Chill'in & Jamm'in in Marathon - Week 3

You know how you think some weeks are going to be and then they turn out being completely different?  That's how Week 3 in Marathon went for us....in a good way;)  We thought it was going to be a pretty low key week and that we'd probably get alot of planning done for the next segment of the Loop.  Well we got a little planning done, but there was fun to be had and we were happy to partake!  Here's how it went.....
Monday, like usual we got our "chores" done on the boat and then had a delightful date with the Jeromes.  They picked us up, we got a tour of their marina (Marlin Bay), just up the Key from us and then cocktails and dinner at Sunset Grill.  The sunset, food and company that evening was great.  Always enjoy spending time with Billie and Jerry.
Tuesday morning (this is the Chill'in part) I was heading up to do a little laundry and just as I got up in to the cockpit  I spied a familiar face standing on the dock next to the boat.  It was our neighbor from the Parkside 100 Bomb, Dan Swanberg.  He and his wife, Julie are on a Cruisers Yacht in Wabasha called "Chill'in the Most".  What a fun surprise!  Dan came aboard and we visited and found out they were on vaca in FL for a couple weeks and were spending a few days in the Keys, so they thought they'd look us up. 

Dan and Tom catching up on BELLA

We ended up meeting Swanbergs at Keys Fisheries later in the day for cocktails and dinner (there is a definite theme going here....we do a lot of cocktails and dinner on the Loop).  It was great catching up and interesting how many people we have in common.  

Dan and Julie at Keys Fisheries, above.  Tom and I with Swanbergs, below.

Wednesday we awoke to a RAINY, WINDY day.  Luckily, we were rescued from the rainy day by the Swanbergs and headed to Tarpon Creek Bar & Grill.  It continued to rain so we decided to make an afternoon of it and did the Sunset, Barnacle Barney's, tried to do the Light House Grill and then ended up on BELLA for a personal.  Perfect rainy day in the Keys!
Thursday was Valentine's.  We took the dinghy out.  We headed to Hawks Channel and then to the beach, Sister Creek and Boot Key.  It was a beautiful day and we saw a pod of dolphins.  There were atleast a dozen of them and they played all around us.  So cool to watch!
​

It never gets old seeing the dolphins swimming in the wild right next to your boat!

We came back to the boat and watched a parasailer right outside the marina entrance.  

Watched the beautiful sunset from the bow and then made dinner in.  Since it was Valentine's we made our fav, Boursin Chicken, a recipe I got years ago from the Broadstreet.   It took a little creativity to figure out the timing since I did it all in the electric skillet ( love that thing!), but we both thought it turned out great!  

After the Loop I might have to do a show on Food Network entitled Everything in the Electric Skillet!

Friday it was windy again, so we pooled it in the afternoon.  Friday night we were invited over to our friends, Keith and Gail's boat for a jam session (this is the Jamm'in part :0).  They had friends, Dave and Janet down from New Bern, NC for the weekend.  Dave is a fantastic guitartist and he accompanied Gail and I the whole evening.  I had so much fun getting my ukulele out and jamm'in with these folks.  Reminded my of home and jamm'in at Barber's Main Street house!  Can't wait to do that again when we get home!  Thanks Keith, Gail, Dave and Janet for an awesome night of music!

The Amazing Dave and Gail singing Friday night on board Southern Style

Janet and Keith - our audience!

Tom tapp'in it out on his bucket....

Pete and Cindy graciously listening

Saturday, after a good game of Pickle ball (no fighting this time ;) we headed to the Coral Head Music Festival in Marathon.  We strapped our lawnchairs to our backs and pedaled our bikes to the concert about a mile down the way.  They had a few bands but we were mostly interested in John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band (Jackyl was the headliner).  They didn't disappoint.  The people watching was brilliant!!!  We had a fun day in the sun enjoying a little music.

John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band

A silly selfie of us at the concert

Sunday, today, we woke to 77 degrees at 7 am. Yup, 77 degrees that early.  Another beautiful day.  Some folks in the marina hosted a Champagne Brunch at 10 am and it was amazing!  So much good food and folks.
We are now awaiting the Amos'.  Looking forward to spending a few days with Brad and Leann in the Keys.
Thanks for reading our week in review!
​More later~