Waiting in Marathon

We left St. James City anchorage at first light Tuesday morning to a beautiful flat calm day on the Gulf. We traveled South to West Pass (Tiger Key) in the Ten Thousand Islands area where we anchored in a beautiful remote spot that is not listed on any of the guides. This is a place we are going to make a note of and come back when we have time to explore the Islands and huge white sand beaches. (we promise, Cassie and Godiva) Wednesday we traveled to the Little Shark River, the area we explored in mid February with Tide Hiker and Rickshaw, and anchored for the night. Thursday we left at first light and made our way through Florida Bay and tons of crab pots to Marathon Marina. When we arrived, our slip assignment was next to Sea Pearl, Joe and Salty, Cassie and Godiva's friend, and were met by Jim and Robin on Adventures who are also in the marina, to catch our lines. After we were tied off many of our friends from when we stayed here for a month and a half came by to welcome us back. We didn't have much time to settle in before we were informed that we were invited to Gypsies in the Palace, along with Adventures, Sea Pearl, and Lucky Stars, who are all waiting for a weather window to cross to the Bahamas, for cocktails and then dinner at Dockside. (where two or more are gathered!) Today we are going to run some errands, clean up September Song and chill for the day. Saturday we are going to join 16+ of our fellow Defever cruisers who are in the area, at Sombrero Beach for the day, then Sunday evening go back to Dockside for the crazy goings on that happen there on Sundays and another, what else? party.

September Song (where two or more are gathered) out
Bob


Thunder storms building over the Atlantic as we came into Marathon.

View of the 7 mile bridge coming from Florida bay into Marathon.

Traveling on the ICW

Along the ICW from Sarasota to the Venice inlet. Thought you might like to see what we see as we traveled South. Lots of wild life.

Dolphins

On the move

Yesterday we left Sarasota at first light and put the pointy end South. Because the tide was low we had to travel the ICW for the first half of the day as the inlet at Sarasota is to shallow for us at low tide. After five bridges and a few hours of the ICW we exited the Venice inlet. (is it still an inlet if you are going out?)
We got a call from Diane and Steve on Aurora and said they would be anchored off St. James City and would like to have us over for dinner. (where two or more are gathered) Come to find out, Chuck and Pat Berry, on Got The Fever, were also anchored there and it was Pat's birthday. Let the party begin. As usual, Diane and Steve were great hosts and the dinner was wonderful, especially the stone crab claws before dinner and steak on the barby that Steve prepared perfectly. Thanks Aurora!
Today, Tuesday, we left again at first light and are currently in the Gulf of Mexico with Stephanie at the helm while I blog. I wanted to get this in before we are out of range in our next anchorage in the Ten Thousand Islands south of Marco Island.

September Song (pointy end South) out
Bob


Spring is in the air. Ospreys setting up house.

Stroke, Stroke, Stroke

September Song at anchor at sunset

Where two or more are gathered

Weeere baaack!

We left Friday morning from Georgia for Sarasota where we left September Song for a few days while we took take care of some business. On the way back we took a side trip to visit our condo in Green Cove Springs, Florida.
Our condo is on the 9th floor #4865. Well, maybe not so big but it is where our mail is delivered to, they send it to us when we let them know our next port.
Today we took the rental car back (no more wheels) after a trip to the liquor store for some last minute things we needed for our trip. (just can't have enough spiced rum) After returning to the marina we walked to town and found a great Farmers Market going on and then had to hit Whole Foods. (food store Disneyland) If we put any more provisions on September Song I will have to raise the water line. Tomorrow, Sunday, we are going to chill for the day before our four day trip to Marathon where we will meet up with Lucky Stars and Gypsies in the palace and look for a weather window to cross to the Bahamas. (can't wait)

September Song (good to be back) out
Bob



Our condo in Green Cove Springs. 9th floor, not much of a view, but very quiet neighbors

The Flash

Who was that? I don't know, but he sure was fast. I saw him in the helm chair but before I could get a good picture, he ran out the pilot house door. Don't look Mabel! Too late. I tried to get the NASSAU moon shot shot as he ran to the front deck! No luck. He ran down the side deck and I couldn't get the camera up in time. Before I knew it he disappeared on the marina docks. Applause erupted from the people on their boats, well, maybe more laughs and pointing than clapping. In a moment it was all over and the deed was done. Too late, this moment in time was over. Wish you were here. (who was that guy anyway?)

September Song (they called him the flash) out, way out! (THANK GOD)
The Photographer
(see Tide Hiker's blog)


Who is that at the helm and what is he wearing?

I tried to get his picture but he ran out the pilot house door

He headed for the front deck but ducked down before I could get the picture

Sorry! I'll do better next time

Last day

Thursday we took a day to rest after all the parties with cruising friends. We slept in, (07:00 WOW)and played with the girls on the beach, they haven't had much play time while Mom and Dad have been playing. Thursday evening we had a farewell cocktail party (just one more for the road) on Gypsies in the Palace, they have become such good friends. Today we said farewell to the last of the group in the anchorage and headed for Marina Jack in Sarasota where September Song will rest while we go home for a few days to take care of some business. Tomorrow and Sunday we will do more provisioning for our Bahamas trip here in Sarasota, then drive to Georgia on Monday for five days, then come back to Sarasota, load what we bring from home, (well, from Georgia, September Song is our home for the time being) and head south to Marathon or somewhere South, where we will stage and wait for a weather window to cross to the Bahamas. Can't wait!

September Song (counting the days) out
Bob


Farewell cocktail party on Gypsies in the Palace

Traveling on the Gulf

Beautiful water as we come into the pass at Sarasota

Traveling on the Gulf

We finally got back to civilisation and have a good connection so I thought I would do some videos. Thought you might like to see what it looks like traveling on the Gulf of Mexico.

