Keys & Beyond

[Zuma]

Enjoy reading your updates CaptD... makes me smile. I'm raising my cup of coffee to you this morning as you travel to warmer waters. Loves to Dee.

 

[notaclue]

capt d,, loved the story about the bulb not having a spotlite,, it sent me up to my shop whereupon after digging thru the archives i found my 13 year old coleman hand held million candlepower spotlite!! immediatelly went out a bought a small battery jumper, air compressor thing at napa, 60 bucks, i won"t have trouble finding the bee at nite from the dingy anymore.. that actually happened one nite off of point chivato.. anyhow, a cheap alternative to fifty dollar lite bulbs.. :lol: have fun crossing the gulf!! steve and tina,

 

[captd]

Twas a grand and beautiful day yesterday. We took a dingy trip out Sister creek to Hawks Channel. Right there at the intersection is Sombrero Beach. Very nice public beach. Dogs are allowed. So they let me in. But Dee had to clean up after me. After a delightfull walk on the beach we went to Dockside on the east end of the harbor and had a shrimp and mahi mahi basket. Very good, washed down with a couple of Bud lites.

Still hanging around waiting for a fax containing a couple of prescriptions. One a stress test (ekg) and the other for diabeties test strips. I kind of caught the same bug that Dee has. Hydrogen proxcide is my all around meds. It cures skin cancer , flu bugs, colds,moles and Lord knows what else. Just saved me a trip to the dentist. 😉

Finally after a bad, cold, windy winter it looks like it is going to warm up, although the wind is still suppose to hover around 15 knots all week. But hey....no complaints, sailors got to have their window too. Sure are lots of them in here. None like to go out when the wind is blowing.....go figure. Most of the time they are running the engine. Made a lot of them friends on this trip. We are bound to keep in touch with some. I love telling them my whistle pisser story. If they don't laugh...I do.

It is six in the morning and got my 1st cup of coffee down, Sun is just starting to lighten the eastern sky. My favorite time of the day. Dee sleeps in but stays up late.

Tough life, but somebody has got to do it.......One more cup of coffee. 🙂

To be continued
captd
.

 

[Stella Maris]

Whistle Pisser Story?????? I don't think we have heard that one.....

Maureen and I are so glad you guys are having a such a great time! We wish we could be there with you but, someone has to continue to support the Social Security system to insure you get your check...... Five more years.... Five more years.... We figure if we keep saying that, it might be like clicking our Ruby Slippers together.... Five more years....

Have fun, be safe, say hello to Dee!

 

[captd]

Thursday 11th 5:00 AM, coffee is on. It is 72.3 degrees out side right now. Wind is clocking to the south, south east right now. Breeze is coming across the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. That is the way things are suppose to work. A south wind flattens the waves in the Stream as it is progressing north. Not yet in position for crossing but it is fun to see if you woulda coulda.( My spell checker when crazy over that one)

Dee is now venturing out with me on the bikes. We have made two grocery runs with them together. I have been putting the miles on all along. West Marine and Publix. She has been a little concerned over the traffic. 90% is on the side walk and people will let you pass. I warn them that she is coming.

I think I will leave the bikes here and not take them to the Abacos. You can dingy everywhere with a short walk. A couple of back packs will haul in the wine and beer, can always tie some bread on top if we got to eat. Bud , if you have any comments on this , join the club, and tell us about it. ( been trying to get him to sign up on this site but.............. :? .)

Bought two 5 gal collapsible water cans. Loaded 30 gals so far. Saves pulling anchors and going to get it. As I was getting the water a fellow says no one pays for it. (5 cents a gallon). I said "it is on the honor system is it not? " He said yes, but no one checks. I went in and paid my $1.50. Sometimes I wonder if that is what is wrong with this country today. People give up there honor for a buck and a half. I would hate being called a petty thief. Now for a million....thats a different story. :twisted: :roll: 😉

Coffee is done

To be continued
captd




















c

 

[Bruce Moore]

I went in and paid my $1.50. Sometimes I wonder if that is what is wrong with this country today. People give up there honor for a buck and a half.

