February 24- Pilgrimage to Margaritaville

When we first left on this trip, I pictured that in going to the Keys, by sailboat, that the ultimate destination was Key West. But the further south we'd go, other boaters would talk about this place called Marathon. I didn't get it. Why not Key West? The guide book says although the marinas are out of range of most budgets, there are mooring balls there, or you could anchor. And who has heard of Marathon anyway?

Well......we've been in Marathon now for about two weeks. The thing about these Keys is, they are these small little bits of land, on one side you've got the Atlantic Ocean which can get pretty raucous when the wind is just so, and on the other side you've got Florida Bay or the Gulf of Mexico which can get pretty raucous when the wind is just so the other way. Marathon? Well it has this harbour that pretty much offers protection from all sides. And most of what you need to get by is within walking distance. Sometimes a long walking distance mind you, by available nonetheless.

"Take the bus, rent a car, but leave your boat in Marathon" the advice was, when we'd ask experienced boaters about Key West. We still weren't convinced. But we'd booked a car for the day we went to the Dolphin Research Center, and the price was right so we kept it for two days. "Lets go see Key West now, so that when we go there to anchor we'll be familiar with it." .....and off we went.

On the way we stopped at "the only miniature golf in the Keys" on Ramrod Key because it had been far too long since Christopher, our mini golf pro, had been on the links. A fun course, complete with a tunnel cave, waterfalls and ponds that capture the ball. Then on to Jimmy Buffett's promised land.

We drove to the "southernmost point in the continental U.S." spot then had to be quite creative in finding a parking space. And then we walked and walked and walked everywhere. It was definitely Key West and although we turned down the opportunity to patronize the clothing optional bar we got the flavour of a fun loving town. We enjoyed a relaxed supper at an outdoor cafe and then headed to Mallory Square for the sunset celebration. Quite a sight to behold, crowds of people at the western tip of the Key watching and applauding the sun set, and magicians, human statues, all sorts of entertainment going on.

We of course tried to glimpse the mooring and anchoring area and enroute to do that, stopped to talk with a woman selling the ferry trip to the Dry Tortugas. Christopher mentioned Tiffany Rose and when she realized that we were 'cruisers', she said, " Oh, I'm so envious, I lived on my sailboat for two years and just sold it." So of course we started asking her all sorts of questions about places to go, and she was very helpful and positive. When I asked her about anchoring or mooring there she said it was the worst anchorage she'd ever been in. Basically it boils down to not being a very protected spot, with a very long and rough dinghy ride to shore, so unless you've got a nice stretch of calm weather, it doesn't rank high in the 'comfortable places to be" list.

We left thinking that one day was not enough time there. Whether by boat in a calm stretch, or with Dave's sister by car when she comes for a visit soon we hope to get back there again.