Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
We learned an interesting thing about Marathon (from our cruising guide to the Keys); there is a facility called Radio Marti, which broadcasts 24 hrs a day to Cuba. It is named for Jose Marti, a Cuban patriot. He was born in Cuba, but lived most of his life between Spain, Guatemala, Venezuela, and NYC. He died in 1895 in Cuba during a skirmish of the war he vehemently advocated.
Apparently, we (US) have broadcast to Cuba ever since the Cuban Revolution in 1959. During Reagan‘s term, Congress passed the Radio Broadcasting of Cuba Act. Radio Marti broadcasts Soap Opera’s, news, entertainment shows, music and even messages for relatives of Cuban Americans who now live in the US. The radio station signed on in 1985 for the first time and has broadcast 24/7 ever since. The facility is not open to the public, and is surrounded by chain link fence with cameras and an armed guard. Who knew???
One evening David and I had gone to Keys Fisheries, a restaurant/bar on the bay, reported to have great fish, lobster bisque and the best sunsets. Earlier in the day we had met Nancy & Hank Haeseker, their outboard was acting up and we sort of towed them back to their boat. While at Keys Fisheries, I noticed a couple, whom I thought was them, sitting a few bar stools away. I was certain this was Nancy and Hank, (dead ringers). I asked if they had gotten their outboard fixed, the gentleman turned to me and said “Oh no, we are at the Yacht Club”. I said “well, how nice for you, sorry, I thought you were someone else.”
You meet all kinds of people, and some just think they are “above” the rest of us, most are kind and eager to give helpful information. I had met another lady, Susie Sabercool, while doing laundry, we had planned to get together, but I never ran into her again. They are on an Island Packet 35’. They have been in Boot Key for a little while, her husband works at West Marine in Marathon currently. They are originally from San Diego.
On our last evening in Marathon, we enjoyed dinner and conversation with Hank & Nancy. They live aboard a 52’ DeFever motor cruising yacht. He is an engineer; he retired nearly 14 years ago. We learned of their adventures at sea. They have been just about everywhere; they have done the “loop”, Isla Mujueres, Guatemala, Costa Rica and more. They were so nice and we thoroughly enjoyed their company. Hopefully, we will stay in touch.
After dinner, we went again to the Hurricane to watch game 7 of the Stanley Cup. Victory is so sweet! I understand that this win ties them for eighth place in NHL history! That is so awesome. We love you PENS!
During the Pens game a one-man band, Ben Prestage was performing. I think the type of music he does is Kentucky Bluegrass. He played guitar, drums, banjo, harmonica and also sang all the tunes. He was awesome. If you ever get the chance, he is a treat!
We left Boot Key Harbor Saturday morning. Our last stop was Pancho’s for gas and water and then we on our way to Bahia Honda Key.
We actually got the sails up today and were able to sail for at least 45 minutes! It was one of the hottest days I have ever spent on the boat at sea.
The approach to the anchorage at Bahia Honda Key is between two bridges, new and old. A section of the old bridge was “blasted” away to allow entrance to the beach, state park and campground.
We arrived a little after 1pm. I took a pic of the lonely palm tree, a little oasis in the middle of Hawk Channel, just before the bridge. It looked like the Bahamas, with turquoise water and white sandy beach! Once we got inside the bridge, it looked more like America; RV’s parked along the beach, several shelters, and folks swimming, grilling, snorkeling and such. The water was quite clear, but not turquoise, oh how I love to look at turquoise water!
The current was so fierce, that I never let go of the ladder or I would surely have been swept away. I am not that great of a swimmer! We did catch sight of a guy that got caught in the current, under the bridge; he barely made it to the rocks! You must respect the sea!
The bottom was light sand covering solid rock! David dove on the anchor to make sure it was secure, as storms where once again predicted. Somehow we missed the thunderstorms surrounding us, we held watch all night, and never dragged anchor! Yeh!
We’re headed to Key West in the morning!
Apparently, we (US) have broadcast to Cuba ever since the Cuban Revolution in 1959. During Reagan‘s term, Congress passed the Radio Broadcasting of Cuba Act. Radio Marti broadcasts Soap Opera’s, news, entertainment shows, music and even messages for relatives of Cuban Americans who now live in the US. The radio station signed on in 1985 for the first time and has broadcast 24/7 ever since. The facility is not open to the public, and is surrounded by chain link fence with cameras and an armed guard. Who knew???
One evening David and I had gone to Keys Fisheries, a restaurant/bar on the bay, reported to have great fish, lobster bisque and the best sunsets. Earlier in the day we had met Nancy & Hank Haeseker, their outboard was acting up and we sort of towed them back to their boat. While at Keys Fisheries, I noticed a couple, whom I thought was them, sitting a few bar stools away. I was certain this was Nancy and Hank, (dead ringers). I asked if they had gotten their outboard fixed, the gentleman turned to me and said “Oh no, we are at the Yacht Club”. I said “well, how nice for you, sorry, I thought you were someone else.”
You meet all kinds of people, and some just think they are “above” the rest of us, most are kind and eager to give helpful information. I had met another lady, Susie Sabercool, while doing laundry, we had planned to get together, but I never ran into her again. They are on an Island Packet 35’. They have been in Boot Key for a little while, her husband works at West Marine in Marathon currently. They are originally from San Diego.
On our last evening in Marathon, we enjoyed dinner and conversation with Hank & Nancy. They live aboard a 52’ DeFever motor cruising yacht. He is an engineer; he retired nearly 14 years ago. We learned of their adventures at sea. They have been just about everywhere; they have done the “loop”, Isla Mujueres, Guatemala, Costa Rica and more. They were so nice and we thoroughly enjoyed their company. Hopefully, we will stay in touch.
After dinner, we went again to the Hurricane to watch game 7 of the Stanley Cup. Victory is so sweet! I understand that this win ties them for eighth place in NHL history! That is so awesome. We love you PENS!
During the Pens game a one-man band, Ben Prestage was performing. I think the type of music he does is Kentucky Bluegrass. He played guitar, drums, banjo, harmonica and also sang all the tunes. He was awesome. If you ever get the chance, he is a treat!
We left Boot Key Harbor Saturday morning. Our last stop was Pancho’s for gas and water and then we on our way to Bahia Honda Key.
We actually got the sails up today and were able to sail for at least 45 minutes! It was one of the hottest days I have ever spent on the boat at sea.
The approach to the anchorage at Bahia Honda Key is between two bridges, new and old. A section of the old bridge was “blasted” away to allow entrance to the beach, state park and campground.
We arrived a little after 1pm. I took a pic of the lonely palm tree, a little oasis in the middle of Hawk Channel, just before the bridge. It looked like the Bahamas, with turquoise water and white sandy beach! Once we got inside the bridge, it looked more like America; RV’s parked along the beach, several shelters, and folks swimming, grilling, snorkeling and such. The water was quite clear, but not turquoise, oh how I love to look at turquoise water!
The current was so fierce, that I never let go of the ladder or I would surely have been swept away. I am not that great of a swimmer! We did catch sight of a guy that got caught in the current, under the bridge; he barely made it to the rocks! You must respect the sea!
The bottom was light sand covering solid rock! David dove on the anchor to make sure it was secure, as storms where once again predicted. Somehow we missed the thunderstorms surrounding us, we held watch all night, and never dragged anchor! Yeh!
We’re headed to Key West in the morning!
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