Broken ties that bind to Dinner Key

Wednesday morning roared in with wind.  I mean WIND.  It was blowing from the east, a direction that feeds directly and unbroken into the mooring field at Dinner Key.  Too rough to go out, so we did "stuff" around the boat and waited.  Thursday made Wednesday look like a mild day.  The dinghy, still in the water behind the boat, flailed and bounced about, making awful noises.  The boat rocked.  Smoke curled up in one of her most secure spots.  All of this at a mooring! Unfortunately, this "mooring field" is open to the wind from the NE to the SE, with about 3 miles of "fetch" (open water) across Biscayne Bay. So, what did we do?  Gamely put on our rain gear and set out to shore in the dinghy.  For a purpose, though - we took showers, did a last bit of fresh grocery shopping, paid up at the marina, and when we returned to Latitudes --- left! Lesson learned -- we knew the forecast well enough, should have done our errands on Wednesday, and left by Wednesday afternoon!

Once we left the mooring field, we gradually motored into the protected lee of Key Biscayne.  The winds were largely blocked and it was a pleasant 7 mile motor to a marina for diesel and water.  Topped off now, we are ready for our weather window to head north; hopefully a long way north.

After filling up tanks, we actually sailed from the marina to our new anchorage at Virginia Key, another mercifully protected spot.  We did have to go under the Rickenbacker Causeway Bridge, backed by the Miami skyline.

Our anchorage is in front of the old Marine Stadium.  The now derelict stadium was built in the early 1960's for watching marine sports - mostly, boat racing!  Fast boat racing! Also concerts and boxing.  This stadium held over 6000 fans.  web article  marine stadium

Damaged by Hurricane Andrew in 1992, the structure was declared unsafe and left to deteriorate.  A renovation project has been started, but apparently needs a lot more money.  For an AMAZING fund raising video, you've gotta see this U Tube video.  Even Luke said "gotta put that in!!!" Give it a couple of minutes to see what we're talking about. This is my first video in the blog, so I'm hoping it works.  Let me know!

Smokey was glad to be on a quiet boat.

Sculling teams practice here in the relatively quiet waters.

As night fell, we had a beautiful view of the Miami skyline.  Not the best picture, but you get the idea.

By daylight this morning - a better view.

Even in our protected anchorage, we were subjected to wind last night. Luke estimated at least 25 knots allll night long.  It's calming a bit now.  His careful analysis of the weather is --- if the forecast stays the same -- a good outside run tomorrow to Lake Worth, wait out north high winds on Sunday, and a possible overnight on Monday/Tuesday or Tuesday/Wednesday to our final destination, St. Marys, GA.  THAT would be wonderful.  Of course, it would also be wonderful if the weather forecast wouldn't change!

Just for Luke, as we wait out the weather - chocolate chip cookies on order!  mmm...can you smell them!?