Yesterday was Good Friday and Earth Day. I hope everyone remembered the meanings of the day.
The crew had a good last full day with Florida Sea Base. It was an early start leaving the mooring off of Key West in hopes of getting in one last dive. We started out as always, putting up the sails and heading out to the ocean. We started the compressor and began filling tanks. As we turned the corner in front of Fort Zachary Taylor the wind hit us hard. It wasn't long after we got into the wind that we decided that we would have to 'call' the dive. It was just too rough. The spray was coming over the bow so we had to slow down and take our time motoring back to the dock at Stock Island. Most of the crew used the time to pack their gear.
We arrived back at the dock and it was time to get to work. The crew off-loaded all of their gear then started a completed cleaning of the boat inside and out. The boat needed to be scrubbed down to remove all of the salt from the spray. After the boat was cleaned it was time for lunch. All of the leftovers from the week were brought out along with the usual lunch.
The Sea Base vans arrived on time to pick up the crew. We loaded up the trailer, said goodbye to the Conch Pearl and headed back to base.
On the way back we stopped at Baby's Coffee, the 'southern most' roaster of coffee in the Keys. Everyone went in and got something; coffee, soda and snacks. For the rest of the ride everone slept...at least I did.
Back at base we emptied the trailer, washed all of our gear and then the crew was free until 17:45 for flags. After a quick flags ceremony the crew went to Luau where they did the Raisin Bran song. A few other crews did skits then they all played Hawaiian Tug-O-War. It was brother against brother, son against father. After the games we had a Luau dinner.
After the dinner we retrieved all of the gear that we had washed and returned it to the scuba storage room. Now all of the work was done.
We sat down at the quarterdeck and did a Thorns and Roses to review the high points and low points of the trip. It seems there was a common theme of anchor watch as a low point. As each crew member went I handed them their Florida Sea Base Patch.
A few hours later, 1AM, we met again for breakfast and to load their transportation home.
I hope you all enjoyed your time in 'the Keeeeeeeeeeys'.
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