Boot Key, Marathon, Fl.
Boot Key is a bit of a different world from what we've seen. All our stops have been good in their own ways, but this area reminds us a little of the 1960s in Berkeley or Gate 5 in Sausalito. Everyone is on anchor or mooring ball. We all dinghy in to the dinghy dock where there is a community center. There we find a large all purpose room with tables, wifi, TVs, mail and information. Attached are workshop rooms where boaters sew sails, do repairs of all sorts, even build small boats. There is a Tiki Hut cabana where people meet up, party, play music and generally hang out. It has a commune feel. The vibe is extra mellow. Each morning at 0900 there is a cruisers net on marine radio channel 68. It is a forum for announcements, buy-sell-trade-giveaway, help with anything, advice and trivia. It unites the harbor of 200-300 boats so they know eachother and can help eachother out. This is our 6th day here; I could get used to this. No wonder people come down here on a trip and never leave.
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| Mooring Ball Field |
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Inside dinghy dock.Like parking in LA but no dents. Maybe cars should be rubber??? |
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| This boat, like many, dragged anchor in the high winds and went aground. |
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| Sunrise with the east wind blowing on Boot Key Harbor. 72 degrees. |
A new neighbor schooner just dropped anchor.
