Tick, tock, tick, tock

We've been at NAS Key West since Saturday afternoon when we arrived from Port Charlotte. Our plan was to get our final boat work completed and wait for some mail we needed before going to the Bahamas. We've finished most of the work we needed, gotten some of the mail (should get the last piece tomorrow) but the weather doesn't look good for leaving anytime soon. There is a slight chance we could push it and get out this weekend, but it's no good shot and there's no hurry for us to leave here.

Here is our view off the back porch. We are not far from US 1 and that's the bridge across Boca Chica Channel into Stock Island. On the other side of Stock Island is Key West. We are just over 6 miles from Mallory Square. The distance is easily bike-able but we've had offers for rides and the same bus we rode from Marathon stops just outside the front gate. So for $3 we can get to Duval Street.

The facilities here are not like any commercial marina. The harbor was dredged years ago as a harbor for barges to bring in aviation fuel for the air field. At some point they built a pipeline so the no longer needed the barges so Navy MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) used Non-Appropriated Funds to build the docks and buildings. The water is fairly clear for a marina and fish can be seen frequently swimming or just hanging out in the mangrove.

Across the cove is a spit of land where the office is located right next to a beach with several tiki bars. There are usually folks there but it is never crowded. On the beach is the Navigator Bar and Grill where folks from all over the base gather daily for happy hour. Also unlike most marinas there are dozens of full time liveaboards who stay here or occasionally cruise to the Bahamas.

There is also a nice fitness center that we've been to for workouts and we have a daily airshow.

So as we look at the possibility of leaving, staying here is a good option.

Last night one of the boaters across the way and his wife came over and asked us if we wanted to go to a fish camp down the road where he was going to play at open mike night. So we did. We got there early and had dinner while other entertainers performed.

 

The place was just inside the mangrove from the ocean. After the show we were all invited over to one of their friends for after dinner drinks before heading home.

We've been in contact with our weather gurus, Dane and Jennifer Clark and look forward to their advice about leaving.

But, until then we can spend the time working on the boat, shopping, going to the beach, working out, partying and tomorrow we just might go for a sail. We may not be able to sail across the Gulf Stream, but we can still sail. Saturday we may even go back into Key West.