Running on the OUTSIDE

So good friend Bev arrived in Coconut Grove, right on time Sunday afternoon, and her welcome aboard Spray was a trial-by-fire, as I had moved Spray to one of Dinner Key Marina's moorings, which are somewhat exposed to waves, and the winds were strong out of the south. So we had a bouncy dinghy ride to Spray, and then Bev's first night aboard was a little bouncy and full of odd splashy and creaky sounds. We had a nice supper Sunday at 'Scotties' on the waterfront (they allow well behaved dogs with responsible owner - Riggs and I faked it).

More trials on Monday. Its still windy and squalls are threatened. First, Bev and I go to a high-end grocery and load up on fancy foods. Next we drop off the mooring and tie up to a slip to fill the water tank and pump out the holding tank, experiences Bev didn't want to miss. Next we motor over to a fuel dock and fill Spray's tanks (80 gallons diesel @ $2.75). Our computer is on-line showing a radar image of the approaching squall line, and the fuel attendant had heard that tornados were possible, and since they're not busy we're welcome to stay tied to the fuel dock for a while. The fuel dock happens to be 5 steps from - wait for it - 'SCOTTIES', and its lunch time so what better way for the 3 of us to ride out the storm. It does rain and blow some as we dine but its not so bad.

After lunch we head across Biscayne Bay on a short but bouncy run to No Name Harbor on Key Biscayne (ICW mile 1096). Its a very well protected harbor and we drop anchor, have a nice long walk around Bill Baggs State Park, then supper aboard Spray. A very calm night.

Today we wake to wall-wall sun and moderate winds from the North. We indulge in a frittata for breakfast, then head down Biscayne Bay, with 2' following seas, which Spray handles comfortably. Its really glorious travel. Our goal today was John Pennekamp State Park on Key Largo (ICW mile 1140), a 44 mile run. We were 1/3 way through it, at the south end of Biscayne Bay, and I'm looking at charts trying to figure how to enter the park, and it dawns on me that while we are heading down the ICW on the INSIDE of the Keys, the park is on the OUTSIDE!! So I call the park and get advice: we must go through Caesar Creek, at the bottom of Elliot Key, to cross to the outside, then cruise SW for 20 miles to the park. So that's what we did.

Bev's an able helmsperson and did 80% of the driving today, and so it was she that got to plow Spray over a 3' deep sandbar to enter Caesar Creek, which was kind of exciting. The run down the outside, between 1 & 2 miles from shore, in 10-12 ft of turquoise water, was like a dream - just spectacular. After a couple hours we were off of central Key Largo, turning into South Sound Creek and winding a mile through the mangroves to this great park (see below). We're at a slip at the park marina, with shore power, hot showers, and everything. Its really nice here.

Tomorrow: probably an easy 20 mile run to Islamorada, on Upper Matacumbe Key. There's a waterfront restaurant there, Lorelei's, that allows well behaved dogs. We'll fake it again.