February 27: We Are Outta Here!!

After a tough month of radiation for the Captain, it is time to get this mission off the ground and for us to get underway. If anything, this episode has strengthened our resolve to go now. We can never say enough to express our gratitude for the support and prayers we have received from our family and friends. Craig is healthy, strong and 100% cured.

This week has been, and Jimmy Buffett says it best, a tumultuous uproar as we prepare to set sail for the Bahamas: provisioning, last minute "can't live withouts", engine/generator maintenance and preparation, turn the rental car in, got to the bank, etc. etc.

One "can't live without" splurge was new linen for our stateroom. That comforter was too heavy and scratchy, and girls, you know there was just too much blue going on in this boat for me. Now, I'll admit some degree of excitement that Key West has in addition to my K-Mart limitation in Marathon, a Sears. Woo-woo! I gave it a half-hearted attempt, but a girl has to draw a hard line prior to unemployment, so an Angela internet power search ensued, and voila!

A 100% cotton matelasse..in cayenne, no less. With matching shams. And a throw pillow. OK, and midnight blue sheets with a stupid high thread count. But no flowers or petite english ivy...I was pushing my luck with the shams.

I did hit K-Mart and Publix on a massive provisioning mission. Things can certainly be had down island, in many places very inexpensive, and part of the point of the trip is to enjoy new cultures, but the Bahamas are crazy expensive. We thought it a good idea to stock up to save money and until we get a feel for foreign markets. While I was doing this, the Captain got down and dirty in the engine room, changing oil, filters and other man stuff to prepare us for the journey.

For the first time, I was the woman you hate to be behind in the checkout line.

Fun with the Food-Saver. Vacuum sealed for freshness!

The Captain and the Admiral each do our part to ensure the health and well-being of the other.

Today we pulled our lines on board and headed out of Key West to head north before making the passage across to the Bahamas. It was a beautiful day but the 15knot winds were right on our nose, requiring use of the "iron jib" and many tacks to make progress north. We made it to our old favorite anchorage, Bahia Honda, to spend the night. We will proceed to Marathon tomorrow to visit with friends. Following that, we will continue north the Key Largo or thereabouts, looking for our weather window to cut across the gulf stream.

The Admiral

February 21-23 Jeff Marker Visits Hakuna Matata

FJM (Fabulous Jeff Marker), a good friend and colleague from the Captain's corporate days, winged into Key West for the weekend to help with the healing process and relax for a few days. He arrived Saturday afternoon, and we immediately returned to the boat for cockpit refreshments. Jeff was quick to get into a Key West state of mind. We took him down to Mallory Square for the daily sunset party and then a "Duval crawl" along the main drag of Key West. I could not get the boys to hold hands but entertained myself by dropping a few paces behind to watch tourists looking at them...

Image to the left is sunset from Mallory Square.



Image to the right is one of the artists on Mallory Square, a potential career opportunity should 401Ks continue to vaporize.







Sunday, we geared up for a day of fishing and adventure on the high seas. As it turns out, we had lots of adventure but no catching. Just after leaving the channel marks to our marina, Jeff spotted something in the water which turned out to be a school of stingrays, gliding along at the water's surface.

Look closely! They are quick and shy!!










We sailed out to our sweet spot (see prior posts) and fished all day long with nary a bite. Turning back towards home port to get in the slip before dark, we were surprised to see a Coast Guard launch speeding our way, lights flashing! They pulled along side and informed us of their intent to board our vessel for Coast Guard safety inspection. Thank heavens for my compulsive captain! They were quite austere until it was established that there were no weapons aboard (would a Texas girl's makeup count??), and then they went through the inspection. No deficits on Hakuna Matata. They were very friendly and even let us take a photo to document the occasion.

The answer to your question is:
50 caliber.









Monday we did the Conch Train tour through Key West...100 points of historical and architectural interest! A great visit. Thanks for coming to see us, Jeff!
The Admiral

Feb 13-15: Miami International Boat Show

We spent Valentines Day and the Captain's birthday in Miami at the boat show. This was a city-wide event, with Strictly Sail occupying the bayside marina in downtown Miami...all sailboats and all sailboat gear vendors...uh oh. We drove up to Miami Friday night and were at the gate when it opened. The Captain being an experienced boat show participant, we bypassed the tents and went straight to the boats on display. First stop, Island Packet, to see that sweet 485, just in case we win the lottery this week. Others that we toured included 40 foot+ yachts by Catalina, Tartan, Hylas and Passport, as well as several custom yachts that were for sale. We returned on Sunday to tour all the catamarans on display, including a 70 foot model offered at 5 million that charters for 50K/week, crew tip not included.

The weather was beautiful, sunny and in the 80's. We interspersed boat tours with passes through the vendor tent, enjoying the shade, cool drinks and picking up a few "can't live without" items along the way.




