12/31/16 Saturday

I can't believe this year is over! I can look back and see heartaches and many many blessings!! I hope all of you can too!!
We spent the morning sitting on the back deck drinking coffee and enjoying the sunrise !! This is a beautiful place. Rod really wanted to go out for breakfast so we dressed and went back to the local cafe Bayview. Then just rode for awhile and came upon a bike shop. Rod wanted to stop and talk to the guy about our tandem buke issues. He looked at it and said the gears were worn badly and less than $50.00 he could fix it!! YES!!! We were thrilled!! So we walked back to the boat as he needed an hour or so to fix it. It's a beautiful day now 80 degrees with a lite breeze, only a 15 min walk back. We left this morning with a light jacket and jeans, so we changed to sorts and tee shorts!! Waited the hour and walked back! We were so excited to have the bike fixed!! It now rides again like the Cadillac it should be! Lol
We probably rode and hour or more stopped at a store and purchased our collards and black eyed peas for or news years dinner we will eat with pork chops! It's a necessity Rod have this dinner on New Years!! He don't want to take any chances at good health, wealth and whoever else this meal will bring to you in the new year!! Haha
Spent some chore time today(not much) Rod did wash and polish our newly repaired bike, and then took off and rode the island again as i wanted  to go down to the Hugh marina where all the deep sea fishing boats come in the afternoon after fishing all day. It's at the very end of the island here. Islamorada is called the fishing capitol of the US!!
There were 3 that had come in and the guides were cleaning all the fish caught by everyone! What I loved most was all the pelicans and cranes that knew about this daily buffet also!! It was a sight to see.
We went home and heated up leftovers from last nights dinner and ate on the back deck listening to music here at the marina!! We talked to the Mgr here and he said these two weeks they serve approximately 5000 people a night!! That's right a night!!  They had 2 different bands one 5pm till 7pm and another 8pm till 2am!! It's a busy place!!
I will not make it till midnight, I figure we will just wake up to a new year in the morning!!
I pray for many blessings to all of you in 2017!!
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

The last sunset of 2016

Almost gone!!!

This Hugh guy was smart!! He got on the back of a fishing boat and was stealing the fish out of the bait tank!,

The band at the marina will be playing till 2am bringing in the new year!!

This is the magician we saw last night. He was fabulous!!

12/30/16 Friday

We woke this morning to a very cool windy morning! 70 degrees but felt like 65 or so!! I know I should not complain as I saw on Facebook it was snowing in Myrtle Beach!! So sorry guys!!
We decided to go to a locals place for breakfast Bob's Buns. We have been there in years past and just could not pass up the opportunity to eat there again!! lol I had biscuits and gravy (they were not as good as yours Linda!!) Rod had the usual eggs corn beef hash and grits. Then we rode our bike for almost 2 hours just enjoying the view of the island. We figured it was a good day to go back to the boat and do a few chores. Me another 2 loads of laundry!! Rod took on the task of laying tile in our bathroom. The tile we had purchased would have to have been pieced to much so decided to wait and see about some vinyl when we get back home. So in the meantime he put down some vinyl contact paper I had on hand and it looks pretty good!! At least it will do until we can find better material.
After completing our chores we sat on the back deck stayed out of the wind!! Lol. We stayed here at Lorelei for dinner as I wanted their stone crab chowder and Rod had Conch chowder with a cracked conch sub and fries.
We knew the magician was coming back tonight so we got in a good spot to watch his show!! He is fabulous. He has been on Americas got Talent before! A great 45 min show, and of course there is Great music here every night! Another good day to remember as this year is soon coming to a close.
We will be here till Wednesday morning and then we have decided to head back up the coast as stay a few day in a couple of places, then head on to Sanford and stay in Lake Monroe for several weeks spending time with Jim and Paula. That's our tentative plan anyway.
Sending love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod  I have a few pics to share!!!

A sign in Bob's Buns this morning!! Hehe

Another sea plane came in with a couple today!! Must be a booming business!!

Rod's handy work Today!! Looks pretty good!!😁

I forgot to include this yesterday!! What a Hugh Osprey nest!!!

Sunset dinner on the beach at Lorelei!! Selfies!! Hehe not something we do often!

