We decided that we needed a time out after our difficult winter (and the last year), so we headed down to Marathon for the winter.  This is the marina.

Cool woodpecker

Cool woodpecker

Looking out towards mooring field, past bridge in Booth Key Harbor.

We love this stop, just past the Kennedy Space Center. Peaceful, full of wild life.  Here are just a few photos hinting at the size of the manatees; he just wouldn’t surface long enought for the photo.  You can see the swirl where the tail breaks the water’s surface, and the length of him.

Very nice stop, we stayed several days at the City Marina, just inside the Bridge of Lions. The Fort and mooring field were just outside.

Met a lot of nice folks at Brusnwick;  here is S/V Rhythm leaving at about the same time we did.  Fishing fleet near marina.

After anchoring out, a sister shrimper to this one passed verrrrrry close as we were trying to haul up the anchor by hand.  Not so pretty, then.

We never get tired of dolphins — video attached.

Long video — watch over wi-fi not metered connection!

Hello ALL — and WAKE UP!  We are in Florida and will be moving north soon.  Just a quick recap:  after moving the boat down to Florida, we drove back up to NY in December to attend to some pesky medical issues, again.  Things were a little dicey for a while.  But we are Back:  Back in Florida, Back on the Boat, and Back to Cruising.  After returning to our future home base in North Palm Beach, we headed south to Marathon, Florida —  about half-way down the keys.  MM47, Oceanside for those in the know.  Spent six weeks doing ….essentially nothing.  We just wanted to clear our heads from what the last year has brought us.  Weather was nice enough, but constant strong winds and cold fronts forced us to keep the blankets unpacked and the jackets and sweats handy.  Never did get to go out diving, fishing or anything else.  Just admired the sunsets and caught up on some much-needed rest. We then headed back up to North Palm to re-provision the boat, do a bit of maintenance,  visit with family and good friends, and plan out the next phase of the trip, where we will *hopefully* complete the Great Loop. Wish us luck, and please continue to follow along….