Dolphin play time

On the way to Sarasota today the dolphins were playing in the bow wake. They roll over on their side to look at you.

Another good day with the group

Today was the last day for the group of Defever cruisers in the anchorage to get together before several of them leave tomorrow. We all took our tenders to Cayo Costa Island which is a state park on the Gulf of Mexico. The weather was perfect and as usual, we had a good time. It's sad to have to say goodbye to good friends after such a great time, but our paths will cross again on the waterways. Mid afternoon some of us who are going to the Exumas in the next couple of weeks got together on September Song, and Steve and Diane Koch gave us tons of information on routes, things to see and do, fishing, places to snorkel and dive, provisioning, and alot more. Steve and Di have been there many times, and it was great to get a wealth of information from someone who has been there, done that, and got many t-shirts. Tonight we were invited to Rick and Lynnie's boat, Rickshaw, for a Carolina Bar-B-Que. As usual it was outstanding, and the spice cake Vickie brought was great. It is going to seem strange tomorrow when most of them are gone after being together these last few days, but we will see most of them from time to time when we are in the Exumas.

September Song (see you all on the waterway) out

Bob

Picnic at Cayo Costa

Steve Koch giving us great info on the Bahamas

The Bahamas-bound group on September Song

May whomever rest in peace/peas

Rick and Lynnie's boat Rickshaw has a custom deep freeze on their fly bridge that is about the size of a body. If, God forbid, something should happen to one of us while we are in the Bahamas, we decided we could empty the freezer and keep the body frozen until our Bahamas cruise was over. Why ruin a good cruise!

September Song (not planning to use it) out
Bob

An incredible dinner

Had to show you the picture of perfection.
Thanks again Joe and Julia.

Click on the picture below to enlarge. Try to refrain from licking your screen.


The best linguine and clams I have ever had

At anchor in Pelican Bay

We arrived at the Pelican Bay anchorage yesterday afternoon with Adventures and Lucky Stars and we all got together on September Song for Stephanie's spaghetti and meat balls. (YUM) Robin and Jim invited us to breakfast Tuesday for fresh fruit, scones and what else, MIMOSAS! Great job Robin, we really enjoyed it. While we were at Adventures enjoying a wonderful breakfast 7 other Defever Cruisers joined us in the anchorage which makes it a total of ten beautiful boats. It must be party time. Today everyone was enjoying the beaches, especially Cassie, Godiva, and Salty, their new friend from Sea Pearl, kayaking and just in general having fun. This evening we joined Steve and Diane on Sea Pearl, Joe and Julia's boat for dinner. I have to tell you, it was the most fabulous dinner. We started off with a wonderful French cheese to die for, then salad made by the salad queen Stephanie, the most wonderful linguine and clam sauce, (clams came out of the water fresh one hour before they hit the pot) wine, bread, and after dinner a desert wine with biscotti's. Is life good or what? I don't know what we are doing tomorrow, but it will be tough to top today.

September Song (loving life) out
Bob


Chef Robin

Breakfast at Jim and Robins boat Adventures

Cocktail party on Tide Hiker

After party party on Aurora

New friends and some old ones got together on Steve and Diane's boat Aurora after the party at Cabbage Key. With so much in common it is always a blast.

Closing party at Cabbage Key

Sunday was the final day of the rendezvous. It was warm and sunny when we woke up, but by 09:30 it turned ugly when a cold front rolled through. We were all ready for it because no matter what you are doing you always keep track of the weather while on a boat because you never want to get caught with your *&$%s down or your lines not set for a storm. All the boats did fine, a little rough for the boats in the anchorage, but seasoned cruisers are always prepared.
Sunday was the day for open boat tours at the Cabbage Key Marina where we are docked. We had about 70 of our fellow Defever cruisers tour September Song because this is the first time she has been to a rendezvous and the first chance alot of our friends had to see her. She got all dressed up and looked beautiful for the tours. Sunday afternoon we all got together at the Cabbage Key Restaurant for a closing dinner and farewell party. The food was good and the 100 plus cruisers were great. It is always sad to say goodbye to such great friends, but we all have different directions to go cruising and exploring and our paths will cross again. We will see many of them in the Exumas in a few weeks as that is the next destination for many of them. Several of the boats, including September Song are going to have an after rendezvous rendezvous at the anchorage in Pelican Bay for a few more days. When there are two or more cruisers, PARTY, PARTY.

September Song (see you in Pelican Bay) out
Bob

Aren't they gorgeous

Gypsies in the Palace all decked out for a wet ride back to the boat

Let the party begin

We arrived at Cabbage Key Thursday afternoon, changed clothes, and headed for Useppa Island for a get together with some of our fellow Defever cruisers to kick things off. Most of the 40 boats and 130 people will not arrive until Friday but some of us got an early start. Friday it was so cool seeing all of those beautiful Defevers coming into the marinas and anchorages. Friday night we had a cocktail party on the dock at Cabbage Key and then went to the Cabbage Key Restaurant for dinner. Today we headed for Useppa Island at 08:00 for seminars and boat tours. I gave a talk on hurricane preparation for anchoring out and told of our experience in Hurricane Hanna this last summer in North Carolina. Tonight we had small aft deck parties on our boats and enjoyed sharing stories and liquid refreshment. Tomorrow we will do it all over again. It is so much fun getting together with friends and fellow cruisers. They are a great bunch.

September Song (we are having a ball) out

Bob


Cabbage Key from our boat deck

Party on the Deins boat, Gondola

They come by the boat load for that cheeseburger in paradise

Cassie and Godiva's new friend Reggie

Defever cruisers in Cabbage Key Marina. That's September Song on the right

Dinner with friends at Cabbage Key

I thought you were supposed to leave the tip on the table, not the ceiling and walls

My love with dinner friends