February 24, 2013

We have been enjoying our time here in Marathon.  It is quite different, going to the pool and relaxing on our boat, from sailing Time 2 Go to different destinations everyday.  We still have things that we want to see and do in this area, one of those being John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.  We arranged to do that on Wednesday.  

We rented a car for Wednesday morning and drove, about an hour north to Key Largo.  Dave had hoped to snorkel on the reefs and the wreck at the Park.  When we arrived, the weather did not co-operate, being cloudy, cool, windy and a 2 foot chop on the reef.  So we decided to do the Glass bottom boat tour out on one of the reefs.  This turned out to be a good choice, as our 2 tour guides narrating were extremely knowledgeable about the different kinds of coral, sponges, and different reef fish.  They also were able to point out the not so common sites, such as Spiny lobsters and a Hawksbill turtle.  It was an enjoyable trip.  

When we returned to shore from the Glass bottom boat tour, we had hoped to snorkel on a 16th century shipwreck that was right off the beach.  We were unable to find the location so we spoke to a Park ranger, and found out that it wasn’t a shipwreck, but an “authentic replica” of a 16th century shipwreck.  They had dropped some cannons and a few boards in the water, in the swimming area, so we didn’t bother putting on our new wetsuits and snorkeling out to see them.  However, overall, it was a fun day.  

When we were planning this trip south, we joined an association called ‘The America’s Great Loop Cruisers Association’.  They are group of people who travel all, or parts of the circle route, down the Mississippi, around Florida, up the eastern seaboard, back to the Great Lakes, Trent-Severn Waterways and North Channel.  Their website and web forum are a help in planning a trip our’s on any part of this route.  This association had a Sunset Celebration planned for Thursday night in Marathon at the Banana Bay Resort and we were going!  This was a potluck supper, with a band (boaters from the marina who had some kind of musical instrument, that they thought they could play).  We went with a friend of ours from our marina, who also belonged to the Association, and met a lot of fellow cruisers.  One of the first we met, had done the loop 3 or 4 times and now was sailing the canals of France, who turned out to be from Guelph.  Yes, in Ontario, it is a small world.  

The Upper Keys Rotary Club holds an annual Nautical Flea Market every year in Islamorada.  It was being held this weekend, so we arranged for a rental car with a friend at the Marina.  We went early Sunday morning and toured around the different booths - it was huge!  Although it was the second day and things were picked over, the final score was Dave - one shirt, Anne - 2 dresses.  This event is a really great fundraiser.  We headed back to the Marina around lunch and had agreed to help our friend, Dave, take his powerboat for fuel.  When we arrived back, another friend Jay was taking his catamaran to Coffin Patch Reef for an afternoon of snorkeling.  Our friend, Dave thought we should go snorkeling on our way to get the fuel, we never made it for fuel.  We had a great afternoon snorkeling on the reef and seeing many of the fish and coral, that we had seen on the Glass bottom boat tour, earlier in the week.  

Glass Bottom Boat at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Aquarium at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

Lion fish at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

AGLCA Sunset Celebration. Dave & Cruiser from Guelph

Snorkeling at Coffin Patch reef

Cotton Patch Reef

February 17, 2013

Our first week here at Coral Lagoon has gone quickly, with a few minor projects completed along with our usual routine jobs of groceries, laundry etc.  The temperatures have been very warm and our afternoons have been spent cooling off at their pool.  

We decided to rent a car on Tuesday and drive down to Key West and see what it was like.  We were glad that we decided to drive, rather than sail the boat down.  There did not appear to be any facilities nearby such as grocery stores, that would be convenient for boaters.  The Fleming Key anchorage, that had been recommended to us, had been turned into a mooring field and the docks in Key West were very expensive.  There wasn’t many of either, docks or mooring balls available.  

The trip down, U.S. #1, the Overseas Highway was long, flat, straight and runs parallel to the remnants of the old railway line, that originally joined the Keys.  Large stretches of this highway are made up of  causeways, one of the longest being Seven Mile Bridge.  

