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Margie and I are currently open for a Liveaboard sailing class in the Florida Keys for a couple or family starting the evening of Christmas Day till after New Years. You can take advantage of our current special on an inclusive six day trip for two for $3,972. Time to break out your shorts and T shirt!
Waking up on a warm vacation
What’s more fun than sailing the islands? Sailing the islands with Travis McGee. Well, more to the point, with the series of John D. MacDonald novels that made men want to be Travis and women want to posses him.
The Travis McGee series is for the “salvage consultant” among us who likes to take “his retirement in installments”. The title of each book references a color such as: The Deep Blue Good-By, The Quick Red Fox, The Long Lavender Look, and, my personal favourite, Cinnamon Skin. You get the idea.
The books are trip through the still-developing 1970s male psyche. There’s much discussion of stereo equipment, sticking it to the ‘man’, and, of course, women. The women in Travis’ life are always, if not conveniently, unattainable.
But what makes these books the perfect sailing companion is found in the author’s detailed descriptions of Florida’s flora and fauna. It’s like having a personal tour guide, a personal storytelling tour guide, right at your fingertips.
As the plot twists and turns, MacDonald takes you through the marshes of the Everglades and the coral reefs of the Keys. These books are a terrific way to get a sense of the beach bum perspective without quitting your day job.
Adding colour to your Island Dreamer sailing adventure, Travis McGee is the ultimate companion, tour guide, and all around “Dude”.
My sister-in-law, Margie, is co-captain of Island Dreamer. She has been married to my brother, Captain Harold, for 32 years.
Margie’s interest in sailing began when she was a student at Balboa High School in the Panama Canal Zone. There, she was a member of a young adult group affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America called Sea Exploring [now called Sea Scouting], where she earned her Coast Guard Auxiliary Basic Seamanship Certificate.
Not long after that, she attended Butler University where she met my brother and [inexplicably] married him after graduation. Together, they took scuba lessons and learned to dive. This marked the beginning of their love for all things having to do with the sea.
Margie is the heart and soul of Island Dreamer and the force behind its success.
She is responsible for keeping the day-to-day operations running smoothly and without incident. She is an accomplished sailor in her own right and has recently come full circle in her career by becoming a Dockmaster at the Boy Scouts of America High Adventure Sea Base in the Florida Keys.
Like my brother, she is at home on the boat and enjoys living abroad. Visiting them on Island Dreamer is like stopping by your neighbor’s house for a cup of coffee and then realizing you’ve been having so much fun, you’ve actually been there for most of the day. We have spent many hours sitting at the captain’s table in the galley, talking about everything from politics to the relevancy of F. Scott Fitzgerald … or just kicking back and watching movies.
Margie makes boating an easy going experience where everyone is comfortable and life is drama-free. You will be glad she is Island Dreamer’s co-captain and we are glad she is a part of our family.
Sailing is an easy-going, laid-back, and totally groovy experience. Be sure to bring items that will make your life aboard even more relaxed and easier – for you and for your fellow travelers.
- Duffle bags or soft-sided suitcases – this is not a Samsonite situation.
- Sneakers or deck shoes – now your Docksides are more than just a fashion statement.
- Sandals or flip flops – for your ‘formal’ outings in the Keys
- Shorts and shirts – Men, this is your chance to break out that Hawaiian shirt you got for Father’s Day.
- Skirts and tank tops – Women, this is the time to show some skin and get a little color.
- To that point, you’ll need some sunscreen, sunglasses, scarves, and hats.
- Several swim suits – one per day is my rule.
- Medications, eyeglasses, and contact lenses supplies
- Soap, shampoo and toothpaste are provided but, you’ll probably want your own stuff
- Ipod - now’s the time to create your “Vacation” playlist.
- If you have snorkeling gear, bring it. There’s lots to see underwater.
You don’t need much, but it’s always good to be prepared and not have to worry once you get there.
Now you can relax and enjoy your Island- Dreamer vacation.
Ok, full disclosure, Captain Harold is my brother or, if we’re being technical, he’s my half-brother.
