Saint Augustine & Jacksonville

Anchored out in Tittsuville, Florida -can never get enough of these skies.
If you told us to write a book about  this adventure we could have not
dreamed this plot.  We thought the river system had twists and turns we
could have never predicted this.  Sheltering in place and social distancing on our little
home on the water ( Maggie Jo)  is our safe place.  

This is Daytona Beach- they tell us that there are usually cars and the beaches are
full of people.  We walked around here and enjoyed the Atlantic ocean on our toes.  

St. Augustine, Florida oldest city in the United States.  We enjoyed biking around with Sea Lord (Rob & Robyn)
and Sea C Rider (Pam & Mike) We could not go into any of the buildings but we did explore !

Here we are at The Castillo de San Marcos . It was an amazing structure. At one
time the villagers moved into the center of the courtyard and farmed there.  I cannot imagine
having to wear the clothing they did in that time and farm in this heat.  

Standing in front of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. Known as America's first parish.
  I don't like large crowds so I got to ride bike around with four other friends and see
St. Augustine with out bumping into people.

As we motored by we saw many cruise ships in port. Makes you realize how
much our world has changed in these last few weeks. We are blessed and grateful for all we have been able to see.  

Then you see the ships from all over and remember that this is
a world problem not just the USA.  Praying for healing and peace
during this time.  Dear Lord: When we are overwhelmed in fear, overwhelm us with your PEACE.  

As of March 27th we traveled to The Ortega Marina in Jacksonville, Florida. Sea C Rider is down a few slips from us. Friends from Sturgeon Bay that completed the loop last year (Tom and Carol Haak) live here full time.  This picture
is a group of us social distancing during docktails.  The boat ahead of us is a couple from Cedar Falls.  On the loop you never know who you will be traveling with next.  Some of our friends have gone home and some are few marinas behind us.  No matter ...we are safe.  The boating community is a supportive group and at each Marina you learn new things. 
We will keep you posted at what our plans are....
"For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord."  Jeremiah 29:11. 

Islamorada Key Largo Miami Ft Lauderdale Stuart Florida

Left Marathon and arrived at Islamorada and anchored out.
Another dollar restaurant.

Traveling to Key Largo. We actually made a couple phone calls while traveling and traded outboards for our dinghy.
We made the transaction at a public boat access ramp.

In Key Largo our first two nights we were anchored and the last two we were at the Anchorage
Marina with our friends WaterMarks from Wisconsin.

The Miami skyline as we approached.

Miami evening lights from Maggie Jo anchored in the Aquarium Stadium Anchorage.

Heading thru Miami.

The trip from Miami to Fort Lauderdale had many mega yachts.

Our modes of transportation, E-Bikes, Dinghy (new outboard), and Maggie Jo.

The fountain in the center of Stuart FL.
We have since traveled to Vero Beach and now anchored south of Cocoa Beach.

Marathon Keys 4

Angie getting ready for the Sunset with other boaters (snow birds and loopers) at our marina, Marlin Bay.

Over the last 6 weeks the sunset have been getting better as now the sun sets on the water from the view from our marina.

This is the church we have been attending in Marathon.
Angie volunteered and rounded up a bunch of other boaters to help organize and sort all the donations for there garage sale.
The money goes to their after-school program and the low income apartment the church is rebuilding after the huricane.

One of five legal lobsters that I have caught snorkeling.  In shallow water this time of year it is hard to find any that meet the minimum size requirement.

Lobster tastes better when you caught it yourself.

My Sister Pat, and her friend (our high school classmate), Dean visited us in Marathon.
We spent a day in Key West. 

We drove up to Islamorada to eat and shop around.
This is the sister ship to Hemingway's boat "Pilar" inside of sporting goods store.

We had a beach visit to Bahia-Honda State Park.

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).