Key Biscayne at anchor

We are at anchor off Key Biscayne Bay, just south of Miami.  We will stay here overnight and leave at 3am sailing for Marathon, Fl.  Marathon is the first place we can go under a bridge and access the Gulf of Mexico.  *ITS THE WEATHER that is creating delays and sailing inside the ICW instead of out in the Atlantic.  For example, yesterday we motored about 40 miles with almost 20 bridges to "go under."  IF we were out in the Atlantic we would expect to sail 120 miles in 24 hours.  Non-stop.

I'm not even going to guess about our transit, the weather or our next port.  I'll watch and see.  But we are daily checking weather and charting our course based on the latest weather front moving in.  We dont want to be out in the Gulf of Mexico when a big storm blows through!

Our view of the Miami skyline tonight ill surely be spectacular.  I'll try to remember to get a photo.

-Peg Leg Pirate Skip

Dave, Rob & I left the marina in Palm Beach this morning and used only the motor to come south in the ICW.  got to see lots of very expensive houses built on this canal...   Mostly it was a series of hurry up and wait to get through bridges.  we met almost two dozen low bridges and had to wait for them to raise to get our tall mast under.  (our mast is 52' clearance off the water and lots of bridges were 22' with some down lower than that.)  some open upon request and we would call them via our VHF radio.  others open on a fixed schedule.  'On the hour and half hour,' or 'every 20 min.'  Often we could hurry up or slow down to pace ourselves to be at the bridge just in time.  Other times we did circles in the 'river' till it ws time.  *NOW, remember it's Saturday on a Holiday weekend and envision tons of traffic.  Rich kids in daddys yacht out playing speed boat up and down the ICW.  I actually saw a boat pulling 2 water skiers. (in a no wake zone)  

Short version, it was a zoo!  We dodged boats all day.  Next think of this - there are no brakes on this boat.  So we hurry to the next bridge and then have to 'jockey' in position, as the boat drifts in sometimes strong currents, surrounded by other boats without hitting anyone.  It was stressful.  We were all wiped out when we finally dropped anchor.  Spent about 8 hrs and travelled about 60 miles.  

It's 2:20am and i'm on 'anchor watch.'  since we are in a small cove and shallow water - RIGHT BESIDE - the ICW, we cant afford to have the anchor drag.  if a storm were to blow up and we drug, it could put us in the ICW and a hazard to navigation.  (plus we might get hit)  my shift is from midnight till 3am.  I've seen 2 small boats go by during my watch.  we will pull anchor and start on toward Miami with first light.  (i'll go to sleep at 3am when Rod comes up on deck to relieve me.)  Anchor watch - sit in the cockpit and watch the shore to insure you dont move.  stay awake.

Last week we were 50 miles offshore in 600 feet of water and I was more scared today in a ditch with 12 feet of water, drifting slowly toward another massive yacht while drunk speeding kids flew by in their daddys boat.  I'm excited to get out to sea where its safer!

We are watching with great interest the weather and how it might get worse.  (concern of weather prompted us to sail the ICW today instead of out in the Atlantic)  talk here is to sit it out near Miami and let this storm blow through before going on.  this could impact our travels by a day or so.  more on that as it happens.  fortunately we have plenty of food and time.

FOOD:  We cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast.  I had 2 cups of coffee.  (then we walked a half mile to the boat store for some fuel filters)  Lunch was a sandwich with chips.  We were so worn out by dinner time that we just had snacks.  Summer sausage with cheese and crackers.  *I'm already excited about breakfast.

Nothing further to report.  Rick flew out this morning.  Dave Damm is filling in his spot now.  All is well on board.    

-Peg Leg Pirate skip