Trip to Marvin Key in the SS Go Nowhere

We took Edie up on her offer to follow her out to Marvin Key. We were anxious to lay the track in our GPS, and also thought there was safety or security traveling in pairs. The trip out was uneventful, which is a good thing when boating in shallow waters in the backcountry. Zuzu and Tootie were on leash with Wayne. They stayed outside with Wayne during the first part, but once we passed through Perky's Creek and made our 6 mile journey north towards Marvin Key, the found the soft cushions of the v-berth inside the cuddy much more comfortable.

We anchored the boat. I really should say Edie anchored our boat with our brand new, never been used anchor, and she did a spectacular job! Much better than we could have done. Before anchoring, though, we had a bit of drama. We rested the bow of the boat on the sandbar, Wayne hopped out and took both Tootie and Zuzu. We realized that we would have to turn the boat around and anchor the bow facing into the wind. As I turned the boat around, Zuzu thought I was leaving without her and began to swim after the boat heading towards the stern...Tootie followed. After some tense moments, killing the engine,  and swimming after Zuzu while floating towards Edie's boat, we managed to board the girls, anchor the boat, and start anew. All apprehensions quickly faded with a few chicken gizzards.

Wayne thought I should pose by the boat before it sank....just kidding. I did have a smile of relief, though, that we made it. Now it's play time for the girls.

And play they did. Lizzy and Lola, two Jack Russell Terriers who live on Kingfish convinced their mom, Nora, to go along with Bart, Tyson, and their mom, Capt. Edie.

Lizzy, Zuzu, and Tootie were happily playing chase.

Lizzy loved giving kisses to Zuzu and Tootie. Tootie is so patient.

Wayne was keeping an eye on the canine play action, which consisted of short to long bursts of running and chasing each other around the sandbar. It was interesting to see who would be the "rabbit." After a brief moment of play, they would head over to the bucket of freshwater for a quick drink before taking off in a new direction.

Tootie taking a stroll in the water.

Birds! Yes, Zuzu saw some birds way off in the distance, and was convinced that if she ran fast enough, the birds would still be there when she got there. They ran full speed way out to them, and then played and chased each other back.

Zuzu and Tootie were surprised by the deeper water. Lizzy eagerly followed.

Wayne and Edie were keeping an eye on the dogs while searching for horseshoe crabs.

And once back near the humans, they were still fired up and ready to play.

While on the sandbar, some t-storms began building to the north of us. They were moving away but the rumbles of thunder still made Zuzu and Tootie a bit nervous. They only spent a little time hiding out in the cuddy cabin before playing some more. 

A little later, more rain was moving in to the south of us, and the skies were turning darker. It was time to head back to Sugarloaf Key. 

Zuzu wanted to keep an eye on her friends in Edie's boat behind us. You could hear Bart calling out to Zuzu and Tootie, and Zuzu would answer back.

Here they come. They are right behind us as we navigate out of the narrows and head to deeper water before heading back.

It was a great trip, and the girls had a great time. Once back home at the dock, we had a hard time getting the girls to leave the boat. After their freshwater bath, they headed back to the boat, ready for the next adventure.

Stay tuned...