Francoise is an old friend of Marty's from way back. She is from Paris and here is what she said about our trip from Maimi to Key West and back.
"We sailed the first day to Elliot Key and enjoyed a fantastic sunset all alone. The next day we sailed a very long day on Hawks Channel to Long Key at Channel 5. We spent some of our day learning about Simply Sugar Systems a hair removal product that Marty and Cal are selling.
Marty loves to make people look good and feel good both inside and out. Sharing her experience and knowledge with her Spa and Salon background. She sugared the hair off my legs and did an amazing eyebrow arch and a new updated hairdo to go back to Paris with, I’m so happy.
We anchored as the sunset just south of the Bridge. We waited for low tide to clear the bridge the next day at 2 pm. The anticipation of clearing the bridge was amazing for me. To see us go under with only inches, we were clear and safe. We proceeded north.
It made me realize the importance of the Captain, Cal made me feel secure knowing what ever happened we would be ok. He did what needed to be done, changing the belt on the starboard engine, fixing the jib and main sheet, what ever it took to have us sailing as fast as we could. Most of the time we were going around 4 to 5 knots. That is an important part of being on the ocean and enjoying the experience.
We anchored the next night at Lorelei in Islamorada where we had dinner, listened to island music and had a Margarita while watching the sunset. The next morning because I wanted to see Key West we jumped on 3 buses to get there, but oh, the breakfast with chickens and roosters at Blue Heaven made it all worth it. Talula was so good on buses, she loved Key West and yes people thought she was just the cutest little white fluff ball in town.
We walked down Duval Street, and vistited Archaio Gallery, Marty and Cal photographed Wendy, the owners wedding in 2007.
We went shopping all day and had a drink at Sloopy Joe’s and Margaritaville. What a day, the people we met……….a memory not to be forgotten.
We left the next morning dodging all the lobster pots.
I had a head massage while having a shampoo off the sugar scoop of the starboard side of the boat. It was a relaxing moment.
I loved when Cal navigated through the sand bars and the mangroves while coming north. I loved to see the wildlife here, we saw dolphins by the boat, cormorants on the channel markers, different birds in the mangroves like egrets, blue herons, osprey nests, and pelicans.
We anchored that night at pumpkin key. It was the most beautiful sunset with the moon and stars reflecting in the very still water. That night we had lobster on the grill and champagne with candlelit on the veranda.
While we were sailing Marty and I practiced some Yoga we did Sun-Salutations on the front next to the Sails. What a place to do yoga!!! Marty likes to nurture and make you feel loved.
We arrived back in Miami, sailing for the whole day to Coconut Grove, the weather was so perfect while we had the sun and the wind to sail our catamaran right into the mooring field where we anchored Carp’e Vita.
We went to Key Biscayne to finish the adventure and walked through Bill Baggs State Park. We climbed to the top of the light house, it was just the best view of the whole Miami area When we came back to the boat we stopped and bought snapper at the fishing boats in Crandon Park where I saw my first Manatee(sea cow). We had a squall on our way back to the boat wind and rain so we stayed in for the night and watched movies.
Catamaran’s lend to a very private area to live for a week giving you your own space. It also has an open area to entertain, Carpe Vita is a very nice boat to spend time on.
It was both and happy and sad to have had a fabulous week on the Florida water that I didn’t know before. I’m going home with my mind full of intense feeling of gratitude. The best souvenir."
