Marathon Seafood Festival

First time for Sam and John to go with us to the festival. We shopped the crafts and fishing booths, drank beer, and people watched before Mile Marker 24 played.



Sam found the beer stand right away. $4 for a mug of beer and $2 for refills. What a bargain!!


The sign I bought. (the Corona one)


The people are wild about this seafood. They stand in lines and then stand by these long tables chowing down on fish, crab, conch fritters, conch chowder, and oysters. This is put on by the local fishermen and their families. We had hoped for some ice cream or popcorn, but this is all about seafood.

Pirates, seafood, beer, and Mile Marker 24

The pirates giving a toast to the seafood and the sunsets in Marathon.


A pirate in the crowd.


Our favorite band, Howard Livingston and Mile Marker 24, a local island band, that plays tropical music. He has a Johnson that is a margarita machine. Always good for a laugh when he brings it on stage and starts making drinks.


This year he auctioned off the chance to be the margarita maker. This girl won (bid $500) and she and her bridesmaids all came on stage.

Saturday lunch at Key Fisheries

The whole gang went to Key Fisheries for fish sandwiches. Very casual and you eat on the pier out over the water. You order at the window and give a cartoon name(that is what they call when your order is ready). We ordered an assortment of blackened and fried fish sandwiches, crab claws, and shrimp quesadillas. Very delicious!!!


Fred digs into his fried grouper.


John and I pose for a funny picture outside.


This baby iguana lives in the bush by the dining window. We haven't seen the big one this year.

John's Visit

John flew down for a short spring break. Rain was predicted but it missed us and we all enjoyed the warm weather and sun.


Sam, Fred, and Tex enjoy fishing on the pier. A pelican flew into Fred's line as he threw it and got caught. What excitement trying to get a fighting bird off a fish hook.!! He finally broke it off.


John and I cool off by the pool.


Tex and Black, from next door, chase each other.

The BBQ Fool

That is what Fred has nicknamed Sam because whenever people gather, they turn the BBQing over to him. We bet that when he moves to The Woodlands, he will meet all his neighbors quickly because they won't be able to resist the smells from his backyard. He has four grills of various types (wood smoker, charcoal Weber, electric smoker, and gas grill) and knows which one is best for different meats. Tonight the menu was thick rib eyes and strip steaks cooked to perfection by the BBQ Fool. (I love that he is wearing his Texas wardrobe)



Lisa and Brad are Sam's friends from Indiana. This group has been coming to Marathon for the past 9 years. What great time we always have and we are so grateful to them for including us in their group. Lisa makes the magnificent green salads for all the meals--they are full of all kinds of veggies---loaded salads---she is really trying to make sure that we have our greens everyday.


The Steak Feast!!!


The chef enjoys his medium rare steak.

More Sailing

Found these pictures in Fred's camera--so yes, I was on the boat.
Bill, the captain, Lisa, Sam, Kristen, the first mate, Janice, and Brad


I even took the wheel for awhile. We learned some sailing terms (all I remember is starboard and port) , pulled some ropes, some helped with the sails, and some even learned how to roll some ropes and tie the ropes off.


Brad and Sam


Bill explains sailing to us while Kristen tidies up.

Scenes from The Keys

Pelicans on the way in from sailing


Another sailboat in the Gulf near 7 Mile Bridge


A Key rooster strutting his stuff at the grocery store--this is a common sight in the Keys, as roosters were brought here years ago by Cuban cockfighters and pioneers and then turned loose.


Sunset at the Beach House