HAPPY NEW YEAR

An Optimist is one who stays up to welcome the New Year.

A Pessimist is one who stays up to make sure that last year is really over.

Half full or half empty?

When You Gotta Go, You Gotta Go!

In the Everglades National Park there is a rest stop for boater's, Kayakers and anyone who can make their way to this Key.

While sailing the other day I snapped this picture of a Kayaker taking a much needed break. Mind you, this guy is about seven miles from civilization at this point, with a 10 Kt headwind for the return trip.

Aahh! That's better!

Relief in sight.

Blowing Today!

Drove to Ft.Lauderdale Airport today to pick up Frannie, my girlfriend. She'll spend New Year's and a few day's after,  relaxing, sailing and hopefully fishing and a good Harley ride to KW or the West Coast.

Today, however, the wind has kicked up out of the South making any water sports nada.

After a stop by the Key Largo Fishery to pick up five pounds of 15-17 Pink Shrimp and some really fresh Sushi grade tuna, we had lunch at Dillon's, the local Irish Pub here in town. A crunchy Grouper sandwich for Fran and a Greek salad for me. Sashimi for us tonight along with a shrimp salad and some smoked fish dip appetizer.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FROM THE KEYS!

Santa arriving by Catboat
The large cockpit allows for his huge bag of toys
No cookies and milk for this Santa, I leave a dose of Dramamine out for him.





Barry, My New Friend...Well Sort Of

Yesterday I went reef fishing with a couple of friends, Wayne, from Canada and Paul from Michigan. Right off the bat we learned that there is no place for personal political views on fishing trips, so we quickly went about our work to catch fish.

The reefs proved to be very productive on this day, we caught a variety of fish that soon filled our cooler. Then as we were moving to another patch reef we spotted birds working, that means feeding on bait fish, we rushed to the area and proceeded to catch large Spanish Mackerel with lures thrown toward them. We were rewarded for our efforts as we hauled in five or six beauties. These Spanish Mackerel are a delicate fish,white, tender fillets when they are cooked and have a very mild flavor. There are some very good recipes to prepare them and the end result is usually very tasty.

Spanish Mackerel

The Mackerel fishing fell off just as quickly as it started, it seems an unwanted guest arrived and was after the same fish that we were. Barry as we called him rolled up on our fishing grounds, uninvited and unannounced. I said to myself, "I have to meet this fellow that has ruined our fishing success", so I quickly rigged up a live Ballyhoo on a small rod and tossed it into the water, bingo, if only my line doesn't break we would soon  have our introduction to Barry. As luck would have it, after fighting with Barry for about ten minutes, we had our introduction, face to face. I have included a few pictures so you can see why all the other fish beat it out of the area. Barry the Barracuda, ended up weighing about forty pounds of serious fish eating machine. We were very careful to keep away from the business end of this guy, as he could do some real damage if he ever latched on to an appendage. After pictures and a hearty goodbye, we released him unharmed to spoil fishing or provide sport for some other unsuspecting fisherman. Here, my friends is Barry!

Barry comes aboard

I'm 5'9" so you get an idea of his size.
He weighed in at 40Lbs

Checking the weight
The fish is controlled with a Boga Grip which effectively renders the fish safe to lift while not doing any harm

A winter in the Keys

Photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Catboat Rendezvous On Florida Bay...Feb. 17,18,19.

The Upper Keys Sailing Club is sponsoring a Catboat Rendezvous on the weekend of February 17, 18th and 19th. The club wants to make this an annual invitational event for any and all Catboaters and plans are in place for you and any other Catboaters you know to join us. We are to be advertised in the Catboat Association Bulletins along with all the other Rendezvous and whatever buzz we can create for this  event will add to the promotion for future years. More information will follow. Please spread the word to your friends.

Three Cats on Fl Bay
Lee Marie foreground, Green Eyes just in front of me and A-Lee in the background.

The Upper Keys Sailing Club is located in Key Largo, bay side, and is inviting all Catboats sailed or trailered . I will give further information as received. Although we have had a couple rendezvous previously, this will be the the first one advertised in the Catboat Bulletin and hosted by a sailing club. We have almost ten Catboats on the Fl. Bay now, it looks as if the fever is spreading.

It should be a great weekend of sailing activities, food and friendship, mark your calendar.

Where Do You Live?

An interesting map of NJ regions has hit the Internet.
Where do you fit in?
I'd Like to know what you think about the Map!

Hemmingway's hang out...and Captain Tony's!

No visit to Key West is complete without a visit to Hemingway's old hang out, Sloppy Joe's. The next spot was Captain Tony's, the site of the original Sloppy Joe's, replete with some interesting decor.

Sloppy Joe's, Key West

Sloppy Joe's on Duval St.

Captain Tony's

Interesting decor,  Bra's and business cards. Hmmmm!

We had a great day in Key West,  however, there is nothing like the trip down on a motorcycle, the day was perfect, sunny and a light wind. Tomorrow,  a ride with some guy's over to Everglade City for some Stone crab claws, the trip will take us West on Highway 41 through the Everglades.

Go West Young Man....Key West, That Is!

Tom, a motorcycle buddy from N.J., paid me a visit for the last couple days. Tom, being a avid Harley man, rented a Street Glide for three days, so off we were to tour Key West. Key West from where I live is only about 95 Mi.,were there in two hours ready to take in the sights.

While in Key West, we went to a restaurant called Alonzo's, specializing in seafood, especially Oysters.

Tom, my guest and lunch host

Blue Crab salad.  Blue Crab meat, micro salad greens, corn relish, cucumbers, tomatoes and sliced avocado.

This picture is for Pandabonium and Baydog

Washed down with Mango iced tea

Back In The Saddle Again!

Thanks to my friend Bob down here in the Keys, I am once again traveling the  roadways on two wheels. He loaned me his Harley Ultra Classic for a week or two, nice to have friends that have 4 or 5 motorcycles parked in their garage.

The first picture is of the Bike and the second, detail of the hand painted fairing, a theme that is present in several locations on the bike. Nice, a little too fancy for my taste.( beggars can't be choosy)

Ahhh, heading for key west tomorrow with a friend from NJ.

Hand painted fairing, American Indian inspired.