With the forecast of lots of wind and rain the week of the 11th, we decided leaving later was a wise choice. It ended up being a blessing in disguise.
First, after that 2 hours of playing guitar Friday night, I woke up Saturday morning hurting in my wrist (yes, the same right wrist that had a tube and wire run up it just 5 days before. Apparently, I singlehandedly (yes, that’s an attempt at humor) inflicted such inflammation in my wrist that I could hardly lift my arm Saturday-Monday. I sat around whining, icing and elevating my wrist, until the pain started letting up Monday. The heart cath was a piece of cake, compared to this.
Most of the week passed without any drama. Tuesday, we were able to go out to dinner at one of the partially opened restaurants.
The ladies managed to get more lobster in their mouths than on their clothes.
Amanda and Susie enjoyed Maine lobster, while Steve grabbed some sushi and nearly caught his face on fire with an overdose of wasabi. I ate a boring (delicious) grouper.
It rained relentlessly most of the week; some said we got almost 6 inches.
Lots of rain and wind postponed our departure.
Our weather has been perfect nearly since we arrived, so with the rainy season upon us, we aren’t complaining. It’s been a nice stay at the marina.
Living the boat life in a luxurious marina. Sometimes, we do have to wash clothes.
Friday night, 8 of us gathered and went to dinner once last time. Several of us will be leaving and going different directions and we will miss these opportunities to hang together. Robert/Carolyn, Tom/Paula, Steve/Susie, and us caught a $6.00 taxi ride to Castaway-Marathon.
Castaway–Marathon, F. 
Tom, Paula, Wes, Amanda, Susie, Steve, Carolyn, & Robert 
The food and friends were great! 
Not this guy’s first rodeo, he made a nuisance of himself begging for food.
It was great to hang with these friends that 2 months ago we never knew existed.
This conch family circled up on the sidewalk near the boat.
Saturday, the 16th, we spent the morning prepping the Honey Queen for our Sunday departure. Fluids, strainers, filters, etc. The same routine I was used to doing daily for so much of our trip. Now, I had to think. Not having run the engine or generator for weeks, I gave them a little test run to ensure their performance was up to par. We made our last trip to Publix, mask in hand, to provision for what may as long as a week before we see a grocery again. This can sometimes be a challenge with a refrigerator as small as ours. We picked up a couple bags of our ice for our Yeti to handle the overflow. Steve and Susie have an ice maker on board their yacht, and graciously offered to lend us ice if we run short.
Saturday afternoon, most every remaining boater at Marlin Bay gathered at the pool for Analise’s birthday party. Mark and Lana’s special needs daughter turns 17 this week and has been one of the highlights of our time in Marathon. Her sweet, sweet spirit and personality have been a joy to us all. Several of the ladies decided to put the surprise event together. We all bought small gifts and ice and cake were served. Analise was thrilled and surprised. We enjoyed watching her tear through her gifts.
Mark, Lana, and Analise. They were so appreciative of the ladies that made this event happen. These Indiana Loopers promised to come see us in Savannah.
Analise was so happy. 
Her cake 
Flowers at the pool 
Mike & Lisa, our next door sailboat neighbors 
Mike & Robin from Orillia (Canada) 
Allen & Brooke–My Aunt Lois taught Allen in the 6th grade–Magnolia, Arkansas 
Tom, Paula, Susie solving issues 
Big girls and little, young and old, all enjoyed the pool party. 
Analise loves to dive for those toys and play shark.
We have enjoyed meeting people all along the Loop, but there are no finer people than those right here. The event put us all together and gave us time say good byes to many. We also figured out that several more were leaving Sunday morning, as well. Of those, 2 boats were going to the exact place we had planned, so instead of saying good bye, it was more like, see you tomorrow!
