Marathon to Hollywood Beach, April 2013

We had 2 perfect days to travel on the ocean from Marathon to Miami. It just doesn't get any better.

Sunset Boot Key Harbour.

The first day we left Boot Key Harbour at 7:00 am, knowing we had to travel 50 miles to Rodriquez Key. This is the only place where we could get in with the 5' 6" keel. Bright sunny day, daytime high of 80 F, 12 knot winds and we were able to get the linen out. One of those very unusual times where we could sail.  Just a perfect day. No navigating for me, so I settled in to a good book. The captain was happy to be sailing.

What is that white stuff on our boat?

Rodriguez Key is a staging area for boats going to the Bahamas. Too bad we are out of time for this trip. The next day would have been perfect to make the trip. There were a lot of boats sitting at anchor waiting. By the time we got up the next morning at least half of the boats had already left for the Bahamas.

We rafted with Steve and Linda. Steve made a Classic Spinach Lasagna that was really good. We had dinner with them, then our game of Euchre and off to bed.

Steve had to rescue a runaway fender.

The next morning we were up and off to No Name Harbour just outside of Miami. Another great day on the water, however we weren't able to sail, the wind was on the nose all day. We arrived at No Name around 3 pm, and a good thing too. This little well protected harbour is supposed to hold up to 20 boats, but it is very close quarters. We found our spot and anchored. Steve and Linda joined us and we rafted together. Steve had caught a fish while trolling, so we had fish for our drink appetizers on the flybridge of Yesterday's Dream. Very, very good. I think he said it was a mackerel of some kind.

Now we're sailing.

Dinner with Steve and Linda. He made a wonderful vegetable stir fry over rice. They are spoiling us. After dinner drinks on the flybridge and then 3 rounds of Euchre, where the ladies beat the gentlemen each and every round.

In the morning we took our boats over for a pump out and then got the bikes of the boats and went for a ride to the lighthouse on the point. We all were ready for some exercise. By 11 am we were pushing off to head to Hollywood beach, and we tied up at Joe's Tiki Shack (restaurant) where we had tied last year. This is Wednesday night, and Peter and Steve want to practice for karaoke night; Thursday night.

Lighthouse at No Name Harbour.

Unknowingly, we were so fortunate. The second bridge that was under construction was open as we approached and we were able to go right through. We later learned that when that bridge closed, it was closed for 2 hours. That would have been so awful to have to wait for 2 hours.

The good fortune continued, there are 8 bridges in this section of our trip and we only had to wait for 1 bridge that we had missed by 5 minutes. We had a very short wait at another bridge and the rest we were able to make at the correct times.

Drinks all around for everyone.

This is the hottest day so far and once we had the boats tied, we thought we had earned a drink and something to eat at Joe's Tiki Shack. Now we all need an afternoon rest to prepare for the evening.