There Are Sharks in Little Shark River!

We have been on the move south for a week now - arrived in the Keys yesterday afternoon and anchored in Lower Matecumbe Bight in 6'5" of water for the night. To recap the past week.......we left Useppa Island on 2/13 and had a great downwind sail inside Pine Island Sound to Fort Myers Beach. We picked up a ball there and stayed one night. Talked with Pam & Steve on "Zephia", a 36' Cape Dory, and decided to buddy up with them for the trip south. On Sunday, 2/14, we both sailed the 30+ miles to Marco Island. Because the wind was blowing from the south on Monday , we decided to take the inside passage through Goodland again, and out Coon Key Pass. We did the motoring trip as far as Panther Key; and threw down the hook there - very pretty spot. On 2/16, we sailed a big 10 miles ( including motoring in and out of the passes), to anchor for the night, which turned into two nights, in Russell Pass by Everglades City. This was a very protected spot for the NW winds. We stayed because we wanted to explore Everglades City. The four of us went the 3 mile dinghy trip in Zephia's dinghy. Everglades City is very cool...the Rod & Gun Club is historic and famous for its visitors; Presidents, celebs, etc. There is a hardware store and restaurants. On the way back, we towed a fellow sailor and his dinghy because of motor problems. That made the trip back much slower and wetter! On 2/18 we weighed anchor at 0700; and sailed 38 miles to the Little Shark River to anchor for the night. YES....there are sharks there, as one presented himself to us as we rowed over to "Zephia" for happy hour. On 2/19, we weighed anchor at 0700, and slowly (4-5 knots) sailed the 44 miles across Florida Bay to the Keys. We did the Yacht Channel again and saw depths as low as 5'1" just North of the Yacht Channel. But, we made it! Looked on the charts for a place to anchor since it was getter late (1700), and decided to go into Lower Matecumbe Bight for the night. Went to bed at 2000! FINALLY, the weather is getter better...we will see 70 degrees today with sunshine. It has only been in the 50s & 60s for weeks now.