Wednesday January 8, 2025
6:30am Flight from Cleveland to Fort Lauderdale. We had to get up at 4 @#%$ 30am. The flight was delayed to let a passenger off the plane, they had a panic attack – after the door closed. That small delay caused a larger delay, as it put us at the back of the de-icing line at Hopkins International. We left about 45 minutes late. The crew put the balls to the wall and we made up some time, landing about 10 at FLL
Author: ernest mazza
Visiting Tim and Lisa
Tuesday January 7 2025
Erie to Cleveland via Conneaut and Ashtabula. We had a very nice visit with Tim and Lisa, who showed us around their wonderful world, southeast of Cleveland. What a nice area, made even more beautiful by the fresh snow!
We had lunch at 17 River Grille with a view of Chagrin Falls. Thanks Tim and Lisa!
Hanging Out
Monday, January 6 2025
I slept in while Denny and Diane went to walk the mall and run errands. We had lunch of leftover tortilla stuff. Debbie came by for a visit and to drop off some gifts! We then took a drive to the east side and 1016 Priestly Ave, Lawrence Park and the lake. Erie is still the same… too bad GE left.
Get-together
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Get together at the U Pick 6 Public House restaurant and saw Amy and Mike, Debbie and Dave, Janet and Tom, Denny and Diane, and Tom. We missed Aunt Marie, as John and Michelle were home with her, she had a cold.
Ridin’ Around
Saturday, January 4 2025
Drove to Findley Lake, Peek’n Peak ski slopes, and Erie. Debbie came by for a visit. Above is Findley Lake freezing over.
Snowy conditions were not a problem, as Denny was driving us in the all wheel drive caddy.
White Out
Friday, January 3 2025
The drive from the Motel 6 in West Virginia to Erie was at times, in near whiteout conditions. Rather than travel north and drive east along Lake Erie, we went via Pittsburgh and I-79. Lake effect snow warnings were in effect. Not only were we getting lake effect snow, a polar vortex created a system that hit us from the west.
When we encountered white outs, I used my weather radar app to make sure it was a small band of snow showers. Just in case, we made sure to know where the hotels were along the way. It nearly came to that!
Nashville-Huntington
Thurdsay, January 2 2025
The drive from Nashville to Huntington, WV was via I-40, route 111 and 90 then 461 to I-75 and I-64.
April chose the Motel 6 on US-60 in Huntington, WV, it was cold. The built in heat was a heat pump and not very warm.Fortunately they provided a portable heater.
We had dinner at Mexican place Tequila Grill. It was muy bien.
New Years Day
Wednesday, January 1 2025
New Years Day
Met with Joyce Ann and Ian and grabbed a bunch of sliders from White Castle. We then drove around Nashville’s Music Row, Dollyland, etc. What a nice day we had!
At The Ryman
Tuesday, December 31 2024
New Years Eve show at the Ryman Auditorium
https://www.bigrichardband.com/band
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maggie_Rose
Gym Day
Friday, December 27 2024
Friday found us at Mary’s gym, a fun workout arranged by Maggie and Christine. It was fun that is until the next day when the soreness set in. ha ha. The gym was closed for the holidays I guess???
After they gym workout we um err… a little help please? My memory is consistently inconsistent!
Heading North
Thursday, December 26 2024
April and I left Fort Lauderdale and flew out at 10am or so. We picked up rental SUV at the Cincinnati airport and Brother Dave landed an hour later. This gave us time to figure out the liftgate on the stupid Kia Sorrento. The manual specifically stated that the power liftgate button was on the dashboard, complete with diagram. No button. No button on the remote. No button in the typical places on the liftgate near the tag. No button under the bottom lip of the liftgate itself?
