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Merry Christmas to all! We hope this day is bringing you everything you wished for… We send you our greetings from aboard the Suki Sweet II. It’s Christmas night as we write this passage. We write this to you from the stern of the boat, where we’re sitting by candlelight listening to music.
Surprisingly quiet tonight as the day was filled with tourists from the Cruise ships bustling around town. We began Christmas morning bright and early with a long walk through town for a latte. We came back to awaken Preston and Trevor, who slept in after a long day of fishing and a big Christmas Eve dinner. They headed back home after a breezy harbor-side brunch. The last 3 days spent with Preston and Trevor (and Cody, Trevor’s dog) have been non-stop. Prior to their arrival, Richard and I docked the boat amidst the east wind that blows in the Key West harbor. Once settled in we were delighted to meet new friends and acquaintances. Our fellow boat-neighbors have been warm and welcoming. We’re docked right in the heart of things at the A&B Marina. Everything is within walking distance, shops, restaurants, quaint homes and of course, our new favorite store: West Marine. Richard and I gave one another shiny new red bicycles for Christmas from West Marine. They’re the kind that fold up and can be packed on board when traveling. We’ve enjoyed spinning around town ringing our bells. Everyone here drives electric cars/golf carts, scooters or bikes. The Florida weather is so conducive to healthy living, that it makes exercise easy. This afternoon after Richard napped and I organized the boat, and then we went for a 6 mile bike ride. He went first. And I followed ;-) On our first night in Key West, we were greeted by Dennis, Richard’s life-long friend, and Ilona. It’s always nice to see familiar faces when you’re in a fresh place. We had a delicious dinner right on the dock overlooking our boat. Dennis brought a housewarming red impatient plant that has warmed the cabin’s atmosphere. Tired from the long journey and rocky waters, we two sea travelers settled in for some much needed rest. The next morning we set out by foot to explore our new environment. Our second night here we enjoyed good conversation with Lynn and Susan, from Corpus Christi Texas, aboard their sailboat, the Susan II. Sailing across the Gulf and then to the Bahamas has long been a dream of Lynn’s, who is retired from the military, so he and Susan set sail. They’re traveling with friends aboard a second boat. This is a great idea as they have traveling companions along the way, and can look our for one another on the open seas. They have promised to spend a night in Yankeetown on their return trip to Texas. Next door, in the slip parallel to ours, we have Brad and Mika, who have two of the cutest tea-cup Yorkies: Woody and Mimi. I have to confess, when you’re around cute little doggies like these, it makes you want one. We’re still in the discussion-stage. Brad has helped us on a couple of occasions when returning to our dock, because docking the boat here against the winds is challenging. We’ve found that boaters sure are friendly. In fact today, Brad and Mika returned from their own bike trip, they have similar bicycles in blue, with a Christmas treat for Cody – who had headed back to Orlando, so we’ll be bringing it home with us for when we see Trevor and Cody next. Our next log entry will cover our adventures with Preston and Trevor at sea…and answer our friend Jean Ann's question about the name of our boat...stay tuned. Signing off from the Suki Sweet II - wishing you a peaceful night. |
