BACK IN SHANGRI-LA

                                                                           

                                      A VIEW OFF OUR "BACK PORCH" AT THE MARINA

So here we are, back at the White Marlin Marina in Marathon, Florida. Having moved the boat down here from Punta Gorda back in November we returned to Kingwood for Thanksgiving and Christmas but returned to the boat on December 29 to find her in excellent shape and waiting to welcome us back to our winter sojourn in Florida. The past several weeks have flown by.as we managed to stay rather busy but we found time to cruise down to New Found Harbor--one of our favorite anchorages about 1/2 way from Marathon to Key West. The harbor was more crowded than usual but we found plenty of room to anchor securely in about 8 feet of water. After about a 4 hour cruise we had our usual celebratory Corona Light with a lime and chilled the rest of the day. The following day after sleeping late and just enjoying the views and other boat activity we headed out on the dinghy for the 2 mile jaunt around the corner to Kiki's Sand Bar restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner. Again----back to the boat, more relaxation (and a nap), a little reading and retiring early. So, after 2 nights on the hook we headed back to our marina. Upon arrival we encountered this:

                                                       SHANGRI-LA INTERRUPTED

                                                                             

       We've known for some time that we were getting a swimming pool at the marina and had hoped that it would be constructed last summer while we were away from the marina for several months---but noooooo---They couldn't get the plans approved and the necessary permits for many months. So--here we are having to put up with construction on a daily basis-----"Beep, Beep, Beep---roar". It is reported that construction will take several months and completion should occur shortly after we've left. Oh well, it should be ready for us next winter (along, most likely, with a steep rise in our slip rental charges). 

But, nonetheless, Diane still finds a way to sit back and relax with a glass of her favorite beverage:

                                                                         

           Actually, it hasn't been too bad and we're excited about having the pool next year,

We're also thrilled to be having lots of fun with our very good friends at the marina--Jimmie and Gayle, Jay and Laura and others. Lots of activity at the Tiki Hut this year--just good fellowship over-all. We are, however, truly missing our friends Tim and A.J. on board M/Y Oloe who may not make it down here at all this winter. We're hoping to do some more cruising away from the marina--some more nights on the hook. We've not made it out to the sand bar yet but are looking forward to that. Also, we'll be perfecting our skills on our stand-up  (sit-down?) paddle board upon which we miserably failed last year. Above all we are enjoying greatly our new bimini enclosure on the fly-bridge that gives us another room even when the weather is inclement.

So, enough of this exciting discourse for now. LIFE IS GOOD