The first days went as planned and everything cooperated. And then…it all changed! First we hopped into the car to zoom down to Key West. Part way along we realized the 7 Mile bridge was closing at 8pm for the night. Screeeech! Head on back! Don’t want to be stranded out there. All the food and drink are back on the boat! As always though, this presented the opportunity to spend the afternoon dinghying over to the beach to swim and bask in the sun. Well most of us rode the dinghy. Shirley volunteered to paddle the kayak the whole way and did so in record time. The water was warmer than it has been all season so jumping in and splashing around was great fun. We found out how our different body types float in salt water, but I won’t elaborate on those details.
Change of plans! Next day we planned to head off to anchor out at Bahia Honda. The weather was iffy but seemed OK enough. Just as our final preparations were happening Shirley calls from down below. “There seems to be a problem captain. The head (boat language for toilet) is broken!” Five people on the boat and no potty doesn’t make for a good holiday. Another opportunity! This time to learn more intimately the workings of the plumbing system on Tiffany Rose. Steve left his bow fluff postion and jumped in with both arms and we set to fix it right. After a trip to the hardware store and a $0.25 part and some vasoline we had it running smoothly again. Ahhh! Meanwhile, in order to avoid too many feet potentially sloshing around in foul slosh, Christopher took Shirley and Syl to shore to tour the local hot spots, all diligently photographed by our official photographer.
Change of plans! With the head fixed we still had time to head out and decided to hit the reef once more. The weather was a bit threatening but nothing bad going on. Just as we arrived to the reef a voice came over the radio announcing a waterspout south of Marathon. “Hey, that’s where we are!” Shirley and I scanned the waters and sure enough, to the east of us there it was. A tornado over water reaching from the clouds to the water and creating local chaos. Yikes! We don’t have experience in sailing in water spouts in the ocean so 180 degree turn was made, the bow fluff returned to the cockpit and Tiffany Rose’s engine scurried us back to the harbour.
Change of plans! Next day we planned to head off to anchor out at Bahia Honda. The weather was iffy but seemed OK enough. Just as our final preparations were happening Shirley calls from down below. “There seems to be a problem captain. The head (boat language for toilet) is broken!” Five people on the boat and no potty doesn’t make for a good holiday. Another opportunity! This time to learn more intimately the workings of the plumbing system on Tiffany Rose. Steve left his bow fluff postion and jumped in with both arms and we set to fix it right. After a trip to the hardware store and a $0.25 part and some vasoline we had it running smoothly again. Ahhh! Meanwhile, in order to avoid too many feet potentially sloshing around in foul slosh, Christopher took Shirley and Syl to shore to tour the local hot spots, all diligently photographed by our official photographer.
Change of plans! With the head fixed we still had time to head out and decided to hit the reef once more. The weather was a bit threatening but nothing bad going on. Just as we arrived to the reef a voice came over the radio announcing a waterspout south of Marathon. “Hey, that’s where we are!” Shirley and I scanned the waters and sure enough, to the east of us there it was. A tornado over water reaching from the clouds to the water and creating local chaos. Yikes! We don’t have experience in sailing in water spouts in the ocean so 180 degree turn was made, the bow fluff returned to the cockpit and Tiffany Rose’s engine scurried us back to the harbour.
1 comment:
Thank you very much for the great time cruise director Christopher!
You did a great job taking care of us and especially Auntie Syl's list. It was a lot of fun spending the week with you.
Love Auntie Syl and Uncle Steve
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