We drove just to the edge of the new part of Key West, parked the car and boarded a Trolley Tour.  The tour guides were great for giving you some of the local history and trivia of the area and letting you know things to see and do.  One of the facts they shared was when the original railroad was built in the early 1900’s, Mr. Flagler spent $69 million of his own money to build it, this would be the equivalent to somebody privately financing the Alaska Pipeline today!  The Trolley Tours allow you to get off and on at all their stops around the Key, as often as you want.  Our first stop was the obligatory picture at the southern most point in the U.S.  Ernest Hemingway’s house was only a few blocks away so we decided to walk, rather than get back on the trolley.  We toured his home and saw descendants of the 6 toed cats that lived there prior to Ernest Hemingway.  The sea captain that originally built the home, believed 6 toed cats would bring good luck.  The grounds and swimming pool were beautifully landscaped.   We got back on the trolley and went to Mallory Square.  Mallory Square is an area of gift shops and eateries where we hoped to take care of two more obligatory things we had to do in Key West.  Conch fritters for lunch and Key lime pie for dessert, both were delicious and now ticked off the list!  We found out here why there were so many line ups everywhere, there was a large cruise ship tied up here for the day.  After touring some of the shops, we hopped back on the trolley and finished the tour and headed back to Marathon.  

The rest of our week ended the same as it started, more routine jobs and the afternoons spent at the pool.  Not much stress happening here this week.

Obligatory picture at the southern most point in the U.S.A.

Six toed cat in Hemingway's living room.

The room over Hemingway's garage where he would go to write.

Statues in front of theater in Mallory Square.

The reason for the large line ups in Key West.

Our afternoon delight!

      

February 10, 2013

We left Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park Monday morning.  The ICW heads south between Florida’s mainland and the Keys, but is so shallow, it is not recommended for any boat that draws more than 4 feet.  The alternative route is called Hawk Channel, not really part of the ICW but the only option for deeper draft vessels, such as ours.  It runs south on the east side of the Keys, between the Keys and the barrier reef.  This is our first time back on the Atlantic since we went down the coast of New Jersey and probably the most we’ve used the sails since our time on the Chesapeake Bay.  It was a beautiful day and we had great sailing.  The water is different here from what we’ve seen - it has beautiful shades of aqua  and is very clear.  Forty-nine statute miles later we dropped the anchor on the north side of Rodriguez Key.  This is the closest we’ve been able to get to any of the Keys as the water in and around the Keys and harbours is too shallow for our 5 and a half foot draft.  When people with boats like ours head south, they can only use this anchorage and just pick the side of the Key that gives you the best protection from the wind.

Tuesday morning started out as another good sailing day with 10 knot winds pushing us farther south.  However, around 12:00 noon the winds died and we started seeing more crab pots.  The afternoon was spent dodging crab pots, while trying to maintain our course to Boot Key, Marathon.  Our goal had been to pick up a mooring ball in Boot Key, Marathon, but when we arrived, there was a waiting list, so we anchored near the mooring field.  People we had spoken to in Coconut Grove mentioned that they got a really good deal on a dock at the Coral Lagoon Resort The Boat House Marina.  So Dave contacted them and the price was about the same as the mooring field at Boot Key Harbor.  The Marina sounded good but due to shoaling, the channel would require local knowledge to get us into it so the harbor master put us in touch with the only other sailboater in the marina.  

After speaking to Jay (the other sailboater) the following morning, we decided to wait until high tide at 5 pm, before trying to enter the channel to the harbour.  We left Boot Key Harbor around 2:30 pm to give us enough time to cover the 5 miles (wind right on the nose and dodging crab pots all the way) back north to the channel.  When we arrived, we contacted Jay and he guided us in by driving to different points in his truck, where he could watch us as we followed the channel in.  He was a great help, we couldn’t have got in without his help. 

We have spent the rest of this week trying to get oriented to the area.  Shopping and laundromat are a taxi ride away... Key West does not look like it would be worth 2 days sailing to go to and back.  Our plan is to stay here and use this marina as a base to site see up and down the Keys.  

