Life at Sea
09-12 DEC-2020 Wed-Sat
Marathon Marina and Boatyard, Marathon FL
to SE side of Summerland Key, FL (27.5 nautical miles 31.7 statute miles)
to Stock Island Marina, Stock Island FL (23.3 nautical miles 26.8 statute miles)
24°33’54.4″N 81°44’16.7″W Stock Island Marina, Stock Island FL
24.565116, -81.737974
Elevation: Sea Level
States (1): Florida
Along the Way
Leaving Stock Island 
7 Mile Bridge
Dale fished along the way
The blue water (deep water over 100 feet) is just out past the Sombrero Key Lighthouse 
a small blackfin tuna was caught immediately 
life at sea – rolling 3-4 foot waves
The waves were a little to rolling for me to leave the helm to take any more pictures. yes dear… turned beam side to the waves when not actively piloted and it all goes to hell in the helm when that happens.
to hell in the helm
Then there were the crab traps and lobster traps we had to look out for.
Heading into SE side of Summerland Key, FL anchorage
24°38’13.4″N 81°26’15.4″W
24.637064, -81.437607
weather station 
anchorage neighbors 
US 1 Niles Channel Bridge 
just a hint of green
We got an opportunity to see what a lobster trap looks like up close in the water. A little too close. A lobster trap line snagged on yes dears… rudder. It looked like it was trying to waterski on its line behind us. When we stopped it sunk. We tried all the tricks and couldn’t shake the lobster trap free. Thank goodness the line wasn’t in the props. We flagged down a lobster fishing boat down and he told us to simply cut the line. I snagged the line with the boat hook and Dale pulled it in. After carefully removing the three lobsters and returning them to the water, Dale cut the line close to the boat and tossed everything back into the water. The line cleared itself of the rudder and we were off. Life at sea.
Coming into Stock Island Marina
Key West to the left side. Stock Island to the right. 
It was just like the old days at Ashland Marina, WI! Everyone on dock came to catch a line and the lockmaster himself came too.
And when we checked in we were give a glass of champagne!
Stock Island Marina
Perry Hotel in back ground 
all solar cat
The Perry Hotel has an orchid garden.
Floccinaucinihilipilification
Stock Island was the former home of the Islander Drive-In Theater, which was popularized by Jimmy Buffett’s hit song Grapefruit-Juicy Fruit. When the “Islander” first opened on Stock Island in February 1953, it had the largest screen in the state of Florida. It had parking for 600 cars and opened with “The Cimarron Kid” starring Audie Murphy and Yvette Dugay.