That afternoon, after posting the last blog update, Brian took the family to Burger King for dinner.
Back at the boat, we watched the movie Moms Night Out.
Saturday, February 13
Everyone but Luke went to town. He stayed on the boat and enjoyed a day to himself.
The rest of us hopped on the Metro Mover to say that we had done it.
We got off at a random stop and discovered it was right near the library where we had walked the day before.
Brian treated us to a doughnut before starting a big walk in search of a Goodwill store.
Zigzagging through streets following where google maps led us, we finally found the store. We got Caleb and Nathan some needed items.
The store was in the area of town called Little Havana. English is a second language here. Everyone, even the store clerks just speak Spanish.
We stopped by the river on the way back and ate our PB&J's.
Sunday, February 14
This was my Grandpa's 93rd Birthday.
Brian, Luke and I were scheduled to work at the boat show again in the afternoon, but since we had free admission on the days we work, we went early and sat in on three seminars. The other three boys stayed on the boat.
In between seminars, we had a long break so we walked to 7-11 and each got a little thing of ice cream. Back at BaySide, we sat down to eat them. Brian's was so freezer burned, he could barely eat it. Luke and I had each gotten cookies and cream, but there were only a few tiny cookie crumbs. Brian called the 800 number and complained. They emailed back about returning for a refund. We had to get to our post, so that had to wait a few days.
At 5 O'clock that evening there was a wedding on an old sailing ship tied up at the show. On one of my FB groups, Women Who Sail, the bride invited any women to come by and say hello. Her dress was made by her future Mother-in-Law, who is 90 years old. It was made out of sail material.
After our shift, the three of us had dinner at Five Guys. The food was great, but the music was super loud. Again, Brian called the 800 number and the owner said he would make it right on our next visit.
Monday, February 15
Last day of the boat show. Caleb and Nathan joined us for our final shift. Being the last day, things were pretty slow going. Brian made a bet that if I sold one membership, he would take the entire family out for a steak dinner. About an hour before closing, he sold one. Then at five minutes til closing, I ended up selling one! The boys loved teasing him and holding his feet to the fire about his offer.
Back at the boat, we pulled anchor and moved back to our favorite area near Miami Beach.
Tuesday, February 16
It was a rainy morning. The boys worked on school. That afternoon when the rain stopped, we worked on water runs, laundry, and hair cuts.
We do haircuts on the back of the boat, then when finished, they jump in the water to rinse off. The water temp was pretty chilly, but better than having stray hair bits itching all over.
Wednesday, February 17
School in the morning, then Brian, Jacob, Caleb and I headed over to the beach. After that, we walked to a little market we found and got some little bananas and yogurt. They also had a huge sail on chicken quarters, so we got some of those and went back to the boat to cook them up for dinner.
Thursday, February 18
School in the morning. then Brian and Luke and Jacob worked on cleaning the hull at the waterline. Afterward the boys and I went to the library. I tried to send a big document I had worked for days on, and ended up somehow deleting it.
Friday, February 19
Brian and an appointment to meet a fuel truck back near the marina where the boat show had been, so the boys pulled anchor and we headed that way. The truck was there, but they had other boats ahead of us, so we had to circle around for an hour and a half. We finally got filled up and headed a bit south for a change of scenery. We ended up anchoring off of Hobe Beach near Virginia Key.
Saturday, February 20
We all went to shore and walked the beach. Brian and I went on ahead. The boys scoped out the palm trees, and Caleb climbed up one and cut three coconuts for us.
The beach is really all there is there, so after that, we pulled anchor again and headed 3 miles down to Key Biscayne.
The wind was good, so Brian got a good sail in before anchoring outside the Key Biscayne Yacht Club.
Our sailing club back in NC is part of an organization called Yacht Clubs of America. If another club is also a member, they offer reciprocal privileges. We were not wanting to take a slip, but they allowed us to tie up our dinghy there to go to town.
The dockmaster, Danny, was very friendly and welcoming. He offered us the use of everything at the club, ice, pool, dining at the restaurant...
We thanked him, and headed to town.
Key Biscayne is called a village, but is really a small town. People drive both cars and golf carts on the roads.
We ended up at the Winn- Dixie and got a few things to tide us over until our next big shopping.
