Tortuga Tour Days 31-33: Waiting on Weather

5/20/21

Captain’s Comments: The weather remains “sporty.” A window may open up in a few days; in the meanwhile, we’re exploring the marina and doing chores. Even went for a dip in the pool!

5/21/21: Mojitos and Mallory Square

Destination today is back to Key West this afternoon to be there tonight for sunset at Mallory Square.  It’s Friday so it will be crazy!!  It looks like the Captain has found a suitable weather window for finally making the voyage to the Dry Tortugas.  This is very exciting!  The plan is to start in that direction on Sunday.  We will anchor on the lee side of Bocca Grande on Sunday and get an early start Monday morning to cross the Gulf and Florida Straits where the Gulf and Atlantic meet. Tomorrow will be spent prepping for the voyage.  Once we arrive in the Dry Tortugas, we will not have cell service or Wi-Fi.  We will keep up with the log and pictures while we are there and send it all at once upon our return to Marathon, Florida.

The morning was again spent doing things not really related to the adventure.  We called Uber after lunch and had the young man drop us off at the Hemmingway Rum Distillery.  We did not purchase any rum – very expensive.  First stop after that was Mattison’s Ice Cream (surprise, surprise!).

  Now that we satisfied the ice cream craving, we headed to the southernmost point on the continental United States.  As we walked along, we checked out menus for later, visited some shops (window shopping), and appreciated the diversity of people, music and flowering trees and plants.  Finally, we could see the water ahead and knew we were close.  As you all know, the wind has been the major obstacle for us getting to the Dry Tortugas.  We reached the water and could see water splashing over the concrete pier and the white caps out in the distance.  From land the waves are fun.  On a boat they can be uncomfortable. 

Another attraction that the Captain and Adriane immediately noticed was a seaside bar sign that said closest bar to Cuba.  They were also advertising a mixed drink called a Mojito.  The Admiral was clueless.  We took a break from walking and Adriane treated us to the drink.  It is made with limes, rum, soda water, and mint with a sugar stick in it.  The Captain and I shared the very refreshing beverage. 

We then walked around to the painted buoy (photo below) that marks the most southern point.  There was a long line of folks waiting to take their pictures by the buoy.  We did take the picture but opted out of waiting in line to be in the picture.

It was now time to choose the place to eat.  We picked what we felt would be perfect and were seated.  We then looked again at the menu and discovered that it was a different menu than the one we looked at.  We had mistakenly looked at the lunch menu.  The problem with the new menu was not the choices.  It was the prices next to the choices!! Sticker shock!!  Yes!  We moved on!!  We passed several other choices – the Admiral was being very picky!!  We finally settled on Fogerty’s.  Prices were reasonable, outdoor seating was more than adequate with plenty of shade and big cooling fans.  I was especially pleased that there was no LOUD music!  I do like to be entertained, but when you can hear the music for a block or two before you arrive, it is overpowering!  Did I mention the Admiral is picky?  We had a delicious meal and were not at all rushed. 

Final destination before going back to Betty Lou was Mallory Square.  Every evening before sunset, vendors set up to sell their products – art, jewelry, photographs, and such.  Entertainers also set up for their nightly shows.  This is a very popular event for which Key West is well known. 

We did stop three times on our way.  First was Ben & Jerry’s.  You probably can’t guess what we got there!  Second stop was the famous Hog’s Breath Saloon where the live music was exceptional and familiar.  

We also passed through the Sculpture Garden.  There are busts of many noted people who lived in Key West.  The picture of Ernest Hemmingway’s bust is included. 

We arrived in time to be entertained by a young man who was very funny while pulling a tennis racket frame over his head and past the other parts of his body until it was at his feet.  He continued with the jokes and proceeded to balance on a board with a rolling cylinder underneath to which he added blocks and two more boards to raise him higher (never getting down) and then finally with assistance of a young women tossing items to him, juggled the items while balancing on the cylinder and boards.  He stretched the whole time out by joking and keeping us laughing and holding our breath.  These entertainers rely on a big crowd willing to spend money.  He had it! 

The show ended and we walked closer to the waterfront.  There were hundreds of folks there to watch the sunset on shore as well as boats carrying lots of people.  The sunset was gorgeous, and we were as content as we could be.  Uber came quickly and we were back on Betty Lou ready to relax for a few moments on the flybridge before turning in. As I mentioned earlier, tomorrow is prep day for the Dry Tortugas.  So, while you wait, stay safe and happy!!

Captain’s Comments: Ice cream twice in one day.  And a mojito.  Good thing we walked 5 ½ miles!

Still preparing for departure; chores today included changing an oil filter and a pumpout in preparation for the crossing to the Tortugas.

5/22/21

Captain’s Comments: Almost ready… Changed aftercooler anodes. Couldn’t get the transmission oil cooler and heat exchanger anodes to budge. [editor’s note: this ultimately required a BIGGER wrench and a new heat exchanger cover to resolve, but that is a different story.]