Thursday, January 20, 2011

Tues., Jan. 18-Thurs. , Jan 20, 2011

Happy Birthday Ike!
Nelson and I after eating a big breakfast Tuesday morning, went for a shower at the Marina and then headed off to Boca Chita Naval Air Station to meet our friends, Brenda & Bud, who use to be at our docks at Jordan Creek in NC. Since we were not taking our boat we had to catch a bus and ride as far as the base which is right next to Key West. They met us at a store before entering the base as we had to go in with Bud since he is retired military. They keep their motor yatch there and enjoy coming here when the weather is cold where they now live in Asheville, NC. They took us to a neat restaurant/Bar right on the water way in Keiger Key for lunch. We fish and shrimp and it was delicious and fresh. Nelson got his favorite shrimp po boy sandwich and I got a salad with blackened mahi. Very good! We walked around the campground there and checked out the ship's store. We then returned to Bocas Chita where their boat is socked and enjoyed a nice afternoon of leisure. Late afternoon, we went to a gathering of people on the docks who blow their conch shells each and every day as the sun goes down. Yes, I do that also when I have mine with me. We bought one which I usually blow every afternoon but did not have mine with me. They served us delicious snacks and drinks. Later, we returned to the boat and had peel and eat shrimp that Bud had prepared earlier. Brenda, Bud, Nelson, and I enjoyed several games of Farkel after dinner. Bud won every game but one that Brenda won. Nelson and I had fun but could not win but had fun trying. We spent the night with them.
Wednesday morning we had a delicious breakfast prepared by Bud and then we dressed and went in to Key West to the Butterfly Museum. What a neat and beautiful place to visit. The butterflies were flying everywhere and the plants and birds were beautiful to see and hear. They even had a small brook running through and there were very large gold fish in it. I have never seen so many butterflies and with so many different designs and colors. They also had larvae and cryalis hanging and some were developing into butterflies or moths. If you are ever in Key West, you would love going there. It was great! After a little shopping, Bud and Brenda carried us back to Marathon in their car. We then all got into our dinghy and rode them out through the canal to where the ocean begins behind the mooring field where we moor our boat. It has been beautiful days since Monday. We later drove their car over the Fisheries Restaurant for another delicious seafood meal. Bud & Brenda had a lobster wrap and Nelson got grouper and I had snapper. It was very fresh and very good. After dinner, they delivered us back to the docks and they drove back to Boca Chita. We are getting no TV here. (only Spanish) so, we watch movies that we have brought along with us.
Today, Nelson and I spent cleaning the bottom of our boat. It had a reddish mustache from the muddy waters of NC. Later, we walked to West Marine and the Dollar store for a few needed items. I guess we will be watching another movie as the TV is still Spanish only. I hate missing the beginning of Amer. Idol. We are continuing to enjoy our stay here and meeting many new friends and seeing old friends from our last trip here. The best part is the warm weather.

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