Lighthouse at Bill Baggs State Park

Houses built on stilts near No Name Harbor known as Stiltsville
No longer allowed to build like this in the Keys

Sunset at Rodriguez Key

Boot Key Harbor Mooring Field and anchorage.
Busy spot!

Our dock at Coral Lagoon Resort Boat House Marina.
Quiet spot!

February 3, 2013

Due to high winds we decided to stay at Lake Sylvia another day.  We were able to catch up on chores that we weren’t able to do while the crowds were here on the weekend.  We met a Ukrainian captain, anchored near us, who had just purchased a U.S. boat.  He came over for a visit, which made for an interesting evening.  

We left Tuesday morning and headed south again down the ICW, 7 bridges later we stopped at Haulover Beach Park Marina in North Miami.  When we made the reservation, the dock master said there was fuel, pump-out, shopping nearby, and newly installed WiFi.  When we arrived, we found the fuel and pump-out were located next door to the marina, our slip was located in the farthest back corner, the nearby shopping was a short bus ride away, but the WiFi did work well ( first WiFi since Vero Beach!).   Bakers Haulover Inlet located near the marina, has a fixed height bridge of 32 feet, which explains why we were the only sailboat in this marina.  Most of the boats were large sport fishermen and 100 plus foot yachts.  The parking lot was also interesting, having a selection of Audis, Mercedes, Porches, Jags, and one Rolls Royce.  We didn’t feel like we fit in.  

Dave had heard there was going to be a space launch from the Kennedy Space Centre, so we had booked a second night with the hope of watching it from the nearby beach.  It turned out to be a night launch, after the beach had closed.  We used the day to catch up on laundry and lay on the beach and read.  We didn’t go in the water because the lifeguard stations had flags out warning of ‘rip currents’ and ‘dangerous marine life’.  We asked a lifeguard about the ‘dangerous marine life’ and he said it was for Portuguese Man-of-War and jellyfish.  

The Bakers Haulover Inlet is one of those locations that is known to have a serious shoaling problem.  We spoke to a boat owner and captain from the marina Thursday morning and we were advised to wait until high tide to try passing through.  So we took a bus ride and got some groceries while we waited.  It was about an hour after high tide by the time we left the harbour.  The shoaling was so bad that 3 green markers were almost in line with the reds on the other side and there was a tow boat who was lounging near the markers waiting for people to go aground.  We didn’t disappoint him, we went aground, but we were able to wiggle our way off into deeper water.  He advised us that as the current was going out we were drifting out of the channel towards the greens.  We thanked him and tipped him for his advice, thankful that we didn’t have to pay $450.00 for his executive special.  Seven bridges later we finally left Miami and entered Biscayne Bay.  We headed for the Dinner Key Channel to pick up a mooring ball at the Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove.  

Friday we were able to get a water taxi to shore and went for lunch and toured around some of the shops and boutiques in Coconut Grove.  

We headed east to the south end of Key Biscayne to No Name Harbor, located in Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.  This is a popular anchorage for people heading to the Bahamas, or in our case, going south via the Hawk Channel on the Atlantic side of the Keys.   The trip over only took us about an hour Saturday morning, which was good as it allowed us to find a spot to anchor before the party boats all showed up in the afternoon.  Huge yachts with huge stereos, all trying to play their favourite Spanish tunes louder than the other boats.  

We stayed here again on Sunday due to forecasted high winds and waves on the Atlantic.  In the afternoon, the party boats started to arrive again, so we decided to walk to the beach.  This is another big beautiful beach with crystal clear water.  Dave saw a manta ray swim by in front of him, as he was wading in the water.  

Bill Bird Marina also called Haulover Beach Park Marina

The beach at Bakers Haulover  Beach Park

The typical scenery along the Miami section of the ICW

No Name Harbor, Bill Baggs State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida

Some of the residents of Bill Baggs State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida

January 27, 2013

We booked an extra night on the dock in Stuart, rather than going to the mooring field, because the engine had been running warmer than Dave liked and he hadn’t been able to find the problem.  He called a mechanic and left a message.  Before we got a call back, Vic and Wendy came over.  Vic had a look in the engine, while it was running, and poking around found a small hose that was leaking coolant.  A $5.00 piece of hose later, the engine was fixed, thankfully, rather than the hundreds of dollars Dave had  envisioned.  Cherie and Dan, Vic and Wendy’s friends, invited us to a picnic potluck in the park that night.  We went and also met another couple, Bonnie and Lonnie.  Had a nice time and said our good-byes to Vic and Wendy.  

