Bill Baggs State Park

Here we are, sitting quietly in the No Name Harbor, with lots of other boats, most of which are waiting for tomorrow to run to Bimini, as are we.

Ashore yesterday to walk around the park and to the ocean.  First, along the mostly shaded trail.

Lots of gnarled, interesting trees

We saw this big boy, preening happily for the tourists white he fished for his lunch.

Finally, our destination - the lighthouse guarding the channel into the Biscayne Bay.  According to the info sign, in the 1850's this channel was used as the jumping off point from FL to the Bahamian island of Andros.  Many freed slaves, run-away slaves, and folks on the run from the law used this channel.  The lighthouse was built to slow down that boat traffic - very successfully, according to the info. Lighthouse keepers actually still lived there until the late 1960's.

We are still anticipating a crossing tomorrow - we'll be seeing this lighthouse as we begin our crossing in the still-dark wee hours. The crossing should take no more than about 8 hours. Winds and waves are forecast to be exceptionally mild! I have my fishing pole rigged for tuna and at the ready!