Keys Boogie 2005 - Skydive Sebastian - Marathon Key

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

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"Hustler costume" was me too

Oh the things I could tell about that night!

...but you won't, right?

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[Bolas 5]

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"Hustler costume" was me too

Oh the things I could tell about that night!

...but you won't, right?

Of course he won't. His memories are just as fuzzy and jumbled as the rest of are of that night.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

Were you there?

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[bendywendy 0]

Oh, I know many things... I just can't keep who, what, where, when straight.

So...HOW ABOUT THAT FREAKING HURRICANE??

Keep your fingers crossed that the Keys don't get slammed too hard only three weeks before we launch our attack upon them.

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

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Oh, I know many things... I just can't keep who, what, where, when straight.

So...HOW ABOUT THAT FREAKING HURRICANE??

Keep your fingers crossed that the Keys don't get slammed too hard only three weeks before we launch our attack upon them.

No doubt! I hope Wilma dies out where it is now vs the predicted path.
Did you know there will be a few weddings going on during the boogie?

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[MikeForsythe 0]

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Of course he won't. His memories are just as fuzzy and jumbled as the rest of are of that night.

While true, that is also why I always take digital photos and video! But don't worry K cause video NEVER ends up on the internet.

Time and pressure will always show you who a person really is!

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

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Of course he won't. His memories are just as fuzzy and jumbled as the rest of are of that night.

While true, that is also why I always take digital photos and video! But don't worry K cause video NEVER ends up on the internet.

Mike! You goober ..there's no stinkin video

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[sunnydee123 0]

I remember a keys boogie 2 years ago where there was so much rain the weeks prior, that more than half the landing area was under water. The more I read and hear about this, the more I'm bummed I am missing it this go round - but I imagine 2 weeks in Hawii will be adequately fun

Someone has to buy a bottle of Mandrin and share it with the crowd at the BBQ.........blues

Dreams become reality, one choice at a time...

[The111 1]

Anybody have any idea if the hurricane ruined our fun? I've seen pictures of Key West under mucho water...

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[Bolas 5]

Survival stories from the Middle Keys

BY SARA MATTHIS
Citizen Staff

MARATHON — "It was like a river.”

SUE STARKWEATHER/The Citizen
Winds from Hurricane Wilma tipped a houseboat moored on Wahoo Drive near the Marathon Airport onto a finger pier. While there was significant wind damage in the Middle Keys community, most damage appears to have resulted from storm surge.

Over and over again this statement was repeated in the Middle Keys as residents struggled to put what they had witnessed into words. On Tuesday morning, only hints of what transpired on Monday were evident: seaweed in places the ocean had no business, commercial-strength ice machines washed into the median of U.S.1 and residents' glazed expressions as they recounted damage to friends and neighbors.

The flood was both insult and injury because most Marathon homes and businesses came through the hurricane (estimated sustained winds at about 90 mph with one recorded gust of 108 at Sombrero Light House) with little damage.

At about 10 a.m. Monday morning, when the winds had died enough to make it somewhat safe to venture out, the waters started rising. Many residents had left their intact home to survey storm damage and returned to a flooded mess. Others, still inside, rushed out and scrambled to get their cars to high ground.

On Grassy Key, cars littered the middle of the road on Morton Street. Some were pushed there by the flood, others had been hastily parked at odd angles as residents hurried back to their houses to save what they could. Even seasoned salts were astonished.

“I just can't believe it. The Marathon airport was underwater. It was like a lake,” said Deputy Harry Boyden of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

Cora Baggs lives in Little Venice. She said she saw the rising water coming past the huge D'Asign Source building on U.S. 1, headed for the low-lying, tightly packed houses.

“We got as many of the tires as we could from the Surfside Citgo gas station and made a V in the street to divert water into the canal,” she said. Unbelievably, it worked.

“It was the first time I had met some of my neighbors. They all came out into the street and started helping,” she said. Everywhere residents used their own body to describe the height of the water.

