Key West and More

February 16, 2024

It's been a good two weeks since my last update. Some of you rightfully nudged me about leaving the next chapter of our journey unfinished. My apologies for the delay, but truth be told, our schedule has been jam-packed. Between constant boat movement, hiking, connecting with fellow loopers, meals, dockside gatherings, and just trying to catch a breath, it's been non-stop. A guy can only handle so much fun, you know!!

Little Torch Key  

In my previous update, I mentioned that TJ and Lana Maloney had rented a house in Little Torch Key, a bit south of Marathon. The house sits right by a canal, which turned out to be a perfect spot for us to tie up the Shorebilly. They generously allowed us to leave the boat there while the Admiral and I rented a car for a quick trip to Charleston, SC, to visit Ava Madelyn (Colt & Emily's new child.). Upon our return, we had a few days to spare before our scheduled reservation at the Key West marina, and they kindly let us keep the Shorebilly moored longer (with us staying on it). Big thanks to both of them.

Charleston SC

I bragged about Colt and his new baby.  We got to meet her last week.  What a beautiful gal!  We spent 3 days with both Colt and Emily where two extremely exhausted people bent over backwards to be a great hosts to us.  In the end, it was hard to pull Gram (aka, Admiral ... aka, Terri .... aka, boss lady) away. 

While in Charleston, Terri and I were able to connect with friends from the old Raleigh neighborhood.  John and Terri Donofrio are aspirational Loopers with the goal of a 2025 launch.  If you recall from the writings up in Canada, we met a great man named Lang Hindle.  Lang gave us his charts for the Georgian Bay and North Channel.  His only ask was that we pay it forward by giving them to someone else that would benefit.  That would be John and Terri!  We texted with Lang letting him know and he immediately invited John and Terri to connect with him when they are in the area.

Key West

From Little Torch to Key West was a short ~40 mile run.  We traveled "outside"  (meaning ocean side) and the Atlantic was being snotty with 4+ foot waves.  The Shorebilly had no problem with it, but we were glad to get in and put it behind us.

What can you say about Key West other than FUN! They scooters came in real handy with the marina being ~1.5mi from downtown.  We went out every night and explored every day.  We watched the Superbowl in a Key West bar and it was a hoot.  

There was so much to do and see.  Any idea what the Wreckers are?  Neither did I.  Key West developed a lot of it's fame and fortune back in the day when ships would run aground and men would rush to to the site to save people and goods ... for a large fee of course.  

Key West even has a museum dedicated to ship wrecks and the finding of treasure.  One of the most famous is Mel Fisher, of which the museum is named.  Mel spent 16 years searching for, and discovering the main pile of the ship Nuestra Señora de Atocha in July of 1985 that was valued at ~1/2 Billion dollars ... the largest treasure find in history. The federal and state governments tried to lay claim and the case went to the Supreme Court- the Fisher family won!

Leaving the Keys

But as with all good things, it was time to make our exit from the Keys by heading North.  The first stop was back at Marathon ... because the Shorebilly needed some new duds!

For us, the Shorebilly is pretty close to the perfect Looper boat.  But, that doesn't mean she is perfect.  One of the strong characteristics of the boat are the great sight lines from inside.  She is practically all glass giving fantastic viewing when underway.  HOWEVER, at rest .... all that glass turns her into a greenhouse that the A/C simply cannot overcome.  Let's just say, the gal has hot flashes.

Most boats have snaps on the outside that people can attach shades to address this problem.  The Shorebilly has almost no fiberglass near the windows to consider such a solution.  Additionally, the side windows are mirrored and great care has to be taken not to scratch them.  Having a screening fabric touch them was not an option.  

Working with a canvas maker, we came up with a great solution that attaches to the roof and hand rails never touching the glass or needing any snaps.

Problem solved!  It is not a 100% coverage but it will knock out 90+% of the heat and the windows can stay open allowing air movement if we want.

Yudee the Wonder Dog

Marathon is a very busy place this time of year.  The marinas are a) full and b) very expensive.  We decided to anchor instead.  When in Marathon weeks before, Terri and I had scouted out a great anchorage.  It was very protected, deep and surrounded by mangroves.  There appeared to be a path through the mangroves allowing us to take Yudee to the bathroom.  

When we got there, we realized what a monumental task we were asking of the pup.  Someone had laid 2x10 planks across the mangrove roots for humans to make their way.  You would dingy to the bushes, step up ~3 feet to the planks, walk ~ 10 feet, switch planks and keep walking.  At the end their was a ~3 foot "step" / jump to the ground.  I thought "no way".

Amazingly, he didn't hesitate.  Form the unstable platform of the dingy he made and landed the jump.  He walked to the other side and jumped down without hesitation.  He reversed it on the way back landed in the dingy.  Amazing.  We ask so much of him ...

After Marathon we continued north, back to Lorelies on Islamorada to see the magic show one more time.  We met with ~8  looper friends and had a great night. It filled our hearts to see them again. 

From there we continued our journey north stopping at the Biscayne National Park on Adam key to anchor with Charlie and Cindy on Hearken for the evening.  We were so excited for this time together again. This was the first time we had rafted together since the North Channel in Canada.   We got there first and set the anchor waiting for them. They arrived right on schedule.  Then near DISASTER struck.

After a fantastic dinner prepared by both Admirals, I took Yudee ashore.  The boats were sitting fine as I hopped into my dingy and left.  Ten minutes later I hear Terri screaming my name, but not from the place I had left her.

My anchor failed AND the anchor alarm failed to go off. Cindy and Charlie were alerted by Hearken banging into the federal park dock with our boat still tied to it.  In actuality, this turned out to be a best case scenario.  The current was ripping through the park and had every potential to crash one or both boats on the rocks.  Instead, the rubber bumpers on the park dock deflected Hearken and Hearken protected the Shorebilly.  Against park policy, we simply tied up to the dock for the night.  No damage and all ended well.  Phew.  (You can see the dock in the background.)

Charlie and Cindy took it all so well and were extremely gracious about the entire event.  I am going to look for a better anchor.

Today we cruised through Miami and lower Ft Lauderdale.  What a different world.  From the wide open waters of the keys to the aqua equivalent of rush hour traffic.  All went well as we secured a nice anchorage for the evening.  Tomorrow we will make it to a marina to provision for the Bahamas!  Will be waiting for the right weather window.  Yea.

Take care and stay safe.

Love Terri and Aubrey