Lesson learned...

Check tire inflation pressure EVERY time you tow. This lesson only cost me $540 for 4 new tires installed. The tires only had about 7,000 miles on them, being new with the trailer last May...

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Headed home...

This morning we hauled Buddy and headed North. We have stopped at a rest stop on I-475 near Macon, GA. Effingham, IL tomorrow...

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Gumbo!!!

Karen, one of our dockmates from New Orleans (and Ron), coordinated a potluck shrimp, chicken, and smoked sausage Gumbofest last evening. A good time was had by all. The Gumbo was super! Thanks Karen!!!

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Dock Neighbors

Last evening most of the boat people were hanging around at the dock. We went for our last happy hour dinner at Hog Heaven and then joined them. Brenda and company were on the roof of her houseboat and we were below. Tonight a pot luck in the pavilion is planned. Tomorrow we haul out and head for home. Yesterday we took a ride out to the sand bar and then dropped a hook off the marina so I could dive on the boat and scrub the bottom. I just had to verify that I'm not getting any younger...

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Hotdog!!!!

Brian is busy today... We just had to take a run to the Sandbar to check out Brian's business before we haul out and head for home this week. Seems to be a popular spot. We prefer Wisconsin brats, but we tried a few of Brian's hotdogs anyway...

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The "Hotel"...

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Man overboard!!!

It had to happen sooner or later... Brian's (hotdog man) brother showed up last night for a brief visit. While boarding the "hotel" with his luggage in hand, over he went... You can see his footprints in the muck. Fortunately Brian advise him to walk ashore rather than use Buddy to get out of the water. We slept through it all...

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Wiped!!!

Replaced the wiper today. On boats, it seems nothing is ever simple... The new replacement wipe arm didn't quite fit. The inside diameter of the arm attachment was a bit smaller than the drive. So.. I removed the riveted end fitting that accepts wipers that can no longer be purchased, (that's a good thing as it was a poor design that made for a rather floppy wiper) drilled it out and screwed the new end on. It works!!!

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Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

Back home it doesn't look like winter is letting up. Cath and I will be headed home next week. This satellite photo of Lake Michigan was taken a week ago on March 2nd. The snow cover begins at Wind Point (Racine, WI). You will note most of Green Bay was still ice covered...

Murphy's law....

...seems to have impacted more of our dockmates. After cranking on Mike's "electric" winch, I'm glad Buddy's trailer has a nice two-speed manual winch. Mike and Kay Ann are hauling out to replace a leaking outdrive boot. Boats...

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And they're off!

Pam, Tom, and the Tonic head home. Fair Winds until we meet again! Perhaps the Georgian Bay this August?

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Another beautiful day in the Keys...

This year the weather in the Keys has been exceptional. Last year was one of the worst on record. Go figure...

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Goings on...

It's been a while since I pulled out the laptop to update what's been happening. With this post I have included a number of photos from our run to Boot Key, another snorkle event and other happenings. When we cruise any distance, I usually run about 12 knots with our twin Yamaha 50 HT's at about 4,000 rpm. If the weather and conditions permit, Cathie likes to put in her ear plugs in and ride and read in the cockpit.

When we arrived in Boot Key there was this fantail yacht anchored outside the entrance. Johnny Depp recently had one of these built. I don't know if this one is his...

We went to visit our friend's Les and Barb. They arrived about 1/2 hour before us. This is their Gemini 105MC anchored in front of us.

When we got back to Plantation Key our friends Bev and Bob arrived for a couple days visit. The first day was perfect for snorkling so we headed for the Hen and Chickens reef.  The reef was in better condition than I expected.

We then motored back to Cowpens Bay and dropped a hook in front of the beach at Founders Park and relaxed. As you can see, Bob really relaxed...

For those that enjoy a little history, the settlers in this area dined on Manatees. They would catch them and keep them in pens in the bay until, well... it was time. Hence the name "Cowpens" Bay...

The next day checked out this Toilet Bowl place everybody at the dock said we just had to see... Actually is is a cut through the shallows marked with the locals artistically displayed cast offs...

