Tuesday, 3/09/2021
Winds had been really high ever since we arrived in the little marina in Key Largo. Monday, they were in the 30 - 40 knot range. After looking at multiple weather sites and apps, we decided that rather than wait in Key Largo until Saturday, we would chance a trip on Tuesday. Winds were forecast to be around 20 or maybe a little less (LOL) so we decided to try to head north and stay as close to land as we could.
We left a little after 7:00 Tuesday morning and didn't do too badly for the first few hours. Then, the closer we got to Miami, the worse the winds and seas were. Seas were 2' to 3' when we left and by noon, they had risen to 4' to 6' and were giving us quite the lashing. We decided to chance a shallow cut south of Key Biscayne to get out of the deep water and behind the Key Biscayne.
Though a bit tense with the shallow water all around us, we're quite glad we decided to head for shelter.
On one side, the water was so shallow, the wind surfers were in ankle deep water.
The other side of us was "Stiltsville" - fishing shacks where fishermen go to fish for bonefish.
Notice the unhappy sailboat!
We made it through the cut successfully and headed up the charted path in Biscayne Bay. As we neared Miami, we had to dodge a number of small sailboats that kids were out learning in. Notice everyone in the one directly ahead of us is heeled way out to keep the boat from capsizing.
This container ship was just a mile from our marina.
Jim isn't rattled easily but getting into our slip in the Miami Beach Marina was pretty tense. There was a brisk current and crazy high winds careening through the marina as we made our way around a tight grouping of mega-yachts to our assigned slip in the far back corner of the marina. Ughhh!
We made it and somehow managed to NOT hit any other boats. Phew & PTL!
From our slip, there were boats as far as the eye could see.
We walked the 8 blocks or so over to Miami Beach to check out the goings-on. We weren't very impressed. After walking around for a while, we headed back to the boat to rest up for tomorrow's adventure.
Wednesday, though only 42 miles, we had 24 bridges to pass under and many of them were draw bridges that only open at specified times each hour. Ughhh. The day began with this beautiful cruise ship and then a game of chicken with a the Independence of the Seas.
Then the bridges began.
It was nice to be back in Fort Lauderdale where we lived for a number of years.
Some of the bridges were a little tight. If we thought we could get under them without requesting an opening, we would in the interest of time. Fortunately, we didn't scrape anything.
Carol sometimes got a little antsy. Imagine that!
The day was getting pretty long and our invertor quit working during the pounding we received enroute to Miami the day before so we started calling around to marinas to find someplace to spend the night since we needed to plug in to shore power.
The folks at Marina Del Ray were really nice and let us spend the night at their fuel dock - PTL! It was a tiny marina but a decent fuel dock. That day, we had left Miami a little after 7:00am and didn't arrive at our marina until 4:00pm. Talk about a long day - - and 24 bridges to boot!
This drawbridge was just in front of our boat in the marina.
Thursday, we only had 14 miles to go to get to a marina in Palm Beach where we planned to have dinner with good friends, Stephanie & Earl Bennett. This marina was preparing for the Palm Beach boat show and was populated by an amazing assortment of mega-yachts.
Friday, we left at 6:30 in order to try to get to our home marina near Lake Okeechobee before the St. Lucie lock closed at 4:30! If we missed the lock-through, we would have to spend the night anchored in the river.
This was an interesting bridge. We first had to work our way around this section of unfinished bridge and then under the lift bridge which raised the road straight up for us.
For our final bridge run in Stuart, we had to pass under a tall highway bridge, around a railroad bridge and then through the drawbridge, all in a very short distance with lots of current. This one is always interesting.
There were a number of dredgers at work in the St. Lucie river that we passed on our way to our home marina.
The final hurdle - - the St. Lucie lock which raised us 14 feet.
We locked through with 2 other boats.
We tied up to our slip at River Forest in time to relax a little before working on dinner. Woo Hoo !!!
We'll spend the next few days working on various projects on the boat and unpacking it and preparing it for the long hurricane season before heading back to Indiana.
Our great 2021 adventure is now at a close.
We travelled 869 miles, saw lots of really kewl sights, spent some wonderful time with close friends and felt the presence of the Lord in all that we saw and did. What a blessing. See you next season!
