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Like coming home.

We left Miami early in hopes of catching favorable currents that would put us into Marathon before closing time. And, we made it. At exactly 5:00 PM we were greeting Dennis, Marathon Marina’s manager, and tying up. They gave us a great slip.
I’d already finished desalting Istaboa and we’d walked the boys, just in time to catch a famous Marathon sunset. We’ve forgotten how pretty this spot is.

Over the years we’ve spent much time here. Faro Blanco Ocean Side Marina was shelter in our early days of cruising, it’s long gone now. Nothing left but the bones of what was once our offbeat hideout in the Keys. 

Faro Blanco was homeport to some of the most interesting folks we’ve ever met. Live-aboards from all walks of life and different parts of the world inhabited this weathered old marina.
The official Happy Hour on the dock started everyday at 4:30 and ended when the sun disappeared behind 7 Mile Bridge. -BYOB- It made no difference if you were old, young, rich or poor; or if your boat was sail or power, big, little, —new (like our fancy SeaRay) or old and barely floating. If you cared to sit and drink and sincerely get along you were made to feel welcome.
Almost always ending with a discussion about the mythical Green Flash and “Happy Days” was the final toast as the gathering dispersed.

I think it was Hurricane Wilma back in 2005 that destroyed much of the marina and finally lead to it’s closing. By chance, we happened to be there for their last week as many of the long time live-aboards were sadly moving on.
Not, “Happy Days”.

But not all has changed. The skeletal remains of an old wreck still lies in the shallows just to the west of the marina; it’s the gathering place for the many Cormorants and Pelicans, who like those at the  Faro Blanco happy hours, seem to casually coexist.

We’re, once again, TCB and enjoying our surroundings while we do. The Keys are fairly sleepy this time of year. The large groups of boaters have all migrated back north leaving The Keys quieter and friendlier. Local folks aren’t so busy and have time to breath and enjoy themselves so the vibe is definitely more laid back.

Though it’s mighty hot, we find pleasure in the peaceful summertime at Marathon.

Key West is up next — So much for peaceful.

Happy days,

The South Florida ICW is completely different than other portions of the long and winding waterway. We’ve swapped naturally green, tree lined rivers teeming with flora and fauna for the concrete, glass, and steel of the canyonlike canal that separates Miami from it’s beaches.

It’s been interesting in it’s own way though, not necessarily 100% to our liking, but this leg of our trip has lent a one-of-a-kind texture to our customary cruising life.
The rumors of many shallows are just that. We’ve found deep water pretty much this whole trip. If, you stay in the channel.

Today, we’re tied up at Miami Beach Marina, taking care of biz and experiencing all that goes along with South Beach, Miami. Interesting and entertaining.

Tonight — South Beach Saturday Night… — I don’t even need to say it.

Chao,

P.S. It is a small world after all. Our Tennessee River friends will get a kick out of this.
While walking down the dock here at MBM we spotted a familiar face. A fellow named Eddie Trimble, a former marina manager from our Pickwick Lake days, is the Captain on the boat next to us. Fun catching up with Eddie.

Before leaving home we noticed an addition to the menagerie at Spearfish.   This pretty little Dove has setup housekeeping on a light fixture out next to the pool.

We’re sure she’ll appreciate our absence. We startle the hell out of her (or him) every morning when letting the dogs out the back door.

So, restarting our Marina Tour after a short hiatus that produced a shiny new dink atop Istaboa, we left our little abode in Jupiter and made way south.
Starting at North Palm Beach Marina, where we stayed a few days doing a bit of work while preparing for this trip, we left for Bahia Mar in Ft Lauderdale.

4th of July at Bahia Mar is a busy, crowded, and very noisy celebration. Though I didn’t see the fireworks, the reports shook the boat for about 30 minutes. The show was just across the street at the beach.

After a couple of days there, minding to biz and enjoying company, we’ve moved on.

Having never run the ICW south of Ft Lauderdale, I’ve been warned about shallows, but that’s not been a issue yet.
Bridges? Yes… but once you time one, the rest fall into order. Just idle through and you’ll hit them all as they’re opening… so far.

Today, we’re in Hollywood at Loggerhead Marina.  A nice marina, friendly staff, and Hollywood is surprisingly cool. Totally different environment.
There’s a huge Jimmy Buffet, Margaritaville complex here, (we’ll pass on that) and we motored by the famously funky Saloon Le Tub . (looks like our kinda place)
Cut from Le Tub’s site:

Established November 2nd 1959 as a Sunoco gas station…. Closed by the energy crunch of the early seventies, your Host purchased the barren property in 1974 and dedicated a concentrated year personally hand building LeTub totally of Flotsam, Jetsam and ocean borne treasures all gathered daily over 4 years of day break jogging on Hollywood Beach. All landscaping, planting and decor by your host.

About Let Tub

Today, we’ll stay in Hollywood — doing what we do.
Me thinks our new dink will be splashed and a famous Le Tub burger enjoyed.

Tomorrow? Another marina. Loggerhead Aventura. 2 miles away.

Different than our usual summer cruise, but so far so good.

Next up – – Miami, The Keys… and ?? — We’ll see

I know, I know — all work and no play — Tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it.
Right?

Cheers,

While rummaging through Istaboa, tossing off the unneeded/unwanted, we came across this.In our younger days, starting in 99, several times we attempted to run our boat from homeport on the Tennessee River, down the Tenn-Tom Waterway, across the Gulf of…

We think it time for us to begin the southern leg of our trip. The area’s rivers and lagoons are turning into something that’s not the water we in Jupiter know and love.  This part of Florida is known for it’s beautifully clean waters.For us, this…

One of my first digital pics from a trip to New York… ages ago.

Thought it fitting — here and now.

It’s amazing what one finds when cleaning junk out of your boat.

And we’re tied up at Ft Pierce City Marina waiting on a new dink.Hopefully these weather conditions hold and we’re making way soon.But, while we’re waiting, chores are being attended to. Istaboa is really starting to look good again.And, as we always s…

We had the countdown online and we were watching in the general direction.Then we saw the smoke. WOW!!No, this is not what we saw. But, I did send this pic to a couple of old buddies just to get them excited.(This shot was done by Jack Krause of Americ…

Yep, we were heading north, but as we often do,  we altered course and plans. A new inflatable in being built for us by Novurania in Vero Beach so we’ve reversed directions and we’re heading for Ft. Pierce.By chance, there was a rocket launch sche…

Waking early to prepare for the run to Daytona, we caught a nice sun up over Port Canaveral as a cruise ship eased by.For us, thankfully, Colin wasn’t much more than a rainy day. (We love rainy days) I’ve heard reports of some flooding on the panhandle…