Week Four in Key West

Monday, 2/19 – Pete and Bailey were out for their morning walk. The dog park was pretty full, so Pete opted to walk around down to Coconut Row and back.  As they got to the grassy area by the restaurant, the hens were out. Bailey gave them a look to say: What are you? and went back to business.  They appreciated that she scratched up the grass after taking care of business. They rushed in to check for bug.

     I went over to the gym a bit earlier today.  Just as I thought, the room is used a lot earlier in the morning.  There were 7 people in the gym.  Both ellipse machines and 2 of the 3 treadmills were in use. The rowing machine and stationary bike were in use and someone was on the bench press. It took about 15 minutes, but I soon had the room to myself.  There are waters in the refrigerator, but many of the guest take advantage and stop by for the free water.

     While Pete was working, I put more time on the blog.  Maintaining a good internet access, and especially speed, has been a challenge.  I keep trying to upload stuff, but it takes forever.  I have been trying to write the daily notes, but processing and trying to upload photos takes the majority time. I know, I know. Stop complaining. We could be back north in the wet, cold and messy!

     After work, Pete went over to West Marine.  We need to replace the head unit for our VHF radio. Due to the specific hole in the console, we has a limited choice of units that would fit.  The Horizon’s VHF radio will be delivered later this week,

Dorine, Skip, John, Josh, Jan and Jenn

     Yesterday, Skip, form SV MYSTIC DREAM, stopped by to invite us for a get together at 5 today at his boat.  He and Louise invited about 10 boats to join.  Their 1980’s Taiwanese Vagabond Sloop is majestic, roomy, and the woodwork beautifully carved down below. Great food, cool drinks and wonderful company.  A great time was had by all.

     I did get a call from Pete’s Mom’s cardiology group.  With her current issues, they moved up the Echocardiogram by 3 weeks.  It will be done on Wednesday with a follow-up with the cardiologist on Thursday.  As it was dinnertime, I told them I would relay this to Mom and have her follow up to confirm in the morning.

     Back to PEKABU for a small dinner and processed the photos from this weekend while listening to the Olympics.  Pete crashed around 8:30 on the front bunk.  I actually watched the Ice Dance finals and US took the bronze.  It was close to 11:30 when I called it quits.

Tuesday, 2/20 – I waited to speak with Pete’s Mom before heading over to the gym. She will speak with the nurses about the appointments.  Once that was out of the way, we discussed Jim Effie and the girls’ visit this weekend.  Everyone had a great time.  They have given her an Echo Show. It is a way for she and the New England Bruzik’s to video talk. This is really cool, as Sophia will be doing a semester in Europe and she will still be able to take and show Nana her travels.  As she tried to explain how she must speak to get it to connect with them, Alexa initiated the contact and Eleni responded. We were all laughing.

     Deb and Hugh, SV SIMPLICITY, left today for Idaho.  While saying good-by, Deb gave me all her veggies, fruit and defrosted ground lamb. I searched for and found a recipe where I could use a lot of what she gave me.

Navy C-130 doing Touch-N-Go's

     After exercising and shower, I took a nap while Pete left for the haircut.  When he returned I had another entry uploaded on the blog and one more to go.  Of course these have a lot of photos as they cover a week each.

     Before dinner, we face-timed with Hadi for her birthday. Of course, Riley had to join the fun.  The beauties are getting so big!  They were heading out for dinner and I had to begin prepping ours, using the 2 pounds of chopped lamb, onions, mushrooms, and celery Deb gave us. Dinner turned out really good and we now have 2 more meals in the freezer.

     After dinner, I finally caught up with the blog!  Now it is time to head to bed.  ‘Nite all!

Wednesday, 2/21 – It was cloudy for a good part of the day with intermittent showers. A few were heavy, but most were light. I put up the awning over bow hatch, allowing us to keep the front hatch open with no worries about rain.

I am really exercising!

     I actually had four people join me in the exercise room today!  Usually after 10, people are about their plans for the day and I have the gym to myself.

     I made up some bruschetta for the Wednesday night boater’s cocktail get together.  We met Dorine, John and Cindy as they were also heading up to the Cruiser’s Lounge.  When we arrived, there was a note that the Lounge would be closed for meetings all week. So…Dorine and John invited us back to their boat and we had our own get Boater’s Cocktail hour.  It is always enjoyable when we get together.

    As the sun went down, we returned to PEKABU for dinner and some more Olympics.  Tonight, they introduced Snowboard Big Air. The participants come down a 10-story jump and they proceed to do crazy things with their bodies to spin 3, 4, even 5 revolutions AND THEN land on a snow incline with out falling (most of the time!)

