We lost a good friend. Tom Conrad passed away recently and the boating community lost one of its best. We met Tom and Patsy Conrad many years ago through AGLCA (America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association). If the Great Loop boating adventure did not exist, we probably would never have met – with the Conrads living in Florida’s Panhandle and us living in northern Michigan. What a loss that would have been for us. Because we shared a passion for boating and this adventure they call a “Loop,” our paths crossed and our wakes overlapped. Loopers, ourselves included, often say that one of the best parts about doing the Great Loop boat trip is all the wonderful people we meet during our tours around the eastern United States waterways. Many of those relationships go on to become life-long friendships.

Tom Conrad was a sailor, a captain, a boater’s boater, a true friend to any human being, and a person that would help you out without ever expecting anything in return. He took it upon himself to religiously help boaters cross the Gulf of Mexico by posting daily reports on AGLCA, during the season, giving them knowledgeable weather information. Tom was the kind of friend you might not see for a year and as soon as you saw him again, it was as if it was just yesterday… he had that gift. Tom made you feel at ease when you were in his presence, always asking about what you’ve been up to, what your future plans were, and or how he could help you. Our hearts go out to Patsy, who was his partner in life and boating many adventures. We will all miss Tom and wish him a safe passage!

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Ever since we arrived for our month-long stay, it’s been very windy and this has inhibited our plans to explore the surrounding area of Key West by boat; we were getting itchy to push away from the dock. We’re usually not interested in taking random boat rides, so when we do sever the dock lines and head out, we like to have a purpose and a plan. Key West, being the southernmost spot in the U.S., is somewhat at the end of the road and although the cruising options for a day out on the water are limited, the choices are unique. The Dry Tortugas, Marquesas Keys, and the flats, in the Lakes Passage, all sit west of Key West and it was the grassy flats we chose for a day cruise.

We left Key West behind us (above) as we approached the shallow waters of the flats (below).

The Lake Passage area is a 10 by 4.5 nautical mile area that starts a few miles west of Mallory Square. This area is referred to as the flats because the clear, sandy-bottomed, water has a relatively consistent shallow depth of two to six feet. The flats also encompass the Key West National Wildlife Refuge and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and are a big attraction for fishing and snorkeling enthusiasts.

Because of the shallow water in the flats, it’s unreachable by larger boats with deeper keels, ours was about the largest vessel we saw cruising the area. With a draft of two-and-a-half feet, we even had a hard time entering the marked channel off Mule Key, and we were there on a rising tide. Once inside the flats, we meandered through at 6 MPH all the while keeping an eye out for stingrays, turtles, and fish. We saw some of each as we cruised by Archer and Man Keys. We pulled into the lee side of Barracouta Key and dropped the hook to take a break, have lunch and relax while enjoying the surroundings and listening to the bird songs before we pushed on.

With almost violet blue skies and emerald green waters, we had to keep reminding ourselves that we were still in the states and not cruising in the Bahamas or Abaco Islands.

Our goal today was to cruise to Boca Grande Key, situated at the very end of the flats. From there we could just barely make out the east side of Marquesas Keys, which lies only 9 nautical miles further west of Boca Grande Key. Upon arrival to Boca Grande Key, we couldn’t help but marvel at how much the natural white sand beach, on the NW side (above and below) of the island and the turquoise waters below us, resembled the rural Abaco Islands. All this within a boater’s short reach, just a little bit west of Key West.

It was a pretty rocky ride back to the marina but we were glad to have been able to get away for the afternoon and see some new sights.

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We are ultimately on our way to Key West but we’re stopping in Marathon for a week to visit with a group of Looper friends who are staying at Sombrero Dockside. Last year when we brought a friend’s boat down to Key West for him we found out about this little boat club on the Florida Bay side of the island, we stayed a few days and really liked it. So, back in January, we checked into the possibility of securing a slip for a week in late February. Our chances looked good since a few members would be traveling which would leave a few slips available.

This tiki hut is called “The Cone of Knowledge” by the residents of this little boat club. Within minutes of docking, the welcoming committee made sure to inform us of the daily tradition of cocktails and conversation at 4 o’clock under the hut.

My friend Diane pointed out this pod (above-right) on a banana tree over by Sombrero Dockside. I’ve never seen how bananas look as they grow on a tree. This flower-type pod is called a banana heart. Fascinating!

Wish we had a photo of all the boaters in the club who welcomed us into our slip. Unfortunately, we were too busy tying up to have taken one but we have to tell you the owners of this club are a friendly group of boaters.

Jim looks like he’s losing at Domino tonight.

Harbour Cay Club has one of the nicest boater’s lounges we’ve ever been to. very comfortable with a full kitchen. I imagine they have some great parties here.

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