We had time before David landed, so off to the nearest Kia dealer it was, on the other side of the airport. They had run into that situation in the past. A bit embarrassing, the dumb thing it was sort of integral to the underside lip of the liftgate. No mention of any such button in the Kia manual. grrrr
On to Cincy and got settled in at Mary and Mark’s upstairs. Then we went to the Mad Tree Brewery for a nice gathering arranged by Mark. We saw Denny, Diane, Molly, Mark’s brothers Tim, Steve and sisters Debbie and Pam?? Help me out in the comments please! Maggie and John’s kids had a blast running around with Charlie.
Later, I picked up Cuz Joyce at CVG, whose flight got in about 9pm.
November 23 8:00 am
leaving Islamorada heading for Cape Sable using the yacht Channel at this point and Due West. The wind is forecast to be around 10:00 today that's what it's doing and I'm doing about four knots so I am happy now that the engine is off
19nov2023 On the Bus to Key West to Get My Car
Part of the appeal of travel and adventure to me is logistics. Part of the process of sailing from Key West to Islamorada was leaving my car at Key West, in the Ocean’s Edge Resort parking lot. I needed to retrieve it after the sail so on early Sunday November 19 I used the Lower Keys Shuttle bus to get a ride to Key West, to get the car. I first rode my motorcycle from the apartment in Islamorada to Marathon. Riding along the Overseas Highway, the route was reversed from part of the sailing route the day before in the sailboat. It is interesting to see the Keys from different perspectives. The weather was cool so it was a pleasant motorcycle trip.
I parked the Harley near the bus stop, and the Lower Keys Shuttle arrived on schedule. I then transitioned from two wheels to four. The Keys has a nice bus system. However it’s 2 separate bus routes, Upper Keys (mainland to Marathon) and Lower Keys (Marathon to Key West). I could have taken a bus from the apartment in Islamorada to Marathon, but I would have had to wait for 2 different buses. So, I took the motorcycle to Marathon. I figured that I would get the motorcycle another time – I want to take it to a dealer in Marathon on Monday to see if Fuzzy at Keys Cycles would want to sell it for me.
As the bus rambled through the scenic Keys, it was tough to fight the urge to take pictures on the bus. Some of the other riders may think it odd. The urge overtook me on the 7 Mile Bridge, see below. While driving in a car it’s hard to take pictures! I had a nice conversation with a couple who were traveling to Key West, we both commented that taking the bus is easier than renting cars and flying. The 70 minute bus trip to Key West was over in an instant. The Lower Keys are different geologically than the Upper Keys. On Big Pine Key, it’s common to see the small Key Deer along the roadways.
Stepping off the bus, it was a mile walk to Ocean’s Edge Resort on Stock Island. Picking up my car, I explored a bit on Stock Island, which is part of the City of Key West. Stock Island Yacht Club is nearby, it’s an enclave similar to Ocean’s Edge Resort. Both are separated from the gritty working marinas on Stock Island by fences and guard gates.
It’s hard to see it in this bus picture, but the 7 Mile Bridge across Moser Channel appears to be a bridge to the heavens.
18nov2023 The autopilot is my best friend today
Sailing from Newfound Harbor at the crack of dawn this morning hoping to make it to Islamorada. Once undersay, I felt I’m going to make it. Wind was about 10 knots early in the day, pushing the boat along at about 3 to 4 knots. The wind picked up quickly, with the boat sailing along at five to six knots. Sailing in the lee of the keys, the ocean was not too rough. Along the 7 Mile Bridge it was more choppy cuz the bridge does not block the wind and chop from Florida Bay. After the 7 Mile Bridge adjacent to Key Vaca (Marathon) the wind will dropped a little and the water a little calmer – a lot calmer actually.
Good wind from the north today. That works out well heading east for a beam reach. The wind picked up as the day wore on, so I had to reduce sail. The main sail was reefed and foresail furled gradually, and the boat was able to maintain 6 knots. Eventually the foresail was reduced to about 25%. The autohelm was in use all day, it’s essential for sailing single handed.
It sure was nice to get back to the dock at the apartment in Islamorada! Here’s a link to some pictures at Google Photos.
