Making Tracks Northward

The trip to the Dry Tortugas was great. 70 miles west of Key West lies a cluster of seven islands which make up the Dry Tortugas National Park. Fort Jefferson its central feature, is the nation's 1800s largest masonry fort - made of 16 million bricks! A variety of birds; sooty terns, brown noddies, and frigate birds live in this wildlife refuge. Green sea turtles, Loggerheads, and hawksbill turtles are also residents here. The water is beautiful; clear and light green. We made it out to the Tortugas in two days from Marathon, FL - anchoring overnight by Boca Grande Key - 16 miles from Key West. On the return trip; after spending 5 days, we sailed the 100 miles in one day; arriving at the anchorage at Boot Key Harbor, Marathon at 0200! Our sailing buddies, on Grey Hound beat us back by 5 hours. And they left an hour later than us. After spending three days in Marathon, we started our journey back North on Saturday, April 3rd. We had a tacking marathon up the Hawk Channel in an East wind, but arrived to anchor next to Dick & Jan on "Cambia" by Lignamvitae Key. Next day was Easter Sunday, and EVERYBODY with a boat was out - as was Kismet & Cambia. We anchored in Tarpon Basin (Key Largo) for the night. Next day anchors were up at 0700 and we were off to Miami! Once we turned North; the sails were up and we had a great sail up Biscayne Bay in the East wind that has been blowing for almost a week. We pulled into Crandon Park Marina for fuel; then went to the anchorage by Key Biscayne for the night - a spectacular view of Miami!. This morning we said good-bye to "Cambia" and made our way out the Fisherman's Channel; through the inlet at Government Cut, to sail the East wind to Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale). The inlet was very rough, since we were driving right into waves coming in the inlet. The bow when under several times - thank goodness the anchors were tied on tight. Once we turned North, and raised the sails, we had a good sail to Fort Lauderdale where we anchored in Lake Sylvia. A time to relax! In the crazy inlet we met John, on "Tychee", a friend that we met last Spring in Oriental, NC - so we'll have company for dinner on Kismet!