You're a good, and honorable, man Captd. It's funny - people will buy bottled water, which costs more than diesel fuel, and not complain. But balk at $.05/gal? Go figure.

Enjoy every drop!

 

[captd]

Water, fuel tanks are full. Holding tank is empty. Wine locker is full. Bikes are still on the beach. Dee wants to go to the sea food festival today and after that we are ready to leave at any time. Depending on the weather. Front moving through right now. Wind out of the north. One nice thing about traveling in the keys. We can go up in Hawks channel which is protected from the north. In a blow from the south, Florida bay is the protected side. I still want a nice day so we can enjoy the ride. We got about 10 days to get to Palm Beach.

It has been nice and warm even in the evening. Allowing pleasant quite times on the back deck enjoying a glass of wine. That has been the second time in just about two months. I believe mooring balls are available now which means lots of the sail boats have headed out for the Bahamas. We see no big benefit when the holding is so good and our draft allows use to anchor on the fringe areas. Being close to the city Marina allows a short run to the bike or running the dog ashore.

Yesterday, Dee got all clothes washed and we both done our shower tricks and the pumpout boat enlightened us of waste.
Pumpout is a good and easy thing to do. The city has two specially built boats just for that purpose. They will pump you out at their convenience on a given day whether you are on the boat or not. In the case of the new Ranger you must be on the boat because the pumpout is in the center off the dive platform. They won't get on your boat. Makes you have to hang around until they come to you. :x Got in some groceries as well. Twas a busy day.

To be continued

captd

 

[captd]

It was worth hanging around for. More of a carnival atmosphere. Rides, slides and games. Lots of things for sale. Of course lots of sea food. $16.00 got you a lobster. Dee had some conch salad. It was better than the Bahamas. I had two hamburgers. .........At a sea food festival? Yup, I hate standing in line. The line was short for burgers. After the line for burgers, if you wanted fries, you had to get into another line. So I passed on that to the benefit of my cholesterol. Golden crabs, never heard of them. Looked kind of like dungeness but skinner legs and kind of white in color. Long black tips on their legs with claws like the dungeness . More meat than blue crabs.

One thing worth mentioning: A fellow had invented a knot tying tool. He was tying clinch knots, trilene knots, Blood Knots, end loops and dropper loops, J.R. knots for lures and jigs, snelled hooks, #6 knots, improved surgeon's knot, fly fishing nail knots, sliding bobber and bumper stopper, #6 blood and spiderhitch knots. For all Fisherman, Fly, Ice, freshwater, Saltwater.

He was tying knots with his glove on. The tool allowed him to thread hooks with out seeing well , like me. It is the size of a skinny pencil. It picks up the smallest hooks (magnet) and allows easy threading. CD and instruction book came with it. I am impressed. I have always had trouble tying fishing knots. Fingers are to fat and eyes are not that good. $15.00 I asked him if they were available in the Great Northwest, He said not yet. So.............anyone? I am going to bring a few of them home.

Bright sunny morning with a breeze out of the North west. Getting to where I kind of like it down here now. Dee even grudgingly says it is not to bad. She wants to go back to the festival. T-shirts, jewelry, art works of all kinds. She bought 3 t's for $12.00 with pockets. A few gifts for family. Not all cheap stuff either. I picked out a 14 K. gold anchor chain with an Anchor for a cool $8500.00. Dee said I couldn't have it........ :cry: I am going back today and buy a flag staff for bow. The one I got at West Marine is cracked, like the last one just like it. This guy makes them out of good stainless ( solid bar ) and is hell for stout. Mounting blocks are available for all size railings. Kind of spendy at $65.00.

We will be leaving any time now. But not quite yet. Maybe tomorrow or the next day. 🙂

To be continued

captd

 

[jingram]

Loving these stories CaptD. That knot tieing tool sounds interesting. Wonder how long before they end up on the PNW. Look foward to reading about the crossing and see pics in the Abacos!!

 

[captd]

Bikes are now loaded, One last trip ashore to poop the dog. Might have to squeeze him a little. ( Either that or he better have a large storage tank.) Hawks Channel will be the choice with the wind on our tail. Hope to reach Key Largo before dropping the hook.

