Delray City Marina

March 30-31 Beautiful homes on clear blue waters were our views on the ICW from Ft. Lauderdale to Delray's City Docks. At one point, I was using my zillow app to gauge the prices of the homes, then I got depressed! Crazy $$$$ We settled into the cutest "public" marina with great amenities (like free laundry and pumpouts!) and next to Atlantic Ave"s cute shops, restaurants, charming homes, and beach.

There have been lots of reportings of massive Blob of Sargassum that has washed up all along the coast. We have seen in it on both sides of Florida, and around Delray is probably the largest mass we have seen. It didn't keep me out of the water, but the giant 5' waves the next day did!

Ft. Lauderdale bonus

We enjoyed a few bonus days where we worked on boat projects and then got to relax.One thing I cannot resist doing is picking up trash around the beaches and marinas. Ft. Lauderdale's beaches, especially after the spring breakers invasion, was very littered. While on a early sunrise walk, a turtle's freshly laid eggs nest was discovered as a crew quickly came to protect it with markers. That inspired me to take an even longer litter clean up, which I ended up with a table cloth filled with bottles, a diaper, plastic toys, etc.

Back to the mechanical issue that caused the chaotic docking... David realized immediately that the cables were loose on the transmission and he repaired the one that came loose and tightened the rest. He really is amazing at solving mechanical and electrical problems, I call him MacGyver (he kind of looks like him too!)

Spring Break FT. Lauderdale Style

Turns out our stay at Bahai Mar was more of a typical college Spring Scene than any other prior place. Tons of teens, fancy boats and mega yachts with crews surrounded us (like seriously the largest boats! Even one belonging to a Russian Oligarch called "St, Nicholas!" The pool scene was partiularly interesting, especially watching the teens try to score drinks (but they forgot their ID's!) I am a big fan of Bravo's Below Deck and I noticed a girl who looked like she could have been on the show. I started looking up the cast and this Mom leaned over me and said, "Yes, that is HER from Below Deck. That's my daughter, Camille Lamb from the last season-10." Her Mama from Mississippi told us we could get a picture (you know she has to be a former pagent stage mom!)

Then I asked for a picture with Mama!

Lessons Learned in Atlantic ICW

On Monday, March 27 we started our official trip up the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) As we were quickly in the middle of all sorts of boat traffic, we learned many new things about bridge etiquette. Around Miami, there are varying heights of bridges and most need to be opened for us (we are 19.5' with the mast down.) Our first birdge, we sat patiently waitng for about 20 minutes, knowing that it opened on the half hour, well it didn't, so David called. The scarcastic operator said, "You didn't ask so I didn't assume you wanted to go thru." That was lesson #1. Lesson #2 Bridges are not well marked so double check the name because some have East/ West names added like the Venetian. Lesson #3 Unless you get the timing right, like on the half hours or quarter hour, you will have to wait for the bridge opening. Lesson #4 Treat the Bridge operator with courtesy when communicating, they can be real sassy and everyone hears what they are saying on channel 9.

Despite the bridges, we saw some amazing homes and David enjoyed the trip for the most part till docking at Bahai Mar, Ft. Lauderdale. While attempting to dock stern in, with wind, he tried a few times. On his forward thrust, he yelled that his transmission failed and he lost contol of both engines. We were in the last pier (the low rent district) and the only thing that stopped us was the dock sea wall that our bow came up on. The wooden mooring poles also took a few hits, and the harbormaster was quick on the scene to help secure our boat. Good ole Towboat USA came and put Voyager into her slip. David was so calm during the event, I was pretty shaken up so I left with Rugby. When I came back, David was working on the lines on the dock when I heard him yelling. "Oh SHIT!" (He doesn't curse like that usually!) I came out and he had just been sprayed by the nasty sailboat neighbor whose toliet pumped out onto the dock ~ and David's leg which had some deeps scrapes! I think this upset him way more than the docking incident! Luckily, it came to David what went wrong with the transmission, the cables had come loose on the gears. He repaired the damaged gear and tightened and oil the rest of the throttles. The Bahia Mar Hilton has a wonderful pool so it was in order after Monday's fun day, to stay and enjoy it.

