In Marathon
In Marathon, so far, we have done many things.
When we first got in we went for some R&R, if you know what I mean. We went to see our friends that we met last year. On one occasion we went to see our friends Linda and Greg. We went to a Cuban restaurant called El Saboney. I got a Cuban sandwich ( a sandwich with 3 meats 1 turkey,2 ham, lettuce, tomato, and cheese) with no mayo and mustered. It was soooo good. When we were done with lunch we went to a books and coffee. I nearly fell asleep it was soooo boring. After the lecture we got to go to there house for dinner we had homemade empanadas ( a meat or veggie turnover.) We looked at their trip to Japan slides. We saw in their slide show many cool things like moss gardens, castles, and Shinto gates. I want to travel there some day and follow their route exactly.
Another highlight was when we went over to see Monty and Betsy on their boat Salsa. We had a great time. First when we got there we sat down and had a couple of drinks, ( I had cranberry juice and club soda.) Then we had some apps like crackers and a dip. I’m not sure what the dip was. Next we had an amazing coconut shrimp meal with rice. It was so gooood. Afterward came dessert; it was a peach pecan pie that was magnificently delicious.We played a game called Bannagrams( Bannagrams is a game like Scrabble. You get 15 tiles and make what ever words you can out of them all at once. It’s a lot like a race.)It was pretty fun and I did win once, then mom, and then Betsy won. We also played a game called Fictonary. It too was a fun game and we were laughing so hard I could have peed.
Yesterday we went to Key West with Monty and Betsy. It was so much fun. First we go down to Key West and parked the car, and went to GNC for some protein powder. Then we walked the key west downtown loop it was fun, we walked all around town. Then Monty wanted to go for a beer. Everyone wanted to go except me. When we got there it was a bar-bar, not one of those bars that serve dinner too. This was a drunk person bar and when we got in I got beer spilled all over me, by Monty and it was by accident, and had to tough it out. We left soon after. Then we walked around some more and I wanted to go to a place were you could buy key lime flavored jelly beans. I also got key lime fudge. It was pretty good. We walked around till sundown and went to see the street performances at the water front. Then we got hungry and went to El Siboney, the one in Key West. We drove home, stumbled out of the car because we were tired and rode in the dinghy back to the boat.
Tom Leonard says:
January 17th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Hello Mark, Beth, and Liam,
I just got caught up on your blog. You are truly on a trip of a lifetime. I hope to follow in your shoes some day. My wife ( Mamie) and I took up sailing two years ago. He took sailing lessons in 2008 and joined the Boston Sailing Center last year. Last month we bought a Catalina 350 and plan to do a lot of sailing on her this summer. We hope to sail south sometime in the next year or two (or three)so it is with great interest and excitement that we are reading your blog. Liam has a knack for writing and is very entertaining. When do you head for the Bahamas? Can’t wait to read about the passage. Fair Winds, Tom and Mamie Leonard (from chilly Andover MA)
Kurt says:
January 18th, 2010 at 7:09 am
It must be a little warmer?
Liam says:
January 19th, 2010 at 8:29 am
Yes it is. We are leaving for the bahamas in a week
Liam says:
January 19th, 2010 at 8:42 am
Great to hear from you, Tom!
A Catalina 350 is a very nice boat. It should be quite comfortable for your trip.
This has been a wonderful adventure so far and I think it’s only going to get better! I am so excited for you and Mamie as I know you will enjoy your sailing travels just as much as we have. If we can help you at all in planning your trip please let us know. We found the best source of information is other sailors’ experiences; not that they’re all correct, or good, or possible, or even true (!) but it’s helpful to have as much info as you can.
Where do you plan to sail this summer? We live sailing in New England but we have decided to leave our boat here in FL at a yard near the Okeechobee on the west coast. It would just take too long too sail her home and that would mean we would have to cut our time in the Bahamas short. We plan to leave in about a week if the weather cooperates. We have been visiting friends here in Marathon while getting the boat ready for the crossing.
Gina McCalmont says:
January 19th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Hi Liam,
I enjoy reading your blog and how very lucky for you that your parents are giving you a memorable travel adventure. Have a great journey and keep us posted about your adventures. I did not know that the male jellyfish carried the fertilized eggs and I do not know what “flaking the line” is. What does that mean? Can you surmise by my question that I do not sail?
Gina
Lori Goss says:
January 21st, 2010 at 9:05 am
Good day our well SeaZened crew. We are SOoooo excited to fly south in two days. It sounds like you may be making your voyage to the Bahamas while we are in FL. (Of course weather permitting.) How long do you estimate the passage??? Where are you hoping to habour in the Bahamas?? I’m going on line just for giggles to see what deals might be available there… who knows… maybe our rendez vous might be in the islands??? We love you guys. As I was reading Liam’s blog about Key West… it brought back such great memories about when we did that together with you last year. Here’s to hoping our adventure trails will cross in the very near future. All our love… Lori & Gilla
Liam says:
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:27 am
Good to hear from you! We’lll be here about another week as we are a little behind in getting things done and Mark has been under the weather. If you want to head south give us a call.
Enjoy your time in the sunshine!!! We miss you!
xoxox Beth and family
Liam says:
January 22nd, 2010 at 9:32 am
Flaking the line is when you put the line in a circle in order to let it flow easier when you put the anchor out.