Just to clerify , I just picked out the gold necklace, I didn't buy one. My fishing buddy sent me an instant e-mail saying we could use that money partying in the Abacos. Not only that, but Dee wouldn't give me the money anyway. I did buy the bow staff. I like it, very well made.

Coffee is done and its 6:30 AM. I got up on the old time. Brain has not gotten use to daylight savings yet. Figuring out my anchor recovery. Maybe pull second anchor with the dingy and Dee at the helm.

until next time 😉


captd

 

[captd]

Left Marathon by way of Sister Creek out to Hawks Channel. Wind out of the northwest, about 15 knots with bigger gusts Little lumpy from time to time. We had a plan to go where we were two years ago. It was to anchor off Loralies restaurant on the beach. Missed the cut to go to the Florida Bay. We when into Snake creek instead. No place to put the dog ashore so we paid $54.00
so the dog could do his thing. Rickety dock. Ty'ed on to a piling and it fell over. Took three hoses to reach the boat for a wash down. Only thing good I can say about it was the food was good and so was the beer. Dee had tuna with waisabie and I had a lobster reuben sandwich. Both were good.

Wind is been blowing from out of the northwest ,and north at 15 knot gusting to 21 all night so the dock was well protected from the wind. Suppose to lay down to 10 this afternoon. So we will stay here a few hours toward afternoon , just to get our moneys worth. Should get to Biscayne Bay north of Key Largo by tonight.

This Marina is right next to the bridge so you hear cars go over at all hours. Sounds like wind gusts. Had to explain that to Dee, just to make her feel better. Can't blame her we both are a little sick of all the wind.

be back
captd

 

[captd]

Dropped the hook right in front of the Tiki Bar. !st bridge to the main land. We left Smugglers Cove at noon after the wind died down. Took the Florida bay side. What a wonderful day of easy cruising. We putsied along at 6 & 7 miles an hour. Over the emerald green water than into clear sand bar bottoms. I had forgotten how beautiful the inside waters can be. A lot like the Abacos.

The tiki Bar has always been one of my favorite spots on the way up or down the keys. Food is really good and the prices aren't to bad. They have a little beach for getting a sun tan (or burn) but not much for swimming , it would be hard on the feet. Kokkina gravel with sharp edges. Long line of recliners on sand. Plus they will bring your drinks to you. Must be a wild place on week ends.
Nice to be out in open water at anchor, free to swing on one anchor. All other boats are far enough away to not have to worry about them. This is what it is all about. We have protection from the east, north and a bit open to the south and west.
the forecast sounds good for tonight and tomorrow. We will be anchored in North Miami at Olas Park by the next night. I put that one in Active Captain a couple years ago.

Time for a glass of wine. 😀

To be continued
captd

 

[Levitation]

Captd, it is almost torture to read your posts... I would rather be on the water messing with the anchor, sundowners, etc...

Instead, besides putting in a full day at the business, I had the pleasure of meeting with the human resources people of my new corporate owners... They wanted to discuss pay scale for the employees.. My pay scale has always had the higher skill positions at ~$2/hr more than lower skill... Turns out 'their' corporate schedule means a $2/hr increase for lower skill positions, but no increase for the higher skill positions.. So, the higher skill employees will be making about 50 cents an hour more than lower skill... I pointed out to them that this will cause mutiny in the ranks once it becomes known... They assure me that this is set in corporate stone and cannot be altered... While this is great for my lower skill people, it is not going to endear them to my high skill folks...

Suddenly I remembered - in a blinding flash - why I quit the largest corporation in the world (at that time) over 40 years ago and only worked for myself since, until now... Ow in ell, do these corporations stay in business?

On the good side, Levitation has the frames for the cockpit canvas installed and folding nicely and they started cutting canvas yesterday... Tomorrow I will go look at her new finery...

 

[captd]

Be glad Denny O,
You did what I did many years ago. I am not rich but I am happy.

