Saturday March 15: It's a Fine Line ...

Ever notice how two different things can be so similar? I was looking through our pictures for the last week and it again occurred to me that unless a picture of a sunset or a sunrise is designated as such, it's very hard to determine which is which. Can you tell which one is the sunset?

The week started with a return trip to Key West - this time via the $1.50 (one way) bus (sometimes it pays to be a senior). Former Cleveland friends Laura and Barbara were traveling from Ft. Myers (west coast of Florida) to Key West via the fast cat boat so we made plans to meet them for a few hours.

Steve, Barbara and Laura

The Plan worked well - we were there when they walked down the gangplank. It was GREAT to see them again - as it always is :-)  First things first: lunch!

And then of course we needed some of that famous Key Lime pie so that was desert on the Sunset Pier.

Steve tried on a couple of hats, Laura and Barbara purchased some souvenirs and before we knew it, it was time to head back to Marathon.

It was really nice to be able to connect with them even if it was for such a short time.

Yesterday's Dream, Anna Virginia and Jenna Star at anchor.

In the meantime, Steve had been itching to get out overnight again and the opportunity weather-wise came on Tuesday. We had hoped for 2 nights out but it was clear that the weather was going to deteriorate again - those doggone north winds!

The island nearest our anchorage was a haven for the many bird types in the area - it was VERY shallow near shore so we stayed a healthy distance away (in the dinghy as it was too far to really kayak to the island). Wonder if TowBoat US would have come to our rescue?

There were great white herons in the tree tops and sitting along the shoreline. And of course many pelicans and cormorants which are so numerous around the Keys.

All in all it was a great night out.

The dolphins spotted the two days were some of the largest that we've ever seen. The bow wave on our boat is still the favorite place for them to ride but there were several that seemed to enjoy surfing alongside. Of course I didn't have the camera on the flybridge so I missed the best group (5 of them) riding alongside the boat.

What fun to see when we travel!!

The rest of the week just seemed to pass - the days blending. Time for a breakfast out to IHOP (a great place that has some excellent low fat choices) and of course shopping.

Steve has been wanting to pick up a lobstering "kit" for the Bahamas. Just getting it back to the boat was interesting but Steve devised a way to stuff it between my backpack and my back. Figures he'd manage some way to get it back to the boat :-)

The focus continues to be on making sure we have what we need to go to the Bahamas as it's so much easier to take what we need with us rather than try to get it over there.

Plans are in place: we'll be meeting Peter and Cheryl on Surona in a week and a half and head over from Ft. Lauderdale.

In the meantime, we were trying to figure out where Dude the turtle went. Seems he didn't like being by the beach where we left him so he made his way to the neighbor's chair.

Then he disappeared again - only to show up on another neighbor's kayak! Guess he thought it was time for his great escape ....

Who knows where he'll end up next!

Sunset last night: clouds = no green flash but interestingly enough, there was a bit of green when the top tip of the sun passed behind the cloud. Never saw that before ....



Top pictures: sunset left, sunrise right.


Tonight? Christi, Will, J.P. and Kaitlyn arrive!!