What you need to know about Captain Harold, or “H.” as I call him, is that even though he appears to be carefree and laid-back, he is actually very serious and cautious.
H. is the oldest of 4 children sired by our father. There are 3 boys and me (and, no, I didn’t get treated like a princess growing up – quite the opposite). As much as I hate to admit this, Harold has influenced us all. He has set the standard for music, quality of life, and politics for the three of us. Thanks to H., we all can ‘name the band’ when he plays a song and we will never forget the great “Standard of Living v. Quality of Life Debate” he had with our father.
He once told me, “If you don’t like the world you’re living in, create your own.” This is the essence of who Harold is: Henry Miller meets Ayn Rand.
Island Dreamer was born of this philosophy. He has successfully married his love for sailing with his business sense and achieved that elusive American dream of making a living doing what you love.
Now, it must be said, there is no Captain Harold without his wife (and my sister-in-law), Captain Margie. No one in the family can figure out why she married him, but we are eternally grateful to her.
Together, Captains Harold and Margie have created Island Dreamer and a wonderful life aboard sailing around the Keys and embarking on new adventures.
Here’s what I learned while visiting Island Dreamer last week in South Beach. There is so much to do!
Now, I will be the first to admit: I don’t get South Beach. I don’t know what they actually do there. But, they do have a lot going on.
Let’s start with the “vapor fans”. As you wander down “the strip”, you pass through cafes and restaurants that keep its occupants cool by spewing a water vapor all over its guests. I suppose this is supposed to offer a cool comfort from the heat, but it’s a little disruptive, if you ask me. Plus, I have to wonder if the chefs and bartenders have to take “water vapor” into consideration as they prepare their “South Beach Signature Items” Still, it’s just water and something to see, that’s for sure.
So, if you’re like me, you’ll want to sit inside the actual restaurant, where they have a quaint little invention whose name says it all: “Air Conditioning”. There are no two sweeter words together in the English language. They just roll off your tongue, exuding leisure and decadence in every syllable
There are many restaurants to choose from in South Beach. You might want start with The News Café, where Versace had his last meal, or go for the more trendy Joe’s Stone Crab. You can find any type of cuisine there on the strip. Middle Eastern, Sushi, Thai, Cuban, Ethiopian, Greek, French, Italian, Belgian, Caribbean….you get the picture.
After you’ve eaten, you can walk off your meal at the many museums and shopping attractions. On one street, can get your Louis Vuitton on, while on the next block you can poke around the various museums and galleries.
The Art District also has happenings going on from street performers to independent movies – check out O Cinema for some cool flicks at a great price and help support the arts at the same time.
As I discovered, South Beach is not really the place to go if you’re looking for conch fritters and beer, but it’s definitely a sight to see, a glittering gem in the treasure chest of your sailing adventures.
Ever wonder what a typical Sunday aboard the Island Dreamer is like?
4/17/2011 5:50 PM
Batten down the hatches! It’s raining. Pouring actually. Not much you can do, but hunker down and wait for the storm to pass. Captain Harold is up on deck reading a book and Captain Marge is down in the galley checking facebook updates on her iPhone.
4/17/2011 5:53 PM
Now Captain Harold has come below to criticize my choice in music. Will skip this song now.
4/17/2011 5:54 PM
Captain Harold notes that this is our “first summer rain” [as Seals & Crofts’ “Summer Breeze” plays in the background]
4/17/2011 6:05 PM
Captain Harold knocks over his coffee cup, but luckily, it lands in the sink.
4/17/2011 6:07 PM
Time for dinner! Fried chicken, sauted veggies, and diet Pepsi. Fruit salad for dessert.
4/17/2011 6:09 PM
Captain takes control of the music. Not surprisingly, he begins with a song, “The Fish” by Yes.
4/17/2011 6:11 PM
Captain Marge notes that the hatch is leaking. Captain Harold is looking at it.
4/17/2011 6:12 PM
“The Duck”, an amphibious tour boat goes by with dozens of trapped tourist getting rained on. Ironically, the Duck’s speakers are blasting “Singin’ in the Rain”.
