2-10-17 The Man at the Post Office and The Seal Lion and the Shark

We were at Marathon and decided it was too crazy for us.  After visiting Key West (which we actually liked better than Marathon) we left and headed to Lignumvitae  Key.  It is a key that still has its original Hardwood forest.  We picked up a free mooring ball and took the dinghy exploring.  The Park didn’t open until Friday which we had planned to stay for. However, there was a blow coming and we needed to get to a more protected port. I found John Pennekamp State park which had a slip for only $55 a night.  Usually in the Keys it is more like $4.00 a foot or more and we are 39 feet.  Do the math.  This was a great find to ride out the blow.  There was a bike path right outside the park. We rode to the store to pick-up our supply of fresh foods before heading to the Bahamas.  We also had a sticker that we needed to get our boat back into the US from the Bahamas. We had it shipped general delivery to the post office.  After shopping, I told Scott I would go get the mail and he could go back to the boat.  I rode an addition 1.5 miles to the post office, only to find out you need picture ID which I didn’t have on me to pick it up.  It was in Scott’s name so he had to get it personally.  Well I tried.

The coolest thing happened while at the post office.  I was standing in line and had on my “Boat Hair Don’t Care” hat on and people started asking me questions.  The couple in front of me were up next.  The wife went to the counter but the gentleman stayed by me and started talking about his days sailing in the Indian Ocean.  He had obvious memory issues and told me that he wanted to tell me something quick before he forgot it.   Just then I got called to the counter and because he was there blocking the isle, I couldn’t let the person behind me go first.  Much to my surprise, when I got out to my bike, he and his wife were waiting for me.  He then told me that what he wanted to do was shake my hand (which I did).  He then went on to tell me about how he shook the hand of a man that sailed around the world and is famous. (I could kick myself for forgetting the name). He then told me that he wanted me, being a fellow sailor, to be able to shake the hand of the man who shook this famous sailor’s hand.  I almost had tears in my eyes.  It meant so much for him to be able to remember those day and to want to share a piece with me. He was so sweet and his wife so patient to wait with him to do this.

We don’t have TV and catch very little news.  I truly don’t miss it.  It is such a negative source in people’s lives. I see the good and kindness in people every day. My brain isn’t poisoned by the news that people are bad.  I encourage you to stop watching the news.  I guarantee you that you will live a happier live and see all the good in people instead of dwelling on the bad.  Don’t get me wrong, I know there are bad people out there and I am cautious and try to make safe decisions.  I am happy to meet so many wonderful people along this trip.  PEOPLE ARE GOOD!

Now for the story about the Great White Shark and the Sea Lion.  We were in a dive shop and I saw a picture of people diving with sharks.  I said “I hope I never see a shark while diving or snorkeling.”  The lady behind the counter said “We love it.”  She then proceeded to tell me she was on a dive when a large Great White Shark was swimming next to her.  She first thought it was cool, then she realized she was in an all-black wetsuit and was overweight which to a shark may very likely looked like a sea lion. She suddenly had fear.  But he just looked her in the eye several times and went about his business and didn’t bite her. It turned out to be a cool experience.

So, there you have it folks. It was story hour on this blog. No cool pictures.

We are now in Miami at anchor ready to venture across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas.  It is has taken quite a bit of homework to be comfortable to do this.  We are ready and can’t wait.  But that may put us out of the loop for a while.  We will have signal, but at a significant cost. Because of that, we will only turn on our phones periodically to check in and if I’m not too busy walking some deserted Island beach, I may even put up a blog or two.  I will catch up when I get back.

Thanks for reading,

Scott and Karen

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