12/29/16 Thursday

A beautiful Thursday and we have been told this is the last really nice day till the weekend as a cold front is coming tomorrow the high will be 65 degrees. So we decided to day is the day we need to go to the Theatre of the Sea. About a 2 mile bike ride for us so we thought we would leave early and get some breakfast before we get there. Off we went and about 50 ft from the boat the chain breaks on our bike!!!!!  I was just sooo happy it happened now instead of 2 miles away!! Lol
Rod took his bike and rode to the hardware store and purchased another chain and was back, had it on, and we were ready to ride in 30 mins! I just figured God was trying to slow us down for some reason! Thank you Lord!!
We stopped at a place suggested to us The Bayside Restaurant and Bakery. It was a real treat! As you can tell we love to eat! Hehe
We were still at the theater of the sea by the time it opened! We visited show after show of all the dolphins, sea lions, parrots, and many other aquatic animals of the area. All their animals are here as a rescue as they are unable to be returned to their habitat, or they were born at the center. A great day!! We have been before and if you ever get to the area, don't miss going!!
Exhausted we returned to the boat around 3pm. Rested, and then a few chores (I'll be doing clothes for the next couple of days), and Rod needed to fill our water tanks, and clean up in the motor room a little. We enjoyed sitting on the back deck and watching the sunset, and watching a sea plane go out of the marine that brought a coupl here to eat at the restaurant hen took them back to Miami. We did not see them arrive but did get to see them take off on the water. Neet to watch!! I did look up the seaplane tour and it is $450.00 per person!! To fly from Miami to Islamorada have lunch and fly back!
I served leftovers from the Shrimp Shack we brought home yesterday.
A restful afternoon/ evening! Music every night here at the marina, so that's a real additive to the evening relaxation time!! Hehe
We took 65 pics today! I will post a few of them!! Hope you enjoy!
Much love to all, This year is almost over!! Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Another bike issue! 

These critters wer all over the park today. Notice he's missing a foot!!

The dolphin show was fabulous!!

I know there must be 1000 orchids in this place!! 

Walkway in the park!!

Parrots are compared to the intelligence of a 2-4 yr old

Beautiful cockatiel!

12/28/16 Wednesday

We said goodbye to Key Largo this morning around 8:30am. This truly is the best island we visit! There is just so much to do here. For some of you that are in the cold part of the country, I know your jealous it was 82 degrees here all day!!! We made the 3 hour trip to the marina here at Lorelei in Islamorada. Such a beautiful place!! But I swear the farther you go south the more expensive everything gets!! Haha Dockage here is the most expensive of anywhere we stay on this trip, but it's worth putting it into our budget, and pinch a penny somewhere else! Lol
We arrived around 12noon today and was greeted by the dock hands to get us into this tiny little dock space and only having 1 1/2 ft of water under the boat is difinitely a trickle parking!! Rod has to turn the boat around in a 50ft area and back into the dock(without hitting the dock poles or another boat)!
We have walkie talkie head sets and I get on the back of the boat and tell him which way to go! Course I do that most days anyway! Lol  We got the boat all set up with water and power hookup, and    Rod decided he could complete the toilet issue, that has not been resolve yet, later on this evening! Off we went in our bike to ride and enjoy this weather and the island! He just had to stop at the World Wide Sportmans center (it's a Hugh bass pro shop) and look around. The only purchase we made was some Key Lime salt water taffy, and we found a cover for our grill as we lost it during Hurricane Mathew.
Since we had fruit for breakfast and a snack of salsa and tortilla earlier, I was hungry!! We chose a place called The Islamorada Shrimp Shack and lo and behold it has been visited by one of my favorite chefs Guy Fiero!!! We had 2 of his signature dishes, shrimp scampi(for me) and  (shrimp & grits) Rod.  Both were yummy and we took home a least half of the dish for tomorrow nights supper! We filled up on complimentary banana bread and we also ordered gator tail appetizer. We we were full before the meal got brought to us! Lol  2 meals for the price of one!! Haha
We returned to the boat and the music here at Lorelei was up and going full force! They have the best musicians here!! And also when the band took a break they have a magician!! He was fabulous! I sat on pthe back deck with a cold drink and Rod repaired the toilet!! YEAH! We flushing again!!! The man can fix anything!! Ha  And me, I'm a good supervisor! I already started  clothes to wash as it will take me 3 days to catch up on laundry!! Ha
It's 10:00pm and believe it or not we are still awake!! Lol
Looking forward to a week visit here before we move on!! We plan to eat good and play hard!!
We are hoping for some fireworks here somewhere on the island New Years Eve.
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod.  I wish I could post all the pics I took today, I will see how many I can get to download!

Complementary banana bread

Gator bites these things were Hugh!!

Rods shrimp and grits!

My shrimp scampi!! Yummy

Guy!! One of my favorite chefs!!

