Marathon, Boot key Harbor

Friday Feb 6

Still anchored in Marathon for 2 weeks now. Our plan had been to stay for possibly a week, but when on Keys time there seems to be no reason to rush. The real reason we are still here is the wind has been howling out of the north for the past week. One night as a cold front passed thru we had a storm with winds clocked at over 60 knots. Thankfully it didn't last long and we were in a protected Anchorage where the waves don't get a chance to build. The land here is so flat and the trees are very short, mostly mangroves, so not much protection from the wind. Much of the time the wind has been around 20kts or higher. Not great for heading out to anchorages we aren't familiar with.

We have moved and are now anchored in the main harbor a long ways from the city marina where we can land our dingy, this isn't as convenient but where we were last week we kept bumping things on the bottom. We were in only 7 ft of water and there numerous sunken boats and other junk from past hurricanes that were never removed.

The weather has been sunny but very cool this week. Yesterdays low was 42 with a high of only 56. We did have a few hot days at the beach last week and temps are scheduled to be back to upper 70's this weekend. Mostly good weather for biking about seeing the sights.

Thurs thru Sat,Jan 15 thru 17- Key Largo, anchored in Tarpon Basin, about a mile out from town. Winds have been out of north and this has been one of the few protected spots with deep water(6 ft). Fri and Sat we biked about the area, groceries and a state park with aquarium. Otherwise Key Largo was rather disappointing, quite run down with a lot of dumpy areas along with a few resorts. Weather has been ok with hi's in the lo to mid 70's.

Sun- Sunny with temps mid 70's, Sail to Lignium Vitae Key, anchored off state park, only allowed ashore as part of a tour, we were the only ones in our tour even though it was Sunday. We are now in Florida Bay, the water for miles is average 6 ft deep and gin clear (as they say here), much of the time we were only in 5 ft.

Mon- Sunny, mid 70's, strong south wind. Motor south thru channel 5 to long key bight on the ocean side. Anchorage was much more exposed than we expected and we sailed back to Lignium Vitae as strong winds are predicted overnight. A quick downpour midday but sunny again after. Water in florida bay side is in mid 60's, ocean side is 72. took a quick swim today but to cold for snorkeling.

Tues & Wed - Sunny and cool, Sailed thru Channel 5 to the ocean side of the keys. Cold front with strong north winds predicted. Stayed on free mooring at Indian Key State Park. It has been cool with hi wed. in 50's. Hike around island, tried fishing no luck even though I can see lots of fish among the rocks.

Thurs- still cool, 51 in Marathon this morning. Sunny with winds n@15, Run south to Vaca Key (Marathon) under full sail. Enter Boot key Harbor thru Sister Creek, Anchored Among at least 300 sailboats in harbor. The city has a great facility for the transients with dingy docks, showers, laundry and internet. Many of these boats are here for months.

Fri- Sunny and cool, lo of 47, hi in mid 60's. Met Fred and Linda Robare for lunch, shopping, and a tour of the island.

Sat- Bike about area, Sunny and still cool. Alot of the boaters that we met along the way are anchored here.

More pictures

Lighthouse at Boca Chita Key Harbor

No Name Harbor Key Biscayne

Pictures

Beach at No Name Harbor - Key Biscayne

Miami skyline

Biscayne Bay

Fri. thru Monday- Have spent the past few days anchored in Key Biscayne. First night in Hurricane Harbor which was very protected and peaceful but surrounded by private homes with no place to get to shore. Spent Sat thru Monday at No Name Harbor, National park with protected anchorage, miles of bike trails and a great beach. Has been sunny and hot, did a lot of biking and swimming. The village is very pretty but this place must be a zoo in the summer. Only a short drive from Miami and the island is mostly State and National Park. Harbor was very busy and noisy with boaters Sat nite but quiet the rest of the time.

Tuesday- Hot and breezy, Sail to Boca Chita Key, another national park with protected harbor with inexpensive docks. tiny island but a great spot.

Wed. Breezy and cooler, Strong north wind. Had a great sail south where we anchored in the lee of Pumpkin Key off of Key Largo. Temps in lo 70's. All of Biscayne Bay is about 8-10 ft deep with shallower channels thru the reefs. Water very clear and can see bottom much of the time.
Today(Thurs) we leave Biscayne Bay and enter Florida Bay, Taking advantage of the favorable north winds to run south.

Andros continues south

Jan. 6, 2009 Tues. - After 6 weeks ashore we are back aboard and moving south. Sunny and hot, strong south winds. Motored south to Palm Beach anchoring at Phil Foster Park. Water here is crystal clear and 75. Snorkeled a while, quiet nite.

Wed.- Partly sunny and warm again, lo 80's still strong south winds. Motored south thru Lake Worth, anchored in Pellican Harbor, near DelRay Beach. Small circular lake surrounded by condos, but great protection with bad weather expected. Strong winds and some showers with passage of front. Winds shifted to north bringing cooler weather.

Thurs.- Sunny but cooler, lite north wind. high of 74. Motor thru Fort Lauderdale past the huge cruise ships. anchor in South Lake at Hollywood Beach. The past 3 days have taken us thru an area you never get to see by car. The Mansions line the shoreline at every turn. We have covered 95 miles and passed thru 28 drawbridges in 3 days, have had to wait for quite a few as many are on a half hour schedule. I can see why many boaters avoid this section of the icw and run the ocean for this stretch. Will enter the Keys today and only have 6 more bridges to pass thru. Plan on staying at Key Biscayne tonight after passing thru Miami.

Arrived at Palm Circle

Sat- Sunny and cool, strong N winds. Great sail to Jensen Beach where we left the ICW and headed 5 miles up the St. Lucie River(Okeechobee Waterway).

We are currently docked in the old Lobster Shanty marina which is a short walk to our winter home at 32 Palm Circle. Not sure if we can keep the boat here as this marina isn't really in operation and is currently in bankruptcy. The Restaurant and surrounding area were mostly destroyed a few years ago by hurricanes Francis and Jean and have never been rebuilt. This brings to an end the first stage of our journey.

We had a great time even though the weather was cooler than expected and we didn't spend nearly enough time exploring and sightseeing. We traveled 2006 statute miles over almost a 2 month period. Plan to spend some time here in Jensen Beach planning the next leg of our trip. Chris is flying home after Thanksgiving to visit the girls and drive down with our car. We have been busy since our arrival cleaning and doing yard work. Enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with 37 of our neighbors in the clubhouse where we were jokingly given the "slow boat to China" award.