Thanksgivng in the Florida Keys

• We left Marco Island and headed right to Marathon. The weather was good, the Florida Bay had a moderate chop. What's amazing when you are out about 20 miles is that you can't see land in any direction and the depth of the water is only 5 feet. The crab traps are scatted all over the place. It's as if the trappers just through them in the air and let them land were they may. Between the low water and the traps you have to pay attention every minute of the trip, very stressful.
• We found a marina, Sombrero Resort, right next door to Lee and George V. We arrived, secured the boat and took the 5 minute walk to see Lee and George. They knew we were coming but they didn't know when. We got a real warm reception.
• A tradition we started a few years ago was to take the grandchildren out to a movie and dinner the night before Thanksgiving. This gave their parents free time before the hectic Thanksgiving day. We have not seen our babies since September and we're missing them. This year the night before Thanksgiving was our anniversary. Thanks to Lee and George we had a wonderful celebration at a very nice restaurant. The next morning we started a new tradition, we changed the oil in the engines. This took about 4 hours. We spent Thanksgiving Day with Lee and George and two other couples from their complex. We didn't have time for the blues.
• The world once again is small. When I was little, on occasion, my parents would take us to Seabright, N.J. It was a boat that my mother's uncle pulled up on shore and made into his home. The place was between the Shrewsbury River and the Atlantic Ocean; great location. I can remember watching some local kids jump off a pier, they would be having a ball and I wished they would invite me to play with them. Talking to Cathy and Jack A., friends of Lee and George, we found out that Jack was one of those kids. His family owned the house right next door to my great uncle.
• Mike went fishing with George several times. He had a good time catching some of the local fish. Some gave a good fight. I spent time shopping with Lee, we also had time to sit around the pool and exchange stories about our husbands and children.
• We, of course, spent a day at Key West. No matter how many times I've been there, I still enjoy seeing the sights. Ten years ago I bought sandals at Kinos, they're made in Key West and you know how I love to buy stuff made in the USA. The first time I paid $5; the second time I paid $8 and this time they were $11. Not bad. We had lunch at Caroline's and sat at an outside table and just watched the characters pass by. We know that others were watching us and thinking what characters we were.
• Walking down Duval Street there was a homeless man laying on the ground. I had to turn my head the other way, it's so sad. At one time he was probably a hard working man, I wonder what broke him. Anyhow, Mike walked over to him and gave him a couple of dollars, we have been so fortunate. I thought to myself, that will go to the first liquor store. When we passed back that way later on, the man was sitting on a bench eating a bowl of something. I guess I should be ashamed for what I was thinking. I wonder if Mike's few dollars did help this poor man have a nice meal.
• We went to the Southernmost Point in the continental United States. It's also the most photographed spot in the country, the line was up the block. All you see is a huge red, white, green and yellow buoy on the tip of Whitehead Street at the intersection of Sound Street, it's a must see in Key West.
• Mallory Square is where all the Sunset Celebrations take place. Everyone clusters on the beach and watches the big red ball dip below the ocean's horizon and see an unforgettable view of the setting sun. There are street performers and entertainers ranging from animal acts to fire-tossing jugglers and sword-swallowers to real, talented musicians. We had a an artist draw us. I had to laugh, I think Mike looks like one of his "favorite" people in the picture. Can you figure it out? Take a look at the picture.
• After a week at Marathon it was time to move on. Our first stop was Islamorada. We pulled into a cove and dropped the anchor. On this key is the San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park, the final resting place of one of the 21 Spanish galleons that sank in a 1733 hurricane.
• Around 2 or 3 in the morning the moon the size of a dinner plate was propped up on the top of our hatch. The light falling across our faces was almost bright enough to read by. It was very quiet and there was no breeze at all not even a ripple in the water. My honey suggested we take a swim. I kept watch while he splashed and did everything he could to pull me in. I was soaked and did feel a lot better. I spook myself; I guess it goes back to Jaws. That movie really ruined my night swimming. By the time we went back to bed we slept like babies.
• On to Key Largo, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. John Pennekamp was a journalist who wrote articles urging preservation of the reefs. We were here in 1970 with John N. and Bill M. We talked about taking the glass bottom boat ride but both wanted to be on shore for a while. Instead we took the dinghy along the twisting water trails with the overhanging mangroves. The African Queen was filmed here.
• Next, we headed up the coast to Biscayne Bay. As we were pulling in from Hawk Channel, a boat with 3 men waved to us. We were actually in the inlet. They appeared to be having boat problems. Again, Mike was ready to stop and do whatever he had to do to help these men. I, of course, was a little uncomfortable. What if they just wanted our boat, what if they were bad guys. I swear I have to stop reading evil into everything we do. They were out of gas. We towed them to the nearest gas dock. Maybe this put extra points into our black box.