Oliver Sails South: March 2013

We continue to be out on a mooring ball overlooking the Boot Key Harbor. I have mastered the dinghy now, so I can go shore for yoga, shopping or time with friends. Even the dog and I solo in as some friends of ours call it.

We had a treat in the form of my sister Mary coming for a visit last week. We rented a car and picked her up at the Miami airport. What a zoo! We did get her safely back to the boat the night of February 24. Her luggage even fit in the dinghy okay with all of us. She is a former sailor, so she knew how to pack. We had a great visit and the weather for the most part cooperated, 80s and sun until the last couple of days. The cold front blew in after she left luckily. We went shopping, to Key West for a day,shopping around here, to Sombrero beach and out for soft shelled crab for her. The last night we grilled lobster and NY strips on board with some Pinot Noir (Dale of course stuck to his Miller Lite). In Key West we ate at Margaritaville, but no Jimmy Buffet sightings. We also took a trolley tour because we had to get from the parking garage to Duval street. It was nice in that we did not have to try to master the crazy traffic there. We saw the Hemingway house, Truman annex and the southernmost point. Many days the dolphins made an appearance by the boat and once in the dinghy to fascinate us. They never get old. Mary is now back in the cold North and just got a promotion. Our drive back to the boat after dropping her off was a nightmare. There is one road through the keys. If there is an accident, well you can imagine. We sat on the Florida Highway 1 parking lot for an hour and a half. Ollie was not happy as he had not had dinner. Luckily in Homestead we had stopped for a potty break for him. He was a crazy dog with glee at having Mary visit. I would go so far as to say obnoxious.

Now we are all back to normal. Oliver spends his time on dolphin patrol, pelican patrol, walking in the park, greeting other dogs and people, sleeping and eating. He has a chihuahua friend named Gator. They run to each other like long lost friends. Talk about the odd couple. Oliver seems to be ok yet. Next week he has shots due, so we go to the vet here. Say doggy prayers.

Dale works on the boat, rides the bike to Home Depot or the store and keeps up with life on his laptop. I ride the bike for errands, do laundry early as there are 8 machines for over 200 boats and joined Yoga last week. They have a book swap too which keeps me happy. Our friends, Laura and Tom, came back from the Bahamas and are staying here awhile, so Laura and I went to breakfast at the Stuffed Pig. They have great omelets. It was nice to catch up. We also met friends from Wisconsin, Judy and Brian and from Pennsylvania, Victor and Kathy for a happy hour on Wednesday. You do meet some really nice people.

We had a cold front come in and temperatures went into the 50s at night and 60s during the day. I hate to say, we turned into pansy Florida people and donned the fleeces and jackets. I even wore a hat one night to dinghy Ollie ashore. He loved the cool temps. He has a little 18 year old Schnauzer friend that had a coat on! The Saturday night concert at the Tiki Hut was even cancelled. It is trying to warm up, maybe 70's.

We aren't sure of our plans, but plan to stay here for March. We will keep you posted. Love to all!