First Landfall in the Keys

Day #5: We left our nice quiet anchorage before breakfast to start today's long run south. In what has to be the perfect cliche, we motored past Key Largo with the radio blaring Buffet songs, the sun bright, and a trade wind blowing over blue-green waters. We watched dolphins swim around the boat. But suddenly there was trouble in paradise--Nellie's shallow water alarm sounded. How could that be? We were in the middle of the channel. Honest. We power down, check the charts again, then look over the side. Two dolphins smile at us mischievously as one of their buddies swims directly under the depth sensor.

It's amazing how fast the currents are in the lower keys. For example, today at 1645 EDT under Seven Mile bridge's forth span from the east there was a 2.6 knot current. How do we know? Simple, with the RPMs set for 6.4 knots, Nellie was doing 9 knots; all the while running a chicane of bridge pilings and telephone poles. In a word, it was, exciting.

After spending 8 weeks on the hard earlier this year working on the boat, Dave and I made a pact this trip to just relax and take it easy. Pictured here is Dave taking it easy. As soon as his first watch of the day was over he was off to the stateroom to install the new bow thruster isolation switch. I think his idea of relaxation is a bit different than mine :-)

This evening finds us snug on a mooring in Boot Key Harbor. 60nm today and 156nm for the trip. VJH and DBH