Friday 3-18-16

Southeast Florida

Leaving Marathon, we cruised about 45 miles to Cowpens Anchorage, rock and sand bottom,  just outside Plantation Key/Marina.
Next day found only one anchor fluke buried, one on a rock, 7' depth, then it was on to Biscayne Bight Anchorage, then North Lake Worth Anchorage across Biscayne Bay at Biscayne Key.  Very large, great holding bottom.

Miami by day from Biscayne Key

Miani by night

It's blurry; we're rolling.



Downtown

Modest little mega-yacht.  Lots of billionaires around.

Nice when they are high enough to clear

Narrow channel, nice colors

Moving them fast

We had 8 traveling companions yesterday coming to Ft. Pierce

 

3/13/2016



One of the friendly Marathon natives

Entry to Boot Key Harbor

Everything you need to know during your stay

Shopping expedition to Publix

Tiny Restaurant in the Harbor, says Ozark Food, Ozark prices.

Sunday, 3-13-2016

Marathon anchorage dinghy dock

We've had a great stay at Marathon, but the wind has diminished and we must start our northern movement tomorrow.  We should have a week of good weather. Every time the weather changes it is like you are in a different world.

We took the local bus over to Key West and have tried out some of the Marathon venues, lots of good fish and Key Lime Pie.  Being on anchor the last week, riding in the dinghy every day is a required pleasure.



Some boats are headed for Cuba from here, but we will pass this time.  Hate to miss the Rolling Stone concert, but we've seen 'em before a few times.

Neighbors are about 20 yards aft with a new wind direction.  Glad I took up on that anchor rode last night in anticipation.









We took the local bus over to Key West and have tried out some of the Marathon venues, lots of good fish and Key Lime Pie.  Being on anchor the last week, riding in the dinghy every day is a required pleasure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We rode the Trolley to Key West for the day

Selfie while on the bus to Key West


 

 



3-10-16

Boot Key, Marathon, Fl.

 

 

Boot Key is a bit of a different world from what we've seen.  All our stops have been good in their own ways, but this area reminds us a little of the 1960s in Berkeley or Gate 5 in Sausalito.   Everyone is on anchor or mooring ball.  We all dinghy in to the dinghy dock where there is a community center.  There we find a large all purpose room with tables, wifi, TVs, mail and information.  Attached are workshop rooms where boaters sew sails, do repairs of all sorts, even build small boats.  There is a Tiki Hut cabana where people meet up, party, play music and generally hang out. It has a commune feel. The vibe is extra mellow. Each morning at 0900 there is a cruisers net on marine radio channel 68. It is a forum for announcements, buy-sell-trade-giveaway, help with anything, advice and trivia.  It unites the harbor of 200-300 boats so they know eachother and can help eachother out.  This is our 6th day here; I could get used to this. No wonder people come down here on a trip and never leave.

 

 

Mooring Ball Field



Inside dinghy dock.

Like parking in LA but no dents.  Maybe cars should be rubber???



This boat, like many, dragged anchor in the high winds and went aground.

Manatees are common lolling in the the harbor and channels, much like us Loopers.

Sunrise with the east wind blowing on Boot Key Harbor. 72 degrees.

A new neighbor schooner just dropped anchor.

 



 

 2-29-16

Leaving Longboat


Ok, it's Leap Year, time to leap.  Been here soooo long and it's sooo nice, but being on a trip implies movement, so here we go.  We have some good weather forecasts for the next week.  Wind has finally laid down a bit.

After a late (1400) start our first stop turns out to be the Venice City dock by their boat ramp, about 40 miles south of Longboat/Sarasota, 1700.  Sign said "No Overnight Docking", midnight to 0600.  By midnight we were asleep and forgot to move.  Police forgot to check, so all was good.  Besides, there was a sailboat there that appeared permanent.   .2 mi. walk to Crows Nest Restaurant.

 

 

 The channel out of Longboat.

A swing bridge opening for us.

 

 

 Sunset at Venice

A peaceful channel passage.

Next we anchored at Pelican Bay in the lee of Cayo Costa Is.

From Pelican Bay we went to Ding Darling Anchorage sheltered by Sanibel Is.  It was a huge bay with only us.  Huge fetch to the NE, but wave heights were small even with wind from NE.

 

We see many Osprey nests, along with myriad other species of herons, egrets, ibis, ducks, pelicans, vultures, hawks, and many more.  Florida seems really full of wildlife.

Anchoring at Marco Is.

One must always be ready to kneel, to secure lines, handle anchoring, check engines, repair assorted malfunctions and to praise Neptune.

 The Wilderness of the Sea. 

No land in sight.  The way it looked millions of years ago.  Nothing man-made.  It is awe inspiring and exhilerating to be out and alone except the sound of the wind and waves (and two diesels we hope to Hell keep running).

 

After anchoring in Little Shark River in the Everglades, we finally made it to Marathon in the Florida Keys, anchoring in Boot key Harbor.

 The winds have been 20+ knots, gusting higher at times. After shifting from north to east we find ourselves only 15 yards from a boat behind us.

Meanwhile, the boat ahead has gotten very close, dragging anchor.  Many boats are dragging anchor and repositioning.
Our big Fortress FX55 held tight.


This trawler moved so we moved ahead and put down two anchors, the Fortress and a 35 lb. CQR just for insurance.  Winds are forecast to increase to 28 with gusts over 30 knots.

 

 

Arriving back home from dinghy dock and land-based operations.