3.30.10
We went to the Turtle Rehab Hospital today in Marathon - it is the only licensed vet hospital in the world that works only on sea turtles. Seems like they are doing a bang-up job there! Awesome to see the loggerheads as big as me! Sad to know that there are so many boat-related injuries that a hospital like this is required. SLOW DOWN SPEED BOATERS!!!
Then we walked down to the 7-mile bridge; to one side is a pier that walks out to a little island. It is said that on a clear day, you can see sharks and turtles gallore out there. It was really windy today and we had Koa, so we didn't make it all the way there. But we have big aspirations to make it there later in the week!
After a great day, we were sitting down to dinner (Pizza Hut delivers everywhere, thank god!!) when we heard a loud horn. We figured it was a boat coming in or leaving the marina, as they are sometimes apt to blowing a warning horn. The sound continued and then there were multiple horns blowing at once. Upon investigation, we discovered a group of people that had pilfered conch shells from the marina office and were blowing them on the dock opposite us! Although the sounds were less than harmonious, it was so cool to hear all the different horns together! Now we are intent on finding some conch horns of our own so that if another spontaneous conch horn band forms, we will be ready!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Vaca Key
3.27.10
Friday morning we set out for another day of sailing. This day, unfortunately, is what everyone has told us was more along the lines of a "normal" sailing day. The wind was slim to none, averaging out at about 4knots, with the occasional 8knot gust. The only thing more depressing than that was that the wind was directly off our stern. Not good news for a sailor.
We set the sails for a run and settled in for a long, hot day. When the wind is coming from behind you, there is no breeze and with the wind being as nonexistent as it was there was no correct positioning for the sails. All day long we were adjusting and readjusting the sails, attempting to eek out as much forward movement as possible. It ended up taking us 7hours to go 20 miles- two days before it had taken us that long to go 40miles!!
It was a long and grueling, but we finally made it to Vaca Key (aka Marathon) by abou 5pm. We got right into a slip and called it a day.
We have since been putting around Vaca Key, trying to get our boat up to snuff. We finally have a dinghy motor - tomorrow we will be attempting to putter around the waterways in that (although neither of us have a clue how to work one!!) We rented bikes and rode 3miles to the closest Home Depot and Publix to restock as needed - that was a cruel reminder as to how small bike seats are. We are certainly paying for that decision today!
Today was rainy and windy, which brought the temperatures down and forced us indoors - hence the catchup on the blog!
We will be hunkering down here for about a week and then slowly make our way over to Key West. It has been an exciting journey so far and the best is yet to come!! Early Retirement is awesome!
Friday morning we set out for another day of sailing. This day, unfortunately, is what everyone has told us was more along the lines of a "normal" sailing day. The wind was slim to none, averaging out at about 4knots, with the occasional 8knot gust. The only thing more depressing than that was that the wind was directly off our stern. Not good news for a sailor.
We set the sails for a run and settled in for a long, hot day. When the wind is coming from behind you, there is no breeze and with the wind being as nonexistent as it was there was no correct positioning for the sails. All day long we were adjusting and readjusting the sails, attempting to eek out as much forward movement as possible. It ended up taking us 7hours to go 20 miles- two days before it had taken us that long to go 40miles!!
It was a long and grueling, but we finally made it to Vaca Key (aka Marathon) by abou 5pm. We got right into a slip and called it a day.
We have since been putting around Vaca Key, trying to get our boat up to snuff. We finally have a dinghy motor - tomorrow we will be attempting to putter around the waterways in that (although neither of us have a clue how to work one!!) We rented bikes and rode 3miles to the closest Home Depot and Publix to restock as needed - that was a cruel reminder as to how small bike seats are. We are certainly paying for that decision today!
Today was rainy and windy, which brought the temperatures down and forced us indoors - hence the catchup on the blog!
We will be hunkering down here for about a week and then slowly make our way over to Key West. It has been an exciting journey so far and the best is yet to come!! Early Retirement is awesome!
Our first Swim
3.26.10
After the long 50mile haul we did yesterday, we took today off to enjoy the area. We were still dinghy-less, so we were confined to the boat. We were both badly in need of showers and Koa was in need of some exercise so we decided to go swimming!
The water was still a bit chilly when we first got in, but we quickly became numb - I mean got used to it. :)
Koa was sitting at the back of the boat barking and wagging his tail, eager to join us. We got out, strapped him into his life jacket and got his favorite ocean floaty toy and threw it off the back of the boat. He was so excited!! But...way too chicken to take the plunge right off the boat. With a little push, I mean nudge from Brad he jumped in and paddled right out to get his toy. He was in doggy heaven. Until he got back to the boat and realized that he couldn't get out, so he had nowhere to drop his toy and shake off the water before going back for another round of fetch. Bless his little heart, he clung to the ladder and looked at me like "what the hell mom?!"
We threw his toy again and he reluctantly went to get it, but then panic mode set in. He started paddling desperately around in circles, panting and wide-eyed until Brad reached down and hoisted him up by the life jacket and pulled him on board.
Although, not a complete success, we have learned with Koa that it is all about the baby steps. We will try again in some warmer water and perhaps closer to a beach so he can swim ashore if needed. Then we will attempt to torture Moo....mwahahaha!!
After the long 50mile haul we did yesterday, we took today off to enjoy the area. We were still dinghy-less, so we were confined to the boat. We were both badly in need of showers and Koa was in need of some exercise so we decided to go swimming!
The water was still a bit chilly when we first got in, but we quickly became numb - I mean got used to it. :)
Koa was sitting at the back of the boat barking and wagging his tail, eager to join us. We got out, strapped him into his life jacket and got his favorite ocean floaty toy and threw it off the back of the boat. He was so excited!! But...way too chicken to take the plunge right off the boat. With a little push, I mean nudge from Brad he jumped in and paddled right out to get his toy. He was in doggy heaven. Until he got back to the boat and realized that he couldn't get out, so he had nowhere to drop his toy and shake off the water before going back for another round of fetch. Bless his little heart, he clung to the ladder and looked at me like "what the hell mom?!"
We threw his toy again and he reluctantly went to get it, but then panic mode set in. He started paddling desperately around in circles, panting and wide-eyed until Brad reached down and hoisted him up by the life jacket and pulled him on board.
Although, not a complete success, we have learned with Koa that it is all about the baby steps. We will try again in some warmer water and perhaps closer to a beach so he can swim ashore if needed. Then we will attempt to torture Moo....mwahahaha!!
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