Dear Friends and Family,
      I think that our stay here in Key West has been fun but I also feel 
that we have been here too long. I really, really love to sail but being tied 
to the dock for this past month has only given me limited opportunities to do 
so. Everyday it seems like there is someplace to go or something to do that 
prevents me from sailing. For the last three days I have been doing all of 
those little things that get on the "to do" list. Let me tell you, that "to 
do" list can get away from you if you let it. The biggest item on my list is 
fixing the support platform for the windlass. The windlass is an electric 
winch that hauls the anchor when we are on the "hook." The support platform 
got a huge crack in it last week while we were anchored and doing some bottom 
fishing. I tried doing the repair with fiberglass but because of the location 
of the crack I had to contort my body while upside down to get to the crack. 
Needless to say it was not a very professional looking job and I am not 
really pleased with the results. I am going to try a new method a friend told 
me about that combines metal and a super strong epoxy compound made 
especially for boats. We will see.
      Mary has been up in NC attending her father's wedding and seeing 
friends in the Raleigh area for the past three days. She must have put the 
word out at the Schooner Wharf Bar for the waitresses there to keep an eye on 
me. Razor and I went there yesterday afternoon for a cold beer and I had no 
less than three of them ask me if I had eaten that day. Give me a break! I am 
very capable of feeding myself regardless of what some people (Mary) may 
think. I do think that I am losing weight though.
      It has been kind of slow in Key West this past week. All of the 
restaurants are looking emptier than normal and the throngs on Duval Street 
are not quite as dense. I think May 1st is the official start of the "off 
season" around here. I do know that it has been getting hotter for the past 
couple of weeks. Mary and I are still planning to go to the Bahamas in the 
next couple of weeks and will be looking for a weather window that is 
favorable for a smooth crossing. There are a couple of other boats that we 
think are going to make the crossing at the same time and we will most likely 
do a convoy if possible. I also met another couple yesterday from California 
that want to cross during this same period so maybe we can get a large group 
together. There is safety in numbers and I have heard more than one person 
talk about pirates. Not to worry though, I do have protection aboard and both 
Mary and I are good shots. Hopefully we will never have to use guns but are 
prepared to do so if necessary.
      Mary will be back here Tuesday with Melissa and Abbey. Abbey is 
Melissa's oldest and dearest friend and they have known each other since 2nd 
grade. It will be fun taking the girls around KW and showing them the sights. 
If the weather cooperates we will try to do an overnight sailing trip up the 
Keys into what is known as the "Back country." I have been shown on my charts 
a little island a few miles North of us that has a beautiful beach that you 
can just about sail up onto. To tell you the truth I am ready to leave this 
port and do some exploring.
      It has been suggested to me by a few people that have been to our 
website that I should include these weekly letters as part of the "Captains 
Log" that is on one of the links to our website. Unfortunately I have deleted 
some of the earlier letters that I sent out and was wondering if there is 
anybody who has saved all of the letters? If so please contact me and let me 
know. I can then put you in contact with my brother-in-law, Mike and he can
post them to the site. I also want to state once more how much I 
appreciate Mike's thoughtfulness and hard work in getting our website up and 
running. For those of you who have not been to our site and may have lost or 
forgotten the address I will give it out again.

      www.geocities.com/rayrayweb2002

      Well, that's it for now folks, it is after 1:00 PM here in Key west and 
it is time to drink a cold beer and contemplate life. I will try and make a 
feeble attempt at feeding myself today but with Mary not here I do not know 
if I will be successful. (Ha, ha) Good luck and God Bless all of you. This 
Capt. Rick signing off!!!!

Sincerely...........Rick