2/11/16 – 2/21/16        Marathon and Tavernier Keys

2/11/16 – 2/18/16        Marathon Key

The trip to Marathon Key was 43 miles among and around more islands in the Florida Bay. Below are some shots of Marathon and the 7 Mile Bridge during our approach. Check out Pigeon Key which can only be accessed by the old Bridge which was closed for repairs when we were there. But there is a visitor Center on Marathon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our destination was Faro Blanco Marina which was very nice. Of course I liked it since it had a lighthouse. We were actually docked right outside their lighthouse. As you enter the marina you pass Palm Island which is so close it looks like it is part of Marathon and the Marina.

That's us next to the Lighthouse

This is Palm Island right across the way

There were lots of other loopers at this marina, and our boat was right next to the dock where ‘docktails’ were held most nights. As you can see most of our nights and days there were really chilly. As a matter of fact, it never really did warm up. The big problem was the wind. It just never stopped blowing.

Docktails!

No that is not Bear or his brother! It's Louie from SC and Tim.

Most of the loopers we talked to were like us cancelling their plans to do the trip over to the Bahamas. With the continuous winds and their unfavorable direction there doesn’t appear to be any good windows in the near future.

We took the transit bus to Key West for a day. We didn’t stay to do the Mallory Square Sunset festival. We have been here before and have seen that. We did enjoy walking around and seeing some of the sights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We found some pretty amazing tiki bars and restaurants in the neighborhood.  And of course, the sunsets are remarkable.

 

We also stopped at a tiki bar that had a pool right next to it and just outside the pool area we met some rather brave iguanas.

Here's his close up

Another big boy

A cute little family

 

2/19/16 – 2/21/16        Tavernier Key

This was another 45 mile trip. Tavernier is between Key Largo and Islamorada Key. We had no luck getting a spot in Islamorada as we had planned. Here again the weather has boats staying longer than expected. We are officially travelling up the Eastern Intracoastal Waterway at this point. There are some larger bodies of water, but the channels are very small. And once again, lot’s of little islands.

That really is sand just outside the channel.  And it is really this light green.

The variations of green in the water are indicative of how close the bottom is.

Coming into Tavernier Key

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Boatman’s Mangrove Marina was full of all kinds of live aboards. It also had a large number of boats anchored in the little harbor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a small shopping center about ½ mile away that had a Winn Dixie so we could get some supplies onboard. It also had a couple of restaurants that we visited.  

The really good news is that it is finally getting warm. We are in shorts again!

 

We are in Sunny Isles in North Miami now and I’ll have pictures etc. when I do the next post.

2/3/16 – 2/11/16          Everglades City, Little Shark River and Flamingo, FL

2/3/16- 2/7/16              Everglades City

We made the 53 mile trip to Everglades City with the expectation of staying there 2 nights, as it turned out we spent 5 nights due to the windy conditions where we were and out in the Gulf.

We passed Marco Island on our way and here are a couple of long range shots.

 

We entered the Florida Bay and an area known as 10,000 Islands. I don’t know when the last count was made, but I can tell you that there are more added probably each few years. But then again, there may also be some that are merging with others and no longer counted. It is a very picturesque area, but very shallow, so we took it pretty slow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are staying at the Everglades Rod and Gun Club. It is a historic landmark and must have been just gorgeous in its heyday. The insides are very dark wood and  couldn't get any good shots. The food was good at the restaurant.

This is the swimming pool

Everglades City is a quaint little town with one market and one combination hardware store and gift store. But there lots of restaurants and most are on the water and serving fresh seafood.

 

We did Speedy’s Airboat Tour and it was pretty cool. I think they keep the little fellow in a cage so they can guarantee you to see a gator. There was one on the tour but I am having trouble believing it was live. What do you think? It was fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was on the tour, but he never moved.

He was in a tank and they would take him out and let you pet him.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We watched the Super Bowl at the only place in town that had it on, the Oyster House. We enjoyed the game with Scott and Sue from the "Dolphin".

One of the fishing boats came in one night and cleaned their catch just up from our boat. These three pelicans are fighting over a discarded carcass.

 

2/8/16                          Little Shark River

 We headed to Little Shark River. It was a 48 mile ride through the Islands and the Bay and then into the Everglades where we anchored for the night. They had called for some heavy winds and rain overnight and we wanted to get in where we would be safe. These shots are heading into the river and our anchorage for the night.        

 

After a beautiful sunset we settled down for the night. It was a little spooky and we did get the heavy wind predicted. Ken stayed up most of the night monitoring the boat and where it was moving.

 

2/9/16 - 2/10/16                       Flamingo, Fl

It was a short 32 mile trip to Flamingo. It is situated at the southernmost point of the Everglades and Florida mainland. It is a federal park and large camping area.

We received an escort into port, actually just for a while before we got to the cut, by two porpoise (dolphins) as they rode our wake and alternately led the way. I only got a good picture of this one.

 

There was a little restaurant that consisted of a large trailer converted into a kitchen and a large area enclosed by screens to allow peace from the bugs.

We rode the bikes around some of the island and got a few good shots of the wildlife, etc. This area has a large number of different birds. But we didn’t see anything that crawls around the ground. They actually had signs for tarps that you could use to cover your cars so that the vultures would not damage them. Sorry I saw them but didn’t get a picture.

 

We are currently in Marathon Key and will have pictures etc. in the next post.