THIS PICTURE IS FOR SYDNEY!

SYDNEY WANTED TO SEE THE PUZZLE THAT SANDY WAS WORKING ON.

LIFE ON THE BOAT IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENT THAN LIFE AT HOME. YOU DON'T ALWAYS WAKE UP EVERY MORNING WITH PLANS OF CRUISING THE WATERWAYS OR WALKING ON SOME DESERTED BEACH OR SEARCHING FOR MARGARITA VILLE.

YOU HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO SPEND THE TIME AND OCCUPY YOUR MIND. SANDY WORKS ON PUZZLES AND WORD GAMES , I WASH THE BOAT AND WATCH TV.

FORTUNATELY WE HAVE RENTED A CAR THIS TIME SO WE CAN ADD TO OUR BUSY LIFE BY SHOPPING AT WALMART , SAM'S CLUB , AND IF WE WE HAVE TIME WE MIGHT GET TO "BED BATH AND BEYOND!"

SUNSET AT HALIFAX HARBOR

THESE PICTURES ARE NOT IN CORRECT ORDER (LIVE WITH IT!) BUT THIS MARINA IS SO NICE I WANTED TO GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOT AND COMMENT HOW WE GOT HERE.

WE ARE WORKING OUR WAY NORTH WITH PLANS TO BE OUT OF HURRICANE TERRITORY BY END OF JUNE IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. SINCE WE ARRIVED IN FORT LAUDERDALE WE HAVE BEEN TRAVELING THE INTER COASTAL WATERWAY WHICH IS OFTEN SCENIC BUT FREQUENTLY SLOW AND BORING. EVERYTHING YOU HAVE READ ABOUT NO WAKE AND MANATEE SPEED ZONES ARE CORRECT. YOU CAN NOT PLAN ON COVERING MUCH MORE THAN 50 OR 60 MILES A DAY BASED ON THE LIMITED SPEED. (ITS NICE TO BE RETIRED WITH NO TIME TABLE TO KEEP ) WHEN POSSIBLE WE WILL RUN OUTSIDE BUT THE WIND AND WAVES MUST BE GOOD BECAUSE I DON'T PLAN TO BEAT OURSELVES UP IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. ANOTHER ISSUE IS THAT MANY OF THE "CUTS" IN AND OUT OF THE ATLANTIC ARE DANGEROUS AND YOU NEED LOCAL KNOWLEDGE IF YOU HAVE TO RUN FOR COVER.

EVERY TIME WE FIRE UP THE ENGINES AND UNTIE THE LINES TO MOVE TO OUR NEXT DESTINATION WE BOTH HAVE SOME NERVOUS ANXIETY ON WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHAT CHALLENGES WE MIGHT HAVE TO DEAL WITH. TRAVELING IN A 50 FOOT BOAT ON THE WATERWAYS VERSUS A 18 FOOT CAR ON A PAVED HIGHWAY LENDS ITSELF TO SOME REASONS FOR CONCERN , BUT WE STILL LOVE IT.

SAME PICTURE WITH "CHANGES"

I DID THIS TO POINT OUT HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN DAYTONA BEACH OVER THE YEARS. LIKE MANY OF MY FELLOW BABY BOOMERS WE ALL HAVE VISITED THIS BEACH CITY OVER THE YEARS DURING MANY STAGES OF OUR LIFETIME. SANDY AND I WERE HERE DURING OUR EARLY YEARS CRUISING THE BEACH DURING SPRING BREAK , I HAVE BEEN HERE DURING THE DAYTONA 500 , AND I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR BIKE WEEK. THE POINT IS THAT THIS TIME WE ARE SEEING DAYTONA BEACH IN A NEW WAY AND NOTICE THE CHANGES.

EXAMPLES:

• GOOD =THE BEACHES ARE CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED AND NOT COVERED WITH BEER CANS
• BAD = THERE ARE NO BARS ON THE BOARDWALK LIKE THERE USE TO BE SO ONE COULD SIT AND WATCH THE TRAFFIC ON THE BEACH
• GOOD = THERE ARE NO DRUNKS SLEEPING ON THE BEACH
• BAD = THERE ARE "FEW" GOOD LOOKING GIRLS WITH LITTLE BIKINI'S ON THE BEACH (MOSTLY FAMILIES)
• GOOD = NICE BEACH FURNITURE AND UMBRELLAS TO SIT UNDER AND ENJOY THE SIGHTS
• BAD = MOST PEOPLE USE TO SIT ON TOWELS NOW MANY OF THE TOWELS ARE RAPPED AROUND MANY OF THEIR HEADS . (IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN)
• GOOD = YOU CAN STILL DRIVE ON THE BEACH
• BAD = PEOPLE USE TO DRIVE SUPER CARS ON THE BEACH (IE CHEVELL S/S , GTO'S , 442'S , DODGE HEMI'S, CORVETTES ETC) NOW THE VEHICLES CONSIST OF HONDA ACCORD , PICK UP TRUCKS AND MINI VANS. GAG ME!

