Islamorada

We are anchored off Islamorada. Yesterday we enjoyed shopping at Worldwide Sportsman a huge Bass Pro outlet and fishing tackle shop. There is a sister ship to Hemingway's Pilar, a sportfisherman, inside the store. You can see me checking my email inside the boat.

We are waiting for a rising tide to transit the shallowest part of the inside passage to Miami.

Lignumvitae Key Again

Yesterday was very nice! We had a relaxing breakfast enjoying the beautiful Keys scenery. Then we took our dinghy into the state park. Your first view as you step off the dock is the Matheson Home which is now a museum of artifacts from early days on the island. As I mentioned yesterday the key is now a Florida State Botanical Garden. We were planning on taking a guided tour but were disappointed to learn that the tours only happen when a private ferry runs over from Islamorada and now they only run Fri, Sat, Sunday. The photos are of the grounds of the Matheson Home and a Lignumvitae Tree.

We returned to our boat and enjoyed a very nice afternoon swimming off the boat and reading.

Lignum Vitae Key

After over two months in Marathon, we finally slipped our mooring and headed East on the inside route - Florida Bay toward Miami and eventually the Abacos.

Marathon is truly a special place for cruisers. Not because the town itself is anything special -it's an unattractive wide spot along US #1. It is the community of Cruisers that make it such a great place to spend the winter. We've spent two winters in Marathon and have met and socialized with many terrific people each time. There is lots to do. We enjoyed the yoga sessions, tennis, bocci, balderdash, and bike rides. Carol is learning to make pine needle baskets and the basket crew took her out for lunch on her birthday. So it was with not a little sadness that we left yesterday.

We are now at Lignumvitae Key on a State Park mooring ball. What a difference! First of all it is DARK at night and Quiet! No dinghies going by, dogs barking, or generators running. The water is crystal clear and we swim from our boat. Also we see the sunset over the water which is always a great view. We will take a tour of the Lignumvitae Botanical State Park this morning and spend a relaxing afternoon reading and swimming on board. Tomorrow we head off to an anchorage off Islamorada.