Monday, March 30, 2015

Cruising Back to the USA!

It was time to depart Cancun environs and get the boat back to the good ole USA! Danny flew home to spend some time with his fam, and Brads friends David & Mark joined for the grand voyage & comic relief. They left Mexico last Thursday morning and arrived in Key West late Friday afternoon. The seas were horrendous and it was a very rough cruise north. They all breathed a sigh of relief when they pulled into Key West. They had planned to stop at the fort in the dry Tortugas, but the ocean just wasn't cooperating to make the stop worth it. Here's the fray in Key West with a massive Disney cruise ship docked behind them. 
The water in the keys is blue as can be!
Cruising at 12 knots in the keys and über shallow at 5' 9". Typical though! 
The almost 80 degree water temp isn't too shabby though. 

A narrow stretch as Brad navigated their way to dock at a fishing cannery since there wasn't a marina that could accommodate the size of our boat. They tied up at the cannery with no electronic or water provisions. Luckily we can run our own generators and make our own water, so the evening dockage was a welcome stop. 
Their dinner choice in Key Largo. Quite picturesque for that Key. You never know what you'll get there as it's normally just fried food options, but some yummy peel n eat shrimp was a treat Brad tells me. This restaurant is located behind the original Bass Pro Shop & part of it. 

This is a huge Tarpin fish almost 6' long. 
He liked hanging out beside the restaurant so he could enjoy the scraps. 
Brad is prepped for the coming Easter season with his fearless fashion sense. 
This is a screen shot of the fishing cannery where Incognito was docked for the night in Key Largo. As you can see, it was a search through the waterways to even locate it.

Heading to Ft Lauderdale at 17 knots! Not our usual 10-12 cruising speed, but a lunchtime arrival was the name of the game. 
Offshore downtown Miami. 
David, Mark and Brad were met in Ft. Lauderdale by their buddy
Mike and his 30' center console boat. 
He took them on a fabulous tour of the Ft Lauderdale environs and they sure had a ton of FUN!
One of their "fun" stops at the home of Mike's neighbors Dick & Denise. 
Such nice people and I can't wait to meet them on our next trip!
Action at the docks! Here's the boat washer who used a styrofoam float to wash the side of the boat that faces opposite the dock. His use of physics is intoxicating. HA!
Here's our marina neighbor docked next to us. As you can see, somehow the boat moved backwards & the swim step jammed underneath the dock. As the tide kept rising, the front of the boat actually raised up as if it was doing a wheelie. 
The docks here are stationary and not floating as we are used to on the west coast. 
Junior, Mr Z and Bonus Bob departing Incognito en route home.



Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Well, It's been a long month since my last post and we are ready to commence our ocean adventure once again. Yay!! 
We were home the month of February and I had a major surgery to recover from. On the mend and feeling fantastic, we've headed to the Mayan Riviera for a week of fun and activities with Brads business partner Mark & his spouse Kim, their executive team along with their spouses for a company celebration.

We have logged 5,000 miles across our vast oceans and have been loving every minute of it! 

Flying over the Yucutan peninsula...all you could spy were the clear turquoise waters. Such a marvel!
As we sauntered down the dock to our boat in the marina, 
there are little fishies everywhere.
 Great sustenance for the Pelicans!
      I spent some chillax time working 
        on this blog from my phone. Love technology. Makes certain tasks so easy! 
Our first night here we went into Playa del Carmen to check out the scene and see what's shakin' in town...its a lively city! 
We stumbled upon some talented gypsy       street performers getting their game on. 
And before I could blink, Brad was escorted to the center stage with a few other bloakes and given a torch. He sure knows how to light the night on fire..haha!
There was a flaming hootenanny afoot.
And it was fabulous!!

You'd think the town was prepped for our arrival and corporate trip.

This was an interesting retail display at an open air shop. You might be able to buy a white blouse...perhaps?
Or purchase this life size "nugget" for your next Dia de Los Muertos Fiesta. 

We ventured out the next morning on a trek to see what's around the marina. 
It was beautiful out and you can't beat the scenery.
What? A Siesta Station?! Olé! 
My love surveys the scene...
And then when I least expected it, this little gangster popped out and scared the bejesus out of me! 
Later that day we enjoyed a lazy evening and made a great dinner on board. 
We were starving. 

The moon was out early...
Full moon fever baby!
Sunset was idyllic, as was the warm breeze and perfect temp!
Brad manning the BBQ with 
some grass fed Bison. Nom nom! 
The next morning we ventured out on a new trek...We have to get our exercise!
We headed north along an inlet. I couldn't believe the effervescent green!
And then we realized why there weren't a lot of walkers out...
We were in the croc zone! 
Love a little danger with my morning. 
We had to walk past this view once again..could have camped there all day. 
And missed Grandpa scaring me...
I think he wanted to play
"Crouching tiger, hidden dragon!"
We arrived at our hotel today and forgot what time of year it was, until we had this reminder... Spring break!
The pool action was most entertaining. There were a ton of crazed snowbirds fleeing their incessant icy winter and it looked like they hadn't been let "out" in months! No nukes POTUS and no secret email accounts Hillz. Security! Security! 
And we all know who's on 
perma spring break...Brian Williams. 
Back to the poolside, 
I just stared at character after character...
After listening to some blaring music for a few hours, we headed back to our room to ready for dinner and catch this beautiful sight. 

Stay tuned for more Mayan adventures...
And don't forget to change your clocks. Spring forward and fall behind!