s/v YOLO Swabs Log Blog Day 254 Entry 0056 OMG 2000+ people!!!!!!!

s/vYOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Friday, January  24, 2014   
Day 254 Entry 0056

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Actual Date:  January 24, 2014 Friday  

Subject:  2000 people!

YEPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YOU MIGHT NOT BELIEVE THIS, BUT 

2000+ PEOPLE, WORLD WIDE

ARE READING THIS BLOG!!!!!!!!!

Our pictures are listed here - give it a click!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.google.com/search?q=yolo+sailing+blogspot&num=20&newwindow=1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=EoHZUoClJdLnsASUkYHADg&ved=0CLsBELAE&biw=1366&bih=653

THANK YOU!   THANK YOU! THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!

To all of our readers and advertisers!!!!!!!!

Sea u later!!!

s/v YOLO Swab's Log Blog Day 253 Entry 0055 No Man Is An Islan But Our Boat is! Part 4

s/vYOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Thursday, January  23, 2014   
Day 253 Entry 0055

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Actual Date:  January 17, 2014 Friday. 

Subject:  No Man Is An Island But Our Boat Is!  Part 4

So basically the boat is set up as its own island!   We can live ‘on the hook’ (translation for land lubbers - at anchor, or not attached to shore electricity) for 3 months. Based on Captain Steve’s calculations the diesel fuel should last more than 3 months, but we don’t want to get caught short!   There are so many remote places that we want to visit and in order to go there we knew we had to be totally self sufficient!   

So we can be totally independent for as long as 3 months or as long as we are still talking to each other – which ever comes first! 

 We are ready to set out to find those remote places.

Sea u later!  Now when and where to go! 

s/v YOLO UPDATE WITH TREE PICTURES Day 237 Entry 0046 Party like a local! 7

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Tuesday, January 7, 2014   
Weather:  53 degrees   Sustained winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts and up to 35 to 41.     

Day 237 Entry 0046

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Actual Date:  December 31, 2013 Tuesday  

Subject:  Party like a local. 7  UPDATE WITH TREE PICTURES!

Moving on we headed towards the center of town to search out the great Bed and Breakfast  we stayed in previously.   We found the Old Towne Manor, on Eaton just off Duval Street, right were we left it!  This place is great!!!  http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/eatonstreet-keywestfl.html?aid=347990&label=sppctrip-hotel-577503_xqdz-_pool-com_slice-99999&utm_source=tripad&utm_medium=SPPC&utm_content=images&utm_term=hotel-577503&lang=en-us&utm_campaign=US&trip=UswE-wreAnYAAEbZFDAAAAAT;inj=1

This is the actual room we stayed in, but the best part in not in the picture though!

http://www.oldtownmanor.com/Rooms/Lime-tree.aspx  The bathroom was added on to the guest room.  Because the owners did not want to cut the very large tree down to accommodate the bathroom!    They built the bathroom around the tree – literally!  The tree is over 4 feet around, over 60 years old and grows through the floor boards and right through the roof!   You have to side step between the tree and the wall to get to the toilet!  The funny thing was that when I booked the room the clerk did mentioned that there was a tree in the bathroom  but didn't mention the size or height so I thought it was something similar to a potted palm.  OK not a problem.   So I never mentioned it to Captain Steve.  Well when we got there, he was bringing in the bags and immediately noticed the tree.  I was on the patio talking to the manager, when he came out and asked if I new there was a tree in the bathroom.   

The manager immediately replied for me, saying that he told me about the tree!  I guess other guests have had a problem with the tree!  I looked at both of them and asked what the problem was, as I walked into the room! 

Upon seeing the tree, I declared that I was under the impression that I thought it was a potted palm and this is definitely not a potted palm!  Then Captain Steve asked, ‘Did you pay extra for the room with the tree?’   I guess he knows me all too well – I didn't but I would have have paid extra – it was GREAT!!!!!!  Well we checked - the tree is still there! 

s/v YOLO Swab's Log Blog Day 251 Entry 0054 No Man Is An Island But Our Boat Is! Part 3

s/vYOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Tuesday, January  21, 2014   
Day 251 Entry 0054

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Actual Date:  January 17, 2014 Friday. 

Subject:  No Man Is An Island But Our Boat Is!  Part 3

Since we have a reverse osmosis system (aka water maker) we don’t need to go to a dock to fill our water tanks.  I was very leery about desalinated water – really very leery.  I thought that we would just use it only for washing and not drink it.   While on the dock at Boot Key Harbor I met a man from Point Pleasant, NJ (no less).  During the conversation he mentioned that he worked for the water department at Ft. Dix.  So I asked him about the desalinated water systems – he said that it works great!  He said that the armed forces use reverse osmosis systems extensively for drinking!   He has a system on his boat!  After mentioning the system we had – he volunteered that your system is much better than mine!  So drink up!  Well I thought I would give the reverse osmosis water a try!   I was very surprised that it is crystal clear!   We conducted our own taste test using 2 identical glasses (yes I had to 'barrow ' form a restaurant) 2 glasses (OK 2 small brandy snifters) for this test  since we only have plastic glasses on the boat!   We each took a turn filling one glass with the bottled water and the other the desalinated water and then the other would drink it.   Neither Captain Steve nor I could tell the difference!  Can you tell the difference????

Sea u later!  
Subject:  No Man Is An Island But Our Boat Is!  Part 4

s/vYOLO Swab's Log Entry 32 Day 223 Merry Christmas Eve!

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Tuesday, December 24, 2013  Day 223 Entry 32

Marathon  Marina and Boat Yard - Slip 63  
http://www.marathonmarinaandresort.com/

Middle of the Florida Keys

December 24, 2013 Tuesday 

Weather:  Beautiful!   Temps - 73 - 85 degrees.  Winds ESE 5 to 8 knots, sunny with blue cloudless skies.

