Stock Island ~ Week Two ~

Saturday, 2/9/19 ~ Pete was picked up around 9 by Enterprise for our car rental for today.  Once back, we headed up to Riviera Beach Marina to retrieve out car. 

     On our trip north, we were pleasantly surprised to see that the cleanup from last year’s hurricane is now complete and some of the greenery has returned to the Keys that were decimated.  Unfortunately, not all the trees survived.  There are large areas and islands where there is no green, only tree skeletons.

     Something we have not been able to find out is how the Key Deer made out. Before the hurricane, they not only were considered endangered, but there was an infestation of screw worms that was infecting and killing the deer.  With all the damage to the Big Pine Key, how did some deer survive the storm and how many were lost?

     We hit heavy, stop and go traffic north of Miami, so we didn’t get to Riviera until 3-ish.  I was able to make a stop at Walmart in Lake Worth to stock up on my dry goods.  Pete stayed by the cars with Bailey. I am sure she enjoyed the freedom and outdoors. Then we started back.  We did pretty good until the bottom of the Florida Turnpike.  There, traffic came to a complete stop.  A large tow truck blew its horn nonstop, trying to clear a path down the breakdown lane.  When traffic began moving again in about a half hour, we were detoured off of the turnpike and never saw the accident.  At the bottom of the exit ramp, we saw that the on ramp was blocked also.  I never did find out what had happened, just hope everyone was OK.

     We finally made it back to the marina by 11:30 pm. Of course there were no parking spaced to be had, so we had to find parking back out at the street.  The groceries, since there are only dry goods, can wait until the morning. 

Sunday, 2/10/19 ~  We returned the car first thing this morning. 

     Since we were almost in downtown Key West, we continued on to check out the sites.  Downtown was already crowded since there were 2 cruise ships that docked this morning.  All the sight-seeing trams were full and plenty of people were on bikes (and not paying attention to traffic!) We headed over to the water and got away from some of the crowds.  As we approached Higgs Beach, the crowds increased.  There was a Farmer’s Market/ Craft Fair in the park.  The gods were kind…a parking space was vacated just as we approached, so we were able to park right across the street and check it out.  There was great jewelry, interesting leather, tasty jams and a large fresh produce section.  We will have to come back a it is held every Sunday morning!

     As we returned to the car, we noticed a building that was in ruins.  It peaked our interest.  It is West Fort Martello Tower.  Bricks from here have been used to repair/restore the East Fort Martello Tower Museum as well as the home improvement projects of quite a few residents.  These two forts, along with Fort Zachary were built by the Union forces during the Civil War. In the 1940’s, the city wanted to level this structure, but one councilman wanted to preserve it. It has been put on the Historic Register and turned over to the Garden Club, who have created some wonderful gardens among the ruins. There is no admission fee, but donations are gladly accepted.  As we strolled the paths. I wished I had my camera.  I even left my cell phone on the boat by accident!  Needless to say, I was frustrated not being able to capture all the colors and textures, but I will be back!

      We unloaded the car and put away all the groceries.  I then worked on the blog, while Pete enjoyed sitting in the cockpit and tried to read. Since we are backed into the slip, from the cockpit we can watch all the activity and chat with everyone as they walk by.

Monday, 2/11/19 ~ After exercising and showering, Judith and I headed to Higgs Beach.  I had told her about our adventures yesterday and she loves gardens.  This time I had my good camera.  We both enjoyed investigating the gardens as well as talking to staff and visitors.  We didn’t realize we had been there over 3 hours.  As we left, we asked the front desk volunteer for a suggestion for eating.  There was a great restaurant about 1000 feet down the beach!
From the gardens of West Fort Martello ~

               

          

          

               

                

               

          

          

          

         

               

           

     Salute! On the Beach is very popular and for very good reasons. Not only is it convenient, it has a great water view, interesting menu items, a good selection and simply yummy food! I had a Shrimp salad served on fresh greens, basil, red pepper, onion, capers, topped with a very mild citrus dressing and garnished with sliced cucumber and tomato. Judith had a green salad with Gorgonzola, walnuts, apple, vinaigrette and fresh Snapper.

