Boot Key, Marathon - ICW mile 1195

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There was a lot of satisfaction in dropping the anchor in Boot Key Harbour - after 1200 miles we had arrived and did not have to plan the next day's leg.

From Fort Lauderdale we decided to go outside to avoid a repeat of the endless bridges we have encountered in this part of Florida. So we had a good look at Miami from the Atlantic - then on to Key Biscayne. We have had only one night in a marina in the past 2 weeks - a nice change and good for the budget as most down in this area expect $80 - 100 per night then charge extra for electric plug in and water - all in US $$ of course.

Marathon is quite a gathering port for cruisers like us. There are 265 boats on mooring balls and another 200 or so at anchor like us. Some haven't moved in years and have colonies of birds living aboard - sometimes along with the resident! One guy has pitched a tent in the bow of a 20' runabout - and lives there.

From here, cruisers are waiting for a window before heading off to the Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico or Panama. We will stay and relax for awhile then may visit Key West and the lower west coast of Florida.

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Photos

leaving Lauderdale
lots of cruise ships dominate the channel out to the Atlantic

off Miami
we had one of our better sailing days to make the 40 mile jump to go around Miami and into Biscayne Bay

Stiltsville
there are 7 of these cottages on stilts in Biscayne Bay - used to be many more

Boca Chita
one of our favourite anchorages was off this pleasant little Key formerly owned by the Honneywell family who made their money in air conditioning

coral building
on Boca Chita - made from blocks of coral

Boca Chita light
there is rarely someone else around to get a pic of the 2 of us!

distant anchorage
we had to anchor a mile out because of the shallow water - makes for a long dinghy commute

skinny water
if you stray out of the channel you run aground - sometimes you run aground IN the channel - here, 6' is deep water!

flats fishing
the guide spots the swirl of a large fish from his platform then poles over to where the fly fisherman can reach it

puffer
this one is definitely not a keeper!

liveaboard
much of the anchorage room near towns is taken up by 'permanent residents' like this one

breakfast treat
we don't starve aboard - this breakfast of blackberry crepes seemed worth recording

Lignumvitae Key
a nature reserve - one of the few with the original hardwood trees

fig tree
on Lignumvitae

sunset cruise
off Key Largo

Comments

[kath&john]

Wow! You're there!
Obviously you're not having the same cold spell that has plague us for a good part of Jan.!It's so neat to know that you are sailing around in such warm and beautiful waters!Trust that all is well with you--we're o.k. and enjoying scads of golf and good friends with whom we share lots of good times. Please keep in touch. John and Kath

[kath&john]

Wow! You're there!
Obviously you're not having the same cold spell that has plague us for a good part of Jan.!It's so neat to know that you are sailing around in such warm and beautiful waters!Trust that all is well with you--we're o.k. and enjoying scads of golf and good friends with whom we share lots of good times. Please keep in touch. John and Kath

[sue and gary]

g'day mates
thanks for adding us to your blog, it looks wonderful and i'm sure it is. beautiful pictures. gary and i are off to australia for the month of may and expect to look up joy for a cup of tea. have a wonderful adventure and take care. sorry we missed you in hilton head. penelope jayne