This "THING" is sitting in the dock space beside us! Look close it's floating on a barge!! Lol

My view from the back deck!! I can handle this!! Hehe

12/27/16 Tuesday

It's our last day in Key Largo!!! Headed for Islamorada tomorrow morning!! We needed to complete some chores, so we made our list and headed out on the bike after taking Lexie to shore for a good walk!! But first stopped was at a local place called Evelyn's for some breakfast!! Rod had French toast and scrambled eggs, I order hashrowns with green peppers and onions with 2 over easy eggs. When it arrived I had hash towns with sausage gravy and cheese with the 2 eggs. I just could not eat it !! Rod said you like mash potatoes and gravy dont' you. Well yes but I just could not eat it!! I ate my eggs and sour dough toast and had plenty!! Lol Then on to west marine and then to Kmart for the rest of the supplies. We got back to the boat at 1pm and decided to set up the hooka and do some scuba diving for a while!! One hour and we both were pooped!! It's hard to swim against the current here!! We hope the cove in Islamorada will be better! But we still had a blast!! It was great having a new wet suit!! Comfortable easy to put on and It kept me warm although the water temp is 74 degrees.
Then we had issues with the toilet flushing and needed a plunger and not one to be found on the boat!! Rod left a few mins ago to go to the hardware store just a few blocks from where we are dock, AND when he arrived at 5:15pm they closed at 5:00!! So he is now on his way back to Kmart about 1 mile or so!! He called and is on the way back, plunger in hand!! Lol. He worked on the toile while I fixed supper, but plunger is not what is needed!! We will have to work on the lines and flush out the system when at Dock in Islamorada tomorrow!! 😖
Always something when you live on a boat! ! Haha
We have had a fun day!! Got a pic to share Rod took on my phone. Our underwater camera will need to be developed!
Love to all!!! Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Ready to dive!! Beautiful on the bottom, lots of little fish and plants floating around!!

Fun escapade!!!!! Lol

12/25/16 Sunday

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I do hope Santa was good to everyone! But let's not forget the real reason for the season Happy Birthday Jesus!! What an awesome God we serve!!
Enjoyed most of the day talking and face timing with the grands about all the gifts they received! We are a blessed family! Rod and I say that daily!!
We ate breakfast on the boat and exchanged gifts!! Rod gave me anew 6 shot small revolver I had been wanting, I gave him a new prayer journal and his favorite cologne. We then took off on our bike to see if anything was open in town. We discovered a diving shop and decided to get new scuba gear that was needed. They were having a 40% off sale!! Merry Christmas to us! LOL
We got back to the boat and got out our hooka and tried to dive from the back of the boat. But as it would happen we had a hose leak that will need repair so we just swam and played in the water for awhile. We will attempt it again tomorrow. I forgot to lay out anything for supper so we rode the bike to a small pizza restaurant and had pizza and a salad! Some Christmas dinner huh!!!
Over all it was a fun day!! We texted or touch base with our family and friends and many on face book! Got some pics to share of our diving escapade today!! Lol
Love to all, Merry Christmas!! Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Hooka set up and ready to go!, Lexie thought she was going to go too!! Lol

I'm all suited up and ready!,

I lost my face mask and Rod was able to dive down and retrieve it!!! 😍😁

This is a shot of the dinghy dock where we go to land!

A shot of our home as we returned this evening! She is a good boat!! Lol 

12/24/16 Saturday

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE!!!  We woke up early this morning in South Beach Miami and ready to ride!! Rod really wanted to be in the Keys by Christmas Day. Well!! We made it!! Lol
It took 6 hours travel time from Miami to Key Largo. We arrived around 1pm. It was a sunny beautiful day but the wind was a bit strong at times going across this Hugh body of water called Biscayne Bay!! Over all a great day, and we are excited to be in the Keys again.
We got a great anchor spot in Tarpon Basin where we have anchored before a few years ago. We got the dinghy n the water (which really excited Lexie) we put Lexie in her Limo and took off to the dinghy dock. She was more excited than us!! Lol. She ran and played sniffed and peed on everything she could!! Haha
We brought her back to the boat and we got the tandem bike loaded on the dinghy and took it over to the dock, then we made a quick ride through town. It was 4pm and most places were closing at 5pm for Christmas. We just mainly enjoyed the ride! It's so easy to ride here in the Keys as both side of the the streets have great bike paths.
We headed back to the boat with a new gas tank for the dinghy, a new cable to lock up the dinghy while at the dock. We purchased those items at West Marine just down the street.
Ate some dinner, I spent time with my grand daughter Allie on FaceTime, they were all enjoying time with Mamaw Kay and and a great meal.
Looking forward to some land time tomorrow and talking to the kids to see what Santa left under the tree!!
Sleep well, cause Santa clause come tonight!!! Lol
Much love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

The cruise ships 5 altogether went out last night around 9pm. Pics just don't show the magnitude of the size of the floating cities!!

