July 24—Ft. Lauderdale to Rodriguez Key

Finally a weather window opened today, and we said good-bye to our safe harbor, Ft. Lauderdale.  Seeking shelter there both coming and going for a total of 6 days, the most of any other, except Jersey City.  Winds were forecast to be only 7 to 8 mph, but when we reached the channel going out to the Atlantic, they were more like 12 to 15 on the bow, creating rough seas.  Finally as we slipped by Miami they calmed and eventually changed to a more easterly direction allowing us to put up the genny, picking up a half knot of speed.  Interestingly, the skies all day were overcast, according to Ft. Lauderdale weather reports because of Sahara dust, keeping the temperature comfortably in the mid 80s.   

You can see the aquamarine water of the Keys from a distance, and it is just amazing that even at shallow depths of fifteen to twenty feet, life on the bottom is crystal clear. It felt very comforting to be back on the water with boats coming and going in every direction with lots of chatter on the radio.     

Once the winds calmed the seventy-five mile passage to Rodriguez Key was quite nice. Our ETA was 6:00, but with the extra half knot we were anchored by 5:00.  We double checked the anchor to make sure it was secure before going ashore at Mandalay Oceanfront Grill and Tiki for dinner.  Great restaurant well worth the mile dinghy ride with excellent food, live music and even a water bowl for Fritz.  Ahhhhh the Keys, not home, but sooo comfortably close.

Tomorrow’s destination is Boot Key, Marathon, only about 40 miles, then if conditions hold, Marco on Thursday, and PGI on Friday. 

Glory be!  Holding our breath…  Can we really be home in time for the start of the Olympics?