CruisingKatmandu

Ok, you heard how much Fort Lauderdale was flooded this week, right? The airport was closed because of flooding, more rain than they usually have in a month came down in 2 hours. Well, we were lucky to have been a little south of the worst storm conditions. We were glad to have anchored close enough to the land to only receive small waves and 28+ knots wind. The Rocna anchor and chain rode kept the boat steady. Only in the morning did Ben find out that the chain hit and busted an old lobster trap. We dove down for a closer look but didn't disturb them.  We visited 2 museums in Islamorada. The History of the Keys and The History of Diving.  Ben has a pair 0f these Force Fins  Ben bought me a hammock for my birthday!  Caribbean Fireworms  are the mysterious and beautiful sea dwellers that we have seen light up a florescent blue and then disappear. These females light up right after sunset to attract the males then turn off. This activity lasts only  a short w...

 The time spent here on the hook was refreshing. We just enjoyed reading, doing boat projects, swimming off the boat and shopping. The dinghy ride to Snooks was a daily routine so that we could walk for exercise. The results from a desire to dress up for Easter are my aquamarine painted toe nails. Easter morning was the calmest and brightest morning I've ever seen. The water was so still and clear. Jesus Christ has Risen from the grave! Powerful!                                                              This is the anchor and chain                                                          The golden sun lit up the life ring The evening before I saw a couple sea animals turning on their...

These days are mostly about enjoying swimming off the boat in clear warm water.  Morning swims. Afternoon swims. But did I mention watching the glorious Keys sunrises and sunsets? There's nothing like the Key's sky. We've had a wonderful time anchored out here. We had a very nice lady let us come to her club's private dock to get water. There was a slight leak in the faucet by which some fresh water was dripping into the bay. Lo and behold, here comes a mother Manatee and her two calves! We had a delightful time giving them water from the hose. The mother led them to the water and then swam away to let her calves drink. They stayed around for several minutes and are really a lot of fun to watch. They'll actually turn over on their back and open their mouth so you can run the hose water into their mouths One calf raises his head! Thirsty baby! We finally had a chance to go diving. Unfortunately it was a little rough getting in and out of the boat but the dive itself ...

 This morning we got up and after coffee headed over to Ocean Reef to check in to see if there really was reciprocity with the Charleston Yacht Club. We had to putter up pumpkin Creek because it was very windy offshore and we were unable to go out Angel Fish Creek into the ocean and down to the entrance to the Ocean Reef. It was a beautiful ride through mangroves, a little narrow Creek  We actually saw a large snake. We think it was poisonous. We don't think it was a python but it wouldn't let us pet it anyway. Finally got to Ocean Reef.  We're amazed at the marina there. Massive yachts everywhere but no sailboats. We were able to find later that a 50-ft slip in the marina, just the slip, was $3,500,000. We checked in at the membership desk  Unfortunately discovered that there really wasn't any reciprocity with the Charleston Yacht Club unless we were staying at the inn. Unfortunately that meant that Florence'seafood buffet/ birthday party was off. The dock master a...

 I can't help but share this beautiful reading as I witness so much beauty in God's creation. 1In  the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness  was  upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  4 And God saw the light, that  it was  good: and God divided the light from the darkness.  5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. 6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.  7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which  were  under the firmament from the waters which  were  above the firmament: and it was so.  8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second...