Navy / Marines on approach

Thursday, 2/22 –  After a discussion last night about Jenn and Greg’s arrival next Wednesday, we decluttered the aft cabin stuff (our “basement”), organized and found new or temporary homes in the bow, cockpit locker and our car. Pete worked while I headed over to exercise. When I returned to the boat, Paula, our neighbor from TABLE FOR TWO, flew home today.  I am sorry I didn’t get a chance to say good-by.

Friday, 2/23 – I am sticking with the morning program: chores, exercise, shower, some reading.

     We have had E and ESE breezes about 15-18 mph for the past few days AND they are supposed to continue through Sunday night.  It is great for having the hatches open, especially when the awing takes away the need for closing the front hatch during the various showers.  We have started to have a shower and by the time one of us get down below to close the hatch, the shower has passed.

     Since we need to stop by West Marine for the new radio, we decided to do Chinese for dinner. Since the restaurant is in the same shopping center, we then stopped at Publix before coming home. 

Saturday, 2/24 – I spoke with my sister, Deb.  We caught up on family things.  Unfortunately, mom is having some major issues and pain with her back. She has a bunch of appointments set up, but her mobility is impacted making getting to the appointments a real challenge.

     Our neighbor, Steve, TABLE FOR TWO, left to single hand down to Boca Grande Key and the Dry Tortugas. 

     Pete installed the new radio and it works! BUT…the old remote mike does not work with this unit.  NO problem since we have the replacement remote mike from when the instruments were replaced after the lightning strike in 2007, right?  Well, noooo. The pin set is different.  So back to West Marine.  They could order the unit, but it will not be in thill next Friday (and we are thinking of doing an anchoring overnight with Greg and Jenn on Thursday.)  Pete checked Amazon and Defender.  He zoomed in on the photos to see the pin patterns.  He is 99% sure he has the right mike and a simple plug-in once the unit is her, and we will be back in business. He ordered it with priority shipping.  It should be here on Monday.  This RAM mike has the potential for AIS if the base unit has it.  We had already ordered the one without AIS, but we could upgrade in the future if we need it.

   

    We caught the 4 pm shuttle to KW Dorine and John were returning.  They recommended the Only Wood Pizza, which is an alley off of Duval.  It is so good they have been there twice. Pete wanted a good hamburger, so we walked down to Margaritaville and had a Cheeseburger in Paradise. Pete also had his first margarita, though it will probably be his last. He would have enjoyed the beer better.  Of course, we needed to catch the entertainment and sunset down at Mallory Square.  As usual, they did not disappoint.

Hamburger Cake

   

Mallory Square:

         

and lots of people 

    

Well worth the wait!

   

    As we were walking though the Harbor Walk, Pete noticed the catamaran, SEAPAWS at the dock.  We’ve known them over 10 years. They used to be on our dock at Castle Harbor.  I sent them am e-mail stating we were sorry we were so close and missed them.

     The last shuttle from downtown is 8:30 pm. We thought it would be a great idea to catch the earlier, 7:30 shuttle, believing that it would be less crowded.  Apparently eleven others thought the same thing! Thankfully, we were all able to fit.

     Once home, we tuned in to the Olympics. Tonight, we watched for the first time, the Speed Skating Mass Start.   We have never seen this on ice.  It is a strategy sport where 20 participants start at the same time.  The top seed is in front and everyone is placed according to qualifying. The first round is just to gain some speed, but no passing. Apparently, points can be gained during 1 of 4 speed rounds, but only the first three participants to cross the finish line will get medals. The points do not help for medals only for placement 4 – 20. As will all strategy competitions, it is the last 2 rounds where participants make their move. Interesting, to say the least.  Tonight, was also the he Figure Skating Showcase for the metal winners as well as the home country skaters.  It was fun to watch.  However, we really wanted to see the interview with the Gold Medal winners for The Men’s Curling, the US Men’s Team. Unfortunately, just as they started, the satellite connection cut out and we miss the whole interview. A good reason t call it a night!

Sunday, 2/24 -  Before breakfast, I did laundry. I hoped I might get lucky and find the machines empty.  I was right!  Laundry was put away, some chores were done and it was off to exercise.

     Pete worked for a good part of the day, gathering all the tax info for the accountant.  John stopped by looking for info about crossing to the Abacos, internet service, boosters, and computers. I did some work on the blog, gathered some planning information for our trip home, and read up in the cockpit.

     After enjoying some Chinese leftovers, we watched the Olympic closing ceremonies.