March 20, 2017  2.5 Colorado Cat Voyage Date

Today was a day that Jim and I had been waiting for since we bought the boat.  We left Pumpkin Key

this morning and went into our second National Park on this trip.  Our first park was the Everglades National Park, yesterday.  Today's was Biscayne National Park.  Can't say we saw a lot, but we spent the day

driving over the top of it.  I guess that count for something.

After the National Park we drove though Miami and saw how the 1% spend their time.  I think we saw more million dollar boats, yachts, and condos in one hour than in my entire life.  

We then lucked out and found a slip in the Ft. Lauderdale  Yacht Club, thanks to our membership in the Clearwater Yacht Club.  For once we did things right,  So tonight we are between million dollar yachts, and across the water from them.  Just call us high rollers. Unfortunately we have to leave tomorrow, the owners yacht is coming home.  This is our Cinderella night. Life is Good

Want to wish Rob a very Happy Birthday

Sunrise in Everglades National Park

Miami from Bicanye National Park

March 19, 2017  Up date

Well my last post had the wrong date, it was suppose to be the 18th.  Oh well,

Now today was a different day.  We finally got to leave our mooring ball and head

north toward Miami.  The IWC or intercoastal waterway is Very Shallow all the way to Miami.

We didn't realize just how shallow.  there were place that were 1 foot brlow the bottom of our boat.

Very nerve wracking.  The weather was good but as the day proceeded, it got windy, and rougher.

We finally found a place to anchor for the night

by Pumpkin Key and you can see Miami's skyline

from here.  Along the way we discovered that our invertor went out, which means we have no

electric without running the generator.  Not terrible, but not good.  Once past Miami I guess we will

have to find another mechanic.  The Dolphin followed along with us a lot today and several groups had babies with them. 

March 19, 2017     2.4 Colorado Cat Voyage Date

Today was an exciting day.  Amanda, Rob, and Whitney joined us on the boat.  We had

the whole James family with us for a night and it was very special.We grilled hamburgers, and celebrated Rob's birthday.  While waiting for them to arrive, Jim and Ben took the dinghy for a spin, while out a bird decided to take a rest on Ben's head.  I guess it looked pretty stable.  The cool breeze kept everybody comfortable all night.  It was a great treat.  Thanks guys!

This is Bubble Butt, 38 yrs in captivity

March 17, 2017    2.3 Colorado Cat Voyage Date

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE!  Hope everyone had plenty of corn beef and cabbage and green beer.  We had our about a week ago but we were with you all in spirit.  

Our day was a typical windy day in Marathon.  I saw a sign that described how we are feeling...

"Marooned in Marathon", ain't that the truth.

Today we visited the Turtle Rescue Hospital.  It was very interesting and informative and a

nice break from the boat.  Afterwards we enjoyed a true Cuban lunch. All in all it was a good  

and quiet day. One more day before we get our courage up and set sail for Miami.

See hoe the wind blows

March 16, 2017  2.2 Colorado Cat Voyage Date

We were hoping to leave Marathon today, but alas the winds didn't die down until it was to late for us to leave and find a good place to anchor.  So we are here for at least 2 more nights.  

Amanda and Rob are joining us on Saturday and taking Ben home on Sunday.  Hopefully we will be able to also leave.  

The boat continued its silent dance on the water, as we watched the same scenery go back and forth.

A very exciting day.

We did go on a drive about and checked out the harbor.   Found a boat exactly like ours, even the same color, and while we were talking to the captain, a mamma and baby Manatee played in the water beside us.  It was fun to watch.  Mamma had scars on her back from propellers and so did the baby.

Our batteries are still behaving themselves, so I feel we may be over that crisis.  Now  just the weather to worry about.

 

Want to wish you a ll a good St. Pattys's Day. 

March 15, 2017  2.1 Colorado Cat Voyage Date

We made forward progress today, not a lot but some.

We pulled lines at 9:00am and headed for the city marina in Marathon

and a mooring ball.  After a 15 minute ride we found our ball in a bay full of sailboats,

trawlers, and dinghies  The dinghies were running around like ants every which 

way through the maze of moored boats.

A moored boat is tied to an anchored ball. Then your boat then floats with the current

and turns with the wind. Every boat turns and twists at different ties and different angles

in a silent but interesting dance.

Once moored we too joined the dinghy patrol and headed to the marina. The marina is equipped with bathrooms, showers, a library, TV room and even a work shop. People stay on a ball for long periods of time, we are staying one night.

We ate breakfast at the Stuffed Pig, a Marathon must, and dinner at another Marathon must, Keys

Fisheries.  They lived up to their reputation.  Once back at the boat we saw that our batteries are staying up nicely, hopefully are problem is solved.

I would like to thank all the well wishers for the Happy Birthday, but my birthday is  A pril 12.

I will keep them and read them again in April.  

It is nice to see different scenery and experience a new skill--hooking up with a ball.

A Mooring Ball

Boats doing their silent dance

March 14, 2017  2.0 Colorado Cat Voyage Date

It has been two weeks since we launched on our Great Loop voyage. In

those two weeks we have traveled 60+ miles three times, 5 to 20 miles three

times and 8 days in port either at anchor or in a marina.  Not exactly what we expected.

We knew the weather could be a problem, but not continually. We are still in Marathon

and will be tomorrow, only on a mooring ball.  The weather is expected to improve, but 

we need to get moving so Ben can meet up with his parents on Friday.

 Hopefully we solved our battery problem.  A technician said we need LED

light bulbs, and get rid of the ice maker. Tomorrow will be the test for his theory.

