Week 19 to Week 23 Blackfin Marina Marathon FL

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 Blackfin Marina, Marathon Florida

A Month in Paradise aka The Keys
There are so many things we love about this place it's difficult to know where to begin.  From the community of boaters that come here year after year, the amazing marina managers, Ruth and Chris, and of course the water and weather.

We fell into an easy rhythm from the very first day.  Wake up late and decide if it's a pool day or a beach day! 

Evenings we grill and enjoy sunset docktails with our neighbors.

There are several fantastic restaurants and live music all within walking or biking. Some we enjoyed are Steak & Lobster, Dockside, Overseas Pub, and The Ale House, The Tiki House, and Barnacle Barneys to name a few.

The bike paths run parallel to Overseas Highway both north and southbound. We carry foldable bicycles on the boat and they have come in really handy.

Key West 
We've also taken advantage of the Florida Keys Transit Bus to Key West. For only a dollar we took the hour and forty-minute ride from our marina to downtown Key West. We arrived mid-morning and toured the Little Whitehouse where President Truman and later presidents enjoyed this beautiful place. Then we toured the Coast Guard Cutter Ingram. An amazing story of a vessel that served in WW II, Korea, Vietnam, and later in the Gulf.


Conch Republic Marine Army
https://www.conchrepublicmarinearmy.org/
When cruising Florida we are always dodging crab pots.  This industry supplies a big percentage of stone crab claws to restaurants and consumers.  The crab claws are delicious but a side effect is the buoys, lines, pots, and trash, build up in the mangrove islands after hurricanes.  We were lucky to meet up with volunteers from the Conch Republic Marine Army.  A non-profit organization dedicated to cleaning and restoring the mangrove habitats of the Florida Keys. We joined several Blackfin boaters for a day of cleanup on Little Spanish Key. We rode a boat to the Key and walked in waist-deep water collecting derelict crab lines, buoys, and general trash.  At the end of the day, we collected over 100 lbs. of trash from one tiny island and made some very good friends.

Marathon Seafood Festival - March 11 and 12 


Our timing was perfect to take in this annual tradition of Marathon.  Loads of seafood, great live entertainment, and a beautiful day in the sun with our new friends. The $25 full lobster dinner was fantastic!



Miami South Beach 

Scott surprised me with an early birthday celebration to Miami South Beach. He rented a black mustang convertible and we drove up through the Middle and Upper Keys to South Beach.  We stopped for lunch at Lazy Days North, a fantastic restaurant known for its seafood.  Checked into the Marriott and took advantage of the many bike paths that are throughout South Beach. We lazed by the beautiful rooftop pool and had dinner at the Versace Mansion Restaurant. One last stop for a nightcap, we went to the underground speakeasy Swizzle. Even though it was Spring Break for many visiting the area we were able to easily get into restaurants and enjoy the area.





Marina Fish and Mammals
The Keys are known for all of the aquatic and wildlife. Our little marina has its fair share.  Three manatees frequent the marina to get a sip of fresh water. Iguanas can be spotted in trees and taking a stroll. The pelicans are constantly looking for scraps from the fish cleaning tables along with the large Tarpon and Parrot fish that patrol the same area. 



New Friends

We have made so many great friends at Blackfin Resort  Every day is a new opportunity to share stories, sip a few docktails, enjoy the warm weather, do boat projects, take a dinghy ride, and of course, make the short walk to the beach to try and catch the green flash every night at sunset.  Haven't seen the green flash yet but will keep trying! 
A Boaters Toast!
There are tall Ships and small ships and ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are FRIENDSHIPS so here's to you and me! 

We have already made our reservation for 2024!






















Spending time cruising in our Rosborough 246 on America's Great Loop.

Comments

  1. Vicki QualleyApril 5, 2023 at 6:49 AM

    Love, love, love getting to experience your adventures vicariously through the blog posts & photos! La Dolce Vita!! Love to you both :)

    ReplyDelete

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