Southbound

We received our new dinghy last Monday. We went into the Las Olas Marina for one night - did laundry, showers, boatwashing, freezer defrosting, pumpout, and got mail & the dinghy. Dockage was very reasonable - $37.00. On Tuesday, we were back on anchor in the Middle River. Our registration was sent separately, so we had to get another mail delivery at the UPS store. On Wednesday, we registered the dinghy, and went to West Marine to buy a towing bridle, new little anchor, chain, shackles, and a numbering kit. On Thursday, Portie did his last task of towing new dinghy over to Las Olas Marina; where we delivered Portie to his master, Luis - who works at the marina. He was thrilled to have his first boat! Back to the anchorage where we met Mary Ann, friend from Pt Lookout, NY for the afternoon. On Friday, we finally left Fort Lauderdale after 2 and 1/2 weeks. Started out with very little wind; so......the captain put up the spinnaker. It was great until the wind switched direction (to our beam) and piped up to about 18 knots......It was a little hairy for awhile. Then the main came out with the jib & we had a nice sail down to Key Biscayne. Went into the Bay through the Biscayne Channel - very cool. Dropped the hook outside No Name Harbor for the night. Today we had a lovely sail 16 miles down the bay to anchor by Elliot Key.