Our last night in the Keys turned out to be quite restless as the predicted winds of 5-10 mph were actually 16+. Waves continually slammed into the hull making sleep difficult - not to mention our constant wakeages to check our position. Of course, we should have never doubted our Captain's ability to set an anchor. We didn't move an inch all night.
Sunrise the next morning was spectacular as the dolphin escorted us back into the main channel. We passed through more "particularlly sensitive areas" early on which were very shallow. We timed our departure with the tide, however, once again the wind and full moon were working against us as far as water depths were concerned.
We wriggled our way through the mangroves around Key Largo and passed the bridge to the Keys at Cross Key. We had planned to spend another night on the hook in a protected anchorage, however, none were available due to shallow water. We decided to press on through Biscayne Bay and into Miami. In route we passed Stiltsville and the Cape Florida lighthouse.
Once through the busy entrance to Miami we found our spot directly across from the big city lights - Marine Stadium anchorage. The stadium is mostly abandoned now. It used to serve as seating for marine stunt shows. Now it has been turned into a park that folks use to stage races, etc. The water in front of the stadium is now a primo anchorage and mooring field, and we were lucky enough to find a spot in the back. So, off the bow was the big city and all its action, while off the stern it looked like we were out in the middle of nowheresville. Man what a spot!
Another beautiful sunrise
The full moon still high in the sky
The mangroves through Key Largo
Cross Keys bridge to the Keys
Cool hotel, Gilberts, on the water
Shallow bottom
Key Biscayne
Miami looming in the distance
Cape Florida lighthouse
Stiltsville
Finally getting closer to the hustle
and bustle of the big city
We tucked into an anchorage behind this mooring field
and enjoyed the views from the bow (above)
and the stern (below)
As we had been going at it pretty hard, we decided to stay in this spot a couple of days and catch up on our rest. Neither of us had much of a desire to go into the city, but enjoyed watching the excitement around us.
We pulled up the anchor on Jan 20 and headed for the Hall of Fame Marina at Ft. Lauderdale. From there we planned for Jeff to travel to Myrtle Beach for his yearly golf tournament with the boys. From there he would get a ride back to Asheville to get the pickup truck and drive back to Ft. Lauderdale so we could plan to start unpacking the boat.
Well rested, as the sun arose we were anxious to get underway. It was somewhat surreal watching this big city wake up from the waterfront.
Gorgeous view from the stern as the sun rises
Even Amos was anxious to get underway
As the sun rises the city is awash with color
Slowly the traffic resumes both on land and on water
We made our way through the busy waterway and the gorgeous water especially after the Broad Causeway Bridge. There were areas of severe shoaling especially at Baker's Haulover. And then we were in a continuous residential area from North Miami to Hollywood/Dania. Now instead of dodging crab pots, we were dodging coconuts in the water.
Try as I might, I just couldn't capture the beauty of the water here
Coconuts
The channel gets skinny
especially as tour boats don't leave you much room to negotiate
Coming into Ft. Lauderdale, there was lots more traffic on the water - barges and cruise ships were everywhere. Not to mention all the traffic coming in from the inlet (those smart folks that took the outside route via the Atlantic).
The inlet was hopping
and boat traffic was everywhere
Finally by the time we tracked down our slip,
we were exhausted from sensory overload
The Hall of Fame Marina, Ft. Lauderdale
After so many days onboard, we were anxious to sink our toes in the sand so we struck out in search of the beach. What a welcome sight.
View off our bow
While Jeff was gone, I putzed around town a bit, got in my beach time, and started packing up SeaGlide. However, by the time Jeff got back, I had determined that Ft. Lauderdale just isn't my kind of town, and I was anxious to leave. As much as I dreaded finishing the trip, I was as ready as I would ever be.
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