DAYTONA BEACH

THIS LOOKS LIKE A TYPICAL BEACH PICTURE THAT COULD BE TAKEN BY ANY RETIRED COUPLE VISITING DAYTONA BEACH FOR A WINTER / SPRING BREAK. THE DIFFERENCE IS THAT WE CAN STAY HERE AS LONG AS WE WANT BECAUSE WE ARE TIED UP AND LIVING ON OUR BOAT LESS THAN A MILE FROM THIS BEACH.
SO THERE!
WE WANTED SYDNEY AND GRIFFIN TOO SEE THE SIZE OF THE BEACH SO THEY WOULD BE EXCITED AND LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR VISIT. THIS IS A GREAT PLACE FOR KIDS AND ADULTS AND YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY THE RICH AND FAMOUS.

SUNRISE OVER HALIFAX HARBOR

WE ARE SAFELY TIED UP IN HALIFAX HARBOR IN DAYTONA BEACH FLORIDA. OF ALL THE MARINAS WE HAVE STAYED IN THIS IS THE BEST. 550 SLIPS OF ALL NEW FLOATING DOCKS , WELL MAINTAINED , CLEAN , NICE DOWNTOWN AREA WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE TO QUALITY RESTAURANTS AND SHOPPING. SECURITY IS EXCELLENT AND YOU WOULD NOT MINE LEAVING YOUR BOAT HERE.

WE PLAN TO STAY IN THIS MARINA FOR AT LEAST A MONTH FOR THREE REASONS:

1. STEPHANIE IS PLANNING TO VISIT US OVER MEMORIAL WEEKEND
2. SYDNEY AND GRIFFIN ARE COMEING DOWN FOR A WEEK WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT.
3. WE ARE DRIVING TO THE VILLAGES TO BUY A HOUSE (MORE ON THIS LATER)

THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

THIS IS ME (YOU CAN TELL BY THE EAR RING) STARING AT LAUNCH PAD 38A WHICH IS THE ONE UTILIZED TO LAUNCH EVERY MANNED MISSION BY THE USA TO DATE. SANDY AND I ARE TIED UP AT CAPE MARINA IN CAPE CANAVERAL AND DECIDED TO TAKE THE TOURIST APPROACH AND CHECK OUT THE SPACE CENTER. IT IS AN ALL DAY EVENT AND WITH MY SHORT ATTENTION SPAN I WAS GOING CRAZY HALF WAY THROUGH THE TOUR.

IT IS EXTREMELY EDUCATIONAL AND I NOW KNOW MORE THAN ALL MY PEERS ABOUT THE UNITED STATES INVESTMENT IN OUTER SPACE.

CHECK OUT THE NAME ON THIS BOAT!

MISS PENNY

IRONICALLY THAT IS MY SISTERS NAME AND SHE ALWAYS SAYS I AM NEVER NICE TO HER SO I DECIDED TO BUY HER A BOAT. UNFORTUNATELY I CANT REMEMBER WHERE I DOCKED IT.

SPEAKING OF PROTECTED SPECIES.

WE HAVE SEEN MORE MANATEES THAN WE HAVE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HIGHLY ENDANGERED BUT YOU COULD FOOL ME SPECIFICALLY IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA. THESE GUYS WERE RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR BOAT SNIFFING AROUND THE DRAINAGE PIPE. CUTE HUH?

"THIS IS THE ALLIGATOR THAT ATE OUR DOG"

I TOLD OUR DOG (SAM) NOT TO GO OUT ALONE BY HIMSELF AND SPECIFICALLY NOT TO WALK ALONG THE RIVER BANKS. UNFORTUNATELY YOU KNOW HOW COCKER SPANIELS ARE , THEY JUST DON'T LISTEN. NEVERTHELESS SAM DECIDED TO GO OUT AND STRETCH HIS LEGS AFTER BEING INSIDE THE BOAT ALL DAY. HE INSISTED THAT HE WANTED TO GO OUT BY HIMSELF AND UNFORTUNATELY I AGREE DUE TO THE FACT I FIGURED HE IS 13 YEARS OLD (WHICH IS 90 YEAR IN HUMAN AGE) AND HE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS.