Sunrise this morning as we left Miami

Lexie's Limo is ready to ride!!!

12/23/16 Friday

Well it is difinitely a windy day in Florida!! In fact the last 3 days have been!! Not horrible but has made during the boat a struggle!!
We left Palm Beach this morning at 7:15am, we sure did enjoy the evening there!!! Travelled 78 miles today through some of the richest parts of Florida! It always amazes me how much money there is in this area from Palm Beach to Miami. Some of the biggest yachts in the world are in Fort Lauderdale!! Blows my mind!! Lol
Dave Wallace from Wallace sailing charters in Georgetown called us this afternoon and said he was in South Beach Miami and so was Danny aboard the Escargot
From Georgetown  and wanted us to come anchor with them for the night! When we got anchored they came over in their dinghy and visited for awhile. Always good to see old friends from home! Ha
I then fixed leftovers of chicken bog and we ate sitting on the back deck watching the cruise ships leave for the holiday weekend !! All lite up with Christmas lights was an incredible sight to see. They look like moving cities!!
My kitchen fairy took care of the dishes while I enjoyed face timing with Allie, Sherry, Triston and Mamaw Kay!! Allen I think was vegging out after the meal he just had!!lol  It's been a grand day!!
We will be in Key Largo tomorrow around noon per Rod's calculation!!
I do hope everyone is ready for Santa!!!
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Docked beside Trump Plaza in Palm Beach

Trumps Resort!! The Coast Guard was guarding like a hawk!!

We see this mansion every year!!

Friends for Georgetown, Danny and Capt Dave

12/22/16 Thursday

We pulled up anchor this morning around 6:45am and was headed south again by 6:50am!!
We had a great travel day with a light wind that pushed us most of the day. All the windows were open and we still roasted all day!! A few times the temperature on the bridge where we drive was 90 degrees!! We had more dolphins swimming with us today than any day we have had yet this trip! Sure kept Lexie occupied all day!, lol
We traveled 83 miles today and decided to dock at the city docks in Palm beach. We thought maybe we would not be able to as all the reports we had gotten the last few days were part of the waterway was closed to boats as the Trumps arrived here in Palm beach today to spend Christmas. But there was no issues and all seemed to be fairly normal here. A company called Sandyland is here in Palm beach creating several fabulous Sand structures. There is a 40 ft Christmas tree and many other scenes of Christmas movie characters. I'll post some pics. We walked for a while through town and chose a Chinese restaurant, Chopsticks, for,some supper. It was fabulous! It havent had Chinese in a while so it was a real treat.
They had a big band in the park playing the oldies from the big band era! Crowds of people. We could hear it from the boat so most of it we just sat on the back deck and listened!
Looks like we are going to battle high winds for the next few days and really concerned with having to cross Biscayne Bay to get to the keys. So plans may change. Please pray for our travels and that we make the right decisions.
3 more days till Christmas!!!!!🎄
Love to all!!  Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

I took lots of dolphins pic today!!

A 40 ft sand Christmas tree!!

There were 12'pdthese sculptures herein the park!! 

Supper!!! Yummy!!!

12/21/16 Wednesday

Well Rod was up around 2:30 am this morning, said he was awake and had to get up! I think he accomplished most of the needed chores to prepare for our departure this morning!! Lol   He did come back to bed and rested for awhile then we both got up at 7am. We then discovered some dirty jeans that had grease and battery acid on them so we decided to wash clothes while we completed the preparation for leaving the dock here in Titusville. The wind was still blowing so we ask the marina dock hand to come assist us pulling out as we did have a boat beside us about 2 ft between us. Amber came and helped and without any issues we came right out of the slip and off we went!! We have had a grand week here but ready to head in south.
Traveled all day in cloudy skies, the sun would peek through a few times all day. The temp was 80 degrees and we had the windows open most of the day!! We also had the tide and the wind pushing us so we made good speed all day!! If you would call 9-10MPH good, and we do!! Lol
Rod had a good anchorage spot picked out just north of Vero Beach here at Wabasso Creek and it is a good spot for us to spend the night. The wind is considerability better so we are tucked in for the night. Bad news, NO TV reception!! So its been quiet, reading, watching the Christmas lights in the houses here on land beside us. OH and supper, I made in the crockpot last night of augraten potatoes and ham, served with green beans!! It was delish! Rod did dishes (I love my kitchen fairy) while I showered. PJ's on and resting up!!
We rode 65 miles today and hope to get in 70 miles tomorrow to be in Palm Beach. We want to beat Trump there as we are told they will be shutting down areas of the waterway when he arrives, and I don't think he even plans to come in by boat!! I guess they have to cover all the bases! Lol
Only a few days till Christmas and we do hope to be in Key Largo by Saturday!!!
Hope everyone is getting ready to celebrate!!
Love to all!! Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

