Key West

Here we are in Key West.  We're settling into the cruising life quite well.  It is really amazing to wake up in the morning and look out the ports on Stovyville's stern and see the sea grass on the bottom of our anchorage!  This is what I've been waiting for, and I know that it will only get more beautiful as we go.  The weather is perfect, just a little chilly at night, but shorts and swim suits during the day.  Too bad we are not brave enough to swim.  The water is too chilly!!!

Our crossing from Venice, Louisiana was great.  Once again, we didn't get too much sailing done, more motor sailing.  As a result we decided to duck into Ft. Meyers, Florida for fuel.  We stayed just long enough to tour most of the marinas looking for one that actually had diesel in their tanks!  We were waiting at one marina for 20 minutes because we called them on the radio and they told us there was a boat taking on fuel, just a short wait.  As soon as we saw the boat leave, we headed for the dock, lines in hand.  We made it to within 20 feet of the dock and the attendant was yelling at us that they were out of diesel!  Darn, we spent the next 30 minutes or so calling the area marinas on the radio, only to be told that most of them were out of fuel as well.  We were starting to get discouraged when we hailed Salty Sam's Marina on the radio and we given the thumbs up.  It was a tight fit getting Storyville in there but not to worry, Troy knows his boat and works well in those situations. 

I was happy to find that there was a ships store and was looking forward to getting some bread and diet Coke.  We we're about 6 hours out of Venice when I discovered that there was no diet coke on board.  I couldn't convince the crew to turn around so I was in withdrawal for 4 days.  So, while we were taking on the fuel, I headed straight for the store.  Imagine my disappointment when I discovered that the only things stocked in the store were T-shirts and other souvenirs, they did have a cold case with a few beers and some sodas, but, alas NO DIET COKE!  Well.... I'm happy to report that I survived without a diet coke for a whole week!

We made it to Key West in time to welcome in 2011 on Duval Street with all the crazy people!  We had a blast.  We partied all night long and were amazed to discover that it was 4 am when we made it back to Storyville.  I don't remember that last time I stayed up all night.  Needless to say, we spent the first day of the new year recovering from the last day of the old year!  I did manage to cook cabbage and black-eyed peas for my crew.

I have taken lots of pictures, but haven't had the time to get them sorted, edited and posted.  Too much to see and do here.  I promise that I will work on that soon, but right now, there's a beach with my name written all over it!

Pay attention to your dreams - God's angels often speak directly to our hearts when we are asleep. ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994