In The Florida Keys

After spending the night in Lower Matecumbe Bight, we motored a few short miles to Islamorada with "Zephia", where we would be meeting Barry & Susan on "Swan" (friends from last year that we visited in Mattapoisett, MA), and Dick and Anne on "Grey Hound". And we didn't plan it; but 10 minutes after we arrived in comes Lynton & Carol on "Incognito II", friends from Lake Ontario! Partytime! After Happy Hour on "Kismet", the gang went to shore for fish sandwiches at the "Lorelei" and some dancing. Sunday was spent doing the overdue laundry; great laundromat within a short walk, and getting a few groceries at The Trading Post Grocery. We "pegged the fun meter" again on Sunday night with elegant snacks & drinks aboard "Kismet" - no need to cook that night. Monday was spent onboard, with rain most of the day. In anticipation of some nasty weather coming later in the week, all the boats, minus Incognito II, traveled 20 miles to Tarpon Basin on the Florida Bay side on Tuesday. The wind was supposed to blow hard from the NW on Wednesday night/Thursday and this spot provides the best protection in the area. It was also a good spot to see Jay & Ildy, friends that we met cruising up on Long Island Sound and in Georgetown MD earlier this year. After cruising for 4 years, they now live in the Key Largo area. Within an hour of dropping the hook, Jay & Ildy sped over for a visit in their high speed fishing boat. Tuesday was a beautiful day with flat water, temps in the 70s, and sunshine. The water is very clear here, we can actually see the bottom! Jim even donned his wet suit, and jumped in the water to scrub the bottom and check the zinc, etc. As promised, the cold front brought rain, fortunately no severe thunderstorms, and WIND on Wednesday evening and all night. It was consistently blowing in the 30s. Little sleep was had last night, between watching that our anchor held, and watching all the other boats as well, to make sure that they didn't drag. I was very happy when sunrise came! Jim is catching up on some sleep this a.m.