Tuesday morning we moved out onto the mooring field to allow us time to catch up on some small jobs on the boat.  We also got talking about our plans and decided we would not go to the Bahamas this trip.  The weather windows for making the trip across have been short and very few and far between.  With the time we have left, before returning to Canada, we felt that we would use a lot of that time waiting for a weather window to go across, and one to come back.  

Wednesday morning we started heading south towards the Florida Keys.  This section of the ICW has a lot of bridges, most of which open at a specified time.  Most of the bridges we have dealt with so far, have opened ‘on demand’ by calling the Bridgemaster on channel 9.  We travelled through 8 bridges to get to Lake Worth Inlet Anchorage.  On the way there we passed Mile Marker #1000 (Norfolk, VA is Mile Marker #1).  It was a large anchorage and even with a large number of boats, there was a lot of room.  

Thirteen bridges later on Thursday, we arrived at Lake Boca Raton Anchorage.  This anchorage is  Florida’s version of Covered Portage Cove in the North Channel, but instead of being surrounded by granite cliffs and trees, you are surrounded by high rise hotels and condos (feels a little bit like a fish bowl).  

Our timing on Friday was better... of the 8 bridges, we only missed the opening time on one.  We arrived at Lake Sylvia in Fort Lauderdale, at noon.  We planned on staying here for the weekend to avoid the heavy boat traffic on the ICW.  We tried to get in touch with friends, Liz, BA, and Judy from the 12th of Bruce that were vacationing in Fort Lauderdale.   We were unable to arrange anything since BA and Judy were leaving in the morning and had plans for that evening.   

Saturday morning we set out to go shopping.  We visited a really good nautical book store called Bluewater Books and Charts and as we were leaving, the phone rang and it was Liz.  On her way back from dropping Judy and BA at the airport, she decided to stop at a mall near where we were anchored and call us.  It turned out to be the same mall we were in and so we met up at the fountain a couple of minutes later.  We picked up a few supplies at the grocery store and then went back for a visit at Liz’s condo.  Later in the afternoon Liz brought us back to our dinghy and we took the dinghy across the ICW back to Time 2 Go.  

 We had planned Sunday to get things ready to go and work on our blog.  It just wasn’t meant to be.  Several large boats came into the anchorage to party - all with very powerful stereos and different tastes in music.  The large power boat that anchored near us had a party going on the back deck plus a photo shoot on the front deck.  The young models must have been Dental Assistants, as they were all wearing bikinis that looked to made of dental floss!   As the sun set and the air started to get cooler, the boats left.  

Ibis at the potluck dinner in Stuart.

  

We have seen lots of huge homes on the way down but
Palm Beach mansions are twice as big

In Palm Beach not only are the yachts bigger but they have
their own boats stored inside

Lake Sylvia anchorage, Fort Lauderdale

Some of the entertainment over the weekend.
Paddleboards seem really popular around here

January 20, 2013

Monday morning we said our good-byes to our friends we made on the dock and started heading south again.  The day started out nice and calm flat water, and we were able to travel 36 miles.  We arrived at Indian Harbor Beach anchorage, formerly known as Dragon’s Point, until the statue of the dragon fell down.  

