I’ve been really uncomfortable with the mooring situations in Key West. The guys at the city dock/moorings are not very nice and don’t seem to care about anything, or anyone’s boat. Boats drag, and that is just not the place for me to put my home, everything I own, and my future. I inquired about a slip at “safe harbor” (Stock Island) and it was $680.00 for the month. I can understand why they want so much money, it’s Key West right, but I don’t understand why they wanted me to pay for 2 months (680 x 2) as I’m leaving from the 15th to the 5th (3 weeks), so greedy! Every slip I’ve got in the last 25 years would pro rate my stay. I decided the vibe in Key West was diminishing. A friend called and said they had a slip in Marathon for me for $250.00. I was off like a shot. I put the girls to bed and got up at 1:30am Thursday morning and did something wonderful. I raised the anchor with my new electric windlass, WHAT A TREAT!!!! After raising the main under a full moon we ghosted out of Key west into the Atlantic.
Sam and Guin slept like babies. I woke them up just as the sun was rising and full moon was setting. Their smiles were long. A pod of big dolphins decided to come and really make Guin’s morning and play at the bow wave for a while. Needless to say the girls enjoyed the trip and we arrived in Marathon mid-day. It was a tight squeeze (shallow) getting back to where the slip is, but we are snug as a bug in a rug. I feel very comfortable leaving our home here.
Darrin and I will be working on a ship between LA and Victoria B.C. It will be nice to have a few bucks for Splendid once I get back. I need a bunch of stuff!
Can you see how nice the front of the cabin house looks in the picture. If I had a month to sand and paint Splendid’s entire top sides would be done. She will be such an awesome boat!!!
Cheers.
Sail far and live slowly.
– Alex
Published in Alex Dorsey
Thanks for the update, Man your right Splendid is looking outstand. How is Darrin holding up, that guy is a hard worker, along with you and your new helpers. Glad to hear that you found a hide away slip for the both of your boats. I can’t even think about leave my floating home just anywhere.
Thank for tellling us about your up coming work,
Maybe this small break (even if it’s work) will recharge you and Darrins batteries and Projectbluesphere will soon be on it way to sights un seen, other words our home away from home again. Man I can’t wait to log in and see another new log or viedo. I see the world thru your eyes, and the front of your sailboat.
I must thank Darrin for being such the man, I know you’ve done alot Alex, but having a friend to work with, well it keeps you going when to people can feed off one anothers energy. It seems that Darrin has simuilar goals as you do Alex, So hats off to your hard work mate…..Darrin.
If only I was single, I’d be helping you just to get Projectbluesphere back into the open waters of the unknown.
Be safe & Work hard, for you followers are behide you..
Have a drink for me,
Rodney,
Sorry for the bad typing in my last comment. I just think faster than I type. But you get the point….
I feel safer with Splendid in Marathon, and what a great deal you got on a dock. Terrific move on your part, and you’ll be more peaceful with your trip. Marathon is a boaters town.
I’m in Grays Harbor, WA. If you plan to put in here at Ocean Shores or Westport, let me know. Actually, if you put in anywhere in OR or WA I’d try to meet up with you. It’s quite windy out here now. Sounds like a wonderful trip you’ll have ahead of you.
Tammy
Every time I read a new post by you my stomach hurts. I want my own boat so bad I am actually losing sleep over it. In the last six months since discovering your site, I check it every day. I know I have a long couple of years ahead of me saving up $$$, but it helps to have your blogs to read to remind me of why I am eating mac & cheese instead of more expensive meals. Even though I know I will probably lose my girl over this, I’ll be damned if I’m not going to be able to raft up with you somewhere and pop open a bottle and thank you in person for helping to keep me going.
Thanks Alex.
-Le
Thx for the kudos Rodney! I know Alex appreciates what i’ve done with his boat, and i appreciate how he’s helped me. our friendship has been quite symbiotic. i too cannot wait to get away for a few weeks, even though it will be back breaking work for three weeks straight.. i too will come back with a few bucks. Alas desperately needs some attention before i go crossing the caribbean with her. i will be taking 5 days to see my family before i return to the world of Alas and Splendid, and hopefully i will feel rested enough to start working hard again for what i want.
thanks again, R.
thyme for more coffee!
-Darrin
Darrin, I’m staying in FM till Sunday night. Call me on SKYPE when you get a chance.
– Alex
Hey guys great to hear your doing well. Alex I have followed your progress with great interest. Your cruising your attitued makes me smile. Can’t waite to get in the water in May. If your ever up by Salem Ma. I’ll buy you and your famely a big dinner. I’m going to head for the Ilands I hope in five years will take that long to unplug.
Alll the best to you and yours.
Sail safe and fair winds.
Tim.
Good luck on your move and your trip. How long will you be in Victoris B.C. a I will be there around the end of April and would lke to meet you,and talk about the San Blas islands.(chartering your boat)
John
I’ll be there the first week of may but I’ll be working about 12-15 hrs a day. I may be able to get out one night for dinner if you like. I could have scheduled a few days to see BC but opted not to as I really wanted to get back to my girls and Splendid. I’ll email you my phone number. Please call me between the 1st and 5th of may and we can chat about it once I know more what the job is like.
Cheers.
OH NO!!! I sent out the preserves and syrup on tues. it should be there probably mid week. Will you be going back through there in the next month or so? Those grumpy workers don’t deserve the stuff, especially the the homebrewed mexican cervezas that are in there too!!
Now what?
Dean
Alex, that explains it. I was just in Key West on our 25 Oday and we looked for you on Sunday the 12th. We circled the anchorage looking for Splendid, but did not see her.
Congrats on Marathon. That is my Key of choice too. That was our entry point to the keys after sailing down the west coast of FL. Stop in to visit the people at Burdines. I can heartily recommend them. Also, the cruisers forum is on Channel 68. Tell them you’re a newcomer and they have a gift bag for you.
sorry we missed you. Our rhumb lines will cross again soon.
Best of luck to you.
Ross
Dean, Sam is going to get the package from them when she drops me off at the airport on wed morning. She’ll come through and get it.
Cheers.
Alex
Whew!!! That is great news!!! ENJOY!!
Cheers, peace, love and maple syrup!!