Sunday, February 21
After breakfast, we went to the park and the boys played Frisbee for a while.
Then we went to the beach and hung out.
Near the beach, an iguana was playing hide and seek with us.
After our picnic lunch, everyone wanted to take Danny up on his offer of the pool, so we headed back to the boat to get changed.
We felt like we were at a resort .
While we swan and lounged, we watched kids racing Opti sail boats out on the Bay.
When everyone was done, we went to 7-11 for pizza for dinner, then walked back to Winn-Dixie for ice cream. There was a street concert going on, so we ate our ice cream and listened for a while.
Monday, February 22
Brian's Dad, brother and an employee of Brad's were scheduled to come to town for a visit at the end of the week, so it was time to start getting ready for them.
We pulled anchor and sailed back north 12 miles to be near where Brian could ride the bike and get one of our propane tanks filled.
Tuesday, February 23
We moved the boat a mile or two up and did our big shopping at Aldi.
It is amazing how much difference just a few blocks makes in a town. Last time, we walked through almost a ghetto street to get to the highway, this time we walked through a gated community with several tennis courts and beautiful landscaping.
The forecast called for rain, but it held off for our shopping, but the wind did not. The ride back in the dinghy was pretty splashy. Back at the boat, Luke had to dry things off before handing them down to me to put away.
With shopping done, we pulled anchor again and headed back to Miami Beach, but not as far in, so we could dinghy over to the Miami side for dinner.
After shooting down Brian's idea of tube steaks for his end of the deal, we compromised and said Five Guys would do.
Remember his phone call with the owner? Brian got a free meal and the family got free drinks. The music level was much better and we had a great evening. The rain hit while we were inside and stopped before we headed back. God is Good!
Wednesday, February 24
The boys did double school so they could take Friday off.
Thursday, February 25
More water runs, laundry, and last minute cleaning. Brian took me back to the library to send my document that I had retyped. We then went to our favorite little supermarket to get a meaty coconut for his dad.
Their plane arrived about 7pm, so we didn't see them, letting them get settled in the hotel after a ling travel day.
Friday, February 26
Rodger, Brad, and Berto arrive and Brian and Caleb pick them up to bring them to the boat. After hellos and introductions, we decide to take them sailing in Bay. After a few hours of that, we came back and reanchored. Brian, Luke, and Nathan took them to the beach, then everyone came back to the boat for dinner.
Saturday, February 27
Brad and Berto had to get up to Orlando for a class they were taking to learn a new form of concrete work for Brad's Landscape business. Sad to have only had one day with him, but so happy he made the trip down to visit.
Rodger came back over and Brian, Jacob and Caleb rode with him and showed him Key Biscayne, then back to the boat for a Mexican dinner.
Sunday, February 28
Rodger came back tot he boat. We visited and had lunch. The boys taught him how to play Farkle, a fun dice game. Them he taught Luke how to play Gin Rummy.
Later in the afternoon, we all piled into the rental car and went to Wal-Mart for a few things, then out to dinner at a Chinese place, where you really do eat out in back at small tables.
Monday, February 29
The night before we thought it would be fun to drive down to Key Largo and scope things out. Rodger picked us up at 8:30 in the morning and we rode the hour plus there and stopped at the visitors center.
Since we had made good time, we decided to go on to Marathon. It is in the middle of the Keys and a huge cruiser hangout. Many friends have told us we need to go there. We meant to stop there, but we missed our turn and before we knew it, we were on the Seven Mile Bridge connecting the keys to Key West, we were committed now. But I don't think anyone minded. We would catch Marathon on the way back.
We got our picture with the southern Most Point Bouy, drove around town a bit and stopped in a gift shop.
Back on the road, we did stop at Marathon and after realizing how truly crowed the mooring field is and how far we would have to dinghy to shore from anchoring in the unprotected water on the outside, we don't think we will be going this year.
But they do have this fun sign post and neat mural.
On the edge of Miami coming back to town, we stopped at Little Caesars for dinner. They of course do not have seating, so Rodger went next door to the Kitchen Grill, and asked if we could sit there, if he bought drinks, they said sure.
Rodger was driving to Orlando to meet up with Brad and Berto to fly back to Colorado Tuesday evening.
So that is the second half of our February in Miami and surrounding areas.
Not sure what our plan is now, but will keep you posted!
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