Kickin' Back In the Keys!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
We are still docked in Marathon in the Keys. A great place to be in January, especially this January!
Reports of horrible weather back home: schools and churches closed, car accidents, and cabin fever!
It's cool today with temps in the 60's. Mary ran errands and Steve worked on projects like- sanding and varnishing the teak boat railings (this project will take 6-7 days).
This afternoon, our new dock neighbors arrived, Sal and Ina Oliveira, from Picton, Ontario on Salina 'O'. In the picture up above, they are to the right of Dream Chaser. They have been loopers and still have their burgee on their ship's bow, but now they winter in Florida and return to Canada each year for the summer. Nice plan!
It's 5:30 pm, so it's time for DOCKTAILS! Loopers, Pete and Carolyn, Bob and Loretta, and Sal and Ina, joined Jim and Michelle (Hammer), J.B and Shelly (from Chicago), and another local couple on the dock to socialize. Besides our sliced beef salami, sliced cheeses, and assorted crackers, there was chocolate, chex mix, fish dip, a vegetable platter, and hot pizza. Bundled in jackets, we shared boating experiences and had some laughs in spite of the cold wind and temps in the 50's. We were wishing we had a warm campfire!
Back on board, we spent a quiet evening watching a DVD on the life of Mark Twain.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Thursday started with brilliant sun and temps in the 50's, but 70's are promised for afternoon.
It was a laid back day starting with breakfast, then Steve's haircut (he was starting to grow a pony tail), poking around Marathon, lunch of rice and grilled Wahoo, varnishing the boat rails (again), relaxing by the pool, and catching some rays.
Dinner was nachos and grilled steak with steamed greens. At least the greens are healthy!
Steve attended a fishing seminar in Marathon on "Cast Net Fishing". Basically...The art of cast netting is throwing a hooped net (4-12 foot radius) with an attached line into the water. After fish are caught in the net, a retrieval clamp closes in around the fish and the net is hauled in. This form of fishing has been around for awhile; the Romans and Greeks cast nets, and it is also talked about in the New Testament.
Another quiet night on Dream Chaser.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Yes, another beautiful day with brilliant sunshine and temps in the 70's. Perfect weather to add more coats of varnish to the wooden rails on Dream Chaser which Steve did.
Did you know that there are seven species of sea turtles and five of these are found in the waters of the Florida Keys. We learned soooo much at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon opened in 1986. Yes, it's for real! This state-certified veterinary hospital for sea turtles (only one in the world) receives as many as 70 injured sea turtles a year and has release over 1200.
The hospital rehabilitates Loggerhead,
Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback,
and Kemps Ridley sea turtles
that have suffered boat hits,
monofilament & rope &
net entanglements, oil spills,
intestinal impaction (eating debris),
and fibropapilloma tumors. They
think the tumors are due to
pollution. Sea turtles are also
affected by the lack of nesting
sites due to coastal development.
contain the turtles until they are
rehabilitated and returned to the
ocean. Some turtles are long term
residents due to physical limitations-
blindness, less than three flippers,
"bubble-butt" (air in their shells, so
they float to the surface and can't
dive down without weights added),
or growths.
Meet a couple of the stars!
Our tour guide was excellent and provided
some hands-on items like this turtle shell that Mary is holding. During the tour, our guide repeatedly warned everyone to keep hands away from the live turtles in the pools because this hospital does not reattach fingers on humans!
It's always Happy Hour in the Keys!
We considered returning to Salty's Waterfront Grille for Happy Hour and Karaoke night, but we learned that it burned down to the sand about a week ago. So, no Salty's!
Tonight... Be at Sparky's Landing at Key Colony Beach in the Keys by 4:30 pm (we were) or you will stand in line outside with the rest of the crowd waiting for a table. Peel 'n eat shrimp and Sparky's wings are $.25 each and with a house salad...voilà dinner!
After dinner, we investigated the area. Key Colony Beach was a planned community laid out in the 1960's before strict environmental laws were in place. Every block has a deeply cut channel so big boats can be docked in front of each residence. Steve is impressed! We drove to the end of West Ocean Drive and found Sunset Park. A great place to be from 5:30-6pm to watch the sunset!
As the sun set, applause broke out among the crowd of people, followed by music and singing.
This is the chorus from the song, "The Islands of Marathon" by John Bartus from Keys Disease.
