MARATHON

We arrived in Marathon on November 15th. Our marina is the Harbor Cay Club. It's privately owned slips and boaters can rent out slips when the owners are not here. It's very quaint and located on the west side of the Keys. The day we came in, we had to cruise about 3 hours across the Gulf. In that 3 hours of cruising, we dodged lobster traps like crazy. We were about 10 miles off shore and they were everywhere. Needless to say, we were exhausted by the time we arrived to our dock.

Captain Still turned the big 60 on November 19th. We went to dinner that night and ran into Rodney and Katrina Warren. Their son went to school with Mandy and Jimmy. Plus, Katrina was Ryley's (our granddaughter) kindergarten teacher in Flour Bluff. This is a stop over for them before they head to Belize. Very small boating world out here.

Ed Boden (a friend of ours from Houston) arrived on 11/20 and we cruised to a another island about an hour away. That was our first outing in the Atlantic Ocean. Beautiful waters but a little rough the day we cruised.

It's beautiful here. We have really enjoyed the restaurants. One place we went to is called the "Stuffed Pig". Their breakfast menu is incredible. Everything from pancakes to a wide variety of omelets (lobster, conch, crab, alligator tail) - you name it, they have it.

In our little lagoon marina, there are two Manatees that hang out. They are huge. They will swim right up by your boat and if you spray water on them, they roll over on their backs and just float.

We are going home on 11/30 to see all our babies. We will be there for a week to take care of house business and doctor's appointments. Even though we are having a wonderful time on this trip, I realize now that I need to fly home at least twice a year to see the kids. We plan to head to the Bahamas after the first of January. Until then, hope your holidays are wonderful.

Jess and Cindy

THE CROSSING

Well we made it. We left Carrabelle on Friday 11/2 at 1:00PM to start our journey across the Gulf of Mexico to Tarpon Springs. By leaving at 1:00PM that would have us arriving in Tarpon around 10:00AM the next day. We were told by everyone...do not arrive in Tarpon in the dark. All conditions were good (winds and seas). About 15 miles out, winds picked up and it was getting rough. After 5 more miles of rockin & rollin, we turned back. We made it back to Dog Island and anchored at sunset (picture of us anchoring). Dog Island is 5 miles off the mainland. Saturday 11/3, we left at 11:00AM and all conditions were perfect. The winds were 5-10 and seas 1-2. It stayed this way the whole crossing (picture of flat Gulf). Once the sun went down, it was very very dark but the stars were incredible. We followed "Whichaway" and stayed in line with his stern light. About 2:00AM, the moon came up and did provide some "welcomed" light for us. About 5 miles out of Tarpon Springs, it was still dark and we had to inch our way through massive numbers of crab traps (this is why they say - come in at daylight). As we approached the first "Green Marker" to get us into the harbor....the good old sun was rising.

Once we docked at our marina, we all took long naps. The marina is located in the heart of the strip where all the Greek Restaurants are located and shops. A very fun place to stay (picture of happy couple right before dinner). Once we left Tarpon Springs, we anchored right off of Sarasota (picture of our anchorage).

Cruising the GIWW, we passed many many beautiful homes (picture of homes along the way). Next, we stayed in Venice and it is gorgeous. From our dock, you could see the Gulf of Mexico (picture of Gulf). I had a chance to get "Stella" out and Jess and I rode into the tourist area which is about 6 miles away.

Saturday, 11/10 we headed to Cabbage Key Island (Jimmy Buffet's song "Cheeseburger in Paradise"). And naturally, we had a cheeseburger...pretty good. And now it's Sunday, 11/11 and we are anchored just north of Ft. Myers Beach. Jess is a happy captain, he is currently watching Dallas play on TV.

We should arrive in Marathon next Friday and will be there a month. The west coast of Florida is beautiful. Alot of boats, Dolphins chasing our wake, clear beautiful water, weather in the low 80's and alot of warm sun. Sounds like a tourist ad! We are having the time of our lives and look forward to each day.

We will update again once we get to the Key's...until then, love to all.

Jess and Cindy