Seven Mile Bridge and patient bird awaiting a fisherman's catch.......

Today we walked a couple miles to the Seven Mile Bridge.. It was originally built as train tracks to Key West by Henry Flagler. The old railroad was destroyed by storms, and they subsequently used the old rails as side rails for the old highway, which is now used as a biking/walking path beside the new modern  highway.

Orchids

  These orchids are growing naturally in the trees in front of the marina ...beautiful!

Marathon

Sunset Traditions

After coming in through Government Cut,  reentering the ICW, this statue of a man blowing a conch at sunset greets boaters as they pass Tequestre Point...cool..Here in Marathon, a cannon fires at sunset....

Pelican Guards and Tiki Hut, Green Flash Surprise

12/13/11
The resident pelican keeps watch as we await the rest of our northern cruising team. As you can see the Tiki Hut is always open so we will be ready whenever they arrive this week. BTW last night when we walked across the road to the ocean side, I saw my first "green flash" just as the sun set over a calm clear Atlantic Ocean. Wow, what a treat...we weren't even expecting it...

Sailing in to Miami via Government Cut

Here are a couple of shots taken as we entered Miami....

Tiki" Hut of Knowledge"

Evening gathering space where "expertise" is shared....

What a view!

We have a lovely view of the Gulf of Mexico.

Slipped

Outside Slip at Harbour Cay Club

Marathon..safe and sound

12/9/11

We arrived at Harbour Cay Marina, Marathon, Fl. yesterday after one of the best sailing days of the entire trip! A front moved in overnight bringing 20 -29 knots of wind. It made for an exciting night on anchor, but since no other boats except Finistere were around we were fine with  just putting out a lot more chain. It seemed mild compared to our mooring ball night at Kittery, Maine a couple years back that some of our sailing buddies might remember.
With 15 to 20 knots of wind out of the north, we had a fantastic day of complete sailing, no motor noise, finally! Of course, when we arrived at the marina those 20 knots made for an interesting docking adventure. Jim, our "host" here, and all his dock friends were more than eager to assist and made it happen like an "everyday party". It was a great way to meet everyone right away!
Last night we walked up to the local restaurant named "Porky's", which of course, Captain Ron was thrilled with. Pat and Ed were a bit under-whelmed, but I think it will grow on them. It is really the ultimate tacky, laid back, Island style joint with surprisingly great food and service. Tonight we went back and were entertained by a Jimmy Buffet style singer/guitar player. Great Fun!!
Today we cleaned the boat, inside and out, and I did laundry(only 75cents)...the guys spent the late afternoon watching the sunset from the tiki hut! It's an easy life to slide into. The resident boaters are all very welcoming. I'm still working on getting pics.
When Hayden our "team photographer" arrives you will see what this place really looks like.....

Dinner Key/Coconut Grove Fl. to Plantation Key, Fl.

12/7/11
Dropped the mooring ball at Dinner Key at 7:00am and Motor sailed over 50 miles today though thin, but magnificently clear blue waters. We had planned to stop by Key Largo, but the weather and water were so intoxicating we kept on going...til we were ready to drop; so, that is exactly what we did in 6 feet of water in Cowpen Anchorage off Plantation Key around 4:30. The bottom is sandy and you can see the anchor it is so clear. Tomorrow, if all goes well, we should arrive at our destination in Marathon, Florida.Then I can spend some time working on pictures.

Coconut Grove

12/065/11
Yes, we made it to Miami today. What a wonderful ocean sail from Fort Lauderdale to Government Cut!! More pictures to follow...This was a great day on the ocean and as soon as we picked up a mooring ball we took the water taxi in to visit the area. Awesome!
It is surreal to see Christmas decorations in what feels like summer. Can't believe we are here. Tomorrow we head out for Key Largo.

CAVU anchored in Lake Sylvia, Fort Lauderdale

-

Looks like we will be enjoying this anchorage for a few more days...the  predictions for the Atlantic are 6 to 8 feet waves and winds NE 25 to 30....We will wait for a calmer weather window...probably Tuesday 11/6.
 It is fun watching the homes surrounding the anchorage lighting up their palm trees and fake Christmas trees for the holidays each night as we sit out in the cockpit enclosure in shorts and short sleeves enjoying sunset dinners.  The winds are strong but we are quite comfortable here. There is a lot to keep us busy while on anchor since travel days are taken up with navigation, hand steering, sightseeing, etc.  This layover will also be a good one to do a detailed planning of our next phase of this adventure; from the Atlantic to Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay and then, The Keys! We are blessed!

View from the stern..

Bow View of Sylvia Lake Anchorage

CAVU Entering Port Everglades Cut

About 1:30 we entered the cut with barges, cruise ships standing by, ocean going tugs, various pleasure craft, with the wind suddenly picking up when we made the turn to 20 knots...wouldn't you know it... The decision had been made and we stuck with it. As soon as we entered this congested harbor we made a starboard turn to go through the 17th Street Bridge Hourly Opening in order to get to the only potential small boat anchorage. Felt like we were in the middle of a beehive!!! Captain Ron loved it!

Ocean View

It is so exciting to view the various beaches from the ocean perspective. I think this is Boca Raton...

A Magnificent Morning on the Ocean

12/1/11
It is a beautiful morning on the Atlantic Ocean. The flying fish are skimming along beside us, but are impossible to capture on camera...We are taking this ocean route to avoid some of the numerous ICW bridges on this part of the Waterway.

Hanging out with the BIG GUYS

This big mega yacht dropped anchor right beside us in the Lake Worth anchorage just south of Peanut Island. This was surprising since these big guys usually go into the dock...in a few moments a sea tow boat showed up with divers who went to work below...they left about an hour later to go into the docks...

Sunset on Hobe Sound/ Peck Lake Fl.

Christmas is Coming along the Florida Waterway