The marina was completely full of shiny new sailboats with all manufacturers flying their flags from the rigging. We wondered where all the usual slip occupants were...






Goobing for the camera at the Gill booth with new floating sunglasses. A justified purchase...I was on backups since my good ones broke.

We liked the classic beauty of this yacht....a wood varnisher's dream!


This was a 76foot custom yacht offered at 1.2 million. The stainless and granite galley was the size of our salon!

My hand barely fit around the standing rigging.


Latitudes & Attitudes is a magazine that caters specifically to cruising sailors. Bob Bitchin is the founder and a monthly contributing writer. We stopped at the Latts & Atts booth and were tickled for a photo opp with Bob himself.





Latts & Atts sponsored a party Saturday night with the Eric Stone Band. Below, a party wench. Where is a wide angle lens when you need it?
Also, a T-shirt with the motto of many Latts & Atts cruisers and the band playing sailing tunes.
















Thankfully, the Captain meets the criteria. After a full day and evening of activity, we stop in Bubba Gump's for a beverage and dinner. Have you ever had a pomegranate margarita? Perfection in a glass...my new favorite. Note to self: add pomegranate liqueur to the provisioning list.




It was a great weekend and we drove home Sunday evening to the best sailboat of all, S/V Hakuna Matata.
The Admiral

Feb. 6-10, Taxes....we got people!

On Feb 6 we flew my dad down to help us with our taxes and spend a few days aboard Hakuna Matata before we leave at the end of the month.

On Saturday we decided to get him out on the water for a little "Key West Style" fishing and sailing. It was a bit rough with winds in the 20-25 knot range but with dad being an old salt and graduate of 2 gulf crossings this was not a big deal for him!

On the way out to the gulf stream dad had the first hit and landed the first fish, a nice mackerel....right after we got this one aboard we notice we had a second mackerel on the other line that we also brought aboard!

Approaching the gulf stream the waves really started to build. We had 8-10 foot seas!

Not long after we got into the gulf stream we hooked our first Tuna aboard Hakuna Matata.

We also caught a few Mahi Mahi along the way so it was a tough decision to have either Tuna, Mahi or Mackerel for dinner.....the Mahi won out.

On Sunday we decided to spend the day in downtown Key West. We walked Duval, the Marina areas and stopped at the famous Sloppy Joe's Bar for a beer. We then ate lunch at the famous Caroline's restaurant on Duval and went down to check out the cruise ships and other large yachts down by Mallory Square.

To the left is me and dad at Sloppy Joe's having a beer and to the right is a boat preparing for a wedding at the Key West Bight Marina.

Monday we decided we better take a day off from the "fun" and finally get dad to help with my tax stuff. Dad finished that in short order and since he had not done a project all weekend we had him design and make bag holders for our new folding bikes. These allow bags to be attached to the rear racks on the bikes so when Angela goes to the store down in the islands she does not have to also carry the bags of groceries.....Craig will be patiently waiting at the dingy!

Here is dad making custom brackets out of Aluminium bar stock from Home Depot.....they turned out great of course!

On Tuesday we had to say goodbye and dropped dad off at the Key West airport (so much better than driving to Miami).

It was a great weekend and thanks so much dad for the help on the taxes and spending time with us down in Key West.....we had a great time with you!

The Captain

February 5th

BRRRR....it is cold here in the Florida Keys this week! Highs in the 50's with winds sustained 20-30mph, making it feel much colder. Heaters are on and every polartec garment is out and in use. The captain started radiation treatments this week and that is going pretty well. We are usually in/out of the center in 10 minutes. It makes him tired in the afternoons, but other than that, no ill effects.

The doctor said that adult beverages are OK in moderation but that other patients have said that beer makes them sick. No beer. Together we decided that the spice flavor in Captain Morgan's might make him sick. No rum.

What else to do but turn to a tried and true favorite!

Matt and Linda Norwood of S/V Worth W8N4, our next door neighbors in Marathon, who drove our truck down to Key West when we moved the boat down here. They had an errand in Key West last week and took us to dinner at Friday's. Living in Marathon, it has been a long time (years, perhaps?) since we have gone to a chain restaurant.

Good times with good friends. Thanks Matt and Linda!



I spent HOURS searching the internet for the perfect trim for my K-mart fake ultrasuede pillows. The salon will be fabulous when I am done, despite not a scrap of petite English ivy...

We have struggled to find non-skid mats or flooring for the heads that are truly non-skid on a boat in motion. Craig can shop the internet better than anybody, and look what he found. These are custom teak grates...easy on the feet!

(aft)

(forward)

All in all, things are going well. We are scheduled to complete treatments 2/25 and are shooting for a March departure.

Happy Birthday to sister Candy today! Looking forward tomorrow to a long weekend visit from Craig's dad.