AFTER AN HOUR HAD PAST AND HE HAD NOT RETURNED I DECIDED TO LOOK FOR HIM AND EVENTUALLY FOUND HIS FOOT PRINTS LEADING TO THE RIVER. I ASSUMED THE WORST AND WENT RUNNING AFTER HIM CALLING HIS NAME BUT ALAS NO RESPONSE. AS I ROUNDED THE NEXT BEND IN THE RIVER I SAW THIS GATOR STARING UP AT ME WITH A SMILE IN HIS EYE AND A HAIR IN HIS MOUTH. I WANTED TO KILL HIM BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE A PROTECTED SPECIES I DECIDED TO TAKE HIS PICTURE.

WE REALIZED LIFE WILL GO ON EVEN WHEN YOU LOOSE SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU SO SANDY AND I RETURNED TO THE BOAT AND HEADED FOR OUR NEXT RENDEZVOUS WITH FUTURE. WE TIED UP IN BEAUTIFUL PALM BEACH AND DECIDED TO GO SHOPPING ON THE FAMOUS WORTH AVENUE AND EASE OUR SORROWS BY SPENDING MONEY ON OURSELVES. SANDY WAS ATTRACTED TO THE FIRST BOUTIQUE AND THERE IN THE WINDOW SHE SAW WHAT SHE HAD ALWAYS WANTED BUT NEVER HAD THE NERVE TO PURCHASE. A REAL DESIGNER ALLIGATOR PURSE! IT ONLY SEEMED RIGHT THAT NOW WAS THE TIME TO MAKE THE JUMP AND PURCHASE THE NONSENSICAL EXTRAVAGANCE.

WE RAN IN THE STORE AND GRABBED THIS WORK OF ART AND IT IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT BACK FRESH MEMORIES. SANDY FINGERED THE STRAP AND OPENED THE PURSE IN ORDER TO FEEL THE VIBRATIONS IT WAS GIVING OFF IN OUR DIRECTION.

AS SHE OPENED THE PURSE AND LOOKED DEEP INSIDE SHE NOTICED A SILK TAG WAS NEATLY SEWN TO THE INSIDE FLAP . SANDY QUICKLY BUT CAREFULLY UNROLLED THE TAG AND READ THE WORDS OUT LOUD . IT CLEARLY SAID APRIL FOOL!

OUR DOCK PARTNER

CALL ME STUPID BUT I DID NOT REALIZE THESE THINGS WERE ALL OVER FLORIDA.

LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE I USE TO WORK WITH! GLAD I AM RETIRED!

TOW BOAT , TOW BOAT!

WHILE IN FORT LAUDERDALE WE ELECTED TO STAY A WEEK AT ONE OF THE THREE MUNICIPAL MARINAS WHICH WAS ON THE NEW RIVER (COOLEY LANDING)

THE NEW RIVER RUNS OFF THE I.C.W. AND IS IN THE HEART OF THE CITY SURROUNDED BY HIGH RISE CONDOS, A BEAUTIFUL RIVER WALK, AND WALKING DISTANCE TO FAMOUS LAS OLAS BLVD.

THE OTHER CLAIM TO FAME OF THE NEW RIVER IS THAT IT IS THE CENTER OF ALL MAJOR REPAIR AND REFIT MARINAS IN THE LARGEST BOATING CENTER IN THE WORLD.

DAILY THESE MEGA YACHTS (IN ADDITION TO HUNDREDS OF OTHER BOATS) TRAVERSE THE RIVER ON THEIR WAY TO SOMEWHERE. THE WEEK END WAS FUN JUST WATCHING THE DAILY PARADE OF BOATS.

THE CHALLENGE IS NEGOTIATING THIS NARROW RIVER WHICH HAS A STRONG TIDE AND IS DIVIDED BY MULTIPLE LIFT BRIDGES WHICH YOU NEED TO WAIT FOR.

IT WAS COOOOOOOOOOOOOL

A TIGHT SQUEEZE

THIS WAS NOT A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

THIS WAS THE SCENE THAT WE COULD SEE FROM THE BACK OF OUR BOAT MANY TIMES A DAY.

