Not Sitting Idle

We blasted about 12 applications out for new insurance then took off for some fun.  Our friends from FWYC Marsha and Ralph are staying in a great marina on Plantation Key.  They invited us up for the weekend and we had a wonderful time.  Riding a different bus system was a learning experience.  We had 4 different locations for where the bus would actually stop on this end.  Apparently it moves around the same general area.  We ended up just looking for a group of people who looked like they wanted to ride the bus.  We took a late bus up because it took us a while to square the boat away on our new mooring ball, pack and walk to the bus stop area.  It was a nice ride in COLD AC.  You could tell the experienced riders as they all had coats and a few had lap blankets.  It was about an hour's ride and we saw the sunset about 3/4 of the way up.  Turned out the little button to request a stop didn't work so once we passed our spot, David asked the driver for a stop and we walked back.  Our friends treated us to a fabulous food and drink.  We woke up the next morning and enjoyed a Rotary Club breakfast at the flea market.  It is the largest nautical flea market in the south and it is a huge fundraiser for the Rotarians and a few other charitable groups.  We spent several hours and more than a few dollars wandering around to all the booths.  There was an amazing assortment of stuff, nautical and otherwise, in over 100 booths.  Living in a small space and traveling by bus did prevent us from buying too much or anything too big.  After a rest in their cooled off boat we all walked to a local collection of eclectic shops to wait for the southbound bus.  The traffic was super congested so the bus was late but that was ok since we had good company.  From there we rode down to a local landmark restaurant for another fabulous meal, great music and even better company.  When all the fun could be wrung out of the day we rode the bus back to Marathon.  After the past two days we'd had, it was a glorious respite.

There were huge crowds all hunting for the best bargain or the most unusual trinket.

So many great craftsmen had booths.

The roads were severely clogged so a lot of people came by boat.  The marina where we were
was full of temporary visitors.

Our friend's boat is a trawler and has a top deck with a panoramic view.

This marina is about 1/2 and 1/2 liveaboard and transient boaters.  This is houseboat row
with some very nice people.  If you watch the show Bloodline, many of the scenes are shot at this marina
and nearby.  We love the show and kept looking for some of the crew who are in town now.

I loved this lady's dockside garden.

Some of the other transient boats.

This giant lobster greets at the collection of shops called The Rainbarrel.  I wished I
 had had more time,money and space in my backpack!

One great place to eat in Islamorada.

This was an amazing sight.  This manatee is drinking from the fresh
water hose at the marina next to the restaurant.

The manatee couldn't have cared less about all the people gawking
and taking pictures.  It just wanted the fresh water.

Almost sunset on the day and the trip.