Marathon Keys 3

Lot of Iguana in our marina, this one was about to jump, they're more plentiful around here than rabbits in Iowa.
I almost have hit a couple with my bike.

Angie and I loading up our E-Bikes to go to the laundromat. Our marina doesn't have laundry, which isn't good when we are here for 60 days. We have also used the island taxi ($4) and friends for transportation.

There is lots of rebuilding in Marathon due to Hurricane Irma. This is the hospital while they are building a new one right behind this location.

Most evenings we gather with friends (loopers and boat snowbirds) for sunsets.
We have become "Conchs". Watch the video below of the ritual.

This is almost daily. Maybe in another week the sun will set on the water from this location in our marina.

I jumped on a charter scuba two tank dive out to Sombrero Lighthouse Reef.
This was our dive boat, there was nine divers. Saw lots of fish; Grouper,  Angel, Parrot, Barracuda, Puffer and a Moray Eel and Lobster. See my GoPro video below.

Marathon Keys 2

Marlin Bay Marina - North Basin, Maggie Jo is the furthest boat on the right.

Our marina pool and hot tub area.

Company from Minnesota - Angie's roommate Diane from the 80's in Bismarck and her husband Tom.

My brother Dave and his wife Linda made it to Marathon to visit.
We had a fun week, but with little boating due to wind.

I went fishing 17 miles out into the gulf with some friends.
We only caught 8-10 snapper, but had on a couple Mackerel that cut the line.
One Mackerel probably got gobbled up by a shark as when the line went free a shark jumped in the air. 

A Sea Turtle was hanging out near us as we were near a submerged island.

We did catch a couple Remora (the sucker fish that attaches to sharks and other big fish).
Look at the sucker plate on its belly.

We cruised with some friends from the Quad City area in our two dinghies
 8.5 miles to Molasses Key to spend the afternoon.

Getting ready to snorkel, fish and key explore.
Two day prior a friend (from South Carolina) and I snorkeled outside our marina.
We caught a few lobster, but too small, saw Parrot Fish, Angel Fish, other fish, and two Nurse Sharks.

Two blocks from our marina is Clawsablanca (Key Fisheries) where we get stone crab claw for $3/claw.
It's turning into a regular event. We know most the happy hours in Marathon.

Angie and Pam (Sea-C-Rider, Chicago Area)

Happy Valentines Day, Angie
Our Fold-able E-Bikes will arrive on Monday, Feb 17.

Marathon, Keys, Florida

This is the front of the Marlin Bay Marina and Resort in Marathon. Our home for about 2 months.

Every evening we get to see the sunset from our boat, a beach, or a bar/restaurant.

Myself and two other looper friends (Hoot Owl and Sea C Rider), and a buddy when charter fishing one morning.
We caught about 40 Yellow Jacks and 15 snapper. We'll we eating well.

This was fun.

We went to Big Pine Key to see the small Key Deer.

Another visit to a "dollar bar" on No Name Key.

Angie's former room mate when she lived in Bismarck, Diane, and her husband Tom.
They stopped in for a few days to visit, eat, travel, boat, laugh, play cards.
Here we are eating Stone Crab Claws at "Claws-A-Blanca".

You know we made it to Key West when you see roosters on the street and in the restaurants.

One of the 59 Six Toe cats at the famous Hemingway House.

Hemingway's writing table.

Hemingway's Kitchen

Blue Heaven outdoor restaurant in Key West. Angie's Christmas gift from Rachel (Chris' wife).