Island Dreamer Sailing School Blog

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!

Our Friends Captain Jean and Captain Jeff will be sailing the Greek islands this summer in a 51 Beneteau. This comfortable sailboat will be a grat home for each couple that joins them. Margie and I are jealous that we will miss going on this trip, it’s our high season doing charters with the Boy Scouts.  What a great opportunity to see a beautiful part of the world and learn a little more about sailing at the same time.

Time to relax and chat about the sites we have seen in the islands

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.

Sail all day.

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.

Sailing on Island Dreamer is a blast, but it never hurts to be prepared.  Below are 10 things you’ll need to bring with you on your sailing adventure.

1. A Good Book.  Ideally, a book that has nothing to do with your real life.  Seduction of the Minotaur or Like Water for Chocolate are two excellent choices, or, on the other end of the spectrum, anything by Carl Hiaasen.
2. Sunscreen.  Normally, I’m anti-sunscreen, but no one is getting any younger and with the reflection from the water, the sun is stronger than your realize.
3. Moisturizer. See above.  Stock up on After Sun Lotion and Baby Oil.
4. Music. This is key.  You will need a good soundtrack for your vacation.  Take the time to create a “Vacation Playlist”.  Think soulful, rhythmic, and jazzy.
5. Bathing Suits. As a general rule, you’ll want at least one per day.
6. Sarong or Sundress. Make your life easy and buy something simple, colorful, and comfortable.
7. A Cute Hat or Scarf. Unless you like the frizzy wind-blown look, you’ll need something to tame your tresses.
8. Wine. Who are we kidding?  Wine is good! A couple of bottles of your favourite Chardonnay or Pinot will be sufficient.
9. Sunglasses. Don’t bring your best pair, and be sure to bring  back-up.
10. Conditioner. The sun and saltwater will dry out your hair. Leave-in conditioner can be a life saver.

NOTE:  One thing NOT TO BRING is jewelry.  You do not want your emerald cut solitaire going overboard.  Leave your irreplaceable jewels at home.

Nestled in an out-of-the way area in the heart of Marathon is a small marina and mooring village along Boot Key Harbor. It is the home of Sombrero Marina and the world famous Docksides Bar.

The locals gather around the grand wooden bar at all hours, from breakfast until last call, listening to the radio and watching the weather reports on TV. The marina is always buzzing with activity. And when the sun finally sets, you can hear the call of Conch shells celebrating the end of the day and the promise of the night to come.

But late at night, strange things have been know to happen in the harbor, I’ve actually seen a man tow a dinghy — swimming across the harbor holding the rope between his teeth because the motor had broken down.

Late at night, it’s eerily quiet crossing the harbor over to the sail boat. It’s easy to get lost in your thoughts. The sky and water are the same shiny black ink. It’s at those moments that I often wonder where the name ‘Boot Key Harbor’ came from.

According to legend, a stylish young woman, visiting from up north, her feet tired from dancing all night at the Brass Monkey, took off her very expensive boots with 4-inch heels and tossed them one by one into the harbor during a 3am crossing. According to the story, somewhere, at the bottom of the harbor is a size 6 pair of Valentino black suede stiletto ankle boots mysteriously still in pristine condition.

Every once in a while, I think about those Valentino boots and what they must have meant to her and how she could have let them go so easily.

…at least for a week, see how it goes.  Hop a flight to Miami, board Island Dreamer, and head to the Keys.

The first thing you’ll notice is how the sound of water gently lapping against the side of a sailboat will put you to sleep.  Even as the sun is glistening in shards of light off the ocean, as far as you can see, it only acts as more incentive for you to close your eyes.  Sounds become muted and the moments before you arrived are now a faint memory.

What you are feeling now is “Keysey”.  The stress you used to feel, that panic in the pit of your stomach has dissipated and evaporated into a miasma of sunlight and ocean breeze

What’s that you hear?  Steel drums or is it Steely Dan? How long has that rum drink been in your hand? (and, does anybody really care?).  The warm air tickles your bare feet as you reach for that Travis McGee novel (no judgment here, it’s cool).

Dolphins are free associating with the water over to the port-side; seagulls are flying close by, laughing at them.  You could get used to this.

By the time this week is up, you are a not the same person who boarded the boat.  Your batteries have been recharged and nothing is a big deal.

Decision time:  Can you adopt a stress-free lifestyle?

I want to welcome my sister Jodi as a contributer to our blog.  I have been very busy this season doing couples sailing classes, I have not not had much time to post.  Jodi has agreed to give some of her perspectives about sailing and the Florida Keys.  Enjoy!

We are able to spend some of our time when we are not sailing the Keys in our anchorage in downtown Miami.  Lately we have enjoyed a free concert downtown with the Spin Doctors (I am showing my age) and have seen some really great authors speak at the Miami Book Fair.

During some of our longer cruises we spent several weeks in downtown Manhattan at the 79th st Boat Basin and over a month in Nassau harbor.  Cruising remote tropical islands is great, but being “downtown” allows you to visit some great museums, see a play or go to a  concert.  Most city’s grew up around the waterfront giving you great accessibility to services and  public transportation. You have the comforts of your home to go back to at night and the convenience of not having to park your car. In Manhattan it was $15 a night for a mooring bouy with a 24 hour guarded dinghy dock. Pretty hard to beat!

Spin Doctors preforming in Miami

City lights in bayfront park

I picked up the August, 1957 Popular Boating Magazine at an Antique fair on South Beach.  From an ad by the National Sailing Association;

Skippering a sailboat builds character. It teaches responsibility, dexterity, ingenuity and good sportsmanship. It attracts companions with equally high ideals. Young sailors are rarely troublemakers.

What an argument to teach your kids sailing! Imagine what they would have had to say about video games and computers.

There is lot’s more cool stuff from the magazine I will post soon.

Young Sailing Skipper at the Helm