On our way back to the car, we spotted these "Key West Eagles" ~
          

    I had a wonderful time. Unfortunately, Pete’s day wasn’t as good.  He tried to trace the wires for the lights in the bathroom that are not functioning.  When he checked the bilge, he found it full of water – for the second time in 5 days!  Last time he found it, he though it was because the bilge pump was turned off.    After emptying the back cabin again, further investigation revealed that the PSS bearing was leaking.  Everything was put back and he researched possible causes. When I came back, he once again unpacked the cabin and I helped him replace the PSS bearing, clean out the fittings and everything else he knew to do. The leak has lessened, but water is still titrating in. He wanted to see what happened when the engine was running. I went to start the engine, but the alarm continued once the engine was running. I immediately shut it down and had Pete come up and check.  The alarm was for the oil pressure.  He checked the engine and topped off the oil.  He planned to do an oil change later this week. We put everything back and he continued his research. 

Tuesday, 2/12/19 ~  Pete was up and out by 7:30 this morning.  He woke earlier and checked his emails, the news, Facebook and then the weather.  That’s when he saw that the predicted storms will be here shortly.  He and Bailey almost made it back before they came.

     With lightning and thunder, neither Debbie, Judith or I wanted to walk over the gym. After exercising on board, I worked on some photos.

      Our plans for dinner at Hogfish with Deb and Hugh for tomorrow night has blossomed.  There are now 14 of us who head over. Deb and Hugh, SV SIMPLICITY, Judith, SV SERENITY, George, on an MCat, Kate and Bill, MY STEADFAST, Mike and Becky, SV NAUTILUS, Bob and Mary SV WINSOME, as well as Tom and Sara, SV DELLA TERESE and of course us.  It should be fun.

     Once Pete wrapped up work for the day, he did more research on the oil pressure, but no resolution.  So, he requested a mechanic recommendation on Facebook. Hugh responded with Chris Bates, who did work for him last year and lives here at the marina.  Pete will call him tomorrow.

Wednesday, 2/13/19 ~ The rains continued on and off all day. Pete called the mechanic. He was able to come over this afternoon.  He diagnosed the problem as a corroded connection, which he was able to replace within an hour.  It was really nice dealing with him and Pete shared his experience.  We also got the name of a rigger, who Pete also called.  Our main is still jammed in the mast due to a metal ring that has come undone.  It is beyond our ability to repair. He will be by next week.

     Since we have a car and so does Tom, we will be shuttling people over to HogFish. I tried to make a reservation, but they do not take them, So I went over early to make sure we could be seated.  They were able to seat 9 of us at the big table, but 4 needed to sit separately.  The food was great, the conversations lively and a good time was had.

      Once dinner was done, most of the couples decided to walk back to the marina. It would have been a perfect night – comfortable temps and great breezes - until the heavens opened up.   Being Florida, the rains passed quickly and then then skies cleared. As we got on board, the heavens opened up again!  Our friends got a quite wet.

Thursday, 2/14/19 ~ We went over to exercise, but there is no way to get to the marina gym.  The facility is undergoing a massive remodeling.  They have already torn up the sidewalk & access from the docks over to the gym.  The pea hens have been relocated to a coop behind the gym. The community gardens have been torn up.  The plans are for stores and eateries, another pool, enlarging the marina, and another hotel.  It sounds wonderful, but how much will the marina fees increase?!!

    On our way back to the docks, we ran into one of the dock hands. He told us that we should check in with the hotel.  He believes that we should be able to use that facility.  Sure enough, we sign in at the front desk and receive a key card which we return when we are done.  Though the facility was pretty crowded at 9, we managed to use the floor for our yoga.  Deb was able, with the help Travis (one of the great workers at the hotel) to get the computer to hook up to the TV.

Outside Rustica's

      Once back, I was able to post to the blog.  I am caught up to when we arrived here (February 1^st.)  Now I just need to process more photos and transcribe my daily notes.  I do this mostly for me, but to our family and friends, who also like to follow us, so I apologize for not posting more frequently.

    Pete and I exchanged our Valentines this morning. Since we both are craving pizza, we headed over to Rustica’s for really good pizza, before we to toured around Old Town.  This guy has been my Valentine for almost 50 years! . . .and I would trade him for million-billion dollars!

Friday, 2/15/19 ~ After exercising and showering, Kate, of MV STEADFAST and I went food shopping at Publix. Yea, I know I went last Saturday, but I still needed meats, fruits, veggies and perishables.

     We had a dock party tonight. Just had to bring dish to share and drinks. 5 Boats were able to attend. It was a perfect night between the breezes and pleasant temperatures, good food and new friends.
          

Great sunset on a wonderful evening with friends!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P