KEY WEST

Captain Bob is now referred to as "Key West Bob".  He has his "mile marker one" charm on a gold chain and wears a straw hat!  I love this guy!!  A "little" more relaxed and lays by the pool (could have something to do with the pool view, but I love that he comes to pool with me)

We arrived here Wednesday, Feb 7.  Had a one night stop in Marco Island before deciding a little late in day (10am) to take off for Key West.   Had a wonderful ride for about the first 5 1/2 hours across, and then the last 1 1/2 hour we had quite a ride.  Waves splashing over bow making it hard to see out window, but with the trusty first mate, (me) we avoided the crab pots, of which there were many!!  WHO puts the pots out sooooo far in the ocean?   And I really want to pull a few up and see if they are full of crabs.  The whole idea intrigues me, and while I was calmly relaxing those first 5 hours, I thought I might get a job on a fish boat (when I grow up)....but once we hit rough seas, I changed my mind....(so I'm a fair weather boater!)

Finally it feels like a "real vacation"!  We will be here for a month, so we have time to relax and the first thing (the old) Capt Bob did was completely strip the back sunporch and power spray every piece of furniture and the floors etc!  I have come to the point where I don't care if he wants to work his butt off every day,  but this hindered me getting OFF the boat and heading for the pool......So, I gave in and took all the covers off all the cushions and washed them...  I do have to say that it looks as good as the day we bought the boat.  Finally Captain Bob turned into Key West Bob and is starting to unwind somewhat.

We are in Conch Harbor Marina.   We have only 1 other looper boat in this marina with us, but lots more in the adjoining marinas.  We had a "crawl" the other night.....visited 2 boats and had a good time getting reacquainted with boats we had crossed paths with previously.  Several are already on their way out and over to Bahamas.   We are here for a month and so happy.....our marina is more a "fishing boat" marina and not as crowded as the ones we visited the other night....we also have the pool (as mentioned) and FREE laundry facilities....that overlook the pool.   Not a bad place to clean your clothes.  Already thinking we will come here next year(!)....Ha.  People ask all the time  what we will do when loop is finished.....we haven't figured that out yet....!  Just enjoying the moment.

Every day has been sunny and warm....not much humidity if you stay near the water...and rain is predicted every night, but we haven't seen a drop.  The big topic of discussion is the "snow back home"...and there are lots of Michiganders here.  Saw several last evening on our first trip down to Duval Street.....what a place, and the later it gets the crazier it gets.  We left about 8:30pm..no wonder so tired today......!  Hey, we were there at 6pm to see the sunset off Mallory Square.  Happened into a bar that had a great girl group (3) singing all 60's doo wap.  The "early" show....no wonder all the people in there were our age!  It was tons of fun....Key West Bob even had a drink.

So today its back to the same old grind.....off to the pool!  THIS is the looper life style I signed up for!