"Days on the ocean
walks on the beach
sunsets on the bay
The moon casts a silver
light on the water
takes all my cares away
Palm trees sway in the breeze
on this island I call home
It's tropical life in the Florida Keys
The Islands of Marathon"
Saturday, January 25, 2014
After breakfast, at 9 am, we drove northeast on Highway 1 towards Key Largo. Today, our ultimate destination is Everglades National Park (yes, we are returning) for a tour of the Nike Missile Site.
We left Key Colony, and as we crossed the bridge, the sun was shining on the water creating miles of sparkling jewels- breathtaking! We are anticipating a beautiful day with temps predicted near 80!
After a quick stop at Anne's Beach, we paid a return visit to a boat and fishing consignment shop in Key largo to purchase a fish fighting harness (we are hopeful). The shop is worth a stop to just walk through; this place is an experience! It has USED everything boat or fishing! It's no Target!
Just outside of Homestead, the car turned
into the parking lot at "Robert Is Here",
our favorite fruit stand in Redlands. Steve
joined the 25 people in line for fruit shakes
and picked canistel & strawberry. YUM!
Canistel is a yellow, waxy skinned fruit
with pulp like a hard boiled egg. It's flavor
reminds you of egg-custard and is used
in custards, pies, and milkshakes. It is native
to Mexico and Central America.
At 2 pm, we are back in Everglades National Park to visit a relic of the Cold War, the HM 69 Nike Missile Base. Completed in 1965 following the Cuban Missile Crisis, this historic Hercules Missile site was built to guard against air attacks from Cuba only 160 miles away. Security against Soviet attack was America's main priority at that time and many of us remember the threat. We expected an attack by Russian bombers from the north, but not from the south. Missile sites were located in many northern locations; we had a missile site only five miles from our home in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Many of us remember people building back yard bomb shelters and participating in civil defense drills at school-if you're old enough! Looking back on those drills, what would huddling under a school desk or sitting against the wall in a hallway accomplish if we had been bombed? In 1962, reports from an American spy plane informed our leaders of the presence of missiles in Cuba, but we didn't know, until later, that they had many nuclear warheads (twice the size of Hiroshima) armed and ready to shoot at the US on a moments notice. A Battery of the 2nd Missile Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery, maintained the 41 ft. anti-aircraft missiles which stood on-guard at this Everglades location until 1979. Some of these missiles were fitted with nuclear warheads three times the power of the Hiroshima bomb and capable of intercepting an entire fleet of bombers. The men manning these sites used restraint and are heroes of a war never fought. We enjoyed Ranger Leon Howell's guided tour of the site as he painted the picture of our country on the brink of war in the 60's, brought history to life, and helped us understand what life was like for the men stationed at this site.
Steve and Mary are standing in front of one of the missiles which is stored in one of the missile barns.
Below is a picture of a missile being launched in Texas. Every year the men in charge of these missiles would complete training to remain sharp and ready at a moments notice. In 1962, President Kennedy traveled to Homestead to personally award this group for the key role they played in our defense during that time.
Our next stop was at the Annual Stone Crab & Seafood Festival in Key Largo. We joined hundreds of seafood lovers enjoying the warm day, checked out the exhibits, and indulged in crab cakes, lemonade, and popcorn. Great food and great people watching!
Steve was excited when he saw the bungee jumping event (shown above), but Mary helped him fight off the temptation with memories of his BAD experience with bungee jumping in Colorado a few years ago!
Making our way through the exhibits,
Mary almost bumped into one of the
exhibitors wearing a live PYTHON!
Yikes!
What is THAT doing at a seafood
festival!!!???
Mary HATES snakes!
Sunday, January 26, 2014
This morning it was quiet at the docks with sun and 80's predicted; it will be a perfect day!
The boat rails were dry this morning, so Steve added another layer of varnish on the wooden boat rails. Now, we are free to be gone for the day!
By 8 am, we were headed northeast on Highway 1. We passed Conch Key and drove over the bridge which provided an awesome view of the bay to our left and the Atlantic Ocean to our right. The sun was sending a blinding reflection off the sparkling Atlantic waters-breathtaking! Besides several boats down below, we are sure we saw a whale on the Atlantic side! Highway 1 took us through the keys and over bridges until we arrived at Homestead, FL and Life Point Church. After the 10 am service, we drive toward Miami to upgrade our rental car. The rental company was so overwhelmed with customers that they handed Steve the keys to a red Sebring convertible. Awesome!
Lunch was at Sweet Tomatoes, a wonderful salad buffet. Fresh & healthy, and there is ice cream for dessert!
Mary's love for the rodeo brought us to the 65th annual PRCA Homestead Championship Rodeo in Homestead, FL this afternoon.
These Florida style
t-shirts were for sale.
Fun!
