in anticipation of Tropical Storm Laura, Monroe County declared a State of Local Emergency on Friday, August 21 requiring the evacuation of liveaboard vessels, mobile homes, RVs, travel trailers and campers effective noon on Sunday August 23. At the time we were not sure how bad this storm would be in the Keys so we spent several days packing up the RV in case we needed to evacuate. After being in the Keys for almost 10 months, we had accumulated a lot of stuff that needed to be put away, even if we did not leave. Randy power washed the boat and even stored my trike on Sweet Thing since it would not fit anywhere else. Monroe County eventually rescinded the evacuation order, but not until late on Sunday morning. After 3 days of work to put everything away, i knew i did not want to do that again, if another storm came through. Even thought TS Laura looked like it was heading South, we decided that we were going to make a run for home. Another deciding factor for me was that the pool at VO was closing for repairs in September so i would not be able to enjoy my morning swim. Tropical Storm and then Hurricane Laura eventually passed over Cuba on its way to the Texas/Louisiana border.
Continue reading “Hurricane Laura 08/22/2020”Keys to Reopen to Short-Term Vacationers on Monday, June 1 – 05/31/2020
Due to the COVID-19 virus, the Keys have been shut down since March 21, 2020. Only long-term residents (181 days), property owners, and workers such as first responders, healthcare workers and active military are allowed through the road blocks on US-1. We were very fortunate that we extended our lease early and our original lease was for 6 months plus one day so we had the option to stay and were not forced to leave like many of our friends.
Our lifestyle did not change very much after the road was closed and non-essential businesses were shut down, except that we were not going out to dinner when most everything was closed. Since the reopening plan that allowed limited access to restaurants, stores, etc. has been in place, we have been enjoying some of our favorite spots in the Keys. We finally were allowed to go to Nadine’s to see Susan to get our hair cut with a pedicure from Connie for me. That was a priority and i called the first morning to get appointments!
Continue reading “Keys to Reopen to Short-Term Vacationers on Monday, June 1 – 05/31/2020”Fun Boating Day of Snorkeling and Fishing 05/17/2020
We started out the day at Looe Key and finished our boating day by fishing out past Tarpon Belly. Today was Terry and Marcia’s last day before they head for home on Monday morning, so we took advantage of the nice weather to run out to Looe Key. Even thought the south wind was relatively mild, we still had some swells. But nothing the Boston Whaler could not handle.
Continue reading “Fun Boating Day of Snorkeling and Fishing 05/17/2020”Little Palm and Geiger Key 05/16/2020
Before Terry and Marcia head for home we took them out on “Sweet Thing” to spent some time on Little Palm, followed up with dinner at Geiger Key. It was a beautiful day to be out on the water. We were one of the first boats to arrive, but because it was the weekend, several boats and jet skis soon joined us, It still was not as busy as it would normally have been on a Saturday afternoon, but more boats that what we have seen during a weekday. I know Isla enjoyed her time swimming in the shallow water!
Continue reading “Little Palm and Geiger Key 05/16/2020”Weather in May, Fishing and Manatees 05/14/2020
A tropical system near the Bahamas has produced rain and gusty wind in the Florida Keys, portions of Southwest Florida and parts of the Bahamas. The weather forecast is for Thursday, Friday and possibly part of Saturday. The wind picked up late Wednesday night with heavy wind and rain for all of Thursday. The wind pushed the rain sideways causing a steady leak in the bedroom slide. Fortunately we caught it early, so no damage was done, but we will have to keep an eye out to make sure there is no damage to the gasket. Randy had checked the gaskets around the slide the previous day, so he does not think anything needs fixing. The leak is probably just from the sideways-driving rain. But still something to put on the maintenance list.
Continue reading “Weather in May, Fishing and Manatees 05/14/2020”Staying in the Keys means learning how to trap Stone Crabs 4/30/2020
Normally we head home at the beginning of May but we decided to stay. We still do not know when we will leave and head towards home. I guess the final decision will depend on COVID-19 and the weather. With no renters currently allowed into the Keys, the park has emptied out considerably. We are sorry to see our friends leave. Bruce and Joanne were forced to leave the last week in April. They were not allowed to extend their lease. I hated to see them leave, especially since I don’t think they are coming back next year. One thing we have really enjoyed and taken advantage of with no renters, is the shade and delightful breeze under Alan’s house next door. He told us before he left that we could take advantage of the shade under his house. The weather has heated up in April so in addition to relaxing under Alan’s house, we try to keep cool either at some of our favorite anchor spots, such as Tarpon Belly, or we have started going to the pool again. The pool felt really good when it hit 102 degrees. Most of the time there is hardly anyone in the pool so it is easy to maintain distance from others.
Continue reading “Staying in the Keys means learning how to trap Stone Crabs 4/30/2020”April in the Keys, Fishing and COVID 4/15/2020
i think April is my favorite time in the Keys. Especially this year. The weather has warmed up and the winds have died down. Because of the COVID-19 virus, US-1 and most public boat ramps are closed. These closures have reduced the number of people in the Keys and boats out on the water. Since our boat is tied up behind the RV, we can still enjoy getting to some of our favorite spots. Being able to get out on the boat has kept the cabin fever at bay. Especially since we are no longer going to the pool (even though it is still open). I just do not feel comfortable using the pool.
Continue reading “April in the Keys, Fishing and COVID 4/15/2020”December in The Keys 12/31/2019
This year has been considerably cooler and wetter in the Keys than last year. However, it is still warmer and dryer than home so still loving it! We are watching the Ravens game and looking at all of the rain in Baltimore. This is the second home game that it has been pouring down rain during the game, while we are in sunshine! I will take the warmer weather! Even if I missed being with family over the holidays.
Continue reading “December in The Keys 12/31/2019”Back to the Keys 10/2019 – 11/2019
October and November were busy months. We had a lot to do once we got back home from our summer adventures. Just cleaning out the Dirt Yacht took quite some time. From storing our cold weather clothes to getting rid of all of the dust in the motorhome and outside storage compartments, Randy and I spent quite a bit of time organizing and cleaning. And that is never my favorite thing to do! While we were home we also caught up on some of our doctor’s appointments. I had a few extra tests to check on my kidney stones, but for now at least the doctor just wants to keep watching them to make sure they are not continuing to grow.
Continue reading “Back to the Keys 10/2019 – 11/2019”Back in Westminster!
It still doesn’t feel like we were in the Keys for (almost) 6 months. The last few days were really stressful with all of the packing needed and with Ty’s medical issues. Ty had his final checkup at the Marathon Veterinary Hospital on Monday morning as we were on our way out of the Keys. The Vet said all of his blood work looked good and he was over the 72 hour window where he was still in danger from the poison. They were so good to us there. They squeezed us in when they didn’t have an open appointment for Monday morning and saw us as soon as we walked in the door. It still added a couple of hours to the first day of our trip home, but it was a relief to know that Ty would be OK.