Oh!! and we found "Rosie" the Ray

Check out the crystal clear water and if you look closely you'll see "Rosie" the black ray!  We think it's "Rosie" anyways.  Right Teagan?!?

Back to Elliot Key but different.....

We anchored off Elliot Key again but this time we were able to take the walk over to the ocean side.  It's really a beautiful view  and we even survived the bugs on the way back!!  Elliot Key is a park maintained by the National Park Service is definitely quite a place.

The best conch fritters in the World!!!

Compliments of Alabama Jack's!!!

Fishing update

I know you all want to hear the latest!!!!!!!

Dick.........2 small fish and 1 pelican

Grey Hound.......1 crab and (1) 18" Barracuda (don't ask)

I am giving lessons at Binnacle Island this summer for anyone that needs expert advise!

Alabama Jacks

After Gilbert's we know we needed to have the best Conch appetizer in the world so we dinked over to Alabama Jacks.  What a joint but the food is great!  they close at 7pm so we saw another really cool sunset.  The colors are not modified and we've never seen the sky so unique...

Good bye to the Keys....we'll be back!

After leaving Bottle Key we moved to Tarpon Basin to provision for the leg north.  From there we headed to Gilbert's for one more of their great fish sandwich's and then it was time to say goodbye for now.  From Blackwater Sound we are on our way towards Miami via a few stops along the way and watching the weather window...

Another view of Bottle Key - Walking Trees....

We moved around the corner because of south winds and ended up in another pretty location.  Just to the east was a shallow mangrove area and as you can see it appears as if the trees are taking a stroll........

The Ultimate "Nu-it"!

Now I will approve copying any of my numerous design upgrades to an average dinghy but you must have the designers ok in writing before you attach your own modifications.  These have taken many months of study!!

Voila!!!!!!  The ultimate !!!!!!!

Teagan's new friends!

Cruising lifestyle

Even though Grey Hound is not little, she is not necessarily big either.  Over time one will always look for ways to simplify systems so yes, we have:

 - a solar light hanging from the lazy jacks.

 - Nu-it (with engine installed) on the net

 - the swim ladder is swung up for storage

 - the bathing suit has been on the pole all winter for instant use

 - a cockpit table is a must for dinner!

 - for cockpit ambiance, there are more solar lights getting powered up

 - the cockpit shower is always ready for a rinse

It's a good thing Grey Hound can sail and put up with the both of us!!

Moving on....

The north winds have finally abated some so it was time to move north.  The Lori Lei was just down the road so we went over there for the night and got our laundry, food, fuel and water wrapped up.  We then dined at the pub while listening to a couple of old central NY musicians, Case & Davidson......they still sound good.   Has anyone see a Lincoln with a bow anchor lately?

The next day it was off to Bottle Key and we're the only ones around.....very quiet and pretty.  Also the sunsets are very hard to beat.

We are in Long Key Bight.....aka "Multihull Bay"

So it's blowing 20-30kts outside and it has been like this for two days.  Long Key Bight is maybe 2 miles deep by 1 mile wide and we have:

- Grey Hound in 4 feet of water

- A Victory 35 Cat near by

- A Maine Cat towards shore

- A Dragonfly 1000

- And one monohull that is brave..............and by the way there are also 10 or so monohulls out in the mouth of the bay hanging on for dear life!!!

SHALLOW DRAFT RULES!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, Yeah,,,,,,,,,

By the way,  can't believe we're going north......................I Must Be Stupid!!!!

We Must Love 'Ya Man!!!!!!!!!

There would be a name if it had a name.

The best pizza in the universe was had in this place.......we'll let Twin Trees decide....

WE are gone from Key West and North bound

The winds were good enough to get us out of Key West yesterday afternoon.  The sail/motor out of Key West was interesting but it was not too much issue.  We pulled into Johnston Key and had a great evening.  We are in 8 feet of water and the channel into the anchorage was very interesting to find as the outside of the channel was 1 foot! 

The next day we headed east and decided to try for NO NAME KEY.  We've  been reading a book and wanted to find the pub.........we did and what a great sail we had down the Spanish Channel.   Lots of fun and we are just one of two boats in front of the bridge.

By the way we had a rider for the trip and we gave the little guy a ride till he decided to go to the V-berth......then he had to go.........a cute little not so bright finch.....

The Adirondack II is the fastest big boat (but not even close to Grey Hound) in Key West.....

Thank you,  Keals Marine & Ian Farrier