Voyage to Miami

On Saturday, we left ORC and went into the open waters towards Miami. The winds and waves created a very rough and wild ride! At one point, waves were splashing into our cabin's windows. Needless to say, I needed for the first time Dramamine. We came into Biscayne Bay just in time to join other boats in a lively afternoon party. Loud music from many different boats, all sizes from yachts to dinghys were there to play in the sun and the waves. We enjoyed a fun swim and soaked in the Miami party scene.

We stayed at the Bayshore Marina and walked to a lively area called Coco Walk in Coconut Grove and tried a place called Sishi It probably was the best creative sushi (Rosemary Eel Roll!!) as well as service we had this entire trip! Mw and Isabel met up with some friends and David and I saw a line for icecream so, we knew it was good! Ii's called Salt & Straw and we discovered once again creative flavors like Honey Lavender, Arbequina Olive Oil and Roasted Pineapple Coconut Sherbert. The next morning we had Starbucks and the girls left for their flights home. David and I stayed another day to clean the boat and picked up groceries at Fresh Market then had a wonderful early dinner on the boat followed by a great night's sleep.

Relaxing vacation at ORC

The rest of the week was relaxing and pampering! I nearly fell asleep during my overdue pedicure and Rugby had the Mobile Grooming spa treatment. He came back 3 pounds lighter and fresh as spring! David and the girls played tennis and pickle with friends and MW hit some golf balls. I think we got to experience everything we wanted to do and more. Did I mention the landscaping is beautiful here??

Found the Snowbirds

Another day of reading and relaxing by the pool for the girls. David and I are fortunate to have several friends who spend their winters in Ocean Reef so it only made since to clean the boat once and invite them all to visit! Our friends Chrissy & Jay S from St. Louis met with our Louisville friends, Anne H., Lisa A., Joe & Kelly H., and Heather & Steve C. for drinks and appetizers which evolved into a light dinner and a late night.

Birthday girl arrives

On Monday, March 20th, we departed Marathon in thick, dark, stormy clouds, and headed north to Key Largo. We arrived in sunny crisp weather at Ocean Reef Marina and docked on the H Pier among the many mega yachts. We were just in this very place Christmas 2021 and never could have imagined our return would be via our own vessel! Ocean Reef is a private club community which we have been invited to several times in the past by friends, especially Anne H., back in the days when our daughters were in Middle School. Ocean Reef is a colorful golfcart commuity that is spread out with various homes and condos. It's big, but never feels too large or small. While docking, a nice gentleman from the boat across from us, High Cotton, came over. I noticed his boat home was DeBordieu, SC and we begain talking. Turns out, we remembered each other from our sons' class at Woddberry! The next evening Phillip and Ellen A. came over for drinks and we had a great visit! The fist days were really about boat cleaning and laundry as we prepared for our daughter, MW and her friend Isabel to visit us for the rest of the week.

Fresh off the plane, Mary Winston and Isabel met us at the poolside cafe which is also next to ORC's boat channel. They were so happy to swap the NYC Blues for the FL blues skies and water!The girls caught up with their friend, Laney H., who is the OG of ORC, she first invited the girls here when they were 12!

Later that night, we had dinner at the Islander, and of course tuna pizza! Of course, a chocolate chip cookie cake for the Birthday girl!

Marlin Bay Marina

We settled into the marina and found our first community of fellow boaters. Many of our neighbors had spent all winter here, enjoying the warm air and water and not missing their homes far away. Like us, they travel on their boats and were so helpful to David in planning our next trips on the Atlantic. Marlin Bay Resort has condos with families on Spring Break and a giant swimming pool just off the marina. The pool was very refreshing in the hot temps, plus a great place to meet other boaters, all incredibly friendly. Nearby, we discovered our favorite place to eat, down the road past the towers of Crab Pot Town.

The Key's Fishery is famous for their Lobster Reubens and their Key Lime Pies, and of course a great view of the sunset!

Marathon is an active fishing community and the food was amazing as well as the views of the famous sunsets of the Keys. We watched from the bar of the Key's Fishery as the sun was lowering, the bartender poured shots and then the conch horn blew as the sun disappeared on the horizon. There was no need for us to travel to Key West and see the tourist versiona similar event!

