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| Finally left Islamorada -heading for Pumpkin Key |
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| Think they should move to higher ground? |
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| Entrance into Boca Chita Key |
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| Tied up to the wall |
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| Beautiful sky at Boca Chita |
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| Checking out the island |
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| Beautiful beach just on the other side |
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| The boats just kept on coming in all weekend! |
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| Great scenery all around |
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| Are the burgers ready yet? |
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| It just keeps getting prettier! |
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| What a picture!! |
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| Looking from our sundeck while on the hook in No Name Key |
Early Thursday morning we were awakened by a storm (not in the forecast, by the way) that brought us 45 mph winds. We swung around quite a bit but our anchor held! The storms left windy conditions behind. In fact NOAA was calling for possible 60 mph gusts out in the ocean. We weren't going to cross the gulfstream in those conditions! We decided that we would go on to Boca Chita Key just a few miles north. We saw it on the charts and our waterway guides gave it high praise. It was a pretty easy trip, however, thanks to the boater than radioed us along the way. He kept us from running aground in an area that really fooled us. It looked like it had enough water according to the charts but he assured us that we should make a 180 degree turn. We did! Coming from the south you need to go through Featherbed Cut and then back over to the east to get to Boca Chita Key. Just a little out of the way but it's really the only way….
We were able to tie up to the seawall just inside a bowl with great protection. The winds were still really blowing and the waves were beginning to build. It is gorgeous here. There is enough room for about 25 boats to tie up to the wall. There are no amenities except restrooms but it is a great place. The cost is $20 a night - $10 if you're old like us! It turns out that it is the local weekend hangout. Most of the locals that come here are from Miami area. Boats continued to come in all day long. Of course, it being a holiday weekend there were probably more than usual. We were told that it would be like this all weekend. We would get to enjoy a little different culture – "Crazy Cubans"! Oh, and it was also a full moon!
We spent the evening just sitting back and enjoying the protection from the waves we could see on the other side. This was nice…………!
We spent most of the day (Good Friday) watching the boaters coming in and trying to find a spot. It was a lot like watching the launch ramp on the Fourth of July back on Table Rock Lake. Hilarious! Big boats – some not so big and some even bigger! Some boaters experienced – some not so much!
There are a lot of families here so there are a lot of kids. Its fun watching them all have so much fun. We walked over to the other side of the island to see the beach. It's really pretty over there – not very deep . There were several day boats anchored on that side just hanging out at the beach.
Saturday morning the winds changed direction but were still blowing. It looks like it may be Tuesday before we are able to crossover. Mike took the dinghy out to fish. Came back empty handed but didn't seem to mind. Again there were more boats coming in and very few leaving. 52' Hatteras – 15' runabout – and everything in between. Several know each other so they are rafting up. We have a premium spot since we got here on Thursday.
We took a dinghy ride out around the area. Couldn't go completely around because of the tide. It was trying to take us out faster than our motor could keep us in. Nice relaxing ride – huh! Just kidding, it turned out to be a great ride. We found a good place to snorkel - so we may try that tomorrow.
Right now Mike is visiting with the neighbors and I'm realizing that it's time for Happy Hour! Will write more later! TTFN!
Sunday, April 8 – Happy Easter! What a way to spend Easter Sunday! First - we spent the morning watching the little kids hunt for eggs. It was the closest thing we had to seeing our own grandkids – part of me felt rather sad – missing those kids! These kids were running all over like a herd of cats! I think most of the eggs found! We then took a dinghy ride over to a great spot to snorkel. We were able to try out our new gear – no leaks! Yea! We talked to a couple that was on a catamaran. Really nice – originally from New Jersey – have been here for six years. They are in the process of having a boat built. Really talked up this area to live in. We have really enjoyed the Keys. They're on our list! LOL!
When we got back to the boat – we sat and more "crazies" come and go. It was quite entertaining! We fixed a great steak dinner and toasted the day. Like I said – what a way to spend Easter Sunday!
On Monday morning we left our spot for a new one at No Name Harbor near Key Biscayne. This area is a State Park with different rules than the National Parks. No Name Harbor is a great spot where you can tie up to the seawall for the day. If you want to spend the night – you have to drop a hook out in the harbor. It still only costs $20.00 for overnight – not bad, I guess. Since it had been a few days since we had stocked up for the Bahamas – we had broken into our rations! SO! Off we went to Key Biscayne on our bikes to get more stuff! HA! We sure can carry lots of stuff on those bikes!! We had met a couple (Bill and Betty) on a the boat "Walkabout" earlier in Boca Chita – they showed up here too! In fact, they're the ones that had told us about No Name Harbor. Bill shared his knowledge and his charts with us. In fact he gave us some of his Bahamas charts for a bottle of wine! Can't beat that! He's written a couple of books that are available through Amazon.com. He gave one of them to me – Into the Land of Coconut Dreams, by Bill Hezlep. Planning to give it a read along the way!
We anchored out in the harbor - Again we were ready to go!
Looks like tomorrow morning we'll be off on another adventure!
Till Next Time!
Admiral "C"
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