Travels aboard Obsession: LAZY DAYS

The song “Lazy Day” by Spanky and our Gang describes our days here in Marathon the past week very well. Two weeks ago we dropped anchor in a perfect spot, halfway between our now favorite restaurant, The Castaway and the City Marina. There are a few derelict boats aground near us, a young live aboard couple behind us, we have perfect views of sunrises, sunsets, and it’s a quiet place to sit in the late afternoon sun.

Sunrise over Sisters Creek

Sunset looking towards “The Bridge to Nowhere”

After two weeks we have moved up on the waiting list for a mooring from 39th to next in line. We watch the comings and goings of the locals, the arrivals and departures of transient boats. We have almost settled into a routine of sorts. Our mornings are typically spent listening to the local Cruisers net on vhf channel 68. The volunteer moderators and participants use this forum to welcome newcomers, and in general offer support and advice to fellow live aboard sailors and cruisers. It’s a real community of boaters here. They “get it”. The marina charges a minimal fee of $20.00/day to tie up your dink, use the showers and laundry facilities, borrow bikes, access water, and a place to have mail, packages and have groceries delivered, free WiFi, TV viewing rooms and even space to do boat work. Many people bring their sewing machines and work on their sails and canvas.

It’s a great meeting place for the community of cruisers. We’ve met a lot of interesting people. There is a library of books, often a jigsaw puzzle to work on, game day, craft day, and much more. It’s a cool, comfortable and friendly place.

The Tiki Hut at the Marina. Sunday mornings there often have a potluck brunch.

All the dinghies tied up with a 4’ painter. There is a speed limit in the harbor-idle speed only. And it is strictly enforced.

The moon rising the day before the full moon. A harbor full of boats/masts.

One thing is for sure-it’s VERY WARM. Our daily routine has developed like this. I enjoy early mornings (6:00ish) in the cockpit, sipping on ice water, watching the sunrise and updating/checking mail, messages and FB. David usually sleeps until 8:00am.

When he gets up we run the generator to charge the batteries and we have coffee and a bagel while listening to the Cruisers net on channel 68. This is a great way to connect with and communicate with other cruisers. From welcoming newcomers to commiserating with fellow liveaboards, I’ve come to know the “frequent flyers” of the morning get together. You can seek help, offer assistance, buy and sell items (we bought a fender board), just enjoy the harbor banter and last but not least, learn new bits of trivia. By then David and I have decided on our POD (plan of the day). We typically enjoy lunch ashore; it’s cooler and you can get fresh fruit and salad that is so much more enjoyable in an air conditioned environment.

The Tiki Patio at The Stuffed Pig. A great place for lunch/breakfast.

Daily chores include filling water jugs, and getting gasoline for the outboard and generator. We’ve gotten into a bit of a routine of returning to the boat mid afternoon and enjoying a late afternoon cocktail on the bow in our Margaritaville chairs. By then the heat of the day has diminished and a cooling breeze is a welcome relief. We will stay here a few more weeks then begin the trek north to Miami, Fort Lauderdale and then West Palm.

Derelict boats anchored and aground awaiting their fate.