The Cruise - Week 8, Florida Keys - February 16 - 22, 2015

Monday, February 16, 2015.  At last, some good weather at least for a couple of days.  Wind should turn to east and southeast and moderate, so we decided to take a two day cruise.  I wanted to go west then under the Seven Mile Bridge via Moser Channel and on to Molasses Key where there is a channel between two small islands.  We departed about 1000, but not long after clearing Moser Channel, the wind was southeast to about 20 kts.  Although the seas were only about 3 feet or so, they caused Dubhe to roll badly when we turned to the west south west for Molasses Key.  We had not secured everything as we should have and lots of stuff inside went flying around the cabin.  Within a few minutes, I decided this was no fun and turned around.  We went back under the Seven Mile Bridge to the Florida Bay side of the islands where it was calmer and we were more head on to the waves.  We continued eastward past Harbour Cay and anchored up behind Crane Point about 12:30, had lunch, took a nap, and read.  At 3:45 pm, we raised the anchor and continued east about 6 or 7 miles for a very nice cruise close in to the shore, until we anchored up behind Fat Deer Key for the night.  We had a nice sunset and conch for supper.  The wind was southeast at about 15 kt, but the anchor was holding well.

Tuesday morning, we had a leisurely breakfast and just laid around for a while, reading and sunning.  The weather was perfect, with a south wind at 10, sunny sky, and upper 70’s.  At 1:00 pm, we departed for a nice slow ride back to Harbour Cay.  I tried to troll but there was too much grass in the water.  By time the lure hit the water, it was a ball of grass.  Docking is fairly tight at Harbour Cay, but we managed fine with a little help on the dock; arriving about 2:30 pm.

Wednesday, the rain started and the wind picked up overnight.  The rain has continued to almost noon and the north wind is beginning to make our little marina a quite bouncy and has continued to increase into the night.  About 0400 Thursday, the wind ramped up to sustained of about 30 kts with gusts to 34 kts, (almost 40 mph).  Waves at least 3 feet high were coming into the marina and Dubhe's motion, tied up to the dock wall, became quite violent.  Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WwA20jCCJ8

Just another Iguana on the side of the road.

By mid morning Thursday, the wind had backed off, some but was still 20-25 kts.  I was very tired since I didn't get my normal full night's sleep, but we walked to the grocery store anyway (2.2 miles each way).  In the evening, we were invited to a fish fry here.

Friday.  The wind continued all night but had moved a little to the east and was only about 20 kt so the motion was not so bad.  BUT it is cold, 45 degrees which is about as cold as it ever gets here. There is not a lot of activity on the docks or water this morning! Rode our bikes to the grocery store and picked up hogfish for supper on the way home.  In my opinion, this is the best fish you can eat; perfect texture, color, and flavor.  I expect this will happen more before we leave an easy source.  Hogfish is not caught by hook and line, but must be taken by spear fishing.





Nancy's birthday was Saturday.  I gave her a Marathon "destination" bracelet and I think she really likes it.  We went with friends (Tom and Vivienne) to a flea market on Big Pine Key which seemed to pretty typical; I bought some odds and ends like bungee cord, lighters, sanding pads, etc.  The best part was having brunch at The Stuffed Pig back on Marathon...we continue to eat too much and my shrinking clothes are showing it!  On the way back to our slip, we stopped by West Marine...I broke down and bought a new toilet for our head.  The bathroom on a boat is commonly referred to as the "head".  The term comes from the days of sailing ships when the crew would relieve themselves all the way forward on either side of the bowsprit, where the figurehead was fastened. Some people refer to the toilet itself as the head, but I prefer to call the enclosure (bathroom) the head.  I removed the existing toilet but ran into difficulty with installation of the new one so gave up for the day. We have restroom facilities on shore here at Harbor Cay. Enough!

Birthday dinner Saturday night at Castaway Restaurant in Marathon.  Nancy had crabcakes but after so much fish, I had baby back ribs which were great.  Of course Key Lime Pie for dessert.



Sunday, we went to church at Saint Columba Episcopal and stayed afterward for a newcomers brunch, although, as we told them, we would only be there one more Sunday.  This is a friendly, outreaching church and we have certainly enjoyed being there.  Sunday afternoon, I finally achieved installation of the new toilet without leaks! So far so good.  The weather is now perfect...low wind, sunny, and highs in the upper 70's.

SUCCESS!