NOTE: THE TOW BOAT TIED TO THE STERN IS TIED UP PULLING ASTERN IN ORDER FOR CONTROL OF THESE MASSIVE YACHTS.

FORT LAUDERDALE = BIG BOATS AND BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE

I HAVE NEVER FELT SO LITTLE OR SO UGLY!

I WILL NOT DWELL ON THIS SUBJECT BECAUSE YOU ALL KNOW THIS IS THE BOATING MECCA OF THE WORLD BUT THE OBVIOUS EXPOSURE OF WEALTH IS BEYOND ANY TING I HAVE SEEN BEFORE. THESE BOATS ARE NOT THE EXCEPTION BUT THE RULE.

PISS ME OFF!

"CAPTAIN YOU HAVE A SUBMARINE HEADING TOWARD YOU. I SUGGEST YOU MOVE YOUR VESSEL CLOSER TO SHORE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE"

THAT WAS WHAT THE LITTLE ESCORT BOAT IN FRONT OF THE SUB SAID TO US AS WE HEAD TOWARD FORT LAUDER DALE.

AFTER I CLEANED OUT MY UNDERWEAR I TURNED INTO TOWARD SHORE.

WHAT WAS IT DOING OUT THERE ? I DON'T KNOW BUT I WAS NOT ABOUT TO PLAY CHICKEN.

" I FEEL SAFER ALREADY"

AS WE EXIT GOVERNMENT CUT NEAR PORT OF MIAMI THIS SLIGHTLY UNDER POWERED BOAT PULLS UP BEHIND US. THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING , THEY DIDN'T WAVE , THEY JUST STOPPED AND LOOKED AROUND AND MADE US FEEL GUILTY.

THEY MADE ME FEEL LIKE I HAD A BOAT LOAD OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HIDING IN THE BILGE WHO WERE HELPING TO PAY OUR FUEL BILL.

WHEN THE CRUISE SHIPS ARE IN PORT YOU MUST DETOUR AROUND THE THE MAIN CHANNEL OF THE CUT AND EXIT AROUND DODGE ISLAND.

“EXPECTATIONS VERSUS REALITY”
A SUMMARY OF CASHFLOW VOYAGE SO FAR!

LIKE ANY OTHER DREAMER WHO LOVES BOATING, WE HAD CERTAIN EXPECTATIONS AND DREAMS OF WHAT OUR INITIAL LONG TERM VOYAGE WOULD BE.
THESE DREAMS HAVE BEEN FOSTERED BY MANY BOOKS, TV SHOWS, MAGAZINES, AND OTHER BOATERS WHO HAVE COME BEFORE. I DON’T WANT TO MAKE OUR BLOG AN EDITORIAL BUT I FEEL I NEED TO LET YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL AFTER TWELVE MONTHS OF LIVING ON CASHFLOW AND SEVEN MONTHS OF CRUISING.
IT’S NOT FANTASTIC BUT IT IS GREAT.
IT IS UNIQUE AND YET IT IS SIMILAR. IT IS NEW BUT YET IT IS OLD.

SO WHATS MY POINT YOU ASK!

EXPECTATION:
· WE WOULD CRUISE OFF ON OUR WELL PREPARED BOAT ON A PEACEFUL CRUISE ON CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS WITH MINIMUM PRESSURE OR CONCERN FOR OUR SAFETY AND NEXT DESTINATION.
REALITY:
· YOU CAN NOT PREPARE ENOUGH AND YOU HAVE TO EXPECT TO DEAL WITH THE UNEXPECTED. WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE A GOOD BOAT WITH A YEAR TO PREPARE IT FOR OUR CRUISE.
· WE PURCHASED NEW ELECTRONICS AND EQUIPMENT BEFORE WE LEFT BUT YOU STILL MUST HAVE CURRENT PAPER CHARTS AND CRUISING GUIDES.
· MOST OF OUR WATERWAYS AND OCEANS ARE BEAUTIFUL BUT ARE BECOMING LIKE BUSY HIGHWAYS THAT HAVE BEEN ABUSED AND LITTERED WITH GARBAGE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER INTERSTATE. (INCLUDING AN ABUNDANCE OF CRAB POTS)
· THE SEAS HAVE NO CONCERN FOR YOUR DREAMS AND YOU MUST DEAL WITH ITS WINDS AND WAVES BECAUSE IT DOES NOT GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR EXPECTATIONS. “DEAL WITH IT”

EXPECTATION:
EVERY PLACE WE ANCHOR OR TIE UP WOULD BE A UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT CONSISTING OF INTERESTING PEOPLE AND UNIQUE EXPERIENCES.
EVERYDAY WILL BE DIFFERENT.

