Saturday, March 28, 2009

We're dangerously close to leaving this popsicle stand!



We are still in Marathon after 3 weeks waiting for parts to finish all of our last minute projects (wind vane installation, CNG to propane stove conversion, leaky bowsprit, new Skymate weather forecasting thingamabobby, etc.), and for a weather window to cross the Gulf Stream into the Bahamas. We have all developed allergies in the last few days. The wind has been blowing like stink for weeks now. Some mornings it feels like the movie "Ground Hog Day". We have been to almost every restaurant on the island and found that the Lobster Reuben at Keys Fisheries is our favorite. LIFE IS GOOD!

Friday, March 20, 2009

First Ocean Dive

Well we survived our first dive without any complications. It was wonderful being under the surface and seeing all the new and beautiful things the underworld has to offer. We saw hundreds of new and interesting creatures and fish for the first time face to face. What an experience, Suzanne and Ian will be completing their second dive tomorrow morning and will then be certified divers.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Scuba Dive Training



Well we are still here in Marathon (Florida Keys) as you can see Suzanne and Ian have been taking their scuba diving course. The two of them will be taking their first of 2 dives in the open ocean tomorrow morning. Hopefully all goes well for them. They have completed all their bookwork and pool training in the last couple days. We ran into a couple problems with the engine yesterday morning but nothing that cannot be solved. If you are wondering, the engine still runs fine, but if you would like to know more just ask. We are more than willing to explain. We are still enjoying the warm weather down here and are looking forward to moving on towards Puerto Rico and seeing the Bahamas.

Monday, March 16, 2009


OK all you voyeurs out there, we want photos of those of you who were polite enough to sign in, but for the rest of you who are following us and complaining about the lack of info, we are checking in on you as often as you are checking in on us, so put a face to the name and log-in and for God's sake leave us some comments. Our diving classes start tomorrow and Brad just cannot wait for his first 100 ft. dive (lol). The instructor told him his mustache may make his mask leak so he's not very happy. We will add more photos of our dive training tomorrow night.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Hangin out in Boot Key Harbor watching dolphins swim by


We moved the boat to Marathon with Grandpa Harry as honorary crew on Monday the 9th. The wind was dead on the nose as usual, but a good time was had by all regardless. The weather is finally warm and sunny! We haven't seen rain in weeks so the salt is really starting to build up. Ian and Suzanne toured the Keys on a Harley and had a blast! The spring breakers are starting to arrive, so the average age is getting lower each day. In one bar in Key West we were the oldest customers and the same day in another bar in Marathon we were the youngest by at least two decades. We are now focusing on preparing the boat for international travel. Once we leave here we plan to head north toward Miami and then to the Bahamas.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Who says Chicago is the windy city?


It's been almost a week, and Key West has yet to be fully discovered. The cooler is desperately low on beer and there are white caps and howling winds that make a dinghy trip to shore a chore. What's a girl to do?!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Still windy and wavy in Key West


Evergreen is still in Key West and it's still windy and wavy. Managing the dinghy has been quite an adventure (as you can see from the photo, Brad "blew out a flip-flop" on one excursion). The temperature is supposed to climb in the next few days (finally!). Next stop is Marathon, date unknown as of this posting.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Chilly and windy in Key West

We decided to head to Key West instead of Marathon and are in a mooring field "enjoying" strong wind and waves. The dinghy ride back to the boat yesterday was quite soggy, so we're putting off another trip to shore until the wind dies down a bit. We have been cursed with a cold front that seems to follow us wherever we go!