“It's this high,” said Dustin Hoff as he pointed to somewhere above his knee. He lives on Grassy Key and is a flats charter captain.

“My wife said the water was chest high in my house,” said Capt. Dan Eric Dunford, a Marathon fire fighter who lives behind the airport in Marathon.

Holding out in the firehouse

The 12 or so hardy souls at Marathon Fire Rescue spent an uncomfortable Sunday night at the firehouse as the storm raged around them. Unfortunately, the worst was yet to come.

“We got a call about 10 a.m., as the water was rising, that The Reef was on fire,” said Capt. Eric Dunford.

The Reef is a Marathon vacation-rental complex of rounded houses across the street from Kentucky Fried Chicken. The fire started in the clubhouse near the pool.

Dunford and three others responded — Mike Kneeland, William Wilrycx and Ben Bachmann.

“A propane tank exploded on the second floor and blew off the roof. When the waters receded, the first floor caught fire, too,” Dunford said.

As the firefighters struggled to control the blaze, other colleagues were performing swift-water rescues. Dunford said fire trucks were waved down by residents stuck in houses near Stout's Restaurant near 83rd Street. Firefighters hooked up ropes and dragged the people to safety.

“We did three swift-water rescues and we responded to many, many car fires,” he said.

Sparks from a car's shorting electrical system can cause fires that ignite the interior or engine compartments.

Dunford's own house was flooded. When the waters backed down, his wife's car caught on fire. Because he was working The Reef scene, his buddies responded.

Firefighters were also called to some houses where propane tanks had broken away from the building creating a potentially volatile situation.

“We were very busy,” he said, estimating the Marathon Fire Rescue had about 20 calls on Monday morning.

Like many other Marathon residents, the firefighters also had flooded homes. Their personal vehicles, parked in front of the fire station, were flooded out. (The firetrucks seemed to have escaped damage — possibly because they were parked inside.)

Dunford said he had about one foot of water in his truck and a colleague had water up to the dash. Dunford said that despite their losses, firefighters performed with outstanding professionalism.

“Everybody did an excellent job. Excellent,” he said.

“We lost everything”

On Sunday night when the window glass exploded, Gilbert Renca went outside to try to make some repairs. He was hit in the face with a piece of flying tree.

“It knocked me out,” he said.

His wife, Jessica Bowles, dragged him back inside.

On Tuesday, the pair was pushing an orange Kmart shopping cart that cradled their two baby boys — one 10 months old and the other 3 years old. They stopped at the Marathon Airport to collect some water and pre-packaged meals the Army was handing out.

“We lost everything. The water inside was up past my knees,” Bowles said. “We managed to go to his sister's house and we spent the night there.”

The two live at the Seaward Motel on U.S.1 in Marathon, a short-term rental hotel that caters to the working class. She is employed at Publix as a cashier. He works with a pool company.

When a Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputy offered the pair a box of Lunchable snacks for the boys, the parents declined.

“We don't have a refrigerator,” Bowles said.

[The111 1]

Hmm, I just called my hotel (Sea Dell) in Marathon, and they are open and undamaged they say.

So I guess it's still up in the air?

And yes, I realize this is the most selfish reason possible to be concerned about whether or not a city was damaged by a hurricance.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[damonsteele 0]

I just called the Coconut Cay Resort (where I'm staying). They said that they have some damage but haven't gotten a chance to get to every room to see what's what. They said to call them back tomorrow and they would have a better idea.
I also asked them how the airport looked. They said it's in good shape and there is not a lot of water over there anymore.
The boogie is still a couple of weeks out. A lot of repairs and mending can happen in that amount of time. I, for one, will stay positive!

Hope to see you all there!

[MarkM 0]

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And yes, I realize this is the most selfish reason possible to be concerned about whether or not a city was damaged by a hurricance.

Not really. The keys lives off of tourism. The sooner they can get people back there spending money, the better off of they are. So long as it doesn't hamper repair efforts, of course.

