Still in the Upper Keys

Okay so I haven't been very good at keeping this up to date.  Sorry!!

We moved the boat out of the marina around June 1.  We just aren't marina people.  Besides, the social gathering spot for most of the marina residents was just off the stern of our boat - ugh!!!  We like to be able to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning without loudness and someone right on top of us.  We like to relax at the end of the day in the cool breeze of the cockpit without having to listen to a lot of talking.  The commute to work is also considerably shorter plus the rent is $0.  We are at anchor in Tarpon Basin near mile marker 102.  Within walking distance to many places.  Except for a little occasional drama with the other boaters anchored here, it is quiet and peaceful.

Darrell is still working at Pennekamp Park on the dive and snorkel boats.  I am working at three places but still not quite full time.  I captain at Blue Water Divers, Marine Lab, and I started at Sail Fish Scuba in June.  At SFS, I drive the first ever "twin screw" for me - it's like driving a cadillac!  Roxy goes to work with me at Sail Fish and hangs around the dive shop - makes herself right at home.  Anyway, with the steady work of the summer and continuing into the fall, we have been socking away as much as we can into the cruising kitty.  :)

We are beginning the countdown to the date when we are planning to leave for some coastal cruising in Cuba.  We have plans to meet Celtic Rover there in January and February.  Our hopes are to see some of the island before it morphs into just another Caribbean island.  Some of our friends were able to go there recently on a live aboard dive boat and the diving sounds INCREDIBLE!  Stay tuned for those updates!

In July, we welcomed our second grandchild into the family.  Linley Rose Stout was born on July 9, 2015.  She is beautiful and no I am not biased!!  I had the pleasure of sewing her entire crib set and some accessory coverlets.  We were able to be in Amarillo for her birth and sure were/are proud grandparents.  It had been a long time since I had been back - a good visit!  Lyric is going to be such  a good big brother!

The Holidays are fast approaching and we both seem to have some thoughts of wanting to go visit Amarillo again.  We had planned to return in September but the tropical weather made us a little afraid to leave the boat unattended.  Thank goodness we had a quiet hurricane season here.

We have been able to do a few projects on the boat but work has been getting in the way.  There is a list that needs to get done before we leave in January - hope we can get the essential items crossed off!

Google Map of the Caribbean Cruise

     I just spent several hours learning how to place markers on the map (google map link below) to show where we went for those two and a half years.  Perhaps I can do better at keeping it up to date next time we go out.  I wish I knew how to tell our SPOT messenger to send the link to a google map.  I'm not that computer savvy.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=zAzQLExyHPxM.kviqUx62_Jww

     We are now well past the new year and have settled in to life in the Keys again.  Darrell has one job and an occasional repair job or bottom cleaning work.  I have three jobs but none are too busy.  I also have done many jobs on our boat as well as picking up some sewing projects for others.

     We seem to have a pretty steady flow of friends coming to the keys for various reasons.  That gives us lots of pleasure.  Of course, we are counting the days until this summer when our granddaughter is due - July 7, 2015!!!

     In the meantime, the list of things we want to do to the boat dwindles but new items seem to replace the ones we get done.  I hope Tom and Lilly are not right, the earth vines might be getting a good strong hold on us.  In the meantime, come see us or give us a call.