heading further South..

[craw_daddy]

Well after several months calling Key Largo home, I am compelled to wander South down to the middle keys to Marathon (Key Vaca). This will put us just North of the Seven Mile Bridge which is midway between Key Largo & Key West. I'll post up some pictures for those interested. The Albin is a wonderful boat in the keys (& of course elsewhere)!

[craw_daddy]

Found a nice slip at a small DIY boat yard ocean-side in Marathon. The boat trip was beautiful and the weather was superb. The 50 mile trip took ~3 hours from Key Largo. We ran down the intra-coastal waterway, passed under the 7 mile bridge, and headed out to nearby sombrero reef to do some snorkeling & check out the shallow reef there..




some of the residents came out to greet the lad





We are planning another visit this weekend with the kids..

[craw_daddy]

Labor Day weekend was also my b-day weekend & I took my son and his two friends down to run around Marathon, FL. We stayed at a small waterfront motel/botel called the Royal Hawaiian. Each room has a section of dock right out the sliding glass door. Simple 2-twin rooms were $89, with motel rooms (fridge/stove/dining area) costing $99. Dockage is free with room.


Here's a view looking the other way towards Vaca cut:


We would leave the hotel early & come back very late doing everything we could to capture the fruit of the sea. the kids snorkeled for lobster till dark and/or fished well past sunset in these pristine waters.



First day's catch -mangrove snapper & cero mackerel:


2nd day's catch -mixed bag of snapper (yellowtail, mangrove, schoolmaster):


Sunset photo of cap'n & crew:

[RobS]

Done some scuba diving in the Keys and loved it.

What a beautiful way to enjoy you're Albin and family - lucky kids you got there but it looks like they know it

[jcollins]

A boatel? Great idea. Great pics of the family.

[RobS]

craw-daddy,

Do you or your son dive? You (we ) have the perfect dive boats, and you (not we ) are in the perfect spot. He looks like a perfect dive candidate!

[zinbaad]

Beautiful Family, surely a trip of Dreams for most of us. Dive Dive Dive

[craw_daddy]

they aren't diving yet, but that is definitely in their future.. my son just turned 15, so he is a prime candidate since maturity & focus is important I have been certified for years..