Loop Life with Greg and Reenie: March 2018

Monday, March 19, 2018

MIAMI TO FORT LAUDERDALE

We docked at Sunset Harbour Yacht Club in Miami for an awesome two weeks!

Yes, we had some windy weather, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying everything Miami has to offer :)

Miami is one of the major port cities along the Atlantic Coast. It is the eighth most populous city and boasts having the third tallest skyline in the USA.

The City has many nice niche neighborhoods. We were docked in the quiet and trendy Sunset Harbour neighborhood, about a 15 minute bike ride to the beach craziness! The Harbour was our favorite neighborhood. Although, we did enjoy the Beach Art Deco neighborhood, and especially all of the unique Art Deco Lifeguard Towers that dot Miami Beach.

On Friday morning our weather window was perfect (as predicted) to push off the dock and travel about 25 miles to Fort Lauderdale. The trip took about 5 hours. There was very little wind and warm sunny skies. It is an absolutely glorious day to be aboard Thistle and continuing our Great American Loop Adventure.

We have a slip reservation for Thistle at the International Swimming Hall of Fame Marina in Fort Lauderdale. This is a sentimental location for us, as Captain Greg played and refereed water polo at this venue. Included with our Marina stay is a pass to swim in the Hall of Fame lap pools! Our plan is to take advantage of this benefit:).....We will let you know how that goes on our next blog post XO

LOOPER TIP: Yes, we have all been warned numerous times how popular and busy this area (Miami/Fort Lauderdale) is for boating! We traveled on a Friday, between the two ports, with no problems...and really enjoyed admiring the vast array of yachts and water front homes on our day journey. In our opinion, another Loop highlight:)

We felt very WELCOME in Miami :)

Yes...Life Is Beautiful !

Art Deco Neighborhood at night.

Miami Beach Lifeguard Headquarteres.

Art Deco Lifeguard Towers.

Rain storm over Sunset Harbour.

Good night Miami XO

Our trip from Miami to Fort Lauderdale (red line).

Under The Julie Tuttle Causeway.

The Slow Speed / Minimum Wake Signs make us laugh... because in Florida you constantly get waked?

We asked the 79th Street Bridge to Open for Thistle.

Our information said 25 feet clearance....

and we have a 22 feet 6 inch air draft?

Toooooooooo close for comfort and the sign was a little confusing.

Broad Causeway Bridge.

Then we cut to the Outside (Atlantic) under the Collins Avenue Bridge.

The current under the Bridge was very choppy!

Once Outside the Ocean was calm and a beautiful color.

Yes... you guessed it! More Lobster and crab pots :)

Fort Lauderdale Harbor and the 17th Street Causeway Bridge.

The water front homes of Fort Lauderdale.

The yachts of Fort Lauderdale.

Thistle docked at the Hall of Fame Marina (red X is our slip).

Feeling LUCKY on Saint Patrick’s Day XO

Monday, March 12, 2018

KEY WEST TO MIAMI

We just finished a wonderful trip from Key West to Miami !

It was about a 160 + mile adventure, taking six days ... Key West to Marlin Bay, Marathon for two nights, Pilot House, Key Logo for one night, Ocean Reef, Key Lorgo for two nights and then on to Miami!

The trip to Miami was beautiful... especially through John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

The unique State Park includes about 70 nautical square miles of the Atlantic Ocean. It was the first undersea Park in the United States.

Once we arrived in Miami ... we are pleasantly surprised how much we like it here!

The Marina is wonderful, lots of restaurants, a 25 meter lap pool, many yoga classes, a bike trail along the beach and CrAzY fun people watching :)

We are stalled here due to more windy weather, but LOVING every day XO.

Looper Tip: Many Loopers avoid Miami, but we have found it very inviting and fun! Snorkeling at Alligator Reef was a highlight of The Great American Loop (FYI: No Alligators, just beautiful fish and fan coral).

Safe travels to all ... in this unexpected windy weather!

We took six wonderful days traveling from Key West to Miami.

A highlight of our Great American Loop Adventure!

Beautiful weather and absolutely gorgeous water :)

Both of us are Happy to be back on the Loop, after an extended stay in Key West :) :)

From Key West, we traveled about 50 miles to Marathon.

We decided to travel on the Outside (Atlantic) to Marathon, it was a little bumpy

(no drama).

Trolled for dinner (yes, we now have a Florida Fishing License) ... no luck catching any fish.

We cut to the Inside (Gulf) at the Seven Mile Bridge, heading to our Marina in Marathon.

We stopped at Faro Blanco Marina for diesel.

Many Loopers are staying here!

We said hi to a few friends, while refueling Thistle.

Our Marathon Marina.

Just opened (after hurricane Irma) and absolutely wonderful!

Buddy boaters we reacquainted with in Key West, after meeting in Canada two summers ago (Yes, it’s a small world) gave us the Looper Tip to reserve here!

Thanks :)

Two nights at Marlin Bay!

We enjoyed the pool and spa...the fresh towels were a nice welcome.

That night we watched the Olympic Closing Ceremony on the outside big screen TV.

A Mini Marathon Looper Reunion at Banana Bay Marina (right next door).

Nice dinner at Keys Fisheries with our Canadian Looper friends (Tyre less).

The restaurant is famous for their Lobster Rueben sandwich!

Breakfast at The Stuffed Pig?

A family of dolphins followed us all morning on the Inside (Gulf).

We crossed to the Outside (Atlantic) @ Channel Five Bridge.

It was such a beautiful day...we decided to stop and snorkel at Alligator Reef.

Alligator Reef is about 5 miles off the Keys in the Atlantic.

Great decision:)

Thank You ... Captain Greg :)

Best Day on the Loop XO

Next stop Pilot House Marina, Key Largo.