ROd had to try on the new Christmas socks Paula and Jim gave him for Christmas!! To hot to wear them long! Lol

12/20/16 Tuesday

This was our last day here in Titusville!!! It's been a fun week but we are ready to head on South!! We completed a last minute check of the motors this morning and Rod found a starter that appears to be failing periodically!! AND a battery that it not wanting to charge!! Soooo off comes this starter (this thing weighs 85lbs) and off to the Napa Store he goes with this thing strapped on the back of his bike with a bungee cord!!! They have a guy there that will check it out and see what needs to be repaired!  It's old so you never know!!
When he got back to the boat Paula and Jim were here, so off we all went to first eat lunch! EL Leonitico our favorite Mexican restaurant. It's Taco Tuesday!!! Along with Peach Margaritas!
Then for last minute shopping at Walmart and Lowes. On the way back to the marina we stop at the Napa store and retreave the rebuilt starter and decide to go ahead and purchase a new battery that Rod is pretty sure needs replacing!
We all come to the boat, unload our groceries and 85 lb starter, and we have Christmas!!!!!!
Jim gave Rod a much needed new pair of Levi's, 5lbs of Pistachios, and big bag that you put all you gun stuff in when you go to the shooting range and a fun pair of Christmas socks!!!
Paula gave me a beautiful new pillow for my couch, it's lime green and it has a beautiful blue bird on the front. I have a pic to post, a lg can of cashews, and a kitchen set of small cups for dips and dressings!!
The rest of the afternoon was putting in that 200 lb battery, and the 85 lb starter!!! HEAVY STUFF!!
Rod will feel this tomorrow!!!
Snacked and ate leftovers from lunch, got everything ready to pull out of here tomorrow morning. Praying the wind dies down a little. We are in a small tight boat slip and have a boat next to us like 2ft between us!! It will be tricky!!
Pray for our travel, and the health of our boat!!!
I can't believe Christmas is 5 days away!! We hope to be in Key Largo!!
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

One of our favorite places to eat!!

Rod just had to go check out the banana tree!

My new decorator pillow!!! It will always remind me of my Bird loving BBF!!! Thanks Paula!

12/19/16 Monday

What another beautiful day here in Titusville!!! Woke up this morning to 80 degrees weather!! We have today and tomorrow left here then we head on South again!! We finished up all the needed chores this morning, Rod performed battery maintence, checked all the fluids in the motors and generator, me I washed clothes and supervised his work!! lol
It was such a pretty day we just had to take off and ride our bike awhile!! We have really completed all the sightseeing we wanted to get done except to go back over to Cape Canaveral, but decided to wait and do that on our way back north. We need to plan ahead a little and rent a car as there is no public transportation there and 21 miles on a bike is just to far!! Lol
We decided to have a late lunch,and visit our last thing on our list to do, and go to Dixie Crossroads for lunch! They have Rock shrimp here that look and taste like miniature lobster tails!! They are wonderful and it was on my Christmas list to get!!  Thank you Mamaw Kay Roseman for the Christmas gift of food!!! We enjoyed it very much!! We also bought us each a T shirt with Dixie Crossroad Rock shrimp on them! 😁
We returned to the boat and completed the last few chores on the list and sat on the back deck and enjoyed the evening breeze!  A 70 ft beautiful wooden boat came in this evening and parked right beside us from Sag Harbor, NY named America! What a beautiful boat!! The wood was varnished to perfection, and she difinitely was a sight to see. We spoke to the Capt and deck hand, but the owners never came out for us to meet!
Left over lunch for supper, showered and ready for a fun day tomorrow with Jim and Paula. We will spend out last day here with them!
Hope everyone is almost ready for Santa!! You got less than a week!!!🎄🎁
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

The napkin was also the silverware holder!

Nope not hush puppies!!! These are corn fritters with powered sugar! YUMMO!!!

Broiled Rock Shrimp!! I started eating then realized I needed a pic of these beauties!!

Fun on the bench outside!! Lol