I guess it'll depend on whether or not the airport is being used for emergency services. Wendy will be the one to make contact about that. But I imagine things are really disorganized down there at the moment(if it's anything like Fort Lauderdale), so it may be some time before they're able to get an answer on it.

I do know that right now you probably won't be able to buy gas from West Palm on down to the keys. Hopefully that'll improve next week.

[BETO74 0]

Any update about how is the Keys and/or hotels? I havent been able to connect with the coconut key either. I'll be up there (skydive sebastian) today hopefully there is power and working.

http://web.mac.com/ac057a/iWeb/AC057A/H0M3.html

[freefalle 0]

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Any update about how is the Keys and/or hotels? I havent been able to connect with the coconut key either. I'll be up there (skydive sebastian) today hopefully there is power and working.

I contacted the Sea Dell about 3 days ago. They are up and running and still have rooms left. Their prices are reasonable 59.00 a night + tax.

[bendywendy 0]

OK, this is what I have so far please spread the word because I've gotten about 110 individual calls & emails about this.

It is still on! The Coconut Cay did take a lot of damage from storm surge after the hurricane passed. Our little beach party area is non-existant at this time HOWEVER - we have already found an alternate location for the party. The Cay is not sure how many usable rooms they have right now. I am about to call them and give up our staff rooms so that others can use them and have relocated our staff.

The party is moved to the BlackFin - Porky's will still be able to cater for us.

Sorry, staff there isn't a lot of choices in our rooms and some of you will have to just deal with the fact that you are in smoking rooms - you wont be in them much anyways speaking from past experiences!

I held all the remaining rooms at the BlackFin so that we could make sure they were filled with skydivers. I may have three rooms up for grabs there. One will be a small apartment with 2 bedrooms, kitchen, living room (for four adults but really it has I think queen beds in each room and a sleeper sofa and a lot of room. Full price is 159.00 a night and we get 10% off. Also may have 3 smoking double rooms. The doubles have two queens each and are 89.00 a night before the 10% off.

Contact me if you are interested in these rooms! First come,first serve. My internet at the dz is spotty right now - the hurricane screwed up our wireless antennae so call the dz if you are really desperate - 1-772-388-5672.

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

Palatka this weekend! Keys Boogie next weekend! What a great November~...WooHoo!
Thanks to my wonderful friends Becca, Mark, and Matt for making both of these weekends possible! Love you guys!!!!

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[javip82 0]

Besides the hotels everyone will be staying at, does anyone know what other hotels close to the airport that are cheap? This way I can at least fake that I am going on a romantic vacation with my girlfriend.
jejeje

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You know what's out there.
Take it, it's your's INMORTALITY!!!

[The111 1]

Read my earlier (long) post in this thread about hotels, dude.

My vote is for the Sea Dell.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[bendywendy 0]

Did you really just Dude him, dude? I have said it but I don't usually write it! Less Big Lebowski you don't have the hair for it anymore.

[RkyMtnHigh 0]

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Did you really just Dude him, dude? I have said it but I don't usually write it! Less Big Lebowski you don't have the hair for it anymore.

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[The111 1]

Lay off, dude.

www.WingsuitPhotos.com

[javip82 0]

Thank's anyway but I just found out that my freaking roof is falling off after Wilma. So I guess I won't be jumping at the key's this year.
Good luck and hope you guy's have fun.

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You know what's out there.
Take it, it's your's INMORTALITY!!!

[Bolas 5]

The Cay got damaged pretty bad. They only have about 15 rooms now. If they haven't called you, call them to confirm your room is okay. The 800 number isn't working yet but the (305) 289-7672 number is.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[RogerRamjet 0]

Hi Wendy,

I attended last year and it was great to see Roger, Carl, and Scotty after not seeing them in more than 25 years!

If I can make it down this year, I will certainly make a point of finding you this time to say hi and thank you for your efforts putting this together! I should be able to at least do a day trip (about 3 hours from where I live)....

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Roger "Ramjet" Clark
FB# 271, SCR 3245, SCS 1519