We threw the mooring lines around 8:00 and headed to the marina to fill our water tanks and take one more shower before we left Dinner Key. As we headed out afterwards, we began to realize just how large the mooring field is. Luke said the marina advertises itself as the largest one in the states! This is only a small portion of the mooring field. It's also quite open to winds from the south.
We also saw Luke's favorite, the launch. The launch drivers were a great help while I was gone...they pick you up at your boat and take you to shore, then back again later. It's a great system, saves putting the dinghy down, and is just relaxing. The picture is a bit confusing, but the launch that small boat with all of the fenders, sitting beside the sailboat.
As we motored slowly out of the long, narrow channel (at least 2 miles) from the mooring field to Key Biscayne Bay we saw the variety of vessels on the water.
Fast boats, sleek and loud, quickly passing sailboats behind her. We learned from a cigarette boat (130 mph...) owner that there is no speed limit in the bay.
Quiet sailboats, motored only by beautiful, full spinnaker sails.
This is Saturday, so there were at least 3 regattas going on in the bay - we caught a picture of just a few boats of one of them.
By now, we had our own jib and main up, sailing silently (and slowly) through the bay. Smoke is fascinated by this, the slow movement through the water. She always wants to sit on the deck and watch her world drift past her. No, she does NOT get to do this when the water is choppy or we are motoring fast!
We ended up at our destination, 5 miles across the bay, at No Name Harbor. We have seen this harbor from land and know that many sailboats wait here for a weather window for crossing to the Bahamas. What we didn't know is that on weekends, it is a MAJOR hangout for happy local sailors, especially ones with big motor boats and loud stereo systems. This is only one section of the harbor...
No Name Harbor is part of a FL state park, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. We took the dinghy ashore and walked to the ocean side. There is a very beautiful, tapered lighthouse, Cape Florida Lighthouse, on the point of land. Here is my artistic rendering of the lighthouse, sea oats in the foreground.
Here is reality...
We did get a nice view from the other side of the park - the picture postcard view!
The $1M plus motor yacht with a couple and their 2 crew members and loud music has finally left (yeah, it is $1M plus ---- we goggled it!) There are a lot of boats left, but the various tastes in music seem to have finally quieted. Imagine ZZ Top, salsa, rap, and whatever all vying for your attention. Luke lamented that there was no Bach to be heard!
Tomorrow the weather is forecast to be calm again so we intend to head westward, into the keys. Our destination is Rodriguez Key, an overnight stay only on our way to Marathon Key and Key West! It's nice to be on the watery road again.
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