#37 Surprise Surprise!

We are continuing our incredible stay in sunny Key West, Florida. Since Butch previously spent some time here, he knew exactly which marina to book a slip. We are right in the middle of everything! We can walk to hundreds of places and we routinely ride our scooters around the island. Although my heart goes out to all of you trying to survive the wicked below zero temperatures and the endless threats of blizzards, I am very grateful to be basking in 81° and sunshine.

When planning a trip, I can’t help but form some preconceived ideas and pictures in my head of what things will be like. This trip to Key West was no exception. Now, immersed in the reality, I find myself pretty darn surprised by so many things.

I’m surprised that it is actually chilly here some days. I didn’t do my homework or I would’ve easily learned that the average January temperature is 74°. Today’s 81° is the warmest day we’ve had so far. I also didn’t take into account the effect of being on the water between the Gulf of Whatever and the Atlantic Ocean- the winds constantly blow 10 to 20 mph and gust to the mid to upper 30’s at the drop of a hat. I’d envisioned lying out in a swimsuit each day, but to be honest, I’ve worn a lightweight jacket way more than I’ve been in a swimsuit.

I’m surprised that so many people down here smoke. I don’t think I’ve seen so much smoking over the past 10 years as I’ve seen these past two weeks.

I’m surprised that there are so many chickens running around and that they are absolutely adorable! I want one. Butch says no.

I’m surprised that I’m starting to learn how to ride the local transit system. Butch and I were able to buy 30 day bus passes for $15 each- way less expensive than Uber and the fun little surrey Butch hired for us the other night. We can ride our scooters to Home Depot and Publix, but if we need to carry much, the scooters don’t really cut it. My attempts with the bus system have been met with varied success but I’m getting better. The last trip we got off/on only one stop away from where we actually intended. I’m glad Butch is more accurate with the boat!

I’m surprised at how much we enjoy the scooters and how easy they are to use. I’ve yet to fall! Fingers crossed.

I’m surprised that my balance is improving. I’m now tripping into the dinghy rather than falling into it.

I’m surprised at some of the things I use all the time (my housecoat, old plastic 15 ounce ricotta cheese containers, hair combs, and small stainless steel glasses) and some that I rarely if ever use (paper plates, electric griddle, electric fry pan, swimsuits).

I’m surprised there are theaters here that thrive even though there is absolutely no parking near them. We have tickets to two upcoming plays- At the Wedding and Almost, Maine. We try to buy our theater tickets for days projected to be windy so we can get off the boat for a few hours in the evening.

I’m surprised that it took almost as long for Butch to go through a small shipwreck museum as it did for him to go through half a Smithsonian museum. (photo)

I’m surprised that even tucked in our slip, some days we really rock ‘n’ roll on the boat. We’ve actually had white caps in our marina. It’s been so severe a few times that we couldn’t even watch TV. Sleeping on this roller coaster with waves slapping the hull is hit or miss.

I’m surprised that we are so tired. We do very little each day compared to at home. In Tennessee, Butch is usually very busy fixing or making things and I rarely sit down during the day. Yet here, we start looking at the clock about 6:45 PM to see if it’s an acceptable bedtime. When our heads finally hit our pillows, we are out. I am lucky to read 1 to 5 pages in my book. One day, Butch actually rationalized his fatigue by exclaiming that he’d put in five screws that day. Our energy is zapped– we are wasting away in Margaritaville. We don’t know if we’re tired because it gets dark so early, we don’t sleep great some nights, we’re out in the fresh air all day, we’re constantly being rocked on the boat, or we’re just very relaxed. Might be a combination of all those.

I’m surprised that I am a marina girl. I’d envisioned the romance, quiet and beauty of anchoring out, but have found I’m much more comfortable tucked into a slip. I like being able to use the microwave, furnace, AC and TV whenever I want. I feel safer being around other people and out of the elements of the open water. We will be anchoring out again – and I look forward to that. But… most of the time we will be in marinas.

I’m surprised how clean our boat is staying. There are tons of birds (and big ones!) but they are all potty trained.

I’m surprised there are no bugs and spiders. At home, we were constantly dealing with removing them and cleaning up after them. Not here! Butch says maybe it’s because of the wind. I say, thank you.

