24 56.42 N
080 37 59 W

Islamorada, Florida Keys, USA

It is a cold gray day. Ripe lead bellies are forming overhead. They grow riper, larger. This is how I imagine a late winter day in Lake Woebegone

We are secure for now.

The weather forecast changed significantly from the time we left Largo to the time we reached Islamorada. We now have forecasted winds of 15-20 out of the NW late tonight. That is the direction we have the least protection. To add insult to injury we pulled in close to the southeast mangrove point for its protection. When the wind changes we will be exposed and our former protection will be a very close lee shore. Oh, well. It is not like we are going to perish. We may get bounced around tonight and maybe sleep a little less than usual, keeping an eye on the anchor.

I believe the March winds have arrived. The small price one pays for exploring paradise.

We have an email contact in Marathon, our next port of call, approximately 40 miles distance. There is a certain ebb and flow to the population of Boot Key Harbor which is the primary anchorage and mooring field in Marathon. During the winter and spring it is often filled to capacity with always another boat trying to squeeze in for the night. When the weather is right many boats leave for their Bahamas crossing, and the harbor population decreases dramatically. We prefer not to be the spoiler who comes in late and crowds others. We rather be the boat that is crowded that give us someone else to watch anchor and to welcome or give dirty looks if they seem to be too close for a proper swing on the hook. This always popular harbor provides a safe harbor for all types of cruisers. There are some who live here year around on their boats, for others it is a destination. Still others use it as a jumping off spot for the Bahamas and Caribbean. Many use Marathon as a base to explore the Keys. Others arrive on their way to someplace else and never leave.

I wonder which category of pilgrims will adopt us?

Since it is cool and windy guess we will declare another work day. This will provide us with the opportunity to dinghy in and go to the local hardware store and purchase a few parts for our next project of retrofitting the dinghy with depth sounder, bilge pump and some other goodies that will make the convertible more comfortable and, most importantly, more versatile. But that is another email.

I declare a Work Day.

Captains can do that sort of thing. They can make any day they want something special. Why, it could be Shrimp on the Barbie day, it could be a Book Day, It can be Exploring Day, It can be a Sex Day. Sometimes that one doesn't work, but normally the captain can make any day special.

When I declare a work day we usually go into planning mode first. By the time we have completed our planning we are exhausted and fine ourselves needing substance.

We eat.

Once that is completed we must take stock of ship stores to see what parts and supplies we have or don't have on board. If we need to purchase a part we go back to the planning phase and determine if we can change our plans to use what parts or item we have in ship's stores. If it is a part we carry, one of us has to find it. Usually, we can't find it or we don't have the piece we are searching for. Now we have to go ashore, but are usually too hungry to make it without fear of succumbing to starvation.

We eat.

Now, we can go ashore but we don't have any idea where the hardware or ship chandlery is located. So we call for local information on the VHF or we go to the internet and try to locate a hardware store near us. This is exhausting and now it is time for happy hour. That makes us happy. Now we don't have to lower the dinghy and go ashore because it is too late in the afternoon and the stores are closing.

Next morning: We can't go ashore now, the wind is blowing too hard. We might get wet. We should go snorkeling instead.

Following day: All right! All right! We'll load the bikes on the dinghy and go ashore and find the hardware store.

Later that day: Now that we have gone ashore and have the parts back on Skinwalker we realize that we need two of one part or the part has the wrong thread, the wrong shape or the darn thing is the wrong color. Put the bikes back in the dinghy, go to shore, get more or the right parts, come back. Jeez! I'm exhausted. It's time for lunch and a nap. Let's put this stuff away and take the afternoon off.

Next day: "Captain Lynnie, where is that stuff we bought yesterday at the hardware store. I put it right here and it isn't here Oh crap, it will be easier to go back to the hardware store and get another part than to find the one we just mis-placed."

Now we are on our way back to the hardware store. "Look, there's the world famous Whistle Stop Bar & Grill. Man, we just have to stop in for a beer."

Next day: Oh, my head really hurts. No. I am not hung over. It was just that cheap beer at the Whistle Stop.

Next day: "Lynnie, how about we declare a work day?"

Recovering from yet another work day in the pilothouse,

Capt'n Lynnie and Skinwalker