Sorry for the lapse in time since our last post. Our generator broke down and so it is difficult to use the computer.
We had quite an experience at Miami Beach Marina! Sort of like the "Three Stooges". After refueling, we headed to our slip, but another sailboat (Moriah) being towed to the Marina via SeaTow changed our destination at the last second to another slip. By then the wind and current caught us and long story short it took practically an hour to get us "right" into the slip. I really felt sorry for the dock hand, as I think he actually knew less about tying up a sailboat that I do!
The Marina caters mostly to power boats and they just don't understand sailboats. Once we were finally tied up, we got to watch SeaTow plant, The Sailboat Moriah, next to us. Those guys really know how to manuever! Moriah is a 56 ft Vanguard and looked a little like the boat on "Captain Ron". They had a fuel filter issue. Captain Dave gave them some advice and turned out to be right.
I wish I could have gotten a look inside. We met the owners who had only purchased her a month ago and on their maiden voyage to North Carolina. They headed out Tuesday morning just before we left at slack tide for North Carolina, we headed for No Name Harbor.
A hell of a storm came up on our way to No Name Harbor, so we had to hang out for a while on the ICW, 40+ gusts. It was kind of hairy for a while, but we survived. We began this leg hopeful that we had put our "anchoring woes" behind us. Yeah well, the saga continues!
If you've never been, No Name Harbor, aka Bill Boggs National Park is just a little alcove off the ICW just beyond Miami Harbor, south of Hurricane Harbor. Captain Dave had spent some time there on our former boat, Valhalla, and was anxious to show it to me.
They charge $2 for the day and $15 for an overnighter. There is a little Cuban Cafe there. I am sad to say that since we hadn't originally planned on staying more than one night, we didn't put the dingy down at all. Captain swam ashore to pay our fees. So we missed the beach, park and the Cafe. I know, but at the time, it just seemed like a lot of work, and since it was raining or threatening to rain, it didn't seem important, not to mention that we were constantly dragging anchor. But I did get a great sunset pic! We spent two nights there and headed out early dawn for Pumpkin Key.
Pumpkin Key is also off the ICW. It's about 40 nm from No Name Harbor, near Angelfish Creek. Ocean Reef, one of the most prestigious resorts in Florida is adjacent to Pumpkin Key. They have an airport and a marina for members only. I was surprised that the homes were not as nearly as extravagant as those we saw in Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Our first evening, Friday, just about the time we were ready to settle down to sleep, a storm came up and again we were dragging anchor. We had to start the engine and continue doing "donuts" for over an hour as there were about 4 other boats anchored there. We got soaked to the skin!
We had to reset the anchor again and again over the next two days there. (you got to be tired of hearing about our anchor issues!) We had planned on leaving for Hawk Channel on Sunday, but the weather looked kind of dicey, so we stayed one more night. I got a couple great pics of a beautiful sunset there too. I'm just crazy about sunsets, since sunrise comes a little early for me.
Angelfish Creek is quite narrow and very shallow so we had to leave at high tide, 6am Monday morning, and luckily we did not run aground.
We motor sailed down Hawk Channel and arrived at Channel Five at just about sundown, and of course another sunset! We soon realized that we were again dragging anchor and then we were aground!
Capt'n Dave put down all the anchor rode and with a little help from Mother Nature, we were floating again. Another sleepless night for our Captain! Honestly, I try to help, but he just has insomnia!
Up at 5:30am, we headed back to Hawk Channel en route to Bootkey Harbor City Marina. We arrived at about 1pm or so on Tuesday. We promptly got moored and headed in to the dingy dock. Land, it's land!
I've read that Boot Key was a haven for a lot of broken down, old boats and they had a very bad "pollution" problem. The City came in and planted mooring balls and have added new restrooms, showers, a laundry and now have a pump-out boat. They also have a book exchange, a TV room, VCR and movie exchange.
There is quite a large community of boaters here. They even have a yoga class each morning! How cool is that?
They have also organized a net that meets via VHF each morning and they even have church services this way too. You can offer something for sale or ask for information etc. This, of course, is the off season, but still many cruisers come in each day, stay for an evening or two and head off to their next destination.
Boot Key is very dingy friendly; you can go to West Marina, Publix, Kmart, Dockside (a tavern on the water), etc. though there are only a few places you are permitted to tie up.
Capt'n Dave and I rented bikes and toured Marathon. I AM REALLY OUT OF SHAPE, WHEW!! THE CAPTAIN COULD HAVE DONE THE WHOLE ISLAND, BUT I WAS NOT ABLE.
Yesterday we went to Sombrero Beach. It was very nice, except for all the sea grass. They have showers, picnic areas, volleyball courts; the place is very busy with family activities. There are many lovely homes on all of the canals, and of course condos. There is also the Sombrero Resort & Marina and a golf course.
We spent several evenings at the Hurricane Grill, watching the Penguins; last evening was a sorry loss! They had played so well on Thursday, what happened???? Ah, professional sports!
Our generator belt and impeller are due in tomorrow, Monday. Our plan is to do the repair and head out Wednesday for Bahia Honda. We will anchor there for an evening at least and then it's on to Key West!
Stay tuned!
