We couldn't get out of Boot Key Harbor. This Captain wanted to head out because the Frustrated Father of Laundry (FFL) was due back with kids in tow and he wanted The Kid and me to be some kind of support group/therapists.

The Captain is about escaping and visiting other places. I feel for FFL, but The Captain is not a support grouper. My grouper should be blackened, with hush puppies and fries and a cold one for support. FFL needs to take The Kid's advice and do the laundry with his kids running here and there so that they can explore what may be out there for them. The Marina could be just the place to begin their starting point for accessible escapism.

The weather is keeping us tucked in at the city mooring field. Its a good, and somewhat safe place to wait out the weather. I must admit, a few mornings I looked out over the transom to see if I could spot FFL and junior launderers at the Marina laundry. Maybe he won't come back. Maybe he will wait us out so he can talk to other sailors. I gave some thought to FFL wanting to be a pirate or a sailor. His plight is not too uncommon. Many people find out somewhere inside they wanted to be something they are not. There is some saying about pits and cherries that some have found some kind of relief in by trying to make a success out of disappointments or frustrations, but what if pits are pits, and pits are all you get? The way I see it is to do something with pits like spit them at tourists. You can't change them from being pits but at least you're putting them to good use.

Marathon is not a bad place to be stuck, if you have to live with stuck for awhile. Herbie's, Keys Fisheries, Seven Mile bridge, and if not too choppy Whiskey Creek is good for exploring. Not too far to walk for supplies, and best of all, the characters that make this home and that travel through here are among some of the more memorable The Captain and The Kid have come across. FFL may prove himself as memorable character worthy depending on how he handles his next laundry assignment.

Characters, according to Webster, are produced by mixing just the right amounts of travel, seawater, lore, and grog together. Webster lives aboard a sloop. Not sure if Webster is his first, last, or only name, but what this Captain is sure about is that Webster is a character. Others nearby and appearing now and then are: Bag Man, Papa D, Bootleg, Mr. Carter (she is always pushing the Marina carts around with nothing in them. Why Mr.? Not what you think., But, later on her), and there are few others if we stay longer than expected and don't do classes in child psychology with FFL, The Captain will fill you in on.

The Harbor is choppy today. Most people are staying on board. For some staying on board can be the pits. But, think about it. You're living on a boat, you're in the Florida Keys, and you can take some down time to escape to places you have been.

The Captain and The Kid