David and I spent several days (including St. Patrick's Day, ask David if he remembers that night..) in Marathon at this leisurely pace. We toured the many canals and waterways on our dingy, then retreated back to the pool to end the day. A nice surprise was a visit with a friend from Louisville, David P. who had just arrived at his place in Marathon. He picked us up in his car and showed us a broader scope of what felt like a little town in the keys! His home sits on the water on the Atlantic side and is a perfect get-away home that he has created. I think we could have stayed even longer in this semi bohemian place, (I did leave with a straw fishing hat) but it was time to round the southern tip of Florida and head north!

To the Keys

Our trip to Marathon was one of our last long days of traveling. We left before sunrise and travelled in the open Gulf at a speed of about 20 mph, which is more than double our usual speed! Very necessary since we had 115 miles to go! The auto pilot was set for 7 Mile Bridge, but with auto navigation, we had to be constantly on the look out for crab pots! It was worth keeping our eyes on the water for the 6 hour trip through mostly shallow waters. The seagrasses and fish were visible and to our delight, so were 2 sea turtles in their beutiful natural habitat. When we arrived at the bridge, we took a hard left towards the famous Faro Blanco Marina and just pass it to our place, the newer Marlin Bay Marina. After docking, I was excited to see the bright pink, green and blue parrot fishes just outside our dock.

(That's not my picture, I could not capture the vivid colors with my iphone! At a nearby park, Marathon's Annual Seafood Fest was goingon. Lots of seafood vendors as well as beer tents, local artist booths and live bands. We ejoyed walking around and ended up getting some home smoked ribs from a family selling them from their driveway. The smells were just as good as the ribs (we needed a break from seafood!) We came back to our boat and was rewarded by our first Keys Sunset!

Just Passing Through Naples

Naples is another place we have been before, but a great way to see it from a boating perspective! The sea was calm, clear and a great trip overall! It's always exciting when dolphin join us! Naples City Dock is located in downtown near some wonderful shops, but the only one I was interested iin going to was the Paw's Pet Boutique, lovely owners welcomed us! That night we also ate dinner at a dog friendly place at the Marina called The Dock at Crayton Cove, excellent fresh fish!

Although we wanted to see some friends in Naples, we had to pass thru and start our longer trip to Marathon Key. We anticipated a long day and needed to wake up before sunrise (which can be confusing with daylight savings time!!)

Spring Break 2023 Begins!

Today we departed Venice Beach for one of our favorites, Boca Grande. We cruised in the open Gulf waters and had some shallow areas of crystal blue waters. There we spotted two sea turtles, so beautiful in their natural habitat! We arrived at Miller's Marina with plenty of time to get a golf cart and travel around the main town area near Gasprilla Inn.

We had lunch at the food truck at nearby Whiddon's, which looks so authentic old FL,it almost looks staged! Pig pens, roosters and old boat parts!

It is such a small Island, we even had time to drive our cart north and look at homes and beaches. That evening we ate dinner at The Pink Elephant, with our dog on the terrace. Ran into Kitty and Scott Z. from home and had a nice visit. We had hoped to stay another night, but we had a small window of good weather to get to the Keys, and we know we will be back again to this special place!

Venice Sunset

We started our way south today and travelled in open Gulf waters. I learned a new nautical term, "wind beam" whic is a crosswind from a ship's 90' heading. When it blows like that, you begin to ride the swells of the waves, which is wild and rocky! We barely got into our slip at the Crow's Nest Marina, but it is a wonderful location to experience Venice Beach. It sits inside the Venice Inlet along the South Jetty Beach public park. In a short walk, I was on the beach with my chair relaxing! David explored the area and the man-made island on the paddleboard. Later, we walked down the jetty pier with several other folks and dogs, and watched a spectacular sunsert. Dinner on the boat and a good night's sleep followed!

Wrapping up LBK Vacation

As this month is closing, I went home again, only to travel again! I drove a round trip to Knoxville to see my dad before his 92nd birthday and my old friend's first grandchild!Then I flew to Dallas for Mom/Son weekend with Pierce had major airport delays, due to weather, but it barely phazes me anymore! I had a great visit with Pierce, my sister, Kathy, my old friend, Tina, Louisville friends and SAE moms. The highlight for me was visiting the Dallas Arboretum which was in full spring blooms! David powered thru boat projects like changing the oil in the 3 engines, 2 transmissions, replaced the spreader lights and re-wired and installed a new dryer!! And for entertainment, he visited the nearby ski show!