In the Keys !!!

At long last we have finally made it to the Florida keys after a trip of (roughly) 370 miles. We departed Palm Coast, on to New Smyrna, on to Cocoa, then to Vero Beach, then to Lake Peck (just north of North Palm beach), then on to Ft. Lauderdale, to Key Biscayne (outside of Miami) then to Rodriguez Key (just off Key Largo) and then, finally, the last leg, from Rodriguez on to Vaca Key and the White Marlin Marina.

                     The approach down the channel to the White Marlin Marina

                                       Opus V at rest at White Marlin Marina
The trip from F L was quite fun and exciting. The weather was perfect with light winds and calm waters. After leaving the marina in F L we motored down the ICW through the opulence--mega yachts and mega  waterway homes -- of downtown Ft. Lauderdale, finally emerging into the outlet to the Atlantic at Port Everglades and the cruise ships, tankers and freighters. We opted to pass the outlet and continue "inside" in the ICW. BUT---about 2 miles south of the outlet we came to the Dania Point Bridge at 25 ft above water--plenty of room for our 17 feet to pass under. The problem, however, was that the bridge was under repair and they required a 4 hour notice for permission to pass through (I learned this by contacting the bridge tender on our VHF radio, channel 9, when a boat moved out into the middle of the channel to block our passage). Not to worry! we did a 180 and headed back to Port Everglades outlet and "went to sea" . (You can see this reversal of fortune on our SPOT tracker--upper left hand margin of this page--just click on it and it will show our "track")
Fortunately, our first venture off shore in this boat was met with the calmest of conditions possible. We turned south after leaving the jetties and although there was a slight side to side roll the seas were only, at most, 2 feet high and the ride was quite comfortable about 2 miles off shore. We arrived at the lighthouse at Key Biscayne/ No Name Harbor around 3 PM, anchored in this small "lake" surrounded by State Park along with about half a dozen boats. (This is a very popular daytime and, especially week-end anchorage for all the boating crowd out of Miami. One time aboard Assisted Living we tried to find space on a Sunday afternoon with probably close to 50 boats in the harbor---what a mess--we moved outside and then moved in again later after all the daytrippers and the cacophony of Latin Music left for home). But this time it was quite peaceful, although the harbor started filling up toward evening--to around 20 boats by nightfall.
                                                             

The Lighthouse on the south end of Key Biscayne (Looking East toward the Atlantic)

We left the following morning with the destination of Rodriguez Key just off Key Largo. Again--very benign conditions in the Hawk Channel (The Hawk Channel is a somewhat protected waterway a couple of miles wide with the Key Islands on the west and north and a long coral protective reef on the outside. We've been through this channel several times previously and this was the most gentle ride we've ever experienced.) The water got bluer and bluer the farther south, then west, we traveled. We arrived at our overnight anchorage at Rodriguez Key around 2:30 in the afternoon, set the hook, dropped the dinghy, put on our snorkel gear and had fun--the first time we had been in the water since we left Palm Coast---watched a beautiful sunset and a number of other boats arrive and drop anchor--early to bed--in anticipation of our last leg tomorrow.
                                                           

                                                    Sunset at Rodriguez Key


An early departure for Vaca key the next morning---again--- very quiet conditions, although the water started getting just a little bit rolly the farther down we traveled as the boat traffic, especially sport fishermen, that stirred up even this large body of water. We made excellent time and arrived at the entrance to our marina channel around 1:00 PM.
                                                             

Approaching the entrance channel into Vaca Key--White Marlin Marina

After getting the boat berthed and secured and our traditional celebratory Corona Light with a lime we set about cleaning the boat--me on the outside and Diane inside. Then, it was all about exploring the marina and meeting some of the current occupants.

We had chosen wisely. The marina facilities are immaculate and the people, very friendly and welcoming. The marina is a square peninsula in a small "lake" surrounded by homes and other marinas. We tied up to the north face dock (all berths are face docks, meaning you merely just sidle up to the dock and tie up--no backing into a slip. But the entire lake is a "No Wake/ Idle Speed" waterway and wakes and roll have not been a problem.

                                             Opus V shaded by the Mangroves

                                      The Marina Tiki Hut (gathering place)

The next day we rented from Enterprise at the marathon airport and went back to F L  to retrieve our car---all day on the road, but a delightful lunch with cousin Jane in F L.

The plan is to experience "Old Florida Keys" by visiting some of the state parks and museums and basically basing out of this marina for the next month as we take day (or 2) trips to various anchorages to snorkel and just enjoy the Keys and the water.

So---more later as we begin our Keys experience (but first--laundry)

A brief note about the weather:

 Naturally the weather has been getting warmer and more humid as we travel south. Overall, it has been perfect. Temps now are in the mid-eighties and with soft breezes. The nights are cool but we sleep with the a/c on just to keep the night air dry. We open the boat up during the days but we enjoy our complete comfort at night. A cold front is expected shortly--it's Sunday morning, the 20th of March. This will bring strong northerly winds for a couple days with temps in the 60's, but warming up again shortly thereafter. So far, no problem with bugs--a few mosquitos, but no "No Seeums"

Life is Good in the Florida Keys!