25-47.077N
080-13.684W
Docked
Consolidated Boat Yard
On The Miami River
Miami
Saturday, December 14
A close comparison of the latitude and longitude of this and the previous
epistle results in a trip of about 8.6 nautical miles from No Name Harbor
to this marina/yard where Pachamama will remain until about March 1. This
was over Biscayne Bay and up The Miami River which flows under several fixed
bridges and draw bridges.
A cruiser's life includes profound personal friendships, people met in one
location who become fine companions in another. Such is the case with
Lynn Sladky and Gerry O'Donoghue, friends from Merida, Venezuela, where we
established common interests while para gliding and drinking wine on the
beds of a hotel at 10,000 feet. Since then, they welcomed us to Isla
Mujeres, and we met them once or twice while traveling through Miami.
Lynne has returned to photo journalism for The Associated Press, and Gerry
is an assistant manager at West Marine. They love the sailing life,
and will return to the sea in about four years. This week, they took
care of us on land, as though we were family. They took us to "Love In The
Time of Cholera," arranged for this docking facility at a very reasonable
cost, helped us with shopping and laundry, left us copies of The New Yorker
and Vanity Fair, and shared so much in our many delightful personal conversations.
Our gratitude has no limit.
This might be the last report from Pachamama until March when we return from
Brazil.
25-40.613N
080-09.738W
Anchored
No Name Harbor
Key Biscayne, Florida
12,737 Nautical Miles on the GPS Odometer
Saturday, December 8
He brought onto the stage what appeared to be a 1950s Evinrude outboard
motor, but it became the base for an electric blender, into which he and
his helpers poured vodka, ice, and margarita mix. He then invited everyone
up front to enjoy a margarita, while he played Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville,"
capturing our attention and our love. The fellow is Howard Livingston,
born in Marion, Indiana, but now a resident of The Florida Keys, naming his
band for what must be their home base, "Mile Marker 24."
(All locations in The Keys are shown by mile markers along U.S. 1.) Indiana
residents can see him in June, in Bloomington.
Bottom line: we had a fine Sunday evening, our last night in Key West,
as Howard and other musicians performed on behalf of WESTERN UNION, a two
masted schooner that has become a symbol of this city, soon to be The Flagship
of The State of Florida, and another symbol of The Conch Republic, a mythical
entity that seceded from The United States to protest aggressive drug enforcement
that almost destroyed the whole town. For a flavor of Howard and his
group, check these titles: "Meet Me in The Keys," "Where Bananas Grow,"
"Where The Heck is Kokomo?," "The Wind is Gonna Blow," "Taking
This Moment," "Red Headed Woman," "I Like The Islands,"
"Looe Key Tiki Bar, Bonnie Teller," and "Banana Song." Sound like Buffett.
Definitely, and just as much fun.
Next day, we started to Miami, making overnight anchorages at Marathon and
Key Largo. We arrived here at a wonderful place, a small inlet in a
state park, perfectly protected and quiet, but with access to services. We
have been here three or four times before. The place makes our hearts go pitter
patter. In a couple of hours we will reunite with Lynn Sladkey and
Gerry O'Donoghue, valued friends we met in many locations as they sailed
"Eriu."