We are safely tucked into NO Name harbor. Which is on the south end of Key Biscayne. Twas awfully lumpy yesterday after crossing Biscayne Bay. We snuck in here and low and behold there was room to drop the hook. Wow !! What a change from last time I was here. Which was about 1989. I went right past it in 1992 after hurricane Andrew went through. I saw that all the leaves were stripped from the trees and shrubs and had heard that it was destroyed. It flattened all the Australian pine which was a non-native species anyway. 145 mile an hour sustained wind with gusts only God knows. It has now been totally restore with all native species. New seawalls and food , wash rooms. $ 20.00 allows you anchor for the night. $2.00 lets you stay for the day only. Interesting, because Florida law says you can anchor anywhere for free. We paid the $ 20.00 because it allows you total access to the whole park. Which is pretty nice. With swimming and sunning beaches. Two restaurants, the old historic light house. Built in 1849, but was damaged during the second world war with the Seminoles. 😉 ( which was one of the first world wars we lost. ) Those Seminoles are still a free undefeated nation. 😀

Ponce de Leon named this area " Cape of Florida " When he led his 1st expedition to Florida in 1513. This park., the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is only 15 minutes from down town Miami. Within walking distance from Piggly Wiggly's or maybe it was Winn Dixie grocery. Yet as their adds say "it is a world apart."

I have always loved this anchorage. From the south shore looking into Biscayne bay you can still see some of the old Stiltsville. houses up on stilts in the shoals. I don't know if that is the official name for it or not. It was always interesting to me that anyone would want to build there. On one hand they would have no lawn to mow. No sand spurs or fire ants.The only thing you had to worry about were those pesky 200 mile an hour winds.

Paid for one more night and off tomorrow for Olas State Park in North Miami.

Wind is suppose to pick up tonight from 15 to 20. Maybe it is because I am too windy on these posts, I figure you guys haven't got anything to do right now anyway so you may as well read my drivel.

I have lost my connection so lets see if I can save this post and send it later.......or something.
captd

 

[captd]

Screwed up again. We were enjoying the short trek north to the extent that we cruised right past our anchorage. (Olas) We past up the mooring balls in Fort Lauderdale. They want $20 for a poor nights sleep. Traffic over that bridge makes lots of noise. Skipper Bob said we can anchor on the Middle River. We are there and no one is anchored here but us chickens, I always wonder if no one is in a good spot, Why not? Maybe it is against city law. State law says we can anchor any where for free. Well I have a good pityful story to tell Marine patrol or Sheriff. About being so tired I can not go one, how we are physically and mentally disabled. What is your badge number just for the record. In case something bad happens when we leave here in the dark. Of course we will wear our most pathetic look on our face. I let a little druel trickel off of my lower lip. I will stoop to any thing.

We left No Name and went to the other end of Key Biscayne to Crandons Marina. Fuel was $2.75 a gal. Just before Rickenbacker Bridge. Added some more diesel to the wallas tank and topped off the 2 gal can. I have never used so much fuel just to keep warm. It is getting better so were are hanging in there. 81 degrees in the cabin right now. Wind from the north is cool. Night get into the high 40 and low 50's

We will pack up early in the morning and get through the week end boat traffic which gets pretty crazy.
Should be in Lake Worth by tomorrow. Hiding out in my favorite key hole on Peanut Island.

To be continued

 

[Zuma]

Keep it coming CaptD... we look forward to every post as we live vicariously thru' your adventures. Safe travels and loves to Dee.

 

[captd]

Turn out it is a wonderful anchorage. Not a ripple,no breeze and quite as can be. Around 9:00 pm or so I was taking my evening snooze. I fell asleep listening to O'rielly. Dee lets out a scream " A big ship coming right at us " I leap out of the v-berth, hitting my head in the process. ( You Tuggers know how that works ) , and she was right, there in front of us, the huge condo was coming right at us. It was light up like a Christmas tree , Four strips of lights layered like a big birthday cake. At least 300 feet long. 4 stories, Captain and crew unseen in the black helm area. Black spaces between the neon like lights.Than I heard the music. Like disco, jive, with a little island flavor. It approach slowly like it was looking us over, came to a complete stop. I was wondering what was going on in the captains mind, ( Hoping he had not been partying with his guests.) Like that little boat will never be missed or the party won't notice a little bump. Than I thought no way can he pass us and go up the river because just beyond us was a 6 ft, fixed bridge. So we stared him down knowing it is not worth scratching his paint. He must have had thrusters cause he slowly turned on a dime and we enjoyed their parting songs. You could hear the party for 5 minutes after they left. This wide spot in the river must be his turning basin. Well it was ours last night.