Bob and Bev left Thursday afternoon. Yesterday our friends Les and Barb took the Keys bus to Plantation Key for an overnight on Buddy's Dinette and this weekend's Nautical Flea Market. After shopping till we dropped (a few $ that is), this afternoon we took them back to Marathon. We stopped for lunch at the Islamorada Fish House and watched the feeding frenzy at the Bass Pro Shop next door....

Happy hour...

We got back "home" this afternoon and were invited to join our dockmates for Happy Hour at the Island Grill." Dinner" consisted of shrimp and conch critters washed down with a bit of Budweiser. Our bill was $12.77. Such a deal!! The photo represents the view from my side of the bar. A bit different than Tom's...

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Can't help it...

once a sailor, always a sailor... Actually we were able to meet up with Boomerang today for a photo shoot at Snake Creek, Plantation Key. Don and Lynn sailed up Hawk Channel and we motored back to Plantation Key on the Florida Bay side. We both got to Snake Creek at the same time, with them leaving Boot Key about 7 AM. We left at 10. This is Don and Lynn's last cruise before delivering Boomerang for shipment to its new owner.

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Boomerang!!!!

We last saw the crew of Boomerang three years ago in Hopetown, Abacos, Bahamas. It was good to see them again here in Boot Key. It was purely coincidental... Don and Lynn are leaving in the morning to head back to the Bahamas for a short cruise before sailing back to Fort Lauderdale. Don and Lynn live on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, just west of the Thousand Islands. They sail an absolutely beautiful performance-oriented 40' cruising catamaran, a Fusion 40. To the right is a photo I took of them while they were on a mooring in Hopetown three years ago. I took another photo of them from atop the Hometown lighthouse as they were entering the harbor that ended up in the Fusion 40 sales brochure. Fair Winds Boomerang!!!!

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horses and pigs

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Toast to sunset

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Live on the beach...

some might think it's a good motto,some do it, but we only did it for a few hours today...

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Full moon over Boot Key

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Naw... we decided to keep our Buddy

Yesterday we motored 33 km SW to Boot Key. Why anyone with a large Fleming would stay on the wall at Boot Key harbor is beyond me... After dinner we came to our senses and traded back for our Buddy. The harbor is full, with a waiting list for mooring balls (as it always is this time of year). We knew it wouldn't be a problem with our "cute" little Buddy as we dropped a hook near the shallows west of the mooring field. Larger, deeper draft boats are having trouble finding room to anchor. Bigger is not necessarily better...

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We've decided to trade up....

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Dinghy run

The other day we took a dinghy ride up to Marker 88 for lunch with some of our dockmates. Here' s Kay Ann and Mike on the way. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a group photo once we got there....

Today our plan is to take a run over to Boot Key for a few days. Our friends Les and Barb are on their way there from Little Shark River.

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Demo day...

A couple of days ago a friendly couple visited our dock. They stopped to chat about Buddy a bit, we exchanged cards, and they moved on. They had expressed an interest in purchasing a Sedan Cruiser once they sold their current boat. They had it built in 2000 and then did the Great Circle.  As many folks are doing these days, George and Stacey Sass are interested in downsizing and the Rosborough has caught their eye.

After they left, I thought perhaps they would appreciate a demo. At one time I tried to sell Corsair Trimarans and we gave allot of demos...  Anyway, I emailed them and they accepted our offer. Turns out George and Stacey were staying near Miami so they joined us for a little cruise the next day. We had a wonderful time with them while looking for a bit of rough water. Hawk Channel had a little chop but that was about it. George is a writer for the boating industry and Stacey is a teacher. It was a good experience to meet individuals with such extensive boating and marine industry experience that were interested in our "cute" little boat...

We hope their ride was enjoyable. Perhaps we'll see them in a Rossy someday.

If anyone is looking to buy an absolutely beautiful Downeaster, George and Stacey's is for sale. It is a Mast and Mallet Thomas Point 43. More details at: http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2000/Mast-and-Mallet-Thomas-Point-43-2284490/Annapolis/MD/United-States

Let's get cuttin"...

Today our dockmate Kay Ann graciously offered to trim up a few of us. Cathie, Pam and I were treated to a quick cut!!

Yesterday the second big cold front blasted through the Keys since we got here 4 weeks ago. Actually, the weather this year has be better than average. While the northern states are getting a good taste of winter, the Keys have been rather pleasant. Our forecast for the next ten days is great!!