back to the Keys

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After two weeks of miserable cold weather we are finally back in shorts and t- shirts as things return to normal.
The cold water (it went from 72f down to 49f) killed hundreds of thousands of fish - even as far south as here in the Keys.

We had an uneventful run down the west coast to Marathon and have settled on a mooring for a month. From here we can take side trips to a few nice anchorages and also spend a couple of nights in Key West (all we can afford - where it is difficult to find any accommodation under $200 a night.)

Also have reconnected with some other cruising friends met last year - Jim & Christine of 'Baroness' and have made new friends as well.

Yesterday we had an impromptu Australia Day celebration with local lobster on the barbie and a couple of beers - couldn't find any Aussie brands tho.

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Photos

drifting
a little Canadian Shark class sailboat with frozen crew making their way south

dead calm
no chance to sail on this leg from Marco Island to the Little Shark River

favourites
Marlene liked the name of this boat

Vikings!
on the prowl looking to loot and pillage any unsuspecting cruisers

Marathon
Boot Key mooring field on a quiet evening

on the ball
one of 250 cruisers from all over the world in the mooring field at Marathon

look what I found!
15 Florida lobster tails to share

ready to eat
Jim presents the first helping!

Australia Day Buffet
lobsters, Cuban sandwiches, cerviche, Caesar salad, black beans and rice... and a bottle of Yellow Tail...

Comments

[Anne]

Wonderful Marlene and Ian. Glad you have warm weather again. Fabulous pics and anecdotes. xo's Anne

[Lin]

Hi there
Heh - How are u? Love those pictures - especially the one of Marathon. In fact I have copied it. You should have it enlarged (the picture that is) - it is beautiful. Finally the weather is warming up!! What was the name of that restaurant you told Rick and I about - was it Johnny's - where abouts is it? I am heading back to T.O. on Friday for a week - Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr .... the temp is supposed to drop just before I arrive - figures. They have had seasonally mild weather thus far. Take care - LIN

[Eugene Madden]

-5C here - lucky you. Happy New Year
First time dealing with a blog. Let's see how it goes. Regards to both of you. Eugene. PS. I think the Haitians could use that barbie stuff - looked good. E.

[Judy Coghill]

Hola from the Dominican Republic
Hi Marlene and Ian, Chris Mackenzie and I are down in the Dominican Republic this week enjoying that lovely sunshine and warm weather you were describing. Safe trip home. I will not be coming to EQAO in April. I have done enough supervising. I regret not seeing you and so many of the others. All the best, Judy and Chris

[bill and audrey]

loved Marathon
Hey Ian and Marlene..Marathon was one of our favourite spots on the Great Circle Route..our boat was in drydock in 05 at boatyard by West Marine...we stayed at the first marina coming into Marathon..before the bridge...you should consider heading to Dry Tortugas..great spot..spent several days there...we are in Bradenton until late April...we have room if you are coming this way...phone [phone]..got here on the 24th....keep in touch...safe sailing and good winds...Bill and Audrey