2-27-2015 Moved on to Palm Beach

We passed West Palm Beach first with all marinas full and found a nice marina in Palm Beach area.
Very friendly and Fran really liked it because when we checked in they gave her a bottle of wine as a welcome present. It has nice wide docks, visitors center, captains lounge, good internet for a change and about half the price of most marinas we have found. We figure we will stay here for a few days and relax before moving on again. We still don't know which way we will go as the wind keeps blowing and the crossing to the Bahamas we had planned would have only been possible 1 or 2 of the days in the past 3 weeks but we were not ready on those days. With all the North winds the Gulf Stream has been at 5 - 12 foot waves. Right now there doesn't seem to be any days coming for a while so we may continue along the coast. All our plans are up in the air and changing our thought process, as Ray is having a good time but it seems like even more work taking care of him on the boat with just the 2 of us. Showering and toileting out on the back deck makes us the center attraction at the high end marinas, but everyone seems to make the best of it! Most people can't believe that we can do all we do on a boat and love to see him using the elevator getting on and off the boat to take buddy out for a walk. I think even Buddy is starting to get used to the boat all except the rough water then he starts shaking again, but everytime he gets a little better!

2-26-2015 Ft. Lauderdale to Delray Beach

Moving on today further North up the ICW as the wind continues to blow but at least it is still warm. We left Ft. Lauderdale and traveled about 20 miles to Delray beach. Still finding lots of lower bridges so the going is slow and easy. We spent the night at a small marina as it was the only one that we could find open. It appears that this was a good year for most Florida marinas with many people bringing their boats down and spending a month or 2 at the marinas, the bad part is that it makes it very difficult to travel through the area. The marina was small and very difficult to get Ray off the boat at but we got him off and went up for some groceries and found a Chinese restaurant for dinner.
I don't understand but Buddy was nervous while he was in there and the cook  kept looking at him but said there wasn't much meat on those bones anyway! When we got back to the boat Dad saw the swimming pool right next to the dock and went for an evening swim.

2-23-25th Ft. Lauderdale Beach

We are now at Ft. Lauderdale Beach at Bahia-Mar Marina, If you look close at the middle picture, we are about one of the smallest boat in the marina (all the way to the right) but they treated us very well and friendly. Most of the boats had full time crews and they were all busy polishing their boats all the time. I told Fran that I thought maybe she would want to do that too, but instead I went out and rinsed the salt off again. Seemed like some of the rough days we rinsed 50 pounds of salt off per day as it crystalized on everything. Especially the windshield making it difficult to see through on those days until we washed them when we landed. We found lots of restuarants there and a nice walkway along the beach that Ray and Buddy enjoyed!

2-23 Continuing on from Miami to Ft. Lauderdale

As we past Miami and decided to move towards Ft. Lauderdale up the ICW, very slow going but lots of scenery from tall Hotels, Marinas, Condos, Houses and some little boats ( Twice the size of ours).
We also stopped in Hollywood Beach to visit cousins Charles & Linda Lissow but only got to see Linda as Charles was up in NY enjoying the nicer weather (Single digits). We then moved on past Port Everglades where again there were Cruise ships and Cargo ships coming and going.

2-23-2015 Leaving Key Bicayne headed toward Miami

We left Key Biscayne today headed North up the Intra coastal waterway toward Miami Harbor, nice bright morning with Ray up at the bridge again. The Harbor was very busy with both boat and ship traffic also about 4 Cruise ships with restricted areas all over. As we proceeded we are now running into to a lot of lower bridges that only open about every 30 minutes so we all wait for an opening.

2-22-2015 Key Biscayne

Today we moved from Key Largo North along the inside passage through Biscayne Bay with about 2 footers and NE winds of 20+ MPH and the Ocean Side had 5-6 footers. It was about a 4 hour run and we got there just about closing time to get the last dock available after calling all around. Ray enjoyed the trip as he could ride up on the bridge and it was sunny and about 77. It was Sunday night and the marina was quite so we had dinner on the bridge and watched the sun down. Notice all the sailboats were anchored out, I guess they won't let them into a marina? The marina was very large at about 275 boats and a large launching ramp area, as we aren't far from Miami.

Feb 18 - 19th Key Largo

We left Marathon going down the Gulf Side and besides shallow water we had wall to wall crab pots to zig zag through. We have found them all over as we have traveled but this was un believable they were everywhere, which makes it even harder to stay in the channel. When we started the day before trying to find a marina in Key Largo we had the same problem. All were full and taking reservations for next month so we had decided to go around the back as East winds today had the Ocean up to 7-9 footers and we decided that we weren't doing that but on the Gulf near shore it was sunny and almost smooth. We found a small marina on the backside of Key Largo called Mangrove Marina with only a 3-4 foot deep channel going in so we got to churn up some mud as we went in. Lots of Liveaboards in here and the docks are not very good for wheel chairs but it is a dock. We have now been here for 2 nights as the North wind has made the Gulf very rough. Last night winds at 35 MPH most of the night made almost 2 foot waves in the marina. Everyone is adding lines and not sleeping well.
Weather forecast says 3-5 footers with 20+ MPH north winds on the Gulf  for the next 3 days and with channels that are only 6 foot deep I think we are here for a few more days. Oh Boy!

Forgot their boating course?

As we left Marathon and traveled down the Intra coastal on the Gulf side the water is much shallower so you need to watch the charts for shoals. The deep water today was only about 6-8 ft. deep with many shoals just under the surface. But this sailboat didn't remember which side of the marker to go on! There are now new live aboards instead as the vultures took over. But I bet you could buy it right!

