Off To The Dry Tortugas National Park

Today we untied the mooring ball at Boot Key Harbor in Marathon FL at 0710 to begin our trip to the Dry Tortugas National Park, located about 70 miles west of Key West. Our plan is to anchor off of Boca Grande Key tonight, and reach Fort Jefferson tomorrow. We are traveling with Dick and Anne on "Grey Hound". There won't be any internet or phone service there, so I will fill you in on our return!

Sunrise At Long Key Bight

 

Getting His Drink

 

Manatee Seeking fresh Water at Plantation Yacht Harbor

 

Made It To Boot Key Harbor, Marathon FL

Sorry for the large gap in time. We spent a lovely 12 days in the Miami Beach area. All the conveniences were here - with old friends & new. On 3/16, we weighed anchor and sailed south into the upper keys to anchor next to Barry & Susan on "Swan" in Barnes Sound for the night. On 3/17, we proceeded south towards Plantation Key. The winds were light & rain was predicted. Captain Jim decided that we needed more sails up; so the Code Zero went up. After about an hour, the winds & rain increased - Jim waited about 10 minutes too long to pull in 'Codie"....the 20 knot winds made the furling untenable; so we rolled it back out and refurled successfully....unfortunately he forgot to tie a knot in the continuous line furler and out it came again! This time the furling couldn't be accomplished so we decided to drop it. The sail tried to pull Jim overboard; but luckily the snap shackle released, the sail went into the water, and Jim pulled in onto the deck. All this happening, in heavy rain, navigating in a narrow channel with 5 feet of water! I was clutching the wheel with white knuckles! After this, we decided to treat ourselves, and went into Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina for the night. Very nice marina, albeit a bit expensive, but they had pump outs at each slip, which was very convenient to do an overdue THOROUGH flush of the holding tank! It was also nice to clean the boat, do laundry, take showers, etc! On 3/18, we were off the dock at 1130. We motored & sailed about 20 miles to anchor in Long Key Bight for the night, good protection for the moderate NW winds. Yesterday, 3/19, we sailed very slowly, the final 20 miles to Boot Key Harbor. Arriving at 1330! Fortunately our timing was perfect - we were assigned the first mooring ball that was available on a boat's arrival since the third week in January! We tied up to R5; close to "Incognita II" and "Grey Hound". Went to "Lazy Days" for a great happy hour with Dick, Lynton & Carol to celebrate our arrival. The weather seems to be warming up - in the 70s today! We are hoping to go to the Dry Tortugas next week with Dick & Anne on "Grey Hound" if conditions are favorable. Got our 2009 tax return done & mailed; so we are ready to go!

A Beautiful Miami Beach Morning

 

Anchored By Monument Island, Miami Beach

We left Boca Chita on Thursday, 3/4, and had a great sail up Biscayne Bay to Miami Beach. We said good-bye to "Swan", as they were heading back south to Tarpon Basin. We anchored "Kismet" near the entrance of the Collins Canal; across from Monument Island. That evening we met Ray Hall; good friend originally from Katlynn Marina, Sodus Bay for a lovely dinner on shore. The weather is warming up here - finally! We will be here for about a week - doing boat maintenance, laundry, groceries,getting mail, and enjoying south beach. Everything is very convenient, and each time we are here we like it more. David & Peggy from "Destiny" are anchored next to us and we enjoyed visiting with them last evening. Yesterday, we also had breakfast with Ray & Susan Hall, on their way to Key West, at the Bay Supermarket counter - eggs, bacon, french fries, cuban bread toast, and cafe con leche - all for $5.00!

Tied to the Wall at Boca Chita, FL

After sitting out another weather front in Tarpon Basin over the weekend, we decided to go North and hide out in Boca Chita before the next longer & stronger front comes through South Florida. Boca Chita is part of Biscayne National Park; there is a harbor with a 1000' wall to tie up to, restrooms (no water available), and walking trails. Barry & Susan on "Swan" joined us for the trip North. Hopefully, the weather will settle after this one passes. We stayed here last year on our way back North during a very windy couple of days, and it was great; beautiful water, little beaches, a lighthouse, and swaying palm trees. We will go to Miami when we leave here.