Key West Bon Voyage

Our remaining weeks in Key West where a whirlwind, so much so it is difficult to remember. Of course our friends and our families pulled together to make sure that we would not embark on our journey unprepared. From cruising guides to novels, from sunblock to lavender oils, from DVDs to watercolors, from Chocolate-covered-Ginger to Tea, from West Marine Gift Cards to Cash, (and the list goes on) we were well stocked.

It was certainly difficult to say good-bye to everyone, probably the hardest part of getting ready to go. Yvonne from the Avalon B&B gathered all the crew together. They threw me for a loop and threw a surprise Bon-Voyage party at a little Mexican place in town. I was so touched and laugh to think how well Yvonne planned the whole event right under my nose!! Every time I eat Mexican food I miss everyone from work, which means I miss them a lot as we are in Mexico right now!!

The Monday before we left Delia, Irina and Lucy, the housekeepers at the Avalon, came to the boat for tea. They quite honestly could not imagine how Keith and I could possibly live on a boat, so I promised I would show them our pad before we left. It was loads of fun to show off the boat and if they thought we were crazy to live on a boat they did not show it, they were very polite. They too brought bon-voyage gifts of foods and candles making sure that we leave well prepared.

We headed up to Orlando for a long weekend to say goodbye to Keith's Mom and Step-Dad. It was the first relaxing time we had had in weeks. We relished in lovely walks, Nancy and Dick treated us to a super dinner and took us to an outdoor symphony in a beautiful garden. This was to be our last calm moment before we headed back to Key West to do last minute preparations on our boat.

One day before our departure Keith was to get a huge farewell surprise from one of his Danger co-workers, Brian. Brian picked Keith up on his motorcycle and off they went whizzing up the Keys to the only Sky-Dive operation in town. Keith jumped out of a PLANE!!!!

The time had come for us to leave. We figured that between Bi-plane rides, sky diving and endless parties, our friends would kill us before we ever left! On Tuesday May 13^th at 7pm we departed Key West for Isla Mujueres, Mexico.