02/24 - 03/27/2021 - Marathon Key

 WE ARE JUST SO TICKLED TO HAVE ARRIVED IN THE KEYS ABOARD OUR OWN (small but doable) BOAT!!!  PINCH US!

Shark River to Marathon

Last Summer we made the decision to stay in the Keys for the month of March 2021.  We were hopeful that Covid would be a memory by then, but wanted to make sure we positioned ourselves appropriately just in case.  After researching options, we decided on Marlin Bay Resort and Marina, as they appeared to be very Covid compliant.  AND indeed they are.  Our contract at Marlin Bay began 2/27, so we secured a slip at Black Fin Marina for a 3 nights.  While these 2 marinas are the polar opposites of each other, we were comfortable at both.

Feb 24 - 26 - Black Fin Marina Resort and Marina.  We stepped back in time to the 1950's which appears to be the era that the resort was developed.  It has been cared for very well, and the grounds are in great shape considering the age and severe weather is has endured.  Black Fin Marina offers, power, water, pump out, laundry, shower and wifi - all boxes were checked.  The shower rooms were private, which is always nice, and they were clean.  There was a pool, but it was not very appealing to us, especially with Covid still lurking.  Others did enjoy it though.  We also were grateful for the laundry facilities.  The point out to the Gulf is set up to enjoy a beach day and/or watch fabulous sunsets each evening.

Most of the slip holders return annually and they were very welcoming and eager to share their Marathon experiences with us.  Many of them were also gold loopers, so we were thrilled to hear about their trips and took notes on the portion we have yet to navigate.  Unfortunately, we did not collect boat cards from most of them, but a huge shout out to Kevin and Sandy Tucker (Virginia Beach, VA) on Koastal Karma.  Sandy came by to let me know about the FREE Yoga that takes place 4 days a week at the park across the street.  Sandy is the instructor on Fridays, so I joined about a dozen other folks in need of getting off of their boat for a good stretch.  It was amazing - I went as often as I could during our month-long stay.

Yoga @ Amphitheater

Feb 27 - March 27 - Marlin Bay Resort and Marina.  Our friends at Black Fin warned us about how rule-oriented Marlin Bay was. We were conflicted by this news because on one hand, it was one of the reasons we chose it, but we also did not want to be subjected to unnecessary restrictions.  It took us about 15 minutes to realize that we were in a lovely resort with rules that we could easily indulge.  The entire property is gorgeous and meticulously maintained.  The pool is huge with comfortable, padded furniture that was always available. There is also a hot tub, but we declined to use it. Pool bar with friendly bartenders blending exotic drinks.  Scheduled weekly pump out, BBQ grills (that are cleaned daily), Wifi, beautiful view of sunrise / sunset.

Gulp of Cormorants

Name that fish!

Barracuda

Shoal of Parrot Fish

Marlin Bay has missed the mark in several areas.  We suspect that the developers were not really considering the property as a marina, but rather having slips for owners of the condos. There is a gorgeous boater's lounge, but alas, no showers or laundry (the property has only 1 shower that is actually part of the fitness center and only available during working hours when you have to be escorted to the locked room) What gives????  Our advice (if they care) is to make the property boater-friendly by installing showers and laundry in the gorgeous, under-used boater's lounge.  A restaurant, or some kind of food services would be a welcome enhancement.

WORTH A MENTION:  For the past year, Loral has been "working from the boat", which has been fine, so long as we were within Wifi range.  On Friday, March 5, 2021, I officially devoted my life to recreation and retired from a 35+ year career as an Executive Assistant.  There's nothing stopping us now!!!!

MARATHON:

Cruise to Bahia Honda State Park - approx. 14  miles

Bahia Honda

Cut into Marina

Sombrero Beach / Snorkeling at Sombrero Key

Boot Key - Is a legendary Mooring Field on the Atlantic side of the Key.  While there are some very nice boats tied up out there, it is more fun to gasp at the "lived-In" vessels.

Enterprise Car Rental is available at the Marathon Airport - 3-mile walk. We rented a car and went to Key West where we reconnected with Loopers we met in the fall:  Talisman, Inked Mermaid, Bullship, Partnership

                

We ventured to John Pennecamp State Park to check out the marina. The park was beautiful, but the marina was kind of a disappointment because the slips were so high, that we would need to bow in and then climb off the front of the boat.  The showers are installed OUTSIDE the restrooms.  We'll find another marina or anchorage on the way back up  We also made stops in Key Largo and Islamorada.  

John Pennecamp Marina

Pennecamp Bathhouse

Pennecamp Beach

The Turtle Hospital - We almost passed on this visit and we're so glad we didn't.  It was an interesting 1.5 hour tour of the turtle hospital.  We loved learning about the important work this organization is doing for marine life.  The Turtle Hospital. Rescue, Rehab, Release. - The Turtle Hospital. Rescue, Rehab, Release.

We ate our way through Marathon enjoying many restaurants that were either in walking distance or a short cab ride.  All with outdoor seating.  We connected with Doug & Pat / Talisman and John & Sandy / No Schedule who were staying at Marathon Marina - which was very nice too.  We give all the restaurants 3 stars as they offered both good food and cool settings.

• Barracuda Grill
• Irie Island Eats - Endorsed by Guy Fieri
• Burdines - Endorsed by Guy Fieri
• Sunset Grill - & Raw Bar -  Where we got to watch a belly flop contest while waiting for a table!
• Dockside Bar and Grill
• Key Fisheries
• Porky's Bayside
• Castaway
• Overseas Pub & Grill
• Taco Truck at the Tiki Hut on 61st St.
• LaNina - BEST Cuban Sandwiches!
• Lazy Days South

Sunset Grill:

No Schedule, Talisman, Port-A-Gee

Irie Eats

Tiki / Taco Truck

Burdines

King Fisheries

LaNina - Cuban Sandwich

Publix, Winn Dixie, Walgreens, Home Depot - all walking distance.

All in all, a great way to spend a month.  Now it's time to cast the lines and continue our voyage up the east side of Florida to conclude this leg of our trip.