We’ve had a busy week here in Marathon and have walked (and biked) for many miles. We did eventually discover the island taxi services and when we’re REALLY tired of walking, they will pick us up and take us anywhere on the island for 4 or 5 dollars. We both stepped on the scales at Publix today. Assuming our clothes weigh three pounds (shorts and T shirts, yeah, right), neither one of us has gained any weight since we left home. Last Thursday we walked down the street to see True Grit at the local movie theater. The theater holds 105 people and was completely packed. The line outside was so long, I’m sure they had to turn customers away. We both enjoyed the movie. This week The Tourist is showing and we hope to talk Marla and Al into going with us. They are due to arrive in their motor home tomorrow to stay in a campground nearby.
On Saturday we took the dinghy out to explore the harbor we're in. On the way we came across a couple from Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Nelson and Ondra. They were doing the same thing. We followed them through a cut in the island out into the ocean!!!! Not too far though. The water was pefectly calm, winds maybe as much as five miles an hour, beautiful blue-green water.
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| Captain Colleen, occasional master of the dinghy |
On Sunday afternoon we attended the Second Annual Florida Keys Traditional Music Festival. What a treat! All the artists were exceptionally talented and we heard five different groups, from a Cajun Trio, to Bluegrass and Acoustic Country, to Tex-Mex, to Appalachian mountain music, to a homegrown Keys group. Some amazing banjo playing, singing, guitar strumming, Mexican accordion music, haunting mandolin pieces, and Cajun violins.
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| Joe Mama's Keys All Star Band |
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| One of my six new quilt blocks |
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| Here's another |
I’ve been sewing pretty much every day. I was part of an activity in my quilting group in North Carolina last year that produced nine different quilt blocks from nine people over the course of the year. I brought those blocks with me and I’ve worked during the past week to make six more different blocks. The plan is to put all fifteen together to make a small sampler quilt. Doll clothes also must be stitched together as Wayne and I will be traveling to Boston in March and Jackie and Kate’s dolls need to be well-dressed.
A few days ago I checked the car GPS we have with us to try and find a fabric or quilting store nearby. Found a place called Nimble Fingers. Must refer to skills with a needle, right? Not quite. When I called I found out it was a barber shop. The man who answered the phone was very friendly, though. I’m probably lucky it wasn’t a massage parlor. Unfortunately, I would have to travel 45 miles either east or west to find a fabric shop. It’s a good thing that I’m still well stocked with fabric here on the boat.
Each morning at 9:00 we gather around the marine VHF radio and tune to Channel 68. The “show” is The Cruiser’s Net, a thirty to forty-five minute sharing of local news and upcoming events, information about boats arriving and leaving the area, offers of marine related items to sell (treasures from the bilge)and requests for items boats need, and a boat trivia contest. This certainly is a boating community! Last night we joined our nearest neighbors out here on the buoys - Jan and Gary- and another couple, Mike and Barbara, for cocktails and sunset watching. Jan and Gary are either our backyard neighbors or our across the street neighbors, depending on which way the wind is blowing. Watching the sunset here is a bit of a daily obligation and is attended to with a certain amount of ceremony. As the sun sets, people on assorted boats (probably on shore too) blow on conch shells to mark the moment. It's a unique, haunting sound - something I'll always associate with this special place.
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| We're finally seeing some beautiful sunsets |
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