him. That night, a fellow sailor snuck aboard his boat to turn on his navigation lights. So all night long, the green and red lights on port and starboard stayed lit.... lights meant to guide him home.

While Jim and Linda were here we sailed out to watch the NOOD sailing races during Race Week in Key West. Over 150 boats, including racers from Canada, Italy, Sweden, Great Britain, and Germany competing in 10 races over a 5 day period. Exciting to be in front row seats from our boat.