Marathon Feb 17th

Finding dockage on this trip is getting more difficult as we go, sometimes we can spend 3 hours calling marinas for a dock and they are all full but maybe we can get you in 3 weeks from now.
We finally found this brand new marina in Marathon on the Gulf that had just opened and had spots but it was the highest we have paid since Chicago. $ 4/ FT. plus electric, almost $ 250 for the night.
They had many amenities pool, sauna, massage but we didn't use any of them since Ray keeps us pretty busy. We wondered if they would mind if we did his bath in the pool but we decided to just do our hillbilly shower on the back of the boat like usual instead. Boy do we fit in with this classy crowd!

Feb 17th Headed to Marathon

Leaving Key West headed for Marathon We went out on the Ocean Side for about 55 miles as it was suppose to be 1-2 footers but instead it was 3-5 footers. Ray wanted to ride on the fly bridge today so Dad and him were up there for a wild ride. Took a lot of spray over the top with both of us soaked in salt water. We then went under the 7 Mile bridge that goes from Key West to Marathon to cross back to the Gulf side for some smoother water. When we got docked we both needed fresh water showers as we had pounds of dry salt crystals all over us. The cabin was all rearranged to the floor and Fran and Buddy were enjoying the ride from below. Buddy is becoming more of a sea dog as we go running all over the boat, and up and down the side decks even where there are no railings until the motors start then he gets scared and runs inside for cover and shivers until we dock again then all is well.

Streets of Key West !

You never know who you will see on the streets here in Key West. Just look at this character and his dog Buddy cruising around. We walked over a couple streets and found that 2 cruise ships were docked over there with many more tourist style places and gift shops full of high end jewelry (HaHa!) and trinkets.

Chikens run loose in Key West

Why does the chicken cross the road, Well it is Key West so they go where ever they want, they are probably heading for the bar or restaurant as the doors are open and they just walk right in.



This one had a few too many beers last night at the bar as he was still there the next morning drinking out of the cans on the front porch. But boy at 7 Am you should her all of the Cock-a-doodle-doos, it is not something anyone is going to sleep through!

Ray Getting Off the Boat, Going Up !

Ray's elevator is working good as he is up and down all day either going for a walk or up to the Fly bridge to have a nice sunset dinner over looking the harbor. Something to look at in every direction.

Key West Feb 12 - 16th

We have arrived at the southern most part of our loop, Key West! Sort of a different style place with just about every walk of life here. Homeless people and Millionaires sharing the docks and town, many people living on boats anchored out off the harbor. We met one couple around 80 years old that have been living there on anchor for 8 years and dinghy back and forth to shore. Many people dinghy back and forth daily on some boats that don't even look like they would stay floating, many of them at night with no lights and even in rough weather! Lots of charter boats coming and going all day and night.

Marco - Key West Crossing Feb. 12

We Left Marco Island for an 85 Mile Gulf crossing to Key West, a little over 5 hours on a sunny day but with 2-3 foot seas. Only saw a couple boats out there, we were passed by the Ft. Meyers - Key West Express and saw some commercial fisherman too.

Feb 10 Leaving Ft Meyers - Marco Island

We left early this morning to try and beat the weather and make some headway South.
When we got out in the Gulf we had winds up to 30Mph and 3-5 Ft. waves, Oh what fun,
But we made it to Marco Island about 10:30. At the Marco Island Yacht Club tonight. Maybe for another day to let the Gulf calm back down and reprovision. Next Leg is about 90 Miles of open water and shoals to Marathon in the Keys.   



We saw this boat and thought we may move up to it ( around 100 footer) . He probably wouldn't have been bothered in the 3-5 foot seas. So I think we will trade!!!

Ray Asking Directions

Ray wanted to ask directions to where he could go Snowmobiling so he was looking at the sign to find out how far back to NY. But we had a nice night on the docks any way.

Feb. 9th Ft Meyers Beach

Spent the night at the Pink Shell Marina and Resort in Ft. Meyers Beach across from Sanibel Island, Last Night as we make our way south. We are about 50 miles South of Punta Gorda but still
about 120 miles North of the Keys. Just eating our way South!!

Celebrating our getaway

Nice evening to set outside at the restaurant near the boat. We have so much stuff packed on the boat but we haven't found the food yet?

Bridge Openings

One of the bridges we went through today just North of Venice.

Intracostal Waterway Venice

Between Sarasota and Venice Florida, They even let Sailboats out here!

Great Loop Part 2 By Boat

We started the Great Loop by boat in 2009 from NY and enjoyed about  2 1/2 months of traveling throughout the Great Lakes , Canada, The River system from Chicago to Alabama through 13 States making our way through approximately 100 locks.
We then went across the Gulf of Mexico to our home located in New Port Richey. After taking a few years off due to business and Health problems we decided we better get going again while we were still able. Never know when our health or Ray's could slow us down again, So the 3 Desperados plus Buddy the Pirate dog decided to pack up and start again. Leaving New Port Richey on Wednesday to take advantage of a good weather window, and we made about 80 miles down the Gulf to Sarasota, where we spent the first night and went out to dinner to celebrate the start of this adventure. Soon venturing into new waters as we move South. Today is Thursday morning and we are stuck waiting for the rain and wind to let up and getting more organized to travel. Our plan is to continue south to the Florida keys, hopefully visiting the Bahamas and then heading north up the east coast via the intracoastal waterway, eventually ending back in NY.  We expect this trip to last a few months as we will be returning home to Florida periodically for Rays therapies and doctor appts.