Happy New Year,

Just to let you know where we are. Hauled out in Marathon to paint bottom over Xmas. Then took a slip at Sombrero Resort and Lighthouse Marina in Marathon for month of Jan.

I hopped on Greyhound to stay with my cousin, Carole, in Ft Lauderdale for a few days. We were having so much fun, she canceled her flight and we stayed 3 more days. Then back on the bus for me ( bus terminals are not a lot of fun) while she flew back to RI.

My mother and Ralph are coming the 23rd for a week and have booked a condo here at the resort. We're really looking forward to their visit. Then Spencer and Dawn arrive the 28th. We'll sail to Key West where they'll fly out.

It's nice and warm now, but we've had quite a bit of cold weather. But we're happy not to be in New England this winter.

We have 5 manatee living around our boat. We had to change slips yesterday and when we started the engine, the biggest one came up to the exhaust, put his head out of the water, and kept drinking. No matter what we did we couldn't get him away from the exhaust. We were afraid we would run over him. Finally we just put the boat in reverse and started backing slowly out. I didn't realize they could move so fast if necessary. Hopefully my pictures will come out.

We have the use of the resort and are enjoying the pool and other facilities. Have met several fun sailors on the docks and listening to music at the lounges. (Carole and I got in some good practice last week, several evenings shutting down Mangos across the street from their condo on Las Olas. Luckily we could walk home!)

Keep in touch,

Jane and Ken