I’m surprised I’ve gotten much better getting on and off the boat with the nose pulled in. (video is of medium tide) I still can’t carry anything on/off by myself so I still need Butch for that. But if it’s just me, I got it. Low tide is much easier than high tide.

I’m surprised how little we use our dinghy. It was reassuring to have it when we crossed the Gulf but because we don’t anchor out much, we haven’t used it a great deal.

I am surprised that Butch is still busy fixing and maintaining things. That man is an amazing machine!

I’m surprised how easy it is to meet other Loopers. The other day Butch and I decided to try to meet up with some old Looper friends and meet some new ones. We put out word for Docktails at our marina and had 18 people come together. Shout out to Roam, Never EZ, Otter, M&A, Dirty Laundry, Assisted, Living, Warbler, Gooder Days, and Spirit of Adventure.

I’m surprised at how easy it is to access food and restaurants.

I’m surprised that I still have our Christmas lights up. We turned them off the other day as a test and neither of us was ready to give up the pretty lights- even though Key West removed all their beautiful decorations this past week. So glad we were here over the holiday season to see them.

I’m surprised at how much Key lime pie (5) we’ve eaten. So I can’t be surprised at how much weight I’ve gained!

I’m surprised at how long everything takes to do. I know where everything is but getting to things isn’t always easy. Limited counter space, a small stove, a small sink, and a small refrigerator all require a detailed cooking strategy. Cleaning up after a meal, showering, making the bed, putting on makeup, and dressing for the day all take much longer than at home. Laundry takes over two hours for one load.

Speaking of laundry…Laundry day is my favorite day. I wasn’t prepared how soggy things can get when living on the water. So, there’s nothing like having fresh sheets, clean dry clothes, and fluffy towels. It’s not a simple process. I have to gather our dirty stuff, have Butch help me get it off the boat, schlep it almost two blocks, pay my $7/load then wait the hour and 45 minutes before I can carefully (so it doesn’t drop on the dirty floor) remove it from the dryer, fold it/hang it on hangers, and schlep it back to the boat. Here’s where things went awry the other day. I handed the clean clothes to Butch on the boat then started to climb onto the boat myself. Butch had put down the laundry and turned around to make sure I was ok getting onto the boat and bam all the clothes on hangers and some towels fell into the water!!! Butch’s initial response was to just leave them on the sandy bottom. I guarantee you, that was NOT my initial response!!! So, this surprise is for all who know me… I did NOT push in Butch so he could dive after our clothes!!! Incredible, I know, right?! But, calmer heads prevailed (after all he did put down the clothes to help me). But darn it, those 4 shirts of mine represented half of the short sleeved shirts I’d packed to last me the entire year. I was not going to give up on them. So, my hero sprang to action, zip tied together two boat hooks, lay belly down on a dock step, and one by one brought up each item of clothing for me to grab. (photo) Even though he salvaged his shirts first, I was happy with the results. We rescued everything that had fallen in except for one brown washcloth. Now I have an unmatched brown towel with no washcloth! Will I ever sleep again?!

I’m surprised at how little privacy we have. We are literally within 2 feet of the boats on either side of us. I don’t ever want to hear Butch complain about how small the camping lots are at Interlochen!

I’m surprised I use hair clips and hair combs so much. It’s too windy, hot and humid to let my hair down.

I’m surprised that we can be comfortable and content with such little space and so few things. We really are happy and being confined to such a small space doesn’t seem to be an issue.

I’m surprised that the 9 foot bull shark that resides in the marina has actually been named by the locals- Buddy. (photo) He circles our boat sometimes and is probably the best reason not to go diving for the elusive brown washcloth.

And last but not least, I’m surprised that after 67 years, things can still amaze me. Butch took me for a dinghy ride the other day. We wove throughout the marina filled with multi-million dollar boats then out to the anchorages where derelict boats have been turned into homesteads. (photos) I photographed the sun setting over the water. (photo) I never would’ve dreamed that this would be my reality and I’m so grateful to be sharing this adventure with this man who never ceases to amaze me.

Stay safe and warm!!

“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”