Key West-Miami - Feb 13-16

Our alarm clock was set for an early departure from Key West on Wednesday morning. We had learned on our previous Key West dinghy excursion how important it is to not only check the forecast but look at the weather radar also. One look at the radar and we knew it was a “no go” day. Within a couple hours, the rain and winds blasted in to Key West and lasted all day long. Rainy day means project day. The project of the day was installing additional LED lighting to the galley. Love it! The rains quit by Thursday, but the wind continued. 

Friday was “go” day! We pulled out of Key West Harbor, turned left to the Atlantic side of the Keys and traveled Hawk Channel.  Hawk Channel is a strip of 10-30 ft deep water which runs between the Florida Keys and a reef 4-5 miles off shore, paralleling the keys. We traveled 97 miles on calm seas. Late afternoon we dropped the anchor near Tavernier Key. We were treated to an amazing sunset and woke up to a beautiful sunrise. 

Our goal was to get staged near Miami for our crossing to the Bahamas. We knew the Miami Boat Show was going on so we decided drop in and see our friends at the FreedomLift Booth. We pulled in to Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne by early afternoon on Saturday. From the marina we walked 3 miles to the boat show. Great afternoon! 

Next up...The Bahamas!

Only in Key West!

Rainy day in Key West

Adding lights to galley

Sunset at Tavernier Key Anchorage 

Hello Miami!

Outboards galore! 

The historic Marine Stadium at Miami Boat Show 

Marathon-Key West - Feb 7-12

On Thursday, our friends Paul & Cindy arrived Marlin Bay Marina around noon. Since they had a rental car it was a good opportunity to load up on supplies. Paul & Cindy will be traveling with us to Key West and possibly back depending on weather conditions.

Friday morning we untied our lines and slipped out of the harbor. We traveled the Gulf side for a few miles and then turned left to travel under 7 Mile Bridge to the Atlantic side. We cut back in at Bahia Honda and navigated the shallow waters around many uninhabited Keys.
By noon we dropped the hook at Tarpon Belly Key. The story of Tarpon Belly began in 1966 when a Delaware company purchased the island, dug 2 canals thru it 100 ft wide, 500 ft long and 20 ft deep, and netted off both ends with plans of raising and harvesting shrimp in the canals. They had limited success and a few years later the industry found that they could farm shrimp in ponds on land. The Tarpon Belly operations were abandoned. It was interesting taking a dinghy ride around the island and thru the abandoned canals. In the shallows around the island, we scared up many stingrays.  This pretty island makes for a popular camping location for some adventurous souls. In fact, Paul & Steve had to take our dinghy out to assist kayakers whose two out of four kayaks had swamped crossing the 4 mile stretch to get to the island. It was a beautiful night to fire up the grill and throw on steaks. After a marvelous dinner, the captain summoned the entire crew to the bow for an amazing star gazing experience.

Saturday morning’s cruise was “all hands on deck” as we had to dodge a zillion crab pot balls in fairly rough seas. We successfully arrived Key West by noon without incident. We pulled into Galleon Marina and were welcomed by Paul’s sister and husband from New York who were vacationing in Key West with friends from Chicago.

Sunday & Monday the four of us enjoyed the highlights of Key West. We were hoping to depart Key West on Monday, however the current and forecasted winds changed our plans. Paul & Cindy departed by car on Tuesday morning to catch their flight home. We stayed in Key West waiting for the winds and the seas to calm down.

Goodbye Marathon 

Cindy & Paul with the Captain 

Anchored at Tarpon Belly Key

Came across this Geico agent, tried to get a quote but he wouldn’t talk to us.

Sunset at Tarpon Belly Key

Poorly planned dinghy expedition.

Enjoying the sights, sounds and flavors of Key West!

Marathon-Islamorada-Marathon - Feb 4-6

Monday morning we left Marathon and headed for our old stomping grounds at Islamorada. After cruising 40 miles we dropped the hook in Barley Basin.  We took the dinghy to do a recon of Lorelei’s Marina and entrance channel. We found the entrance to be too shallow for PV2 so we decided to spend another night anchored in Barley Basin.