REALITY:
IF YOU HAVE A DOG ON BOARD (IE. SAM) YOU CAN NOT ANCHOR ANYWHERE UNLESS YOU WANT TO RUN HIM TO SHORE THREE TIMES A DAY IN A DINGHY.
DOCK SPACE AIN'T CHEAP IN FLORIDA BUT IT IS SOMETIMES BETTER THAN BUYING FUEL EVERY DAY. WE OFTEN DECIDE TO STAY FOR A WEEK IN ONE SPOT TO STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES RATHER THAN TO SIMPLY FILL UP THE TANKS AND EXPLORE EVERY WATERWAY.
ONLY SAIL BOATERS ANCHOR OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO CHEAP TO PAY FOR A DOCK.
THE OLDER I GET I HAVE A HARD TIME TALKING AND MEETING NEW PEOPLE EVEN IF THEY ARE TIED UP ON THE DOCK NEXT TO ME (SANDY SAY’S I AM BECOMING AN OLD POOP)
MOST BOATS IN MOST MARINAS ARE NOT OCCUPIED BY CRUISERS BUT ARE SIMPLY SITTING THERE WAITING FOR THE OWNERS TO SHOW UP FOR THE WEEKEND.

EXPECTATION:
I WILL BE SO BUSY CRUISING AND EXPERIENCING NEW THINGS I WILL NOT MISS MY KIDS OR GRAND KIDS
I WONT MISS DOING WORK AROUND THE HOUSE
THE BOAT MAY BECOME TOO SMALL FOR SANDY AND I AFTER LIVING ON BOARD FOR A LENGTH OF TIME.

REALITY:
THANK GOD FOR CELL PHONES AND E MAILS WE CAN TALK TO OUR FAMILY JUST LIKE WE WERE ARE AT HOME IN NASHVILLE.
YES! WE MISS THE FAMILY BUT WE ALSO ENJOY THIS QUALITY TIME BETWEEN OURSELVES. WE HAVE BECOME A “SOLID CRUISING COUPLE” EACH WITH OUR SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES.
WE SPECIFICALLY MISS GRIFFIN, SYDNEY,AND AUSTIN AND WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS EXPERIENCE.
I DON’T MISS DOING WORK AROUND THE HOUSE!
“CASHFLOW” IS THE PERFECT BOAT. WE STILL LOVE IT!

EXPECTATION:
CRUISING WILL NOT BE CHEAP BUT IT IS WORTH IT!

REALITY:
CRUISING IS NOT CHEAP!
FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF OUR EXPENSE SO FAR (NOTE: THIS IS NOT TO IMPRESS YOU BUT RATHER TO SHARE THE REALITY OF THIS LIFE STYLE)
IS IT WORTH IT SO FAR? YES!

FUEL EXPENSE:
GALLONS USED= 3310
AVG PRICE PER GALLON= $2.51
TOTAL FUEL EXPENSE = $8320
MILES OF TOTAL VOYAGE PER GPS = 1995
MILES PER GALLON = .6

(WE ARE BURNING ABOUT 42 GALLONS PER HOUR WHEN RUNNING)

TRANSIENT DOCK EXPENSE: = $9889

KEEP IN MIND WE HAVE A DOG AND CAN NOT ANCHOR OUT EASILY , EVEN IF WE COULD WE WOULD PROBABLY ELECT TO STAY AT A MARINA SO WE CAN ENJOY THE LIFESTYLE OF THE LOCALS AND NOT ROCK ON THE HOOK WITH THE SAIL BOATERS.

WOULD I DO IT AGAIN? WILL I DO IT AGAIN ? ........ HELL YES!

"I DON'T THINK WE ARE IN KANSAS ANYMORE"

THE MIAMI SKYLINE FROM THE CASHFLOW.

WE HAVE TAKEN MANY CRUISES ON ROYAL CARIBBEAN LEAVING OUT OF THE PORT OF MIAMI AND BOTH SANDY AND I ALWAYS TOLD OURSELVES SOMEDAY WE WILL BE HEADING OUT GOVERNMENT CUT ON OUR OWN BOAT. WE DID IT!