Barrel Racing!
This guy took a
closer look!
This was of interest to Mary, being a former reading intervention teacher...In 2001, the local rodeo organization began supporting the Black Stallion Literacy Program with reading incentives for first graders where the horses visit the school and the students participate in a field trip to the rodeo. What a great motivator!
Bring in the clowns!
About 4 pm, we began our journey back to Marathon and Sunday traffic in Key Largo (heading from the Keys to Miami) was beginning to back up for miles. We were VERY glad to be going in the opposite direction!
Just prior to sunset, we stopped at the Bayside Marina and Boardwalk in Islamorada. Nearby is a VERY nice Worldwide Sportsman Shop worth checking out. It is a fancy "Key's style" Bass Pro Shop. Inside this store, we discovered the sister ship to Hemingway's boat, Pilar, on display which you can board. The experience inspires you want to read "Old Man and the Sea", again! The nearby marina and outdoor restaurant was a perfect place to listen to great island music and watch the sun go down! Ahhhhh!
Monday, January 27, 2014
Another beautiful sunny day with temps in the 80's.
This had not been on our schedule, but...Today, we visited the Dolphin Research Center situated on a bay on the Gulf of Mexico on Grassy Key. Open seven days a week, the center is an education and research facility which provides an opportunity to get up close and experience Atlantic bottle-nose dolphins and California sea lions. We didn't choose to swim with the dolphins (we had done that in the Caribbean), but we really enjoyed the trainer talks and excellent presentations-spending most of the day!
During this presentation, three activities were going at the same time. The trainers on the ends of the platform are working on behaviors. The ladies in the middle are doing an ultrasound on the female dolphin who is expecting. The gestation period for dolphins is about 13 months. The dolphins are very well trained and let the staff do almost anything. It is obvious that the staff love what they are doing and are dedicated to this center. Several staff are in a college program while working at this facility-great deal. We learned soooo much about dolphins, but I won't bore you with it all. Stop by if you get down this way.
This center was home to the original "Flipper" movie, and the dolphin that starred in the movie is buried under a statue of her at the center. Now to burst your bubble...Flipper was photogenic, but was worthless at doing tricks so she had stunt doubles. These "stunt" dolphins had offspring who performed for us and they were terrific, but 90% of my pictures were only splashes because these amazing creatures move so fast. Here are just a few shots that turned out!
The staff at the center
were enthusiastic and
knew their stuff!
This dolphin
is painting!
We spent most of the day at the Dolphin Research Center and after leaving, we went for our daily walk on the old Seven Mile Bridge which parallels the present Seven Mile Bridge. This remaining bridge section took us two miles to the small 5 acre island of Pigeon Key, the original Henry Flagler work camp for the Overseas Railway and on the way back we enjoyed the sunset. We met Dave and Arla from Wisconsin while we were walking and shared our Florida experiences.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
No complaints after a great night's sleep, quiet morning, and stunning weather forecast for today. Radiant sunshine and highs in the 80's!
After breakfast, it was a run to the hardware store for boat needs, followed by the sealing of the teak wood rails, and laundry.
That done, we investigated the Art Studio in Marathon, FL. This studio provides an environment for creativity through many art media: jewelry making, glass fusing, leather tooling, ceramics, metal smithing & welding, and crafts. A REALLY fun place for tourists and locals.
Not much happening today: lunch, reading, a nap, relaxing by the pool.
Tonight, we enjoyed BBQ pork sandwiches which were delicious! Our friend, Meg, shared her Kentucky recipe with us, and now we are sharing it with you!
Sear a pork butt roast on a grill (at highest heat) for 15 minutes (turn 4 times).
Place the roast, 1 can dark beer, 2 bay leaves, 2 cloves garlic, and 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes in
a crockpot. Cook until meat shreds (low 8 hours).
In the 6th hour, remove half the pork cooking liquid and add the "sauce"
Sauce: Mix all the following ingredients in microwave for 2 minutes (enough to warm and
dissolve the sugar) to make sauce: 1 1/2 c. finely chopped onion, 2 bottles chili sauce, 2 T.
brown sugar, 4 cloves minced garlic, 2 T. cider vinegar, 3 T. mustard, 1 c. raisins (mashed in
food processor). Continue the crockpot cooking 2-3 hours. Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with broccoli slaw, chopped onion, dill pickles, and toasted & buttered buns. ENJOY!
We follow the recipe and then freeze the excess in small containers for future enjoyment.
Until it warms up to the north of us...We're just kickin' back in the Keys!
Steve and a ponytail would be fitting
ReplyDelete