Yesterday, Patti and I took a taxi to Publix a few miles away from Pennekamp and did some more provisioning for the crossing. Our boats are sitting low in the water now! Their friends Bill and Connie from the Trumpie, Windrush, drove from Islamorada to pick us up. We went to the Conch House for dinner. Chuck had Seafood Portofino and I had a spring garden salad with crabcake and shrimp with a cup of lobster bisque. We shared a blueberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream.
It was an exciting day on the water. We traveled 42 miles, mostly through the ocean today, to No Name Harbor, Miami. The day started very overcast and breezy. At least we didn't have bugs to deal with! Chuck filled the water tank, unhooked the electric, got the dinghy ready to cruise and readied the boat for launch.
We left John Pennekamp about 8:25 a.m. Winds were 19 knots with gusts to 22. Temp was 66. Water temp was 75 in Key Largo. In No Name Harbor, winds were 20 knots with gusts to 25 knots. We pulled the main sail nearly full around 9:30 a.m. and motor sailed. SOG was 5.1-5.4. Seas were 1-2 ft. and choppy. I settled in with a good book.
At 10:25 a.m., the sun came out. Around 1 p.m. SOG was only 5 knots. Winds were 21 knots. Ryan called. It was great to hear his voice. We really miss our kids.
Chuck pulled out the jib sail and our speed kicked up to 6.1 knots. Winds were 23.5 knots. At one point, a gust of wind caught the sails and we heeled over 35 degrees for a few seconds. A large sheet of water washed over the dodger. At around 4 p.m., we could see Miami in the distance.
Approaching the channel, the waves were really kicking up and coming across our beam so we were rocking side to side. We were heeling 18-25 degrees for a long run. As we came to the first marker, we pulled the sails in. I felt queasy for a while there, so I took the helm. We slowed down for Wayne to pass us.
(That's Bum's Rest behind us).
As we were approaching the harbor, a kayaker pulled up next to us. He said our dinghy was making the perfect wake for him and he followed us for a few minutes.
We pulled into No Name Harbor around 5:20 p.m. and who do we see? Ben on Loon from Annapolis, Md. Chuck had dinner with him while we were visiting Ron Pence. He's friends with Ben and introduced us.
(Here's Loon from Annapolis).
There are lots of boats in this little anchorage.
Chuck took the dinghy to shore to pay the $20 fee to the park to anchor here. Tomorrow morning, we'll visit the state park here, then move around the corner to Dinner Key. I need to get to a Verizon Wireless store. Chuck has to get to West Marine to pick up the cable they ordered for the transducer, which he installed while at Pennekamp. And we need to get the dogs to a vet to get health certificates to cross to the Bahamas. Then we wait for a weather window!
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