We stayed for one night.

It was a very shallow and narrow entrance channel... we made it!

Lots of commercial Fishing boats at the Marina.

Sunset in Key Lago.

A perfect end to a spectacular day on the Great American Loop!

The next morning we tried to snorkel at Molasses Reef .

It was a beautiful day, but rough conditions?

Very exciting to see a few giant Loggerhead turtles, and too many Flying Fish to count.

We traveled a short 25 miles to The Ocean Reef Club, for a two night stop.

It was a bit of a splurge to dock there....and worth it :)

Thistle docked at The Ocean Reef Club.

(We were probably the smallest boat at the Marina.)

Many Marina residents saw our AGLCA burgee and stopped to ask us about our Loop Adventure!

Fun to watch the parade of boats coming and going.

The Ocean Reef Club is an exclusive private community in Key Largo.

We were very fortunate to be granted a Guest Sponsorship to stay at their Marina.

The Atlantic was a crazy turquoise color the next morning!

Traveling through John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park on our way to Miami.

Miami skyline at the Harbor entrance.

Huge Yachts and water front homes.

We are docked at The Sunset Harbour Yacht Club.

Our original reservation was for three nights...

due to windy weather and we like it here, our

reservation is now for two weeks.

We have enjoyed Sunset Harbour...

Especially the lap swimming pool and visiting with our Looper friends (and two dogs)

aboard Don’t Think Twice.

Great restaurants near the Yacht Club.

(Our favorites ... )

A nice bike trail from our Marina to South Beach ...

Great people watching (especially because it’s Spring Break!).

Yes, another Small Craft Advisory for Today!

Even though it’s windy...

Our view of Miami from Thistle’s flydeck is pretty special

Day and Night XO

Friday, March 2, 2018

MORE ...KEY WEST

Ahoy family, friends and blog followers :)

Yes, we have thoroughly enjoyed Key West, for almost three months. Our original reservation was from December 10th to January 10th at A & B Marina. Once the holidays were over we realized another month here would be perfect. A & B Marina was full, so Captain Greg checked with the Galleon Marina (next door). We got lucky and secured another month in paradise! To make a long story short that month turned into (almost) another month. Now, we are celebrating a Key West sunset and preparing to depart tomorrow morning. (As always, weather permitting :).

Key West is a tiny island, only four miles long by one mile wide. It is the southern most point in the continental United States, 160 miles from Miami and 90 miles to Cuba. Duval is the Main Street, 1.1 miles long (14 blocks) crossing from The Gulf of Mexico to The Atlantic Ocean.
.
Key West is famous for it’s laid back, free spirited, artistic and quirky lifestyle (Yes, you guessed it...we fit right in). At the same time, it’s very scenic island with lush exotic tropical folage and surrounded by azure water and coral reefs. There are also museums, historic buildings and national landmarks. The island boasts many music and theater venues. There are endless happy hours and restaurants to suit everyone’s budget and taste buds. For centuries this tiny island has welcomed visitors and vacation seekers. Key West has always been a place where you can be yourself, find yourself or reinvent yourself. In our short three months here we have discovered Key West to be extremely welcoming and one of our favorite, most unique places in the World.

Key West was originally discovered in 1521 by Spanish explorer Ponce del Leon. It was named Cayo Hueso (bone Key). In 1815 the Spanish Governor of Cuba deeded the island to Navel Officer, Juan Salas. Florida was transferred back to the United States in 1821. Salas then sold the island two times! First for a sloop valued at $575, then to businessman John Simenton, for $2,000 in pesos. Simenton had many influential friends in Washington and secured title to the island. In 1822 America made claim to Key West. By the 1830’s Key West was the richest city per capital in the United States.

During the American Civil War, Florida seceded and joined the Confederate States of America. Key West remained in The US Union hands. Fort Zachary Taylor (constructed from 1845-1866) in Key West, was an important post during the Civil War. In the 1860’s and 70’s many Cubans sought refuge in Key West (during an unsuccessful War for Independence). A 1886 fire which started at a cigar factory, destroyed most buildings in Key West. Still in 1889, Key West was the wealthiest city in Florida.

In more modern times the Overseas Railroad linked Key West to the mainland in 1912. The Railroad was destroyed by a hurricane in 1935. The Overseas Highway, an extension of Route 1 in Florida, was completed in 1938. In 1926, Pan American Airlines was founded in Key West, to fly visitors to Cuba.

Key West is has a long list of many famous visitors and residents. Just to name a few: John Audubon, Jimmy Buffet, Ernest Hemingway, Calvin Kline, Tennessee Williams, President Harry Truman, Diana Nyah (swam from Cuba to Key West)...and more :)

When riding our bikes around Key West we can almost imagine...the 1830’s glamour of Key West, the historic mansions, Cuban refugees rolling cigars on the street corner, President Truman relaxing in the Little White House, and Ernest Hemingway holding court in the corner pub or loading a cannon at Fort Zachery.

Today we were busy getting Thistle ready for the next segment of our Great American Loop! Tonight we go to sleep with anticipation, excitement and a huge smile on our faces reminiscing about the lifetime memories we experienced in Key West!

Sweet Dreams XO

Looper Tip: We think Key West has been one of our all time favorite ports on the Loop! You need to make a reservation about one year in advance....and it is much more reasonable to rent a boat slip by the month :)...We experienced some cold weather, wind and rain in December & January. We suggest February as an ideal month to visit Key West by boat. After long Looper days on the Rivers and a stressful overnight Gulf crossing ... it is truly a perfect month or two or three stop on the Great American Loop. We were fortunate to have up to 15 other Loopers visiting Key West at the same time! Beware, there are many different layers of Key West ... Enjoy!