Key West (2/14 thru 2/22)

Thursday February 14, 2013
24 34.285 N
81 47.317 W

This is a Valentine's day that Deidre will not forget (or forgive?) easily!

We decided to cut our visit to Marathon short because we could not get a mooring in the harbor and because there was some bad weather forecast for the end of the week. I had called the Key West City Marina and they assured us they had plenty of vacant moorings now, but they may fill up if the weather turns bad. So we had the anchor up at 8:30 AM (early for us) and were on our way shortly thereafter.

Seven Mile Bridge 

It was a nice morning with a good forecast as we headed out into the Atlantic under the 7-mile bridge. But as soon as we got thru the bridge we ran into swarms of crab pots. I swear I will never eat a crab cake again. To make matters worse the winds were a lot stronger than advertised, and maneuvering Tide Hiker thru the fields of crab pot floats became quite a task.

Our plot had us in 20'-30' of water most of the day (this area is generally shallow) but because of the pots I decided to head out past the 3 mile line to 40' plus. That added several miles to the day and when we got into 40' depth the pot situation was not much better. The wind was now in the 15-20 kts range, but there was not much we could do but soldier on. We were travelling with Sareanna and they were also casting around for a better route. We had some near misses, I am hoping we did not pick up any ropes & pots.

Key West Cruise Ship

Eventually we seemed to get away from the pots and soon we had Key West in sight. Just like last time there was a large cruise ship in the harbor (Majesty of the Seas). Coming around the point the waves were at least 5' on our stern as the wind was fighting a strong tidal current.The harbor was nice and busy with tourist boats.

We had to do a 5 mile "loop" to the west and north to get to our mooring. There were plenty of moorings available and we were all settled by 4:30PM.

It was Valentine's Day and I was keen to take Deidre out to dinner and so we launched the dinghy, gussied up, and headed for the dinghy dock a couple of miles away down the bay and under a bridge. All went well and we find an "old haunt" for dinner right on the water ("The Turtle Kraal"). But half way thru dinner a big storm blew in, scattering the patrons. I was thinking "this will pass and all will be OK". Well, couple of hours later it was still raining and blowing like stink. It was decision time - take a hotel room or make a "go" for it in the dinghy.

Of course we decided to "go for it". First step was to buy some more clothing - nice sweat top for Mum, long sleeved tee for Dad. Followed by a mile walk in the rain to the dock on flooded sidewalks. The dinghy engine started well and then I pumped out 3" of water and tried to dry the seats. The dinghy dock was in a protected little harbor, so all was OKuntill we entered the bay, then all hell broke loose. The wind was strong (had made it to over 30kts in the storm) and we were heading straight into it. The waves were 3' and 4' big and "confused". I was navigating using the iPad secured in a baggie. Mum was in the bow and drenched as solid spray hit her, and then me. It was pitch black but the iPad lead the way. I could set a course from the iPad and pick out some lights ahead to follow till the next leg. We had called Dick on Sareanna and asked him to turn on all his lights, so after a while we started to get glimpses of Sareanna and then Tide Hiker. Getting Mum off the dinghy and onto the swim platform was the next trick as everything was pitching around.But we arrived safe and sound, drenched to the skin..

Friday February 15, 2013

I do not have a dry bra left!!

Back into the marina this morning (after a couple of loads of wash) to register and have lunch. Of course the weather broke as we were having lunch so we had another wet trib back to Tide Hiker. We are going to stay on board for the rest of the day.

We can see in the distance that the cruise ship is leaving. I hope all their toilets are working.

Saturday February 16, 2013

We are waiting for the change, expecting 30 - 35 MPH winds about lunch time. We did not leave the boat this morning because we were concerned about what the wind would be blowing when we needed to return. Looks like it may be like this for a few days. We have lots of food, books and the TV but I am sure this will feel like a prison soon.

Brave souls

Sunday February 17, 2013

Last night was quite windy and we rocked around a bit. The mooring field is located in Garrision Bight, protected on 3 sides, open to the North. The wind swung around from from NW to N last night, so the longer fetch did not help.

Deidre has finished a couple of books, I have caught up on all my Time magazines and we have watched a couple of movies. We are getting a bit low on water - I just checked, we are at about 40%

Dick and Dee

The wind seems to have calmed down this afternoon so we have invited our neighbors over for dinner and some games.

Monday February 18, 2013

The wind finally calmed down last night and also moved to the east where we get some protection. We had a great 10 hours of "two blanket" sleep last night and woke refreshed. The breeze was still 10-15kts in the morning but we decided it was time to get off the boat so we arranged to meet Dick & Dee for lunch and with the wind on our backs went to shore.

Cruise Ships

Lunch was good and then we just explored. Key West is a fun town, plus there were three large cruise ships in town so it was packed with people. We had a beer at a bar on the water with a band and overlooking the cruise ships and it was just "input overload". For afternoon tea we stopped at a fancy restaurant for a plate of "conch fritters" - deep fried yum. At 4 PM we wandered back to malory Dock to watch the cruise ships depart.It is quite amazing to see a 700' long ship back off a dock and do a 180 degree turn, all under its own power. We were back on the boat by 6 PM after a fun day.

Tuesday February 19, 2013

Breakfast

Another great day, the wind is all but gone now, and its sunny about 80 degrees. We decided to dinghy into town for breakfast and to read the paper. We then bought tickets for the "Conch Train" which is a 90 minute "on and off" tourist ride through town. We stopped off to pick up Deidre's pills, pay a visit to the bank and the Post Office and drink some Cuban coffee.

Key West is just a happening town with an interesting history of pirates and ship wrecks, all with an interesting mix of Cuban and Caribbean flavor. There are over 300 bars and they all seem to be doing good business. The vegetation is lush and the harbor is bustling with ships and boats. Its clean but just rustic enough to seem authentic. I love it.

We are getting to 'decision time". We are running low on water so need to do something about that. I want to go to the Dry Tortugas but need a 4 day weather window.

Dinghy Dock - Can you see Deidre?

Wednesday February 20, 2013

Busy work day. Arranged for a visit from the "honey boat". Took the dink into the marina and paid thru Saturday and then walked to a supermarket to shop. Lunch at BK on the way back. Then dropped the ball and took Tide Hiker into a marina about 5 miles away to load up with water, and back by about 4PM. Invited neighbors over for a beer and now its dark again.

There is a small front coming through tomorrow and then plan to head for the Dry Tortugas on Saturday.

Thursday February 21, 2013

At home day. Deidre stayed in her pajamas until it was time to visit the boat next door for drinks. We recovered the dinghy so I could charge the battery. I repaired a damaged screen. Not a lot going on.

Friday February 22, 2013

The weather forecast is still looking good so we expect to leave in the AM. I have ordered a new battery for the dinghy so we will go get that today. There is an interesting web site for the Dry Tortugas: http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm

We relaunched the dinghy and the battery started the engine. That means the issue is not the battery but the "dynamo" (or whatever it is called). We dinghy-ed in and called in on a DeFever in the marina that we had talked to on the radio, and we all went out for lunch. Key West was alive with people - what a great port. We picked up the new battery (sorry - special order, no returns) and a fuel filter for the Onan and now back on Tide Hiker. Early night.