Boat Living...the "getting to know you" period

Did I quit work or am I just on a different vessel?  I'm having a bit of deja vu right now as we're anchored off Rodriguez Key in Key Largo, FL (see Google latitude link below).  I'm in my old coral research stomping grounds, and feel a bit like a tour guide.;)  

The reality that we LIVE on a boat is starting to sink in.  Our living quarters are cramped (equivalent to a bedroom---not a 1bdrm apt---just the ONE bedroom!) and require constant attention to keep from feeling like we're living in squalor.  Imagine camping in your bedroom with a propane stove and port-a-potty, and that about sums it up.  There's no real escape from the sun unless you stay indoors, and then you deal with the heat (daytime is upwards of 93 degrees).  Mac gets an icepack every morning to sleep on and a dedicated fan.  He seems perfectly fine with the heat.  We're both thinking that an ice pack and dedicated fan for each of us might be a good idea too.  In the meantime, we jump in the water multiple times a day, and dream of January on the boat.


Since our last post, we've departed Miami and sailed for 3 days/nights to Key Largo.  We encountered a pretty intense rain storm while on Biscayne Bay, but pushed on (much to Mac's dismay), and anchored in Biscayne National Park near Elliott Key.  We snorkeled some sea grass beds, saw a stingray, and then battled the most ferocious mosquitos I've ever encountered.  Apparently, the everglades mosquitos are notorious for their tenacious ability to gain access to every part of your body, but I think the Biscayne National Park mosquitos must be close cousins or attended the same training camp.  These guys were like flying hypodermic needles.  Why bother landing on your victim when you can just fly straight at them and pierce them?  At one point, I was encased in fish netting, knee high socks, thick cargo pants, long sleeved shirt and they STILL managed to stick me thru my shirt!  Sorry...no pic available of that particular moment.;)  There was a lesson here, and it just took us a couple more pints of blood to figure it out.  We cannot count on mosquito netting, but instead shut up early (before sunset), to beat the madness.  Thank goodness for our generator.  We run our A/C unit all night, and have moved on to less hostile territory.

After a rough first night, we had a leisurely morning with JB climbing the mast again to reattach our wind vane.  Knowing the direction and speed of the wind can be remarkably helpful when sailing.;)  We motor-sailed to Ocean Reef, which is home to the rich and famous with it's own airport/helipad, private luxury homes, and expensive internet.  Our budget-looking boat anchored outside looking longingly in, but all we got from Ocean Reef were some fancy mosquitos.



We did snorkel our first reef though and are getting better at anchoring with 2 anchors.  Sunday, we sailed most of the day and came to our current location.  JB fixed our dinghy outboard engine, so we can stop rowing to shore (much faster).  We're hoping to see some coral spawning in the next few nights as we work our way down the keys.  Our favorite time of the day is between 6-8p when the breeze picks up and the clouds roll in, the sun sets and we have a relaxing drink on the bow of the boat.  It's very peaceful.  If it rains, we both grab our bathing suits and shampoo for a free shower!  We're learning that after 3 days of sailing and anchoring in new locations, we're exhausted and need an R&R day, so we're taking 3.;)