"2003 December 13-15 Miami to Marathon" Indian Key Travelogue by grandmaR

Fair on the shore

Bob returned the car ($168 for the week) and walked back to the marina.

Miamarina has a pumpout but no nozzle for it (Bob thinks that the big charter boat captains have their own nozzles), so we went over to Crandon Park to get fuel. They tried to tell us that their pumpout didn't work, but the fuel dock guy managed to give us a free pumpout. He didn't even want a tip.

No Name Harbor

We went out the Florida Channel and we saw all the people waiting for a weather window in No Name Harbor. Also saw the Medicare blimp. Bob put up the main while I made peanut butter sandwiches for lunch.

.

Sky at 3:58 pm over Hawk Channel

We anchored off Key Largo about 1720 after 42.2 sm. We spend a very uncomfortable night due to wind and rollers from the east.

Tonight was the Ft. Lauderdale boat parade, and Channel 7 said they would have it on TV, and they did not

Tavernier

Got up at 0530 and listened to the weather report. Started to pull the anchor at 0630. Had to drive up to the anchor and finally got it up at 0700.

About 0830, I saw a small sea turtle (about the size of a dinner plate) idling at the surface - just sticking his head out occasionally. It is cloudy and we don't need sunglasses.

The wind is 22 knots on the nose. As the day wears on, I become resigned to anchoring out another night. We pass Rodriguez Key about 1035 - too early to anchor. Pass Tavernier at 1135 - still too early to anchor

Bridge near Indian Key at 1534

. We decide to try to make it to Indian Key. When I look at the guidebooks, I see that there are moorings there which are free off the state park. I call them to check.

Indian Key mooring in early morning

After a great deal of difficulty, we pick up the mooring pennant from the mooring. Twice the engine stopped when I dropped back to neutral. There are crab pots interspersed in the moorings - maybe I've got one on the prop and that's why the engine stops. Eventually Bob gets a line on the mooring, but he can't get a bridle on it.

This mooring has no metal ring on top, so in order to put a bridle on it, we have to pull the mooring up to deck level. We try several times, and also try to pull the boat up to the mooring - no success - the wind is blowing us too hard. We want the bridle on so that there's more than one line on the mooring for safety. There are rain showers where it rains hard on and off.

After dark, the wind drops off to 5 knots and it is only sprinkling, and we go up on deck together and get the bridle on the mooring so we can sleep easier. The wind clocks around from SE to NE, and the rollers go away. We spend a pretty peaceful night, and still have pretty good reception on the TV antenna.

Same bridge in the morning at 0738

Got underway a bit after 8. I had to drive the boat up to the mooring to get the bridle off. Bob pulled out the jib and ran the refrigeration. The other day when we ran it, it kicked off early because the pump lost it's prime. But it works this time.

Bob saw a pod of dolphins and then later a bunch of frigate birds swooping over the water. Heard a big bump on the hull and looked back and saw a light blue crab pot like we'd seen in the mooring field (looking somewhat the worse for wear) in our wake. We are motor sailing - fastest speed 10.0 mph.

Rounded East Sister Rock, and went by Sombrero Beach and came into the marina and got fuel (which was only $1.19/gal for diesel). Our total trip to this point is 1109 nm.

Tied up in the marina. Called Bell South to get a phone. They said we'd have a phone line by Thursday. Talked to Ed Marill on the phone- we are going to Castaways Weds for dinner. We walked up and ate dinner at Cabots the marina restaurant.

We spent the winter in Marathon