The skies were mostly cloudy with temperatures around 60°F when we got up but the forecast said to expect some sunshine. At 10:20 am, the anchor was hauled up and we motored away from Stock Island back toward Key West. The sun was trying very hard to make its way through the clouds and after a while, it warmed up into the lower 70’s.
We arrived at Key West Bight Marina around noon where we topped off the fuel tanks, replenished our fresh water supply, bought some gasoline and pumped out the holding tank. Brad and Alicia helped us with our tasks and then, with regret, packed up their bags and left us at the fuel dock. Our plan was to join up again on their last night (Friday) in Key West to share the “Celebration of the Sunset” with them at Mallory Square.
After saying goodbye to Brad and Alicia, we motored around Fleming Key back towards Garrison Bight Marina and at 2:30 pm anchored just off the channel into Garrison Bight where the dinghy dock was located. We had a few hours to get ready for our friends, Joel and Mary McChesney, who were arriving from Milwaukee tonight. The north wind was supposed to increase later in the day and we didn’t want to have to bring our guests and their luggage all the way across the mooring field to the boat for fear they might be soaked by the time they arrived. Besides, we didn’t expect them until 7:00 or 7:30 pm and it would be a very long, cold dinghy ride. Not only that, we were planning to do several loads of laundry before Joel and Mary’s arrival and it would be nice to have a shorter dinghy ride for that task.
We used the shower facilities while waiting for the laundry and were back on the boat around sunset. As we were finishing up making the beds and putting the laundry away, Joel called to let us know they were across the street at the Thai Island restaurant having a drink. We asked them to pick up some appetizers and give us a call when they were ready to come to the dock. It wasn’t long before Gale was on his way to the dinghy dock where he found our friends and brought them out to where Blue Heron was anchored. After stowing their few bags, we pulled anchor and went in search of the mooring ball that Gale had marked with a blue float a few hours ago. It took a couple of passes before Joel and Maureen, who were out on the foredeck, were able to spot the float but they guided Gale to the mooring ball and snagged the lines left in the water. Fortunately, the wind and waves weren’t so strong as to make it any more difficult a task than it was.
After we were secured to the mooring ball, we all relaxed and enjoyed the crab rangoon and chicken satay from the Thai restaurant as well as some wonderfully aged Wisconsin cheddar and crackers.
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