Saturday, March 12, 2011

80° 06.764’ W

26° 03.393’ N

The Dania Beach Marina

Dania Beach, Florida

Leaving our slip at Sunset Harbour

Today we cruised slowly through the high rent district! Our cruising time to cover 22 miles was three and a half hours! Most of the waters are posted as idle speed no wake zones. There are plenty of water police to give out citations if you push a little bit too much.



Some shallow water



The reduced speed gave us an opportunity to see some of the biggest mansions that I have ever seen. Many of the homes also had large yachts tucked away on their property! I saw more wealth in three hours than any other time in my life. We are now back to reality and comfortably sitting in a marina a very short distance from the Atlantic Ocean - less than 100 yards away.





North Miami Beach







 When we arrived we were greeted on the dock by Ken and his dog “Bob”. Ken offered his truck to us if we needed it for any reason. We took him up on his offer and drove to Davie, FL about 8 miles from here to the Broward County Airboat Show & Festival to see Colleen and Stan. Diamondback Airboats in Cocoa, FL that built their new airboat have it there. I am not sure a picture truly shows the amount of engineering and workmanship that went into the boat. All I can say is WOW! Stan out did himself on this venture!



FOR SALE!



Under the bridge to Dania Beach Marina










Stan's airboat



Colleen - Carl - Skip - Stan



 

Friday, March 11, 2011

80° 08.741’ W

25° 47.762’ N

Sunset Harbour Yacht Club

Miami Beach, Florida

Today was our last night in Miami Beach. Tomorrow we will move the boat to Dania Beach, Florida via the Intracoastal Waterway.

We had a fun filled day walking on the beach, eating lunch at a sidewalk café while watching all of the spring break kids spend their parents’ money.

Looking south on Miami Beach

Looking north on Miami Beach

Skip

Barb

Thursday, March 10, 2011

80° 08.741’ W

25° 47.762’ N

Sunset Harbour Yacht Club

Miami Beach, Florida

HAPPY B-DAY BARB….. AND DAUGHTER JILL!

We have extended of stay here until Saturday. From here we will move up the east coast to Dania Beach Marina.



View from the marina



View from the marina



View from the marina



Linclon Road Mall



Before visiting the city of South Beach we experienced one major storm with gale force winds. The 150 foot mega yacht that was blocking our view and also the wind had departed port a few hours before the storm hit. With out the mega yacht in place we experienced the full force of the storm with major seas rolling under the dock that we are secured to. The good news is the wind held us off the dock instead of against the dock which could damage the boat!



Today we took a city bus ride that looped South Beach. The driver and some of the passengers kept us entertained while telling us where to eat drink and people watch! We then boarded another bus and rode to

Lincoln Rd.

where all of the action is! All I can say is it’s a diverse culture that one needs to address with an open mind! The four of us dined at a side walk restaurant, one of many on the strip. I can truly say that this is one of the best people watching cities I have visited. Barb and Ricki did a little shopping while Carl and I continued people watching over a couple of cold beers!

Later in the evening each of us dropped a quarter in the slot and rode the bus back to the harbor five minutes away!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

80° 08.741’ W

25° 47.762’ N

Sunset Harbour Yacht Club

Miami Beach, Florida



Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean



Moor Stuff leaving Boca Chita Key



We said our farewells to our Looper friends and pushed off for Miami at 10am. The wind was blowing with a nice chop on our beam. The result was we didn’t have a very pleasant ride in Biscayne Bay. Once close to land everything got better and the view coming into Miami is breath taking!



First view of Miami



Miami Skyline



Once in our slip I gave the boat a thorough wash down with fresh water to get the salt off! The boat was starting to look like the rim of a Margarita glass!





Where is Moor Stuff??



Approaching Sunset Harbour



The harbor we are staying in is filled with larger yachts and a few mega yachts in the $20,000,000 and up class! Everything a boater would want is available here! The yacht club also has an Olympic size pool. If space is available we will stay here three days.



South Beach will be a great place to celebrate Barbs B-Day tomorrow!

Skip and Carl deciding on which one to buy!

PICTURES - March 8, 2011

View along the way

Arriving at Boca Chita Key

View from Moor Stuff at Boca Chita Key of Biscayne Bay

Key for sale - should we buy it??

Boca Chita Key lagoon

View at top of Boca Chita Key lighthouse

View from lighthouse

Sunset on Boca Chita Key

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

80° 10.521’ W

25° 31.429’ N

Boca Chita Key, Florida

We didn’t make it to Miami but we did get to Boca Chita Key! While under way to Miami I recognized the voice of Jim Hampton on Dream Catcher talking on the radio. Before the day was over Carl, Ricki, Barb and I changed our plans and joined three other boats. Bob on Dream Quest is doing the loop single handed on a 40 ft. Mainship. Carlton & Becky on Seamoore a 39 ft. Mainship was traveling with Jim and Brenda on their 40 ft. Formula Dream Catcher. A Canadian boat Twin Spirits with Tom and Sheila, already in port, joined us for a 5 o’clock dock party which was a hoot.

This harbor is a must stop for any one close to here! We are close enough to Miami to see the sky line but far enough away to enjoy the beauty of an island and its abandoned light house and all the trappings that white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and crystal clear waters has to offer! The harbor is one of the most beautiful harbors I have been in with Biscayne Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. There is no electricity or water but the seawall and the surrounding area are over the top!