4/17/2011 6:15 PM
Captain Harold shares a deep thought: “Either commit to the dinghy or to the boat, but don’t be stretched between.”
4/17/2011 6:18 PM
Captain Harold opens the jar of Honey Mustard thoughtfully while Captain sautés a wide variety of summer vegetables.
4/17/2011 6:21 PM
Upon review of this blog, Captain Harold says, “Some of it is good. Some of it is sadly lacking” I tell him that is the essence of live blogging.
As I sit here in an undisclosed location at the home of a Washington political operative, I wonder what’s happening outside of the beltway. Without much effort, my mind wanders to the tranquil waters of the Florida Keys.
What interests me most about the Keys is the easygoing lifestyle with no adherence to an agenda other than enjoying life on the sea and seeing life enjoyed.
The stark contrast between life in the Keys and life on the mainland is evidenced by quiet calm of the pelicans and seagulls floating over the ocean as opposed to the frenetic pace of the vultures of civilization.
While sailing through the Keys, one is instantly in touch with the interconnectedness of the universal truth that we are all part of the same planet and intertwined in ways we can’t even see.
It’s been said, “We are all interconnected in a web of kindness from which it is impossible to separate ourself. Everything we have and everything we enjoy, including our very life, is due to the kindness of others. In fact, every happiness there is in the world arises as a result of others’ kindness.” [Geshe Kelsang Gyatso].
There is a certain kindness that is almost tangible as one witnesses the beauty of nature and the fluid calm of the ocean and its inhabitants. Silently sailing through the mangroves and around the Gulf, one’s mind wanders through the present moment to the recognition of ourself in a conch shell or blue heron or the sparkle of the chrome railing on the sailboat.
Suddenly, the circle of the beltway takes on new meaning.
When sailing throughout the Florida Keys, you want a little nosh. Fortunately, on Island Dreamer, Captains Harold and Margie have got that covered!
Below, are just a few suggestions for making your cruising experience even more enjoyable.
1. Hummus and vegetables. Cut up red and green peppers, cucumbers, and wash off some sugar peas and dip them in the hummus. This is a flavorful treat and a good way to get your daily supply of veggies.
2. Fruit and cheese board. A variety of fruits such as grapes, melon slices, and apples alongside one or two blocks of good cheese. This can be quite filling, so pace yourself.
3. Assorted nuts and dried fruits. This snack is good for that extra boost of energy.
4. Shrimp and Cocktail Sauce. Cool and tangy
5. Assorted Chips and Dips. Potato, Tortilla, or Corn chips go great with French Onion Dip, Tomato Salsa, Bean and/or Cheese dips
6. Not really a snack, but refreshing nonetheless, is cucumber infused water. Slice up a cucumber and drop into a gallon of cold water. Chill for 10-15 minutes. Quite refreshing after you’ve been out in the sun all day.
Island Dreamer happily provides these righteous goodies for your enjoyment and will also plan a menu to fit your specific needs.
Cheers!
Waking in the morning to first light while at sea is an experience you will never forget. As the world slowly comes alive at its own pace, your senses begin to awaken to the music of the universe. As the light kisses your eyes, you will smell coffee brewing somewhere in the distance. You will hear the pelicans and herons playing near-by. As you stumble out of you berth, you begin to taste the salt air and you will feel more alive than you have ever felt in your life.
As the day fades, the sparkle on the water begins to glow. The air is exhausted with warmth and everything starts to slow down. The sky traverses the spectrum of blues and pinks and the sun becomes more and more voluptuous as it turns into a bloody orange sphere. As it begins its descent, the Fire in the Sky oozes its lava-light across the sea. It gets brighter as it sinks into the ocean, as if gasping for its last breath. The death of the day is eminent. The wind is dying down; the world is getting quiet again. The final moments linger, not knowing when to leave the party. Finally, the sun lets out one last gasp as you witness your part of the universe that marries fire and water.
Drift all night.
The cycle is complete.