A Trip to Key West

We planned on spending most of the day in Key West at the art show and the nautical flea market. The weather was questionable as another cold front was moving in. The natical flea market on the waterfront was a wipe out as rain and 30 knot winds toppled tents and display tables. The art show could carry on since it was shielded from much of the south wind and the rain did blow out. Some pictures: (1) Mike and Terry were exhibtors. We caught them both together as Mike returned from working on their RV which is destined for the scrap heap. (2) We again had a late lunch at the Half Shell Raw Bar. (3) Dixie has been thinking about another car so there was interest in this GM truck. probably will not make the cut.

Weekly Krogen Breakfast

Each Tuesday morning the "Kroganites" in Marathon get together for breakfast at the Sombrero Resort. It must be considered a social occasion since the food and service is not a reason to be there. There are 18 Krogans of various sizes in Marathon this year.

A Rainy Day

It started raining just as we got home from Sebring and its still raining. Most rain in the Keys is showers that come and go. This has lasted 24 hours and is forecasted to last through most of the night. An unusual winter.

A trip to Sebring to visit John & Bonnie

We drove up to Sebring to visit John & Bonnie and see their new house (new to them). We left Friday morning on the six hour trip. As usual the cats cried all the way. The route up US27 was through a portion of FL we had never seen before; once away from the coast its farmland and ranches, most of the time not very attractive.

Sebring however is an attractive, busy town. Lots of retirees. Some pictures: (1) John and Bonnie live in the retirement community of Tanglewood. 1200 well built modular homes with a 55+ age requirement. A very well maintained community.(2) John & Bonnie in front of their home (3) Outside where we had lunch. A very busy new restaurant, Cowboys, that is on the way to building a new chain of restaurants. If they continue the present path they will do very well. We came home Sunday and stopped for late lunch /dinner at the Fish House in Key Largo; our favorite restaurant in the Keys. A very nice visit.

Another cold front

Henk & Ingrid left today. We had a great visit. The rain preceding the cold front washed out the morning walk. A couple of days now to get ready to drive up to Sebring to visit John & Bonnie.

Henk & Ingrid Visit/Pennekamp State Park

The weather was beautiful on Monday. A perfect day for a trip to Pennekamp State Park for a trip to the reef in the glass bottom boat. Some pictures:(1) The power cat "Spirit of Pennekamp" (2) Henk, Ingrid and Dixie on the top deck going out to the reef (3) the Molassas Reef light (4) the glass bottom over the reef. Finished the day with another good meal at the Fish House.

Henk & Ingrid Visit/ Dolphin Research Center

A visit to the Dolphin Research Center today. It was cold and windy but OK if properly dressed.

Stopped at the Sunset Saloon later in the afternoon. Pictures: (1) Henk & Ingrid in front of the welcome sign (2) a dolphin waving to the crowd (3) A dolphin coming up for his fish treat

Henk & Ingrid Visit

Henk and Ingrid finally got here for a visit. They arrived Friday evening and soon after another cold front roared through with thunder' lighting and heavy rain. It was cool and very windy Saturday but off to Key West for the day. Some pictures: (1) Henk and Ingrid in front of the Half Shell Restaurant (Chet's favorite, and we did have a late lunch/dinner there)) (2) The Conch Train which Henk & Ingrid took to see Key West. In a 90 minute tour you get a good overview of Key West (3) A catamaran passing Mallory Square on a sunset cruise (4) A fire eating and contortionist act in Mallory Square.

A a fun full day in spite of the chilly weather.

Mike and Terry's Visit

Mike and Terry came down to see us on the way to their participation in the Coconut Grove Art Show in Miami. We had a very nice visit. Some pictures: (1) Mike and Terry with Florida Bay in the background (2) Mama and baby dolphin at the Dolphin Research Center (3) we had lunch at Frank's Grill which is very unpretensions in appearance but where many think the best food in Marathon is served (4) late afternoon appetizers (shrimp and stone crab legs) at the "Sunset Saloon" at Keys Fisheries which is the best seafood market in Marathon, and an excellent restaurant. There is a contest every year to rename the bar so it will not be the same next year.

Hugging Kitties

Samson's front legs are wrapped around Delilah. Usually Delilah snuggles up but this time Samson made room between his legs. Delilah's left leg is healing nicely.

Chet

2/8/10

4:09 PM

11th Annual Super Bowl Party

A local condo owner who use to have a Krogen has hosted a Super Bowl party for Krogen owners for the last eleven years. The picture is not very revealing but imagine 34 people in a relatively small condo complete with a appetizer and desert buffet and ad hoc bar. A nice annual social event that has been going on for some time.

Chet

Monday

2/8/10

10:00 AM

A Big Fuel Tank Problem has Developed

We have developed a leak in our starboard fuel tank. We have controlled the leaking fuel by draining the starboard tank to the port tank and cleaning the bilge (a two day project). Probably both the tanks will have to be replaced which is a monumental engineering task. The plan is to leave Marathon about the middle of March, when Dixie finishes her knee treatments, and take the boat home to our home boat yard. We will have to travel on one fuel tank and one water tank (one water tank because we had to empty the port tank to help balance the boat) but that should not be a problem other than frequent fuel stops. Always something but this is a particually big something.

Chet
Sunday
Feb 7, 2010
11:00am

Injured Kitty (but all is,will be,well)

Delilah started limping yesterday, favoring the left hind leg and avoiding jumping. We took her to an excellent local vet this morning. He did a thorough exam and told us to think of it as a sprained knee that should heal itself in 1 to 10 days. Apparently she missed a jump up and sprained her leg. All should be well.

Chet

Wednesday

2/3/10

11:30 AM