Just A Bit Loopy

February 5, 2024

Trying to outrace the storm

So, picture this: we’re in the Keys, and the weather’s throwing a bit of a tantrum. Windier than a cat stuck in a wind tunnel, and I’m thinking, “Well, I can’t complain, can I? We’re in the Keys, after all.” The only hiccup is that this weather makes island-hopping a bit like trying to dance on marbles. Our goal? Key Largo, then off to the Bahamas. Today is apparently the golden ticket weather-wise, the only good day in the next week. So, against all odds, we’re setting sail.

The forecast reads like a comedy script: good morning, a sprinkle of wind/rain/lightning drama late morning, and a 30-knot wind fiesta in the afternoon. Rain? Fine. Lightning? No thanks. Strong winds? Not my idea of a good time. But hey, we’re in it to win it. Everyone thinks we’re nuts, but I’m more excited than a kid in a candy store to get moving.

As the sun wakes up, so do we, pulling out of the marina. The water is serene, not a ripple in sight, but on the horizon, there’s a light show of lightning. Our route involves some ninja-style maneuvering, dodging crap traps like we’re in a nautical minefield.

Up ahead is the 5-mile bridge and she looks short! The charts say we will fit, but visually, it’s hard to tell. We inch forward and I stand on the fly bridge counter to peek above the top as we slowly progress. Boris is ready to throw it in reverse if needed. We better fit, ’cause going back around is a long way. We squeeze through, but it’s a close call.

Soon after, our friends on Faith tell us to step on it; a storm is on our tail. I check the weather report on Windy, and yep, it’s almost party time. The wind cranks up, the waves play leapfrog, and the clouds look like they mean business. We aim for the light on the horizon, but the storm engulfs us. Boris calls for his rain gear, and I batten down the hatches. Poor Boris is getting a free shower, but at least there’s no lightning. After a wavy hour or two, the storm throws in the towel, and the rest of the day is smooth sailing. We make it to Key Largo just in time to dodge the stronger winds.

Boris asks for his raingear and I buttoned down the hatches. Poor guy is getting dumped on, but thankfully there isn’t any lightning. It’s wavy out, but after an hour or two, the storm passes and the rest of the day was pretty smooth sailing. We pulled into Key Largo before the strong winds hit.

Friends Friends Everywhere

Docking in Key Largo feels like pulling up to a Looper convention. Faces we know, faces we don’t, and boat cards piling up faster than a deck of Uno after a wild night. Docktails become a ritual, and we even catch the Superbowl with our fellow Loopers.

Our boat is like a VIP section, right by the pool, with a sandy patch and chairs. We’ve got access to three hotels’ amenities—Marriott, Holiday Inn, and Marina Del Mar. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure of pools.

The Pools

First, we hit up the Marina Del Mar Pool, not the warmest, but hey, they throw in a continental breakfast. The Holiday Inn Pool is a looker, with waterfalls, an adult pool, and a hot tub. A tiki bar and a gift shop selling ice cream? Almost perfect. The kids dive in, then jump out quicker than you can say “popsicle brain freeze.” IT’S COLD! Back to the Marriott Pool by our boat—we’ve got heating, a hot tub, and a chill lounge area. Turns out, the grass (or in this case, the pool deck) isn’t greener on the other side.

There’s also an abundance of wildlife. I saw nurse sharks, a manatee, and a couple of cute iguanas.

Our home for a week

There is enough to keep us busy here. Shops and restaurants are within walking distance. The African Queen, steamship from the movie starring Hyumphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, also makes her home here.

With the next good weather window a week away, Key Largo becomes our temporary HQ. A fuel truck even came by to fill all the boats up. We’ve got a rental car, boat projects, and a to-do list longer than a CVS receipt. But hey, we squeeze in a scuba diving trip, explore Islamorada, and make our boat feel like home sweet home—for now.