Still in Key West

Another front came sweeping in from the North last night and whistled about us as we bobbed on the mooring. The rain didn't start until almost dawn, but the change in temperature was noticeable immediately, we had to pull up the blanket! We didn't rush to get going this morning, but relaxed over breakfast and finally headed into the dinghy dock around 10 to go in search for the missing plug from yesterday's mishap with the dinghy gear lube. We also tried testing out the depth sounder that Dan had glued to the inside of the dinghy hull, but didn't succeed in gettng a reading. Luckily the nearest dealer from Johnson OB motors was right across the street from the dinghy dock and they had the plug we needed. Dan installed that and unglued the transducer to see if the glue was too thick or something. Without the glue the unit worked, so we'll try epoxy next time.

As we walked out of Garrison Bight Marine, Glen and Maureen drove up to take us to lunch at a spot recommended by Sue and Walt Dennison. It is called Hogfish Bar & Grill, and it's located on Stock Island just north of Key West. It was a great place with wonderful food and more atmosphere than -- well, just lots of atmosphere. We ate out on the deck/dock with all sorts of fish swimming around the dock and all sorts of boats coming and going. After lunch (luckily we had a respite from the rain that has plagued Key West for the last week while we ate) we wandered the docks in a light drizzle to see the eclectic collection of boats, houseboats and shore decor. On the way back to the dinghy dock we swung by Robbie's Boatyard where Sevilla is awaiting her new transmission and got an eyeful of their surroundings. Monstrous piles of every imaginable old boat parts mixed in with languishing yard machinery were side by side with million dollar yachts and several of the Key West Race Week sleek racers! It was easy to see why Glen and Maureen chose to move off the boat, walking around was very treacherous.

We arrived back at the dinghy dock around 2:30 and high-tailed it back out to the boat - - -weather was coming and coming fast. We made to Brunelle with about 3 minutes to spare. The wind and rain started again with a vengance. Dan had some work to do on our electronics and I had entirely too much time to spend on pictures, as you will see! Dinner aboard and a fun Skype chat with grandson, Ben and his parents. ~~~_/)~~~M&D

Here we are back at the Dinghy Dock with the Tin Toilet and now we see Humping Horseshoe crabs and Modified Motorcycles. Alright enough alliteration!

Hogfish Bar & Grill had all sorts of brass and bronze sculptures, even the bathroom was done completely in bronze, walls and all. We ate on the deck and the lower right was the view from our table.

There was a slight drizzle as we passed this well decorated houseboat. The sun was out for a minute on our return trip and the cat had found a place to nap and the jewels on the plant at right were sparkling in the sunlight.

Among the other sights at Hogfish we enjoyed the creative use of this piling and of several trumpets. The vessel belongs to Mel Fisher, a famous treasure hunter who has discovered many wrecks in the Florida Keys. We were told the large tubes at the stern are for blasting sand away from sunken treasures. Mel is no longer with us, but his dream lives on.

Everywhere we looked on the ride back out to the boat the sky looked ominous, it really took shape just as we returned to the boat (upper right). (Ray, these clouds are for you!)