So Long Marathon

by Nancy

Boy did this month fly by, it seems like we just got here in Marathon and now its time to start heading North. The pool, our million dollar sunset view, and watching the huge mega yachts come into the fuel dock from Tampa and spend the night has been a few of our favorite things about Marathon Marina. Besides the weather, of course, it’s been in the low 80’s pretty consistentently. The local pickleball and mah jongg groups have been very welcoming and of course our friends Chris and Steve were great harbor hosts, who helped us learn the area very quickly.

After returning from Key West, we had our “crew” with us a couple more days so we took in some of the Marathon sights. We did the long walk over the old seve mile bridge to Pigeon Key, a work camp set up by Flagler to build the railroad back in the early 1900’s. Also visited the Turtle Hospital where they do rescue, rehab, and release of the five species of FL sea turtles and went back to Sombrero beach one last time.

The Marina and AGLCA hosted two Potluck parties this week where we met some new friends who briefed us on the upcoming Atlantic Intercoastal leg and met some new MN Loopers. As usual nature always provides its share of entertainment as we watch right outside our boat and are amazed.

The Marathon Turtle hospital is working to save the five species of FL sea turtles and has 54 patients in the hospital. Some of turtles have been hit by boats and have bouyancy issues while others like this Green Turtle was being treated for viral tumors. One is visible by this guy’s eye. Three turtles were released this week back in Key West.
Part of the hospital tour is feeding the turtles.
The old seven mile bridge is being used as a pedestrian/bike trail and is 2.5 miles and goest to the tiny island of Pigeon Key. The history on the island is rich and the museum and 8 original buildings are well worth the admission price. This is the bridge that was used in the film “True Lies”. Bridge and walking path was a highlight of area for us.
Marathon Marina sponsored a Potluck dinner this week, over a hundred boaters attended and we just happened upon the Tailors. Chris bought this Bayliner, that was previously owned by our friends the Rivers. The boat was in the slip next to us on “D” dock at Afton. The week before Ron and I left to start our Loop trip, we met Chris, who was working diligently to prepare the boat for “The Loop” which he intended to start the following week! We probably had a look of doubt on our faces when he told us that, as we had been preparing for 5 years to do this trip. We were amazed when we saw the boat at our first stop in Wabasha but totally floored to see them here in Marathon! Good job Chris and Lisa, you’re amazing Loopers!
We also met these great people at the Marina Potluck, Barrie and Mary invited us to Happy Hour on their beautiful Fleming 55. They are a wealth of information about the Atlantic Intercoastal as they have been running the AIC for years from VA to Marathon. They gave us great tips on the route, navigation, and downloading Bob423. We have been very fortunate to meet experienced boaters like these two. I think back to all the advice we have gotten from previous “mentors” Angela and Mike in Clearwater, Greg and Judye in St. Petersburg. We have gained so much from all of you! Thanks!
Looper Annual Sunset Celebration at Banana Bay. Band, Four Sheets to the Wind, was great, the setting beautiful and we enjoyed the evening with two Loopers from IL, Jim and Stacy and about 100 others.
Best deal for Stone Crab Claws at Keys Fisheries in Marathon, happy hour special 5 for $20! Now I understand why all the crab pots exist.
These are called “pencil zincs” there are three of them on each engine, they are sacrificial metal that slowly is eaten away, instead of engine parts. You can see I was due to replace some of them, this picture compares a couple of new ones with one I took out of the starboard engine.
We never tire of the nature that is all around us, most of our sightings so unexpectedly, we can’t get the camera out fast enough. Not exactly sure what kind of Jelly Fish this is, at least it looks like Jelly Fish, these swim right outside and underneath our boat.
Cheap entertainmnet on a Friday night, turn on the underwater boat lights and see who shows up. Tonight there were groups of Tarpon fishing and catching minnow snacks.
This creature was stirring beneath our boat, adding to our entertainment on a Friday night. No exactly sure what it is, a cuttlefish we think.
Last night’s sunset from the back deck of Flying Colors
This video captures the west view from Marathon Marina, and captures right when the sun sets, if you listen to the audio you can hear the neighbors blowing their conch shells to celebrate the sunset, which they do every night. Off to Key Largo in the morning!

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