Sunday 1/12 – 2/22
Our stay at Marathon Marina ends but through the network of Loopers, we hear of a new marina on the opposite end of Vaca Key in Marathon. We check it out and are very impressed with the facilities, so we motor Puffin to our new transient home of Coral Lagoon Resort and Marina. The new marina features a swimming pool ,very nice showers and reciprocal privileges at their sister resorts. Upon our arrival, we are only one of two transient boats, but soon there are 10 other Looper boats in our company. Upon seeing the resort's beautiful 3 bedroom homes for rent, we call my sister, Aimy and brother-in-law, Bruce and they decide to visit us and stay in one of the resort homes. Meanwhile, Royce and I enjoy the swimming pool and have many happy hour parties with the rest of the Loopers. Because we have our truck here, we are able to help our fellow Loopers with trips around town. With the arrival of Aimy and Bruce, we visit Key West , Bahia Honda State Park, the Turtle Hospital, the Dolphin Research Center and the Everglades National Park. We are also treated to the luxurious accomodations of the resort during their visit. Upon taking them to the Fort Lauderdale Airport, Royce takes the opportunity to have a few medical check-ups in the metropolitan area, and after a return visit the following week, we are relieved to hear everything is ok. Meanwhile, we continue to enjoy our extented stay here in Marathon and plan on departing for our trip up the Florida ICW when the weather window is favorable

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Coral Lagoon Marina

Boat Trip on Xplorer

Boat Trip on Kikeko

KeyWest with Loopers

Visit with Aimy and Bruce at Coral Lagoon Resort

KeyWest with Aimy and Bruce, Irv and Diane

Key Deer(very small)

Dolphin Research Center

Everglades

Bahia Honda

Dinghy ride Pics

Manatee at Marina

What a Catch!

























Dock Party

Happy Hour at Sparkys

Miami Boatshow

South Beach visit after boatshow

Tuesday 12/13 – Saturday 1/11
Our month here at Marathon Marina seemed to fast forward. The weather has been wonderful with temps hovering in the 70s and 80s with the occasional cold front bringing windy and cool conditions. Royce and I have enjoyed the low key(ha, ha) life here with the hardest thing to do was to decide what pleasure to pursue. Our highlight during this period was a visit by Brandon & Cori. We enjoyed trips with them to Key West, Miami(South Beach), and the surrounding area, especially the beaches. We enjoyed boat rides aboard Puffin and explored Boot Key Harbor by dinghy. It was especially nice to celebrate Christmas and New Years with them. Our stay at Marathon Marina was punctuated with the meeting of many cruisers who have come here year after year. It was enlightening to hear their stories of adventure.

Biltmore Hotel

South Beach

Sunset at Sumbrero Beach

KeyWest Trip

New Friends in KeyWest

Bahia Honda

Seven Mile Bridge

Christmas aboard Puffin

KeyWest with Brandon & Cori

Monday 12/10 – 12/12
With our week up at the marina, we prepare Puffin for our road trip to our next adventure down to Marathon in the Florida Keys. We spend the night at Fort Myers aboard Puffin on the trailer ready to hit the road in the morning. After traveling southeast across the lower portion of Florida, we are excited to arrive at the beginning of the Florida Keys (38 major islands linked by 43 bridges) at Key Largo. As we head south and then west for approximately 50 miles, we enjoy the views along the Keys until arriving at Marathon on Vaca Key at our marina of choice, Marathon Marina, located at the western end of this Key and the beginning of the famous Seven Mile Bridge. On Wednesday, we launch Puffin and secure our berth at the marina for our relatively long term stay here to enjoy the warm temps before heading North. We look forward to exploring the Keys, especially Key West and the arrival of our son and daughter-in-law, Brandon and Cori during the holidays.

Puffin At Marathon Marina

Monday 12/3 – Monday 12/10
An early departure from Cayo Costa gives us the benefit of calm seas as we head for our next destination to Fort Myers. Approaching Pine Island Sound, our passage takes us by well known Captiva and Sanibel Island followed by the so called “Miserable Mile” , the crossing of San Carlos Bay leading to the beginning of the Caloosahatchee River and the marking of Mile 0 of the Western Florida ICW. Although our crossing is favorable, it was not without distress from the inconsiderate large craft waking us at way-too-fast speeds. Hailing them by VHF radio was often to no avail, however Royce's frantic waving and picture taking of the approaching craft seem to be the best solution. Our ten mile passage up the Caloosahatchee River leads to Fort Myers and brings us to Legacy Harbour Marina, our “without a doubt” best marina we have ever had the pleasure to stay. It's impressive amenities include a boater's lounge (complete with kitchenette, dining table, couches, tv, computer, phone, patio and bathroom), well maintained air conditioned showers, floating docks(a rarity here), pumpouts at each slip, cable tv, internet, swimming pool, laundromat, gated car parking and friendly helpful staff. It is also within easy walking distance to a Publix supermarket and the downtown business district. Our week stay is enhanced by our friends Mike and Cathy(Xplorer) and other loopers who have picked this marina to winter here or stay while away for the holidays. Our arrival here marks the end of our cruise on the Western Florida coast so with the generosity of Mike and Cathy, we drive back to Tarpon Springs to retrieve our truck and trailer with their rental car. With our trailer empty, we take the opportunity to buy a new set of upgraded trailer tires. During the week, we enjoy the amenities of the marina, explore the surrounding area by truck and do some work on Puffin.


Way-Too-Fast

Naples Beach

Mike Beach Walking

Cathy Beach Walking