On Monday morning (October 22) we left
Boca Chita after spending a very nice “quiet” night all to ourselves. We were itching to get going and we had a
fairly nice day of travel although we did have quite a bit of wind. It was from the NE and behind us most of the
way. That’s a good thing.
We anchored just out from Gilbert’s
Marina and Restaurant in Key Largo. We went
sightseeing in the whaler - and on our
way back we stopped at the TIKI Bar – great “greasy” nachos and cold beer! Good Happy Hour! We were back in the boat just after
sunset. Nice night!
The next morning we had breakfast out on
the sundeck and watched the dolphins play.
There must have been a dozen of them off our stern. We decided to move the boat over closer to a
canal where we could take the dinghy to Pennecamp Park. However, it was just too windy – and we ended
up just ditching the whole plan. Instead
we headed on to Islamorada about 25 miles away. It turned out to be a very good idea although
we didn’t know it at the time. It was
pretty windy and we had a lot of skinny water – we saw less than 4 feet several
times. Finally we made it to a good
anchorage just outside Coral Bay Marina in Islamorada. It was very windy and we had to get a little
closer to the leeside of land farther from the marina. We had planned to take a dinghy ride into the
marina and see if any of the boaters were there we had met before. However it turned out to be too windy for
that. Damn wind!
We are only 35 miles from Marathon. We saw on the internet (yea, for my phone!)
that there is a tropical storm Sandy causing quite a stir. We decided that we probably shouldn’t try to
make it on to Marathon. They are calling
for strong winds, rain and 8 foot waves on Florida Bay – right where we would
be. SO we decided to stay a few days at
the marina. Very good idea! We luckily got one of their last slips! It’s a small marina and safely tucked
away. The tropical storm now has become
a category 2 Hurricane! Luckily it will not
make landfall here in Florida. We will
just suffer the winds and rain. Wreaking
havoc on our plans! Oh well, we have
over a week to get to Marathon – at least our reservations are for November 1 -
not really a big deal. Looks like we’ll
be here for about a week until Sandy moves on.
Thursday was a complete day of burrowing
down in NautiNell – riding out the wind and rain. The temperature has dropped to 72
degrees! Really getting tired of the
wind……….. not much we can do about it
though. I’m just really glad that it
worked out where we could get in to a marina.
It wouldn't be any fun out there on anchor right now!
Friday turned out to be better – still windy
but not much rain. The winds have blown
the water in though and some of the docks are flooded. It’s a little precarious trying to get to the
office and then off the docks to go to town.
We hung out most of the day visiting with other boaters. Some of the ones we met back in March that
stay here for the winter are already here.
Others are spending a few days like we are – tucked in safely from the
storm. It’s been nice to see some old
faces and hear what has been going on with them. We did
manage to walk over to the Shrimp Shack across the street and have dinner. Mike got his fill of oysters and I got my key
lime pie! I love being back in the Keys!
We will be staying here through Tuesday. The storm should be way past us then and the
waters will have had time to lay. It’s
only a short day to Marathon so why be in a hurry.
Till next time!
Admiral “C”
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