Car trip to Marathon to confirm second thought!

On this Sunday, February 26, Jean Guy and Roselind went for a car drive down south to Marathon. They left around 10:00 and drove on South Ocean Drive 1A . The weather was forecasting cloudy all day with thundershowers and they had both but with moderation. They drove south through Miami Beach and also went to Key Biscayne to do some sightseeing. Further south, they drove through Key Largo, Plantation Key, Long Key, just to name a few keys and stopped their journey at Marathon, in the middle of the Florida Keys. They visited mostly marinas on their way down. It had been quite some time since the couple had visited the keys and a lot had changed. There were much more developments and trees had grown so much that they could not see the ocean to their desire. But when they drove by the sea, they loved seeing the different colour of  the water, sometimes it had a shade of light green up to a turquoise colour. Their last stop south was at the Marathon City Marina, they then, headed back to Oasis in Hollywood. They finally arrived at the Loggerhead Marina at 21:30, an eleven hour trip. The captain had thought about sailing Oasis down to Marathon but after the day trip, the final decision was made; Oasis will stay docked at the Loggerhead Club & Marina for the rest of winter. Besides, the couple really likes it there!

Driving down in the Miami area, nice buildings.

The weather was calling for heavy clouds and thunderstorm. It rained heavily and it made driving difficult with the torrential rain.

Bayshore Landing Marina at Coconut Grove, Miami Florida.

This marina has 150 slips and also moorings in the bay.

The marina has three piers and was very secured.

Adjacent to the marina is Monty's Raw Bar where Jean Guy and Roselind stopped for lunch.

This is how it was decorated at the restaurant. The food was nothing to write home about and the fountain pop tasted like chlorine. Not a recommended place for good food.

Jean Guy posing with the pirate statue.

Mangrove tree with it's roots exposed. The tree grows in saline water.

View of the mooring field from Kenneth M.Myers Bayside Park.

Anchoring area. As you can see the tides were low and  a sailboat was aground.

The mooring field in Coconut Grove.

On our way further south, we could see dark clouds on the horizon but it did not rain. The concrete traffic barriers or known as Jersey barrier were painted a turquoise colour which made the colour of the water more accentuated.

Water view at the Anchorage Resort & Yacht Club in Key Largo.

Nice view of the water on the Long Key Viaduct of the Overseas Highway.

On the right hand side approaching Conch Key.

Boats at anchor in Marathon.

View of the mooring field from the Marathon City Marina.

Boats moored in Boot Key Harbor.

View of the water on the way back.

Jean Guy and Roselind stopped at this beach to stretch their legs.

It was a beach with shallow clear water.

This memorial plaque of Anne's beach.

The couple took a walk on the boardwalk.

Jean Guy climbing the tree.

The water here was trouble at this area.

Indian Key State Historic Park. Nice turquoise colour of the water.

Bud n Mary's Marina on Islamorada.

The couple maid a stop at this gift shop. They had very nice nautical decoration  but the couple did not buy anything.



Sunset while driving back to Oasis.

Possible final destination for Oasis; Loggerhead Club and Marina, Hollywood Florida.

The captain and first mate had driven the young family to the Fort Lauderdale Airport around 11:00 on Tuesday, February 21 for their trip back home in NB. It was hard to say bye to the young family, Jean Guy and Roselind already missed them and they felt lost without Alexia and Yanik around. It was going to be very quiet for a while. They had spend such a wonderful time with Luc's family and now they were just the two of them, it was time to be by themselves again. Since Jean Guy and Roselind came onboard Oasis December 31, 2011, the couple found sailing Oasis down south challenging at times and a bit of a chore. Oasis was now docked at the Loggerhead Club & Marina, actually right in the heart of Hollywood, Florida. This marina is located in a protected harbour with easy access to the ICW and situated in the residential community of Harbor Island, with luxury private club amenities. Here, when staying at this marina, you become a club member and have access to the health club with the fitness centre, weight room, swimming pool, spa, sauna, tennis court and more. This marina has easy access and proximities to restaurants, shopping, golf and also to the beach. The captain and First Mate were so impressed with this place that they both decided that they might stay here for the rest of the winter months! They want to relax and enjoy the the nice weather the Floridians are having this winter. They already had Luc, Denise, Alexia and Yanik for a visit and more family members are coming in March and also in April. It sure makes it easy for visitors, with the marina being just 10 miles from the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. The couple want to see the sunshine state and visit relatives who lives here for the winter months. They also want to go to the beach, relax by the pool, stroll along the boardwalks, eat in restaurants and do some shopping, after all they are on vacation and this area seems like a wonderful place to be!

On Tuesday, February 21, before heading to the airport.

The two little kids were always in good spirits especially in the morning.

Alexia with her Mickey balloon. Maman had to take the air out so she could bring it home for her birthday party on the weekend.

Yanik still playing with Maman's sunglasses.

Pepere strolling around the marina with the grandkids.

Alexia and Yanik on the Loggerhead Turtle.

The young family before they left to the airport.
















LOGGERHEAD CLUB & MARINA

Getting There!

From the 3 Island Blvd, you enter Harbor Islands.

Water fountain on the right side of the road.

Security gate. Those that are not part of the marina or the resort are denied entrance. To receive visitors, the guard have to be advise ahead with the name of the person and the time of their arrival.

Past the gate on the right side, the entrance to the Clubhouse where all the amenities are located.

Past this circle, you keep right on Harbor Island Drive to go to the marina.

Rows of palm trees dividing the road.

Nice landscape detail along the Marine Drive.

Beautiful landscape at the entrance of the 3 Island Blvd.














Another view of the road leading to the marina.














One of many estates on the way to the marina.

Same as above.

There is lush tropical landscaping all around this residential community.

The roundabout leading to the  marina's parking.

Marina Office.















At the Marina!

Marina's Logo.

Loggerhead is a sea turtle. When fully grown they measure about 35 inches and can weight up to 300 pounds.













Marina's Office, Harbor Master and Ship Store.

Outdoor terrace at the Marina's Office Building, where is also located the laundry room, showers and restrooms facilities.

View of the office building from Oasis's dock.

Oasis at her berth.















Exploring the marina and the club's amenities!

On the right side of the swimming pool.

This is the view from the pool looking towards the ocean.

There was a visitor by the pool, an iguana about 24 inches long.

Another view of the pool with beautiful lush tropical landscaping.

Same as above in a different angle.

On the way to the hot tub, the nice view in the back.

The hot tub, the water was at 105 degrees F.

The entrance to the pool.

The pool is surrounded by buildings, this one being the clubhouse.

The sidewalk to the fitness centre. Nice  architectural detail.

Indoor kid's playroom located at the fitness centre.

The yoga/stretching room in the fitness centre.

The weight room combine with.....

the cardio room with state of the art equipment.

Close up of the clubhouse.

The entrance to the clubhouse.

Inside the clubhouse, it's a huge spacious room for socials events.

The basketball court.

and the tennis court.