We didn't  do much today but stay indoor and stay out of the wind.  I thought I

might share a few pictures the our trip that you haven't seen.  Salt Life has a quote 

that I don't think applies to us.  "A day spent on the water is never a waste of time".  Salt

Life never spent a day with us.

March 13, 2017  1.6 Colorado Cat Voyage Date

We decided to spend another night in Marathon so someone can look at our battery problem.

Then we received a call and he can't come until Wednesday, we have a free day to explore the island.

We decided to visit Pigeon Key, where the railroad workers lived while building the railroad

to Key West

. It was very interesting.  Afterwards we relaxed in the pool and Ben tried his hand

at fishing.  All in all it was a great day.  Tomorrow hopefully even better.

The original railroad bridge with
the road on top

Another Beautiful Sunset

Pigeon Key

March 12, 2017  1.5 Colorado Cat Voyage Date

At the crack of dawn we left Panther Key and headed toward the Florida Bay.

The crossing is about 87 miles and at 8 miles an hour , it is a long day.  The

weather was perfect and the water very calm and smooth.  We didn't see another soul.  Even the birds were scarce.  About 4:30 we spotted the 7 mile bridge and knew our destination was very close.

Marathon was just around the corner from the bridge.  We checked in at a marina, did our laundry,

relaxed in the pool and had a couple of drinks to celebrate our rounding the tip of Florida and start of our adventure in the Atlantic Ocean.  I can't believe it took 1 week and 5 days to get to this point, but we did. At this rate it will take 10 years to go 5000 miles.

watching a flying fish

Our First Atlantic Sunset

Dawn on the West Coast

March 11, 2017  1.4 Colorado Cat Voyage Date

We waved Amanda farewell and headed to Panther Key, which is in the 10,000 island system.

Kevin, Teri and Penny went shelling at Tiger Beach and found some great shells.  Jim and Ben headed

to Panther Key.  We saw some weird things, beautiful things, turtles , dolphins and lots of birds.

Once everyone was back together the guys went fishing and the girls relaxed on the boat.  (with a drink or two of course). The guys came back with some fish to use as bait  for shark fishing.  Ben

caught a 5 foot Black Tip shark that reminded us of jaws.  After an enjoyable dinner and sunset, with

an enjoyable rainstorm we went to bed at 8:30.

A waterfront hotel

Good Night and Good Bye West Coast of Florida

Ben's Shark

March 10, 2017  1.3 Colorado Cat Voyage Date

Today is a special day.  Amanda and Ben James and Kevin Rahmann joined us for a few days. 

Since Amanda is here the shortest amount of time, she does the blog tonight,  So here is Amanda...

I finally know what I want to be when I grow up...retired! I could get used to floating about in a boat, glass of wine in my hand and surrounded by friends and family, pretty quickly. Ben and I drove down this afternoon, meeting my dad in the dinghy at the local grocery store (the grocery store had a dock!). Then we "set sail" for the Colorado Cat where my mom and Terri were waiting.. Since then it's been a lovely evening of visiting, enjoying the seabreeze, and dreaming of the adventures that await. I'm so excited for my parent's journey, proud of the courage that it took to actually undertake this voyage, and envious of their time together at sea. A quick turnaround for me, since I have to go back to the real world tomorrow, but Ben will be accompanying the explorers as they head south and hopefully around the "horn" (what my mom calls the tip of Florida where they turn north again). I'm definitely looking forward to a longer cruise next time. 

March 9th, 2017  1.2 Colorado Cat Voyage Date

The strangest happening occurs every morning about 6:15 am.  The sky is covered with hundreds of crows flying madly around the bay crowing as if they are telling fellow crows good morning.  After about 15 minutes the crows land on whatever, a boat, roof, etc.  They become quiet as if catching their breath and in about 5 minutes they fly away until sunset and circle up again.  This must be the place Alfred Hitchcock got his idea for the movie "The Birds".

We moved to a marina for a clean up, charge up, fill up and purchase two more batteries.  We think we

will have enough storage now for several days at anchorage.  We hope so, as that comes starting Sunday.

We will live it up tonight with air conditioning and lots of TV time.  Life is Good!

Quote for today..."Shells sink, dreams float.

Life's good on a our boat."

  Jimmy Buffet

Good Morning From Marco Island

March 8th, 2017  1.1 Colorado Cat Voyage date

We spent the day exploring Marco Island and enjoying the shopping.

Jim gave Teri and I lessons in driving the dingy. Teri caught on right away, me not so much.

Tonight was a special treat.  We turned on the generator and watched a movie complete with lights.

dingy driving school

The day was lazy with the evening complete with another glorious sunset.

Good Night Friends and Family
We Miss You All

March 7th, 2017  1.0  Colorado Cat Voyage date

Today we have a special treat, our hitch hiker Teri Rahmann will be doing the blog with her insights on the trip of discovery.  Here's Teri:

I made my virgin voyage on the Colorado Cat today.  We cruised from Ft. Myers to Marco Island in about 7 hours at a relaxing 7 knots.  The freedom I felt holding onto the rail with the wind blowing through my hair was exhilarating!  The Colorado Cat is an exceptional catamaran, both comfortable and functional.  The many windows ensure that you never miss a passing osprey, dolphin or other creature and that each sunrise and sunset greets your eyes.  Jim and Penny are impeccable hosts and are simply a pleasure to be with.  We have shared many laughs on our journey together.  If you have the opportunity to cruise on the Colorado Cat, I highly suggest you jump at the chance.  For if you don't, you will surely regret it!

gold reflection on the water