Down Hawk Channel to Boot Key HarborSan

Nothing remains the same. Change is the one thing we can always count on. In the past few weeks, those changes encouraged us to delay our plans time and again. As reported in the most recent addition, those delays turned out to work in our best interest.

As we prepared to leave Miami Beach, we were still working with delays – this time due to more weather.

The harbor was more crowded than this photo suggests.

But change came to us again. After we'd done the short sail down to the south end of Key Biscayne and the state park including No Name Harbor, we began to see a shift in the weather forecasts. We spent the night there after enjoying a nice walk in the park. We were also reminded how busy No Name Harbor can be on a nice weekend, especially after a week of dreary weather. The harbor we unsafely packed with boats of sizes from 20 feet to fifty feet or more. We never would consider dropping the hook under such conditions. Anticipating this, we'd already anchored outside the harbor.

Peacefully settled by ourselves outside the harbor

The change in the weather changed our plans from perhaps a night at Dinner Key and a second night at Pumpkin Key down in Card Sound and then deciding what to do next. The forecast suggested relative light winds out of the NE with 2-4 foot waves in Hawk Channel. These conditions were supposed to continue for a couple of days at least, giving us time to make it all the way to Marathon.

As we awoke Saturday morning, the forecast had improved still further, so we headed out. It's a two day trip. We'd planned to spend the night at Rodriguez Key (about the only place available on Hawk Channel for deep draft boats). What a beautiful day! Little to no boat traffic and no big bunches of crab pots to get in our way. We tucked in behind the Key so the waves were not an issue. The wind actually pretty much died away during the night. The next day was more of the same except for an increase in crab pot buoys. Enough wind to motor sail allowed us to arrive in Boot Key Harbor by 4PM.

We were surprised by the number of boats already on moorings. There were more than we saw upon arrival last year nearly a month later. However, we were still able to pick up our favorite mooring N13, so friends who are following us will know where to find us upon their arrival.

After talking with other boaters, we were especially glad we chose to delay. The rain we'd heard about was really nasty here. However, it's been quite nice since our arrival. We also noticed that the water is clearer in the harbor than we'd seen it in the past. The marina manager agreed and suggested that the addition of the sewer system here has ended much of the leaching into the harbor from homes. For those who have been coming here for years, this represents an important change. Cleaner water is always a plus.

So we're now getting settled and adjusting to our winter location. It feels good. We've been to our first Tai Chi class, beginning our fourth season of these classes. I should also add that we've recently acquired a book on Tai Chi: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi: 12 Weeks to a Healthy Body, strong Heart, and Sharp Mind. This book has already reinforced our thinking about the value of Tai Chi. And while on the subject of health, we've just completed reading for the second time another book: Super Immunity. This one has had an important impact on our diet and health.

We should have our kayaks in the water within a day or so, and we're already talking about getting out into the Florida Bay for visit to some of our favorite spots. Life is good!

Sandra's recently completed painting of the Treasure Cay beach in the Bahamas.

Her latest basket creation

Captain Bob

Carpe Diem