The next morning we raised the anchor and headed 38 miles south to Vero Beach.  Vero Beach Municipal Marina is a very popular stop, some of the guide books refer to it as “Velcro Beach”.  There are very few docks available, but most people take a mooring ball.  It gets so crowded that the boats can be rafted together 2 to 3 boats to a mooring ball.  Fortunately, we had our own ball.  We had planned on staying 2 days, but a cold front was forecasted to come in, with wind gusts to gale force.  So we ended up staying 5 nights.  This enabled us to take advantage of their free bus service to explore the area down by the beach and go to a large grocery store for supplies.  Thursday afternoon the cruisers held a get-together at a picnic shelter at the marina and we met other boaters.  It was interesting to hear other experiences and get  advice for our trip.  Friday, our friends, Bob and Connie, from Tiverton, drove down to us from Zephyrhills.  We had a nice visit out for lunch with them.  They introduced us to Raspberry Sweet Tea, a yummy popular Florida drink.  They have a really nice Farmer’s Market, on the bus route, near the beach, on Saturday morning.  We saw a lot of different items that you wouldn’t find in a market back home, such as a large variety of orchids, fresh citrus fruit, and articles woven from palm fronds.  There was also the usual fresh produce and items that we would find at home.  

Sunday morning we left for Stuart to meet up with our friends, Vic and Wendy, from Port Elgin.  As we got near to the St. Lucie River, boat traffic was a lot heavier.  The large mega yachts seem to show absolutely no regard for smaller boats.  One boat’s 4 foot bow wave knocked us right out of the channel!  Fortunately, we didn’t go aground.  Until we get at least south of Miami, we probably won’t travel on the weekends.  Eight miles up the river, 2 bridges later, we arrived at Sunset Bay Marina & Anchorage in Stuart.  Dave got a surprise when he radioed into the marina and Odyssey responded (Vic).  Vic and Wendy were there to greet us and help tie up, when we arrived at the dock, along with their friends, Dan and Cherie.  We enjoyed visiting with them all.  

The Mooring field at Titusville as we left Monday morning

Spanish Moss and plants growing on a Live Oak
really neat to see

View from our mooring ball in Vero Beach Marina

Live Oaks covered in Spanish Moss formed a tunnel all
down the street in Vero Beach 

Sunset Bay Marina, Stuart, Florida

January 13, 2013

Our first morning back in Titusville, we started re-stocking the boat.  To do this we had to catch the bus to the grocery store.  Dave checked the price of the tickets with Jimmy, the bus driver and he declared that it would only cost us $.60 each instead of the $1.25 each, we had paid before Christmas as we were now SENIORS.  We thought this was kind of funny until we stopped for a tea and coffee the next morning at the Burger King, and the price at the till didn’t match the price on the wall.  When we asked about the price, we were told that was the SENIORS price.  I guess it must be official. It is not to hard to take with half price bus tickets and half price tea and coffee.  

Our canvas top did not get done while we were away, but since we have been back, Bob the canvas guy, who lives on our dock, has been here everyday measuring and fitting the new piece.  Bob and his wife Evie, own a business called the Dock Dude, besides for doing canvass work they also sell used boat parts.          A really neat store to explore if you are looking for boating bargains.  We found a set of SCUBA gear at a really good price.

Most of the rest of our week was spent fixing all the little things that need looking at on any boat.  On Friday we rented a car for the weekend to finish off the odds and ends that were still left.  What a treat to be able to go some place  not on a bus route.  The buses have been good down here but a trip to Walmart and back took us 5 1/2 hours , it really slows down the restocking process.

Sunday was our last day in Titusville before starting south again and it was busy.  Early in the morning Bob came and did the final installation of our sun awning.  It is going to make a huge difference in our comfort heading south.  We are very pleased with it.  

We had postponed any visits with friends due to us both having colds when we arrived back to the boat.  So Sunday was our last opportunity to get together with friends in the area.  Gaetane and Jerry, friends from Port Elgin, arrived around noon and we went out for lunch at the Dixie Crossroads Restaurant, famous for their Rock Shrimp.  Later in the afternoon Ron and Mary, friends from Glammis, who have a winter home in Titusville, came for a visit.  We went out for supper with them to the Dixie Crossroads Restaurant - Dave can’t get enough of their Rock Shrimp!  We have met a lot of nice people on our trip south, but it is a real treat to meet up and visit with friends when you are almost 2000 miles from home! 

Dixie Crossroads Restaurant
Great shrimp and Dave got a belly full