Good morning world!  Merry Christmas Eve from Marathon Key, Florida.  We have a busy day for today (just like most people all over the world today!)  We will go to the grocery store to pick up a few things, very few things, since we will be riding our bikes; decorate the boat and wrap our gifts to each other. 

I am very surprised at the number of other cruisers who are spending the holidays here.   We were invited to the dock Christmas Eve party this evening.   I will bake cookies for the party.  I am looking forward to the party and meeting other cruisers.  Hopefully we will meet the captain and crew of s/vOur Nest.  (Will let you know.)

It is very weird not to be in the kitchen cooking up a storm, polishing silverware, ironing table clothes and napkins.  But I am ready to try new ways of celebrating. 

I spent a few Christmases in Hawaii.  Many Hawaiian families celebrate by having a pig roast on the beach!  So instead of cooking up a storm in the kitchen; people sit around the oven which is a hole in the sand.  Instead of polishing silverware, you eat with plastic forks or your fingers.  No one irons anything, so leaves are used instead of table clothes.  Napkins are not needed; just rinse your fingers in the ocean.   This is so totally foreign to me.  I am so used to the ridged formality of family dinners.  Nothing is written in stone, with the exception of tomb stones, Captain Steve and I are open to trying new ways.  Celebrating Christmas differently from what I am used to, will be just another one!

One thing that I clearly remember was Santa all decked out in red board shorts, suspenders (sans the shirt) and flip flops. 

That vision of Santa was so odd and far fetched to me.  I always thought Santa wore the red board shorts after Christmas when he is on vacation!   People adapt traditions and incorporate them into their way of life.   To be perfectly honest Santa would have looked ridiculous wearing a white fur trimmed red velvet suite and black boots.  At least the Hawaiians’ kept the color red!  I can’t tell you what Santa wares in Florida, since I haven’t seen him yet!  Hopefully he drops by tonight!  (I’ll let you know.)

Got to go – have to make our Christmas Tree so Captain Steve and I can decorate it.   Another thing that is totally new to me I never made one before.   

This evening at 6pm, just when the sun is setting here in Florida, Captain Steve and I will be sending you warm wishes and happy thoughts for a safe and very Merry Christmas where ever you are!

I have included the URL for pictures of Santa Hawaiian style.

https://www.google.com/search?q=santa+in+hawaii+pictures&num=20&newwindow=1&tbm=isch&source=iu&imgil=aTLT3QUBWCjmxM%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcSFdH7b9b0bv7qr5tg8tPLH_AqeC6yk-o2b6uJLKmK2rpQTp0MUXA%253B380%253B320%253ByFj39NSidOme5M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.travelandleisure.com%25252Farticles%25252Fbest-hotel-santas%25252F3&sa=X&ei=4ZC5UtTnMOTn2QXa4YHADw&ved=0CDkQ9QEwBQ&biw=1366&bih=652#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=oSenGam6UA3-iM%3A%3BjDklCBCRM6-LDM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F4.bp.blogspot.com%252F_048g8goJhH0%252FTRitXjOtfHI%252FAAAAAAAABPE%252Ftxp3lquE5rA%252Fs640%252FSanta%252Bin%252BHawaii%252BAttending%252BThe%252BFederal%252BBar%252BAssociation%252BDecember%252BConference.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fcopyrightlitigation.blogspot.com%252F2010_12_01_archive.html%3B320%3B480

Sea u later!  Merry Christmas Eve!  

s/v YOLO Swab's Blog Day 222 Entry 31 Now I'm back!

s/vYOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Monday December 23, 2013  Day 222 Entry 31

Marathon  Marina and Boat Yard - Slip 63  
http://www.marathonmarinaandresort.com/

Middle of the Florida Keys

December 22, 2013 Tuesday 
Weather:  Beautiful!   Temps - 73 - 85 degrees.  Winds ESE 8 to 10 knots, sunny with blue cloudless skies.

Subject:  I'm back!

I apologize that I have not posted lately but we have been so busy – doing chores on the boat; having company for a week; practicing anchoring; researching various destinations and marina amenities; deciding how and where we are going to celebrate Christmas and New Years; selecting alternative cities and marinas; shopping for Christmas presents; mailing presents; keeping track of inventory and provisions among other things.  Please be assured I  am not shunning my commitment to post but a multitude of ‘things’ got in the way.  In the future I will post at least every other day, even if it is not as informative as I would like.  Living on a sailboat in Florida and blogging are very new to me.  But on the positive side - all this activity has created a lot of material for this blog; some very interesting, exciting, funny; unbelievable and all true!  So hopefully the wait will be worth it!  Thank you for you patience and understanding and most importantly reading and sharing this blog with others!

The following is a recap of the past 3 weeks, each of which will necessitate multiple posting to cover!

·        My sister Gen came for a week so we moved the boat to the Miami Municipal Marina (Miamarina.) http://www.miamigov.com/marinas/pages/marinas/  Had a great time with the three Ms – Miami, Marina and Mojitos!  (actually 4 and Me)

·        Anchoring in Biscayne Bay.  http://www.sandbarhopper.com/biscayne.htm   The process; what we did wrong and right.  What we learned about anchoring, going ashore, our systems and ourselves.

·        Sailing Biscayne Bay.

·        Moving on south.  Traveling on the ‘outside’ for 2 days in very rough seas!  OMG!

·        Coexisting on the boat for 10 consecutive days – and still talking to each other!

·        The sunrises, sunsets, stars, sun and sand!  Best of all no snow!

·        Preparing to celebrate the holidays!

Sea u tomorrow - Christmas Eve!