Than I thought, " I think I will have beer"

To be continued
captd

 

[captain's cat]

I thought, " I think I will have beer"

captd

I think I would have had more than that after I changed my shorts! :shock:

Never a dull moment!

Charlie

 

[captd]

Do not arrive at Peanut island on a week end. Little boats surround the island, filling my key hole and ever available anchorage. Well not quite, you can always find a spot south of the island. Dee said Marina, so here we are tied up on the fuel dock at Riviera Beach city Marina. The birth place for the name "Lucky Fin " This is where we got the five dollar bill that is framed in the cabin. They have a slip for us but lots of tide change. Dee has been in the water once and I don't need any more of that. Six foot climb to get on the dock at low tide.

Yesterday was a great day for the slow speed and idle zones. Never went over 8 miles an hour and mostly 6.5 and guess what? I got a speeding ticket for going that speed. The cop passed me three times during the day. Must have know how slow we travel. Idle zone under a bridge and a fuel dock just on the other side. Guess that is not an idle speed, so $55.00 and we were on our way. Eating other boat's 5 foot wakes when they are doing 30 miles an hour. #@$%^&*. The Deputy said i was putting out some pretty good sized rollers. I said " This boat putting out some good size rollers?" I had to laugh. I told him every boat on the water has passed us and about blew us out of the channel. I must have been the only one he could catch.

Now we wait, pack Dee's stuff, clean the boat up, get clothes washed, get ready for the crossing. Some more waiting for the right window. So far not many of those.
I will keep you posted.

We did have a bucket of beer and a sandwich at the Tiki Bar last night. 5 for 15.00 on Jimmy Buffet beer. Landshark made in Margaritaville. We had to force down two and a half apiece. Too much.

I'll keep you posted
captd

 

[captd]

Like I said the 1st night here we stayed on the fuel dock. It was a lumpy night so the next morning Dee was calling another Marina. Just when she found one with floating docks and was talking to them on the radio. The dock master stuck his head in the window and heard the last party of the conversation. He made us a better offer. We would go to the free key hole every morning and back to his fuel dock in the evening. They are right across from one another. Sounded good to me, so we went over into my key hole for the day. Very nice day.
The Bounty and the Lynx were here for a huge celebration. This is the ship they filmed all kinds of Pirate movies. A magnificent ship to be sure. A very accurate replica. 30 foot larger to make room for all the camera equipment. It sails all over the world with young volunteers. Took lots of pictures.

Wind blew all day but the key hole is well protected. About 5:00 pm we went back to the fuel dock. Really rough.
Dock Master helped us tie up. It go worse, wind gusts from the south at 40 to 50 miles an hour. The Lucky fin was jumping up and down where Dee would not get off the boat, but she wanted to get off and stay off. Three foot waves were flying under the bow. The DM said you guys are going to get beat here tonight. It was a poor time to leave and worse to stay. We move ahead into the wind to the lee of the fuel office. Not much protection but I tied to the big pilings in front. Only the stern was still touching the floating dock. About two feet of it, enough to get off the boat. Three long dock line to the front, one long line to the stern to the floating dock. We left the boat and went ashore as it would have make any one sick to stay aboard. Blew for hours. Thunder and lighting and some rain. The DM said this is rare. Never sees any thing like this. Boy have I heard a lot of that this winter.
It is quite now, wind has died down and the tide is going to slack. Good time to move the boat back. We will been in a better location tomorrow night.

I will talk more of the two ships later and maybe get around to correct my errors and spelling. Sorry about that.

captd