Marathon and the Middle Keys

Our trip down the ICW and the "skinny" water was mostly uneventful. We went very slowly, at times in idle. About the only problem area we encountered was in the latter part of Cotton Key Basin through Steam Boat Channel and all of Lignumvitae Basin. In truth, we should have done this area at high tide only. Instead we traveled this area about an hour before high tide and "skittered" across several areas of shoals, but in the end we did it successfully. After Bowlegs cut we entered Florida Bay and left the ICW through Channel Five Bridge and went down Hawks Channel to Marathon.

Most people believe that the "Real Keys" do not begin until around  Marathon and the Seven Mile Bridge. Here it becomes a bit more bohemian in it's style. Key Largo is thought to be to civilized and too Miami. Hmmm not sure I have that opinion but I do like the middle and southern Keys more. We stayed at Marathon Marina, it was a bit tight getting into the slip. The lane we went down to get to the slip was shallow and shoaling on the southern end, so as I swung the boat the stern part of the keel would slightly bump making maneuvering a bit more challenging than usual.  One of the first sights was this red hulled boat that looks like an oriental junk.

Brrr! My gosh it is the Keys and it is chilly, windy and overcast. People grumbling about how it has been a cooler season than usual. Had to put on a light jacket for goodness sakes and  forgo shorts, yowza
We decided to go exploring. The area is a well know winter haven for the boating community and there is a lively social scene.

It seemed like one in three boats had a dog on board. This one had an enclosed pen on the bow and was quite entertained by passersby.

We thought this sign of Fine Properties was a real hoot. Not sure which one but it stretches the imagination a bit.

As we came down the ICW we found numerous "crab pot" or more correctly Fla lobster pots. Here lining a large area is a storage for the pots.

Jeannie and I are standing in front of what we suppose is the local drinking tree. Bottle caps are hammered into the bark as the drinker spells their name. The tree was surrounded by plastic chairs which we presumed made an outdoor living room of the most basic type. But after enough beers who gives a heck.

We watched this fisherman and his group of very interested followers. As his hands went up and down the pelicans heads matched the movement in unison. Sushi any one?