Sometimes the salt, sea, sun and heat are just a little too much. After almost four months and 1400 miles we decided to take a breath and relax in an air conditioned house. The boat is on a dock in our backyard. Cats are running indoors and seem to approve of our decision. We have a few small boat projects that we will knock out during the first week of September. I’m also planning to get some work done on PolicyCo.

We’ve decided on a wait and see approach to the keys. It looks like we can get some reasonable priced dockage in Marathon and there’s also some pretty good snorkeling in that area. Our logic is that we can base our decision to go east or west on whatever hurricane models are in effect. We will see how this plays out. It’s still really hot and we are hoping that September brings some cooler temperatures. We are at stock island. Nothing very special about this marina but I think we will head to the Perry marina tomorrow.

Spending a couple of days just west at Boca Grande and Marquesas keys. Unfortunately, I don’t quite have the range for the round trip to Tortugas. We have food for a couple of days and plan to do some snorkeling and beach exploring.

Really solid day about 97 nautical miles to Key West arrived at 30 staying in Galleon Bay. That worked great, but I do think I need to tighten up the packing nut on the rudder shaft.

Easy 50 miles. We will rest here for two days and then cross to Key West!

Fueled up this morning and cruised a bit over 50 miles on the intercoastal to Cabbage Key. It’s a small island with rental cottages and a marina. I came here years ago and have a memory of a Dockmaster with a salty disposition. Even with a different Dockmaster, things haven’t changed. It’s a beautiful place and a lot busier than the last time I was here. Glad to be stopped for the day.

It’s always “fun” when arriving at an anchorage during a popup and severe weather warning. We will probably continue south tomorrow.

Left Crystal River this morning at first light. Still having trouble with the starboard tank. Ran off of the left the entire time and had to fill up in Madeira Beach. Waited out a little rain at Sea Dogs Brewery for lunch. Going to hang at Harborage Marina for a couple weeks to troubleshoot and improve a few things. Saying Bon Voyage to Jackson on Monday who heads out on his own adventure in the Philippines with Expedition Drenched!

We arrived to Crystal River with no joke at lease 40 other boats. Cannot wait to get out of civilization. Excellent predictable day except Boba getting under the front floor bilge area. Pulling him out while in a light head sea was pretty traumatic for him. Adding cats secure to future checklist. We also say an impressive waterspout en route.

The boat and prop performed perfectly today. Averaged 15kts over 5 hours. Our first official crossing of the trip. Still looks like the Gulf of Mexico to me.