Friday

January 6, 2017

We have moved from Marco Island to an anchorage in the Everglades and then on to Marathon in the Florida Keys.

Driving from Marco Island to our anchorage for the night, we constantly had to dodge these little bombs, called crab traps.  

We did see a huge sea turtle on our way to the Everglades.  It was out swimming in the gulf.  

If you run over one, your propellers can get tangled in the thick line that goes down to a big trap on the water floor.

At Little Shark River, in the South of the Florida Everglades.

 We anchored for one evening.  The mosquitos started to arrive immediately.We used a Thermacell to keep them away.  It worked great.  We were able to have a martini on the flybridge and relax while watching the sunset.

There were two cats anchored when we came in. "meow"

A motor yacht anchored right after us.  They came in a little late, but a sail boat did pull in after dark.

This beautiful anchorage saved us from rocking through some north winds.

The sunset was spectacular, but we were a little late at taking the pictures.  Must have been the Martini.

Left the anchorage for Marathon in calm seas.  Only issue were those lovely crab pots.  This is one of the crab pot work boats heading out to pull their catch in...

Seven mile bridge in the distance.  A good sight to see.  

We pulled into the Marathon Marina & Resort for gas.  This is the resort we have been calling for a reservation since April, 2016.  They knew us immediately.  We asked if they had a slip available and were told no.  We then asked them, (first Jules) about the mooring field and or a safe anchorage.  Over 25 mph winds are expected for this weekend.  She was worried for us.  There were boats anchored out in the open, because they were on the waiting list for the mooring balls.  She went and talked with a manager, Julie.  Julie looked through the big wall chart of slips and discussed it with Jules.  After a while they decided to give us the one open slip they had.  There had been some type of cancelation, but we didn't care why we got the slip.  👏  We are at Marathon Marina & Resort, for at least a month.  Wonderful.  And a great price, which is why we have been trying to get in here.

We are now working on a leakage issue.  We might have to stay in a hotel for a few days while the boat yard pulls our boat out.  Looks like the port engines "dripless shaft seal" is not dripless anymore.  We've been getting in about 5 gallons of water a day while underway...  This means getting the boat lifted out, drive shaft uncoupled from the transmission and pulled out a few inches so they can slide on new shaft seals... More on this as it develops.