17nov2023 Sailing and Snorkeling at Looe Key Reef
Here’s a link to my pictures from Friday, at Google Photos
7am
Underway leaving oceans Edge Marina on Stock Island Key West headed towards Newfound Harbor which is about halfway to Marathon where I hope to spend the night and then go to Marathon tomorrow. There is very little wind, ocean is flat. Visibility may not be so great because of the recent crazy weather.
8am
I’m off Boca Chica Key going one and a half miles an hour but that’s okay I have all day to go 20 miles and the wind is supposed to pick up later.
9am
I’m near Saddlehill Key heading out towards West Washerwoman Shoal to see if the visibility is okay and I may just jump in the water and see what there is to see do a little snorkeling Etc
10am
off of Sugarloaf Key I’m heading for Ninefoot Shoal in Hawk Channel. According to the hot spots chart that’s supposed to be a nice diving spot. I’m going to check it out. The visibility was not so hot at West Washerwoman Shoal.
11am
Stopping at Looe Key Reef, one of the best diving spots in the Keys.
4pm
I did a little snorkeling at a very nice dive spot – Looe Key Reef. I’m heading into Newfound Harbor to find the place to anchor or grab a mooring ball for the night. I’m thinking maybe Niles Channel.
16nov2023 At Anchor in Key West
Interesting heat map of boat anchored with 2 anchors. The boat settles in to the same spot with each tidal change – the wind was consistent from the east.
I use Anchor Pro
on my Android
.
.
13nov2023 Having Fun in Key West
Having sailed to Key West, the boat is at anchor. Today, I took the dinghy in to the city dock. To tie up at the dinghy dock, it costs $8 per day, weekly and monthly rates are available as well. It sure is a LOT cheaper than parking a car in Old Town Key West for the day!
I guess it’s a leap of faith to leave the boat anchored in the harbor, but it is pretty laid back and I really didn’t worry about anybody boarding the boat while I was in town.
It’s fun to think about the history of that harbor and to think I’m anchored in the same spot as vessels from another era. I had my trusty folding bicycle to ride around Key West. It’s all that is needed in Key West, it’s a pretty small area. The whole island is about 1×4 miles, and Old Town is maybe 1 mile square. Easy on a bike!
Good Music Emanating From 512 Front Street
Today I was bumming around Key West and stopped to listen to Rick playing at Two Friends Patio Restaurant, but his set was over. He mentioned that he was playing later that evening at another place across town, Ram’s Head. I caught him there and had a great time!
In the Zone
After hearing a bit of Rick Fusco’s music at Two Friends on Front Street, I caught him later at Ram’s Head – he plays original music and good covers. It was nice to chat with the locals… good vibes!
Key West View from Man Of War Harbor
After finding my way back to the boat (while a bit drunk) in Man of War Harbor in Key West, I took this picture from the cabin. Being socked in by weather in Key West isn’t so bad.
12nov2023 More Key West
Well, I missed the sunset last night, but I did get a picture of the sunrise today.
I did get some pictures of people taking pictures of the sunset today at Mallory Square
Dinghy Dock at Key West Bight Marina aka Freedom
Not free, worth every penny in the heart of Key West.
11nov2023 Key West and Race Boats
Saturday, November 11 was another bumming around Key West day, riding around on my folding bicycle – worth it’s weight in gold! The Cruising the pit area of the Key West Offshore World Championship races, I was taken aback by the astounding paint job on 211. More images are available at via Google Photos
10nov2023 Race Preliminaries
Key West on Friday, November 10 after an successful attempt to sail upwind toward Marathon. Heading east with the wind on my nose, it took a half day to go 5 miles. Marathon is 50 miles. When the arrival calculations are in days instead of hours, I prefer to wait for the right winds. Here’s a link to some pictures of the race.
7nov2023 Saddlebunch Harbor Sunset
5nov2023 Islamorada to Marathon
On November 5 we sailed from the apartment in Islamorada to Boot Key Harbor in Marathon. We got a mooring ball there for the night. Here’s a link to the full size pix at Google Photos