 Due to the shifting winds on Tuesday, we moved a little over a mile across the Basin for better protection.  It was another lovely day and we enjoyed some snorkeling at one of our favorite locations, the Sandbar on the Atlantic.

Wednesday we cruised back to Marathon where our friends Paul & Cindy will be meeting up with us on Thursday. We took a slip at Marlin Bay Marina where our Looper friends Jerry & Billie where also docked. That evening the four of us walked over to Keys Fisheries, famous for Stone Crab. We felt we were getting even by eating stone crabs after having to dodge the crab pots floats all day on the boat. Ha! It was so fun to spend time with Jerry & Billie.

First Mate watching for shallows. 

Fun at the Sandbar - Islamorada 

Marlin Bay Marina 

Billie & Jerry

Marco Island-Marathon Key - Feb 1-3

Next up, The Keys! We departed Marco Island early Friday morning with a destination of either Cape Sable or Marathon. The waters were calm so the trip of 75 miles on the Gulf to Cape Sable was smooth. Upon pulling into the area where we intended to anchor out, the winds increased and Captain Wind Watcher didn’t like the protection. It was hard to leave the views of a huge private beach, but we knew we should continue on.  We traveled another 28 miles and by 4:30pm we pulled into an anchorage just north of Bahia Honda Key.

On Saturday we took the dinghy around Bahia Honda Key and stopped by Money Key. Money Key was a beautiful tropical “Gilligan’s Island” kind of place when we went by in 2015 on the Loop. Now, post Hurricane Irma, it is more of a desolate brush strewn Island with one single battered palm tree.

The next morning we moved to Marathon Marina located on the west end of Marathon Key. That afternoon we enjoyed a dinghy ride around Boot Key Harbor where hundreds of boats of a shapes and sizes moor for the winter. After being on the hook for 4 nights in a row, it was nice to have power, get on solid ground and watch the Super Bowl!

Sunset at Bahia Honda Key.

Passings thru the remains of the original 7 Mile Bridge.

Sunset Grill, our Super Bowl stop.

Super Bowl, Florida Keys style.

Longboat Key-Marco Island - Jan 26-Jan 31

On January 26 we made a well timed departure out of Michigan just before the Polar Vortex brought severe winter to the Midwest. We arrived Sarasota late evening and were greeted by 49 degree temperatures. Not sure this is Florida, but it’s sure not Michigan.

Time to head south to find hot weather! After a couple of boat project days at Longboat Key, we fired up the diesels and headed south. On Monday night we anchored out near Englewood Beach, dropped the dinghy and met Sue & Randy Vis, Kim & Jeanne Wagner and Larry & Carole Poll at the White Elephant for dinner. A good time was had by all.

Tuesday morning we headed out on the ICW for 45 miles to Moss Marina in Fort Myers Beach. We met friends Gary & Lori Wiltse for dinner. They left us their car so we could make a Walmart run to stock up on provisions before the Keys. By noon Wednesday we where ready to continue on.

We traveled 35 miles on the Gulf to Marco Island where we dropped the hook and stayed 2 nights.The temps finally hit in the 70s! What a pretty area.

Leaving Longboat Key at low tide.

Dinner at the White Elephant.

Happy to be warm finally!

Longboat Key - Jan 3-10

We spent the holidays in Michigan celebrating with family. Cheap flights to Florida called us to make a quick trip back to the boat. We had a nice weekend together to check on the boat, and enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather. Steve flew home on Monday and Sheli’s mom flew in.

Mom and Sheli had fun shopping, visiting the beach and going to the Ringly Museum in Sarasota. The highlight of the museum was visiting the Circus Museum. This is a 44,000 piece Howard Bros Circus Model re-creation of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus combined show from 1919-1938. What an awesome representation of the huge production it was when the Circus game to town.

It was fun to have mom on board and to explore the beautiful Longboat Key area.

Fun!

Model of Circus