WELL, HELLO KEY WEST :)

Monday morning we got up at 6:00 and were underway by 7:00.  'Seas be damned!'  Well, almost.  We were just about to the Gulf when the starboard engine 'appeared' to be heating up.  You know, the engine that the guys just put a new temperature gage in?  The Captain decided we better turn around and check it out. And, oh by the way, we might as well top off the gas tanks while we're at it, hmmmm? Around we go. Engine cools on the way back. The place we want to stop for fuel doesn't have any, so we go a little further out of the way to Rose Marine.  Now that's an interesting story.  On our way into the marina we stayed Sunday, both Joe and I say 'Wow, this looks familiar. Isn't this the place where we took dolphin video last year?, etc..'. Tim says 'Nope! (he says this alot) I've never been here'. So, Joe and I shut up and we forget it for the evening.  Advance to Monday morning/Rose Marine.  As we take a 95 degree turn to get into Rose Marine, I think to myself, I know I've been here before. This looks too familiar.  We tie up to the gas dock and start fueling up.  Both Joe and I look around and Joe says 'I know we were here last year. I recognize the buildings and I know the bathrooms are right behind there.' To which, the dock hand says 'Yeah, you're right. They're right there.' We finish fueling and get underway and again Tim swears he's never been here.  In his mind, there is another place that has the exact same layout with the exact same shaped marina store (it's octagon shaped, btw). Ok, Tim, we'll play along.... Advance to last night, after dinner. Tim decides to go through his receipt folder and sure enough, last April 26th we purchased 3 fuel filters at Rose Marine. Now, back to the Gulf.
The picture below is supposed to be a 28 second snapshot of our 11 hours on the Gulf.  I guess I either don't know how to make it work or blogspot doesn't support video. Anyway, I think it gives you a good 'feel' for our day.  All in all, it was a VERY pleasant day.  The seas were between 1'-2' most of the day and the winds were off our port bow.  Maggie Mae got a good dose of salt, which should have removed any brown mustache that might have been lingering.  We were out of cellphone range for a good portion of the day, so calling ahead for reservations was delayed.  Fortunately Tim was able to get through roughly 1 hour before the A&B Marina closed for the day and secure us a spot for the next several days.  The waters down here are absolutely gorgeous.  Everyone should see them firsthand.

 We saw several turtles and I actually took several pictures of this particular fellow who happened to be right off the bow.  He stayed up until we were almost 20' away.  Hard to see, but he's at about 10:00 just off the bow light.  He dove right after this was taken. Amazing.

 A little update from KS.  Jessica and Jeremiah did some cooking/baking together yesterday.  She's posted pictures of her pretzels several times. Each time I am taken back to Oskaloosa High School basketball games of her and her brothers.  Very fond memories, indeed.  I've never tasted one of hers, but I'm guessing they're yummy.... (Pam, need some Elisha pictures, please :))

 This is a picture of Fort Zachary Taylor.  Read more :  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Zachary_Taylor_Historic_State_Park

 Since we arrived about an hour before sunset there were quite a few tour boats either out or on their way out to view it.  We passed this old sail boat and I couldn't resist taking a picture, specifically with Jeremiah in mind.  One of his favorite Veggie Tales songs is "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything", so I send a picture to his mama for him.  His reply was "Is it really, Grandma!?!"

 They guys are currently in the engine compartment.  I think they're changing the impeller on the startboard water pump. You know... Preventive maintenance, it's a good thing.  Once they're done, I'm guessing we're going to hit the town.  Hopefully more pictures to follow.  A special shout out to Pidge. Love you!