Week 30
Key West – Stock Island
Finally on Jan 10th, the weather got better and we were able to cross the gulf and reached Key West. We left Marco Island at dawn, just as the sun breaks over the horizon. It was a long ride, bumpy at times, and we saw a lot of crab pots. We have to pay close attention dodging these crab pots, in other words, I did not take a nap.
We stayed at the anchorage. It’s Steve’s birthday the next day in anchorage. He baked his traditional birthday cake (Hummingbird cake) and it was delicious. We went swimming off the boat and watched football for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, while watching football, a passing boat created a huge wake and throw the cake upside down to the floor. Icing got all over the carpet. What a mess.
The next day we moved to Stock Island Marina and booked a 1-month stay as it is cheaper as suggested by the loopers already here. The marina is in protected area, calm even on windy days. It has no restaurant but has a bar at the pool. It has a little beach area where we did few docktails and a tiki hut where Cathy @ Warbler, hosts daily yoga for the loopers at 9 AM. I’ve never tried yoga before but I joined because the group is so fun and friendly.
The marina is 6 miles away from downtown Key West but easily accessible by bike via a well maintained bike path. Some loopers went out one night to see a tribute concert to Jimmy Buffet. I had mixed emotions when Coral Reef was telling stories and singing Jimmy’s songs. I wish Jimmy is still alive.
On mornings I don’t do yoga, I ride my bike to play pickle ball. I met many nice people in the court, some of them live in Key West permanently, some are snow birds and some are vacationers. I like this court a lot as it is just across the beach. You can go for a quick swim after pickleball.
Here are some pictures from this week’s adventure.
Here are some of the pictures from this week’s adventure.
Week 31 – 32
In memory of my Mother In Law, Dorothy Ann Adkins, who passed away just 80 days after his husband of 70 years passed away. She looked so happy and beautiful as she joins her sweetheart in heaven.
May 11, 1933 – January 22, 2026
Week 33
It was an easy flight from Charleston, West VA to Key West. After all the extreme cold weather and travel delays, we are now back in the looping world. Uber from the airport to the marina is a breeze.
We’re back in the boat but we didn’t do too much. We went to the grocery to get our provisions. I either play pickle ball or do yoga every morning. The pool is so cold that I could not get anybody to swim with me.
The loopers in the marina had created a nice bond and friendship. Since there is no restaurant in the marina, we often do potluck dinner and we always have many delicious food. But my favorite of all is the margarita docktails at the beach when we sip our cocktails, watch the sunset with our bare feet in the sand.
I had an incident this week where I fell off the bike. It was not bad but i had a small bruise on my left knee.
You can’t be in Key West without doing any of the Ernest Hemingway attractions. This week we watch a comedian tell his version of stories of Ernest Hemingway’s life called Hemingway, the funny way. Some of his jokes are really funny.
Here are some of the pictures from this week’s adventure.
Week 34
Super Bowl & Trip to Dry Tortugas
Sunday morning, some looper wives went to the store to get stuff for the Super Bowl party at the marina. The marina was so nice to allow us to bring our food at the bar and watch the game. The game did not end the way I wanted but the food are delicious.
The next day four ladies went on a walking literary tour along Old Key West and the guide shared stories about the great writers of Key West and where they live or used to lived.
Tuesday night, we had a little get together to discuss the Dry Tortuga trip and Dragon the LIne picked us up and has dinner at the Hogfish Bar & Grill. Then Wednesday morning at 8 am, a flotilla of 8 boats left Stock Island to go to Dry Tortugas. The trip was pleasant as we waited for a good weather to travel. We all got there safe and enjoyed the beautiful island. We did the fort tour and snorkeling at the lighthouse. We left the next day and headed back toward Key West. As we are not going back to Stock Island like the other boats, we separated from the group and anchored at Boca Grande Key. Then next day we checked in at Galleon marina in downtown Key West. And then more fun begins.
Here are some of the pictures from this week’s adventure.
Week 35
Downtown Key West
I’m so grateful that I insisted to stay few day in Galleon Marina in downtown. Here everything is within walking and biking range. Too many restaurants to choose from, lots of attractions to explore, beaches and lots of shops. This is the kind of stop i really enjoyed.
We took the Train tour, the tour guide is great and i learned some good stuff about Key West. Stopped by the iconic southern tip of the United State and the Hemingway House.
The marina has a nice pool, a small beach and a tiki bar so I kept myself busy in marina besides shopping. I even won a bingo in the pool bingo. This guy from Long Island told me, “hey come sit next to me, I won yesterday, today it’s your turn”. And I won.
The loopers got together one day while in Key West. We are all spread out staying in multiple marinas but with the Nebo app communication, we’re able to have a large group to do our traditional docktails.
Here are some pictures from this week’s adventures
