Well, now we’ve done it. We’ve actually started the Loop!

With winds up to 30mph in the forecast, we looked at the next few stops on our “Plan” (that word will always be in quotes) and decided to wait out the winds by spending a few days in Islamorada. Heading north from Key West we had a bumpy ride to Marathon, and arrived, both of us soaking wet from waves splashing against our hull and spraying twelve feet up into the flybridge as we drove. Refreshing but salty!

An hour and a half of washing the boat after that ride, and then celebratory drinks and an early dinner at the marina restaurant. Sunset was pretty from the boat.

Next morning was calm and beautiful as we made our way to Alligator Reef Lighthouse, off Islamorada. We took the dinghy off the back of the boat and zipped around, taking photos of our boat actually in the water, and not tied to a dock. We chatted with other boaters, swam and snorkeled -until I saw a shark that was about my size!

On to the marina, a much quicker boat wash and then dinner at Marker 88 restaurant. Sitting by the water was windy but lovely and reminded us of St Martin.

On Islamorada, Florida Keys Brewing Co was a fun stop. We sampled beers and then walked through nearby art galleries and shops. Everywhere we go, we run into transplants from NJ and even from Toms River. I guess we New Jerseyans never stay put!

Dinner at Ciao Hound at Postcard Marina and then drinks at the tiki bar. Postcard claims to be the creator of the original Rum Runner drink. We remembered drinking them years ago in the Caribbean, so we nostalgically ordered two. Bright red, super-sweet, frozen drinks arrived, pretty but not what we wanted, so they were put aside and we ordered mojitos instead!

Live music from a kick-ass band and friendly folks at the bar made for a fun night!

While visiting Islamorada we spent time with boat projects, and while calling ahead to marinas for the next steps of the “Plan” we found that with Easter/Spring Break underway, all marinas were already full. Looks like mooring the boat, or just dropping anchor somewhere, may have just become part of the “Plan”!