A park ranger was on site so we had the opportunity to tour the lighthouse which was a great treat. For those who possessed a Golden Age Passport the cost to stay here is $10 a night.

Tomorrow we will cruise to Miami and stay in a marina close to South Beach. The plan is to celebrate Barb’s 39th B-Day a day early! From there we will move to Dania Beach, Florida.

NOTE:  Will add pictures later............slow internet connection here.

Monday, March 7, 2011

80° 25.894’ W

25° 07.867’ N

At anchor Tarpon Basin

Key Largo, Florida



Robin - Barry
Gordy - Virginia



Heading to Hawk Channel



We were up at 6 am and made the boat ready to get underway. I had installed a few new hoses on the engine so wanted to check for leaks. With all the engine checks complete and everything made ready for sea we said our good byes to Virginia, Gordy, Robin and Barry. At 8:30 we departed their seawall and waved farewell. If it was solely up to Barb we would still be there! She had one great time and had a chance to relax from our adventure which can be a little exhausting at times! On the other side of the coin it was time to take advantage of the weather and move on.



Approaching Channel 5



There was a little wind blowing into the canal which made getting off the dock some what tricky but off we went to a local marina to pump out for our trip up the Keys.



Sunset in Tarpon Basin



At a pre determined latitude and longitude we connected with Ricki and Carl. From there we proceeded up the Hawk Channel to channel 5, crossing into the Florida Bay. The weather was great with flat water. We are now anchored in a beautiful location where we shared a pizza on Quest with Ricki and Carl.

Today we traveled 53 miles and tomorrow we hope to make Miami about 50 miles away.

Swimming along side the boat!



Saturday & Sunday, March 5 & 6, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

The last two days were spent with the Matthews or doing a little last minuet shopping. What a great time Barb and I have had with them their daughter Robin and cousin Barry. I think Barb could stay put in the Keys especially here! It’s going to be a tough departure tomorrow as we head for the east coast of Florida from the Keys.

We can’t leave the dock until 8:30 when the incoming tide presents us with enough water to float out of this canal! The plan is to meet Carl & Ricki at a predetermined location in the Hawk Channel then move up the Keys before crossing into the Florida Bay. Once in the Bay we will rejoin the Intracoastal Waterway.

Friday, March 4, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

Tonight we will dine with Barb & John (Scoperta), Ricki & Carl, Cathy & Jim (Merried with Her)!

I picked up Carl and Ricki from a new marina and crossed the highway to meet Cathy, Jim, Barb and John. An hour was spent on their dock with happy hour before departing for Annette’s Lobster House for dinner. The food was good and a good time was had by all.

With our side trip to the Bahamas we probably won’t catch up with the four of them for a couple of months. As always, it is fun traveling with Scoperta and Merried with Her. Barb and I look forward to catching up with them again!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

The weather is still to rough and windy to depart the dock. Hopefully the weather will improve by the weekend to start our journey up the east coast and then over to the Bahamans.

We did some major work on the boat replacing a few old engine hoses and replacing the calking within the shower stall. By the time we were finished it was 6 pm and we called it a day.

We joined the Matthews for dinner watched a movie with them before turning in. The wind blew all night rocking the boat with a few gentle bumps onto the seawall.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

The weather prevented us from departing and starting on our journey to the Bahamas. The next five days is not looking good. As a resident in a marina the weather is great! It is on the open water of the ocean is where the problem begins!

Since we were in port we attended a briefing on cruising from where we are to Norfolk, Virginia. The 3 hour meeting was put on for LOOPERS by an AGLCA member Robert Creech. Our time was well spent, very informative and worth wild.

Ricki put together a seafood salad for dinner that was terrific! Another couple from their marina Patty and Ashley joined us on their boat for a great evening.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key



Crab pot



Man of War



Tomorrow we hope to depart for our trip to the Bahamas. Barb did a lot of provisioning for the trip - we have food in the pantry and cases of pop, beer and water stacked on the floor in our boat. I purchased additional spare parts for the boat, garbage bags, a supply of toilet paper and holding tank chemicals ----- all the necessities to survive in a foreign country!



Canal to the Matthews home



Moor $tuff in on seawall at Matthews





What we need now - is good weather so we can start this trip! It will probably take us three to four days to position the boat on the east coast before crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas 50 or 60 miles away.

Pictures are from our dinghy ride.

Monday, February 28, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key

Today was Barbs day to be under the weather. We never left the boat or the Matthews resident all day! By early evening she was feeling human again but stayed close to the boat and rested.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

81° 01.017’ W

24° 43.444’ N

Virginia & Gordy Matthews Home

Key Colony Beach, FL on Fat Deer Key



A view of seven mile bridge



The four of us went to a brunch on Sue and Darrel’s boat “PRESENT MOMENT”. Sue made waffles for their guests which were over the top great! I think the waffles were an excuse to eat blueberries, strawberries with mounds of whipped cream. We had lots of fun with our great host and their neighbors.



Band



From there we returned to Ricki and Carl’s boat to review charts to the Bahamas.




For dinner we drove to Ramrod Key about 25 miles away and had dinner at Boondocks a favorite spot on the keys. There was live entertainment preformed by a group called The No Name Band which preformed Beetles songs. We had an early evening but very enjoyable.



Boondocks







On the way back to our boat we saw a small deer on the side of the road. We were driving across Big Pine Key where they live and are protected. The miniature deer are listed as an endangered species! When the deer are full grown they are about the size of a Great Dane.