A sample of the rocks in Mark's yard where we parked the boat while on Pine Island.

A fishing boat off the Dry Tortugas -we try not to run into them at night!!! 

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Hi from Key West! A busy, energetic place! We hung out in the Dry Tortugas for a few days. Will post some photos later. Lots of bird life. The turtles were just beginning to arrive to lay their eggs. A beautiful place except for that huge fort the boys built in the 1800's!! What in the world were they thinking!!!??

We leave tomorrow for Marathon and then on to the Bahamas.

You'll not believe who we ran into our first night anchoring here! Finished anchoring, surveying the boats around us and.....there was "Good Medicine" from Missoula/Dayton!! Bill and Patty sitting right next to us! (They are sailing friends from the Flathead, for those of you who don't know them.) We went into town and ran into them in a matter of minutes! Has been great fun to catch up with them and their travels! It is a small, small world! They're on their way to the Bahamas as well so hope to see more of their familiar faces.

It's been great to hear from everyone! More later.....
Phil and Judy

Take Two waiting to set sail from Pine Island 

Here is the "cat" ready for her maiden voyage as Take Two with Phil and the Boat Goddess (as seen on the stern) 

Happy Valentine's Day, Sweet Hearts!

Hello, Every One!

Phil and I have almost completed all of the things on our "to do" lists and we are looking forward to setting sail for the Dry Tortugas on Wednesday, February 16th. We're really going to do this!! Have a 20 hr. sail ahead of us and then look forward to exploring the Tortugas. We've heard so much about them however two previous attempts to reach them have been thwarted. We're trusting "third time's a charm."

We splashed alot of champagne around yesterday a.m. and officially re-named our boat "Take Two". Took a christening sail into the bay near Sanibel and Captiva Islands. "Take Two" sails like a dream and gets alot of attention along the way. What can I say? She's a big, beautiful boat!!

We'll leave the Tortugas for Key West and then sail on to the Bahamas. Will jump off from Ft. Lauderdale/Miami. Will have a few weeks to acquaint ourselves with the islands before Michelle, Richard, Jordan and R.T. join us. Craig, Jackie, Colten and Dylan are pondering dates as I write as is my sister, Mary. So, if you're the least bit inclined....get on board! Let us know what you'd like to do and where you'd like to do it! We'll do our best to accomodate you!

Leaving our dock at Pine Island will be like leaving home. Our initial contact here was John Thurston, a retired NEA employee. He and his wife, Marcia, have been helpful beyond description to us as we've been getting "Take Two" ready for an extended sail. We are actually docked two doors down from them at a neighboring dock. Sharon and Mark Massey, complete strangers to us two weeks ago, offered us a home for "Take Two" for as long as need be. We now count them among our many friends. Mark is a gifted man who plants trees and rocks here on Pine Island. Will try to get some photos of his work and post them here. Those of you who know me know of my affinity for rocks. The ones I've met here are in a class by themselves.

That's all for now. Wishing each of you a sweet Valentine's Day. Wishing I could deliver a hug in person.

Blessings,
Judy

Berth Announcement

Phil and Judy have a new boat - a St Francis 44 going by the name TAKE TWO with a hailing port of HELENA, MT. Phil sailed the boat from Portsmouth, RI around the Florida Keys to St James City on Pine Island.

While here we have been gifted with a place to dock while we check out, clean, fix, add to, and otherwise become familiar with our new boat. John and Marcia Thurston (and their neighbor) have been incredibly generous with us during our stay by sharing their home and personal assistance to our endeavor.

It is our plan to leave Pine Island by the end of next week (Feb 12 or 13) if all goes well in getting our projects completed - new sail cover, new name, new electronics, Judy's harp arriving, etc.