Marathon to Key West

Departure this morning was complicated! We had a long way to go, and all but Andiamo needed a pump out and fuel. Marathon handles pumping out their large mooring field by having two pump-out boats handle three or four rows (A thru Z) in the mooring field per day, starting at 8:00 am. Dan had arranged to have us meet the pump-out boats at the city dock before they started their rounds just before 8. That worked pretty well, and then we all stopped for fuel (at the other end of the harbor) as we headed out. We were underway by 9:00 but everyone was concerned about Sevilla's transmission. In an attempt to check the level of transmission fluid last night, Glen had inadvertently lost a piece of paper towel with scotch tape attached in the transmission fluid. His engine started OK and seemed to be working, but as the day progressed it began making strange noises and Sevilla finally decided to head for a repair yard near Boca Chica while the rest of us continued on around Key West and took moorings in the mooring field north of the City Marina.

It is a little confusing - - - approaching Key West, because you end up heading due west for the last half of the day and then turn NW and finally N to enter the mooring field. The three of us settled in around 5:00 pm and waited for a call from Jay and Pegg. They called within ten minutes of our arrival! Dan picked them up at the city marina dock and the arrived in time for a moonlit dinner served in the cockpit. I realized how seldom we have eaten dinner in the cockpit so far on this trip. It was a great feeling. Kodo the cat settled right in and Dan had to boot her off our bunk as he headed in for the night! ~~~_/)~~~M&D

It was like a mill pond as we headed out from Marathon in a light fog. The fog burned off and we did get a little wind, but mostly on the nose, so sailing wasn't an option.

Andiamo pointed out this spot on the shore as we motored past.

And I thought last night was a full moon! That's Pekabu III moored right behind us.