Sombrero Reef 12/18/2012

Today we took the boat outside the harbor to Sombrero Reef because 1. there was no wind and 2. Walt had to put two zincs on the shaft under the boat. We have tried to snorkel at the reef other winters but it's always been too windy. We anchored just in front of the lighthouse but the water was cloudy and there was just sand and sea grass. We saw lots of fishing boats to the ocean side of the reef so we hoisted our anchor and went to see what was going on........

there were no boats fishing, they were all snorkeling! There were 13 mooring balls close to the 4' reef with lots of fish and coral to see. The water was crystal clear and aqua-marine. The sun came out just after I snapped this shot of our diver down flag and Sombrero Light.

Sunset Tiki Hut-7 Mile Bridge

We are enjoying all of the wonderful sites that make Marathon special to us here in the Keys. We are playing tennis again with Bill coaching us as he has done in years past. We biked with Sid to happy hour at the Sunset Grill near the 7 Mile Bridge complete with pool, beach, and band. Yesterday Roy and Yasmine came in on their new 41' catamaran and took ball M-8 next to us. Their new cat is roomy and beautiful! We have a NYS section out here in the mooring field-three NY boats in a row! Not many folks made the trip down here all the way from NY!

Marathon 12/8/2012

We had a great sail today in 15 knot winds on Hawk Channel from Rodriquez Key to Marathon and we arrived just in time! Although it's only early December the mooring field is quite full and we took a ball on M-9 near Sister's Creek. Once we checked in we discovered that the bathrooms have been updated and the marina has several lit designs in their garden...very spiffy! Tonight was the Christmas boat parade and the boats were awesome! A snowy egret visited our dinghy after hours, very content to welcome us back to Boot Key. Did I mention that the band is still playing in the community park? So glad to be here again in the Florida Keys!

Miami 12/6/2012

We had a great ocean run today from Lake Worth to Miami in 17 knot winds and anchored just south of the Rickenbacher Bridge in Key Biscayne. We motored past the working docks and container ships of Miami and then through some high rise condos. The sight of the city from the anchorage was awesome at night. Just north of Ft. Lauderdale I took a photo of this unique light house.

Lake Worth 12/5/2012

We left Vero Beach and headed out to the ICW where we saw the sailboat in front of us go to the far right of the red buoys....hard aground they were....watch those buoys! We did not go out the Fort Pierce inlet as usual but took the ICW with Sid all the way to Lake Worth where we anchored for the night. The St.Lucie inlet and the Jupiter Inlet were both wide and looked inviting. There was lots to see with beautiful homes dotting the waterway and 8 bridges to pass through. There many sailboats traveling with us....a conga line!

Here is Fui going through the Hobe sound lift bridge and also a photo of the Jupiter Lighthouse all decorated for Christmas.

Vero Beach 12/3-4/2012

We arrived in Vero Beach on Monday and tied up next to Sid on his sailboat Fiu. The mooring field was full at the City Marina as so many boats have been waiting out the strong NE winds....it's near impossible to sail to the Bahamas in this kind of weather. We were three sailboats on ball #39, the third boat was from Switzerland and had crossed the ocean with their 4-year old son. Some folks are so gutsy! Anna and Rich on Snowgoose also pulled in and plan to spend a few days waiting for their canine paperwork to come in so they can cross to the Exumas. We had a great time catching up since we last saw each other in Marathon last year.

South again! 12/1/12

We have been motor/sailing by ocean and ICW since Nov 28th and plan to be in Vero Beach this Monday. Our ocean ride was bumpy in 4-5 foot seas with winds from the NNE on Thursday so we are now on the ICW viewing lots of expensive homes in Daytona. The weather has been getting progressively warmer and sunnier! That's what we love about the south! Last night's sunset just north of St. Augustine at M771 was spectacular and this morning we cleared the Lions Bridge at 8:30.