Rodiquez Key and Biscayne Bay

May 7, 2010

We left Marathon about 8:30 in the morning with light SE winds so we had to motor for awhile. We did put up the main and jib hoping for more wind. After lunch, we were able to turn off the engine and even put up our third sail, the staysail. Our winds ranged from 8-12 knots. We were anchored by 6 p.m. There were only 3 other boats at the anchorage. Nature gave us another beautiful sunset. We had a nice dinner onboard and enjoyed the stars which were more visible without all the ambient light from a town.

May 8, 2010

We left the anchorage at 0830. with almost no wind and the Hawk Channel was glassy even without any ripples. Needless to say, we were motoring. There were lots of fishing boats out on this beautiful Saturday morning. There was lots of traffic. We finally put up a sail after lunch but still had to motor sail. The closer to Miami and Biscayne Bay the traffic increased. We took down the sails as we entered the Biscayne Bay channel. It was a good thing due to all the motor boats whizzing past us in that channel. A small seaplane actually landed next to the channel and then took off again. Once we were in Biscayne Bay, we raised the sails again but there wasn't much wind. We decided to stay 2 nights at Dinner Key Marina to allow us easier access to laundry facilities, pumpout, water and a grocery store. We were in a slip on Pier 5 by 5p.m. We had dinner on board. It was very HOT and STEAMY! Rain clouds were all around but we never got wet.

May 9, 2010

It was laundry day. The marina had industrial washers which hold more than

regular machines and they only cost $1.25 which is a bargain. Dryers were also $1.25. Charlie worked on the AC most of the morning and finally got it working somewhat. It was 82 degrees at 7a.m. It only got hotter. We walked to Scotty's Landing for lunch about 2 p.m. There was still a crowd for Mother's Day. It has a great view of Biscayne Bay. We continued on to the Fresh Market after lunch. Charlie left me there to go to the liquor store and we met back at the marina. It was still HOT! I cleaned out the refrigerator so I could put in new items, refilled water bottles and restocked the sodas. We checked our e-mail. As it cooled off we invited the person on the next boat to join us for cocktail hour. He is a pilot for Amercan and is to fly tomorrow so he only had a coke. We had actually met him last year when we stayed at this marina. He races on "Primal Scream" which won their class and the Palmetto Cup at Charleston Race Week a few weeks ago. We ate dinner on the boat again. Tomorrow we will pump out and fill the water tanks before we move to the mooring field. Tuesday morning we will leave the Miami area and sail overnight to Ft. Pierce, FL.