WE LEFT MARATHON KEY (AGAIN) AFTER OUR REPAIR JOB AND THE RIDE TO MIAMI WAS BEAUTIFUL AND SMOOTH. OUR HEARTS WERE IN OUR THROATS AS WE WATCHED THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO MAKE SURE OUR PROBLEM WAS IN FACT CURED , IT WAS. WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FEW DAYS MAKE WHEN YOU ARE ON THE WATER. FROM ROUGH AND WINDY TO CALM AND FLAT. IT TOOK US ABOUT FIVE HOURS TO ENTER IN TROUGH BISCAYNE BAY AND TIE UP AT DINNER KEY WHICH IS IN COCONUT GROVE AREA SOUTH OF MIAMI. BIG BUILDINGS , BIG HOTELS, AND BIG BOATS.

THURSDAY 4/5/07 WE HEADED OUT FOR FORT LAUDER DALE ON THE ATLANTIC SIDE (NOT THE I.C.W.) DUE TO FACT THE WIND AND WAVES WERE GOOD AND THERE ARE FOURTEEN BRIDGES TO WAIT FOR GOING UP THEI.C.W..

ILL EXPLAIN THE BRIDGE ISSUE LATER.

THIS IS "STILTSVILLE"

BUT ----- BEFORE I EXPLAIN THIS I MUST UPDATE YOU ALL ON THE LAST WEEK OR SO OF THE CASH FLOW VOYAGE!

WE LEFT KEY WEST ON MARCH 29TH AFTER A DELIGHTFUL STAY OF ALMOST SIX WEEKS. WE KNOW THE TOWN LIKE A LOCAL NOW AND MY LIVER WILL NEVER BE THE SAME. THE WEATHER HAD BEEN CONSISTENT FOR THE TOTAL LENGTH OF TIME WE WERE THERE "BEAUTIFUL!" HIGHS OF 80 DEGREE AND LOW OF 70 DEGREE, NEVER CHANGED.

THE PROBLEM WAS THAT A STALLED HIGH PRESSURE WAS OFF THE COAST KEEPING THE TEMPERATURES DELIGHT FULL BUT THE WINDS WERE 20 TO 25 KNOTS EVERY DAY. THIS CONTINUOUS WIND CREATED SMALL CRAFT WARNINGS WITH 4 TO 6 FOOT WAVES INSIDE THE REEF AND 8 TO 10 OUTSIDE. WE WANTED TO LEAVE BUT WE COULD NOT FIGHT THAT WATER. FINALLY THE WIND WAS TO CALM DOWN AND THE PROJECTED 2 TO 4 FOOT SEAS SO WE DECIDED TO GO FOR IT.

TWENTY MILES FROM KEY WEST OUR PORT ENGINE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND WE HAD TO SLOW DOWN OFF A PLANE TO KEEP IT FROM HARMING THE ENGINE WHEN THE TURBO CHARGERS WOULD KICK IN. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE WAVES WERE NOW BACK TO 4 TO 6 AND WE WERE RUNNING SO SLOW THAT THE RIDE WAS SCARY AND UNCOMFORTABLE! WE DECIDED TO PULL INTO MARATHON KEY (ONCE GAIN) AND CALL A MECHANIC.

EVERYTHING IN THE KEYS RUNS ON ISLAND TIME AND IT TOOK US FOUR DAYS TO GET REPAIRS AND GET OUT OF THAT DEPRESSING LITTLE AREA (BY THE WAY FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CARE THE PROBLEM WAS THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WHICH WAS 70% CLOGGED WITH RAP AND OLD ZINCS. THIS KEPT WATER FROM ENTERING THE HEAT EXCHANGER RESULTING IN BOILING OUT THE COOLANT.)

NEVER THE LESS WE HEADED NORTH TOWARD MIAMI ENTERING THROUGH BISCAYNE BAY , AND WHAT DID WE SEE? STILTSVILLE.

FOR OVER 100 YEARS FISHERMAN HAD BEEN BUILDING FISHING CAMPS ON STILTS IN THE SHALLOWS OF BISCAYNE BAY CREATING A VIRTUAL VILLAGE THAT GREW OUT IN THE ATLANTIC ON STILTS. STORES , RESTAURANTS ,AND CAMPS WERE EVERYWHERE AND IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES. STORMS AND TIME HAVE ALL BUT DESTROYED STILTSVILE WITH EXCEPTION OF 14 REAMING CAMPS THAT ARE BEING REPAIRED AND MAINTAINED AS A HISTORIC AREA.