February 23 - March 10 Ft Lauderdale to the Keys

Water Taxi in Ft Lauderdale



Sue and Jerry Janaro in Ft Lauderdale



Sunset in the Keys







Bridge to the Keys

A Water Taxi in Key Largo







Las Olas Marina, Ft Lauderdale, 5 night, cost $473.17 , 17 miles today, MM1064
On Thursday we arrived in Ft Lauderdale and got a slip at the municipal dock right near the famous Ft Lauderdale beaches. .

Friday we walked the beach. Sue and Jerry Janaro are letting us use their extra car which is so helpful as we were able to go shopping for a new motor for the dinghy. Now we will have some transportation when we anchor. Sue and Jerry came over Friday for cocktails Friday evening and we went out to dinner despite the pouring rain. We have tickets to see the King Tut exhibit at the Ft Lauderdale art museum on Sunday

Saturday February 25
Today is shopping. The guy at West Marine directed us to Seven Seas Marina where we bought a new Suzuki motor. Got that back to the boat and spent cocktail time with the two Canadian couples on the sailboat next to us. Dinner at one of the restaurants on the beach.

Sunday February 26
Today is grocery shopping and winding up a few more chores before we go to the King Tut exhibit. The exhibit was awesome – so amazing that the colors are so vibrant after 3000 years. Amazing to thing that King Tut may have been unknown if his tomb wasn’t found in the 1920s. After the exhibit we walked Las Olas Blvd. – a collection of boutique shops and restaurants. Ate at the Tuscan Grill – excellent food.

Monday February 27
We decided to take the Dinghy to Mark at 84 boat works and have them mount the davits. Spent the rest of the day walking the beach and checking out the shops.

Tuesday February 28
Bakers Haulover inlet , 15 miles, MM1079
Picked up the dinghy and was glad we had the davits put on professionally as they mounted them for correct placement on the boat. Took the car to Sue and Jerry and they came back to the boat to see us off. Told us of a good anchorage about halfway to Miami. We took our time and anchored near the Florida Intl University. Good spot and we even got to try out the dinghy and motor. Works fine.

Wednesday March 1
Miami Beach Marina,$141.24 - most expensive marina ,10 miles, MM1089
We left for Miami Beach and got in around 1:00. Huge marina and our first ocean run. We left the anchorage and went into the ocean via the channel and entered back into Government Cut in Miami.
Spent the afternoon and evening in South Beach. Had fun exploring the beach, shops and had a nice dinner at the Grillfish. Also, I got some Key Lime Pie.
During the evening we saw a huge sailing vessel come in and found out that the world’s best sailors are gathering for a race in Miami this weekend. We were surrounded by these huge, million dollar America’s Cup sail boats along with their young crews.

Thursday March 2, 2006
No Name Harbor, Key Biscayne Bill Baggs state park, 7miles, MM1096
Left Miami Beach behind and cruised to Biscayne Key. Along the way we saw the Port of Miami and cruised by the city itself along with its great skyline. The water was so clear that I was able to see a huge sea turtle swim by the boat.
Anchored in No Name Harbor in Key Biscayne. Very pretty water and nice and calm. Took our dinghy to the dock and walked to the beach near the Lighthouse. Our dinghy is now fully operational!

Friday March 3, 2006
Buttonwood Sound K Largo ,47 miles today, MM1143
Left No Name Harbor behind heading deeper into the Keys. Next stop is Key Largo and an anchorage in Buttonwood Harbor. Not too far out we saw a Coast Guard boat who motioned for us to slow down. We did and then he came closer and motioned for us to stop. He asked if we had been inspected by the Coast Guard recently. Of course, I said no and they decided to come aboard. Who’s to argue with the coast guard? Well, we passed and they were prompt and efficiency. Then we were on our way.
Arrived in our anchorage as the wind started kicking up. The water was not as clear as both Miami and Biscayne. Kind of disappointing. We did take the dinghy to a Tiki Bar nearby and enjoyed watching the boats. Then it was a quick walk to a Walgreen where we got some more wine and beer. Back to the boat and we got soaked on the way back – salt water spray in our faces. Bad night, the wind was awful and the boat and water combined to make awful noises. Hard to sleep, I ended up sleeping in the salon, more in the middle of the boat and a bit quieter.

Saturday March 4
Islamorada anchor, close to Loreli restaurant and stores, 17 miles today,MM1160
Finally decided after much discussion that we would move on. Glad we did because the winds died down and the water became clearer. We had a great trip to Islamorada. Found a good anchorage and settled in. Again a dinghy trip to the Tiki Bar at Loreli’s restaurant. Found out that the restaurant had been damaged during Hurricane Wilma and just opened again a few weeks ago and still isn’t serving food.
The wind started up again but not as bad as yesterday. We came back for stir fry on the boat and settled in for the night. Still windy but not as bad.

Sunday March 5
Like it here in Islamorada so plan to stay for a few days. Nicer weather! Took the dinghy to a huge store called World Wide Sportsman. Had dinner at a restaurant overlooking the water.

Monday March 6
Today is beautiful – warm and calm. Took the dinghy as I wanted to get my hair done. Of course, all salons are closed on Monday. We did see a sight you would only encounter in the Conch Republic – a pink Cadillac came floating by the boat! Check out the pictures. Steak tonight on the boat.

Tuesday March 7, 2006
Windy last night and more predicted today. Decided to stay another day. Found a salon that was open and got my hair cut today. Back to the boat to bask in the sun. Another day in Paradise.

Wednesday March 8
Sunset Cove Key Largo ,17 miles today, MM1142
Decided to pull up anchor and begin our slow cruise north. We thought we’d give Key Largo another try and settled into Sunset Cove. Nice area because there are restaurants, stores and a post office nearby. We rode the dinghy to shore and got some walking in as we ran errands. Snooks is the local bar and restaurant so we enjoyed happy hour and watched the sunset. Quite a crowd for the event.

Thursday March 9
Another day in Key Largo, Snooks has a band tonight so we decided to stay and go out tonight. Went ashore to do some errands, a Walgreen’s is nearby so I put some of my pictures onto CD and used their digital picture maker to get some prints. I actually have started the “Great Loop scrapbook so this will give me more material to work with.
We had a nice dinner at Snooks and enjoyed dancing to the music on their outdoor patio. When we left, we discovered that our brand new out board motor only would operate in reverse. Bummer!

Friday March 10, 2006
Hurricane Harbor ,45 miles today, MM1098
Pulled up anchor and heading for Key Biscayne. We’re passing again through the Everglades National Park. We even saw an eagle in its nest on one of the markers. Also, went under one of the high bridges that lead to the Keys from the mainland. Skipper Bob had recommended Hurricane Harbor, just a tad north so we once again anchored amid million plus dollar homes. Since we couldn’t dinghy other than in reverse, we decided to row but the current was pretty strong and we decided against going too far that way.