Ft Lauderdale to No Name Harbor, Miami

 Can you believe it?  No trips to West Marine today!!!  Anxious to test out the newly installed equipment we slipped the dock lines around 9:00 this morning and took on fuel before clearing the 17^th Street Bridge once again.  On the south side of the bridge in the turning basin used by the gigantic cruise ships, with none in sight, we were able to make several slow circles, then zig zags and straight lines to recalibrate the new auto pilot components before heading out into the open water of the Atlantic.  It seems there are a few tweaks to be made, but overall all the new equipment performed well. 

Seas were 2-4ft with winds off the nose.  Fortunately we only had thirty miles to make to No Name Harbor, and taking the Government Cut, past the Miami skyline into Biscayne Bay to get into calmer water made the last few miles quite pleasant.  Upon arrival we dinghyed over to the shore and hiked the Bill Baggs State Park trail to the Cape Florida lighthouse built in 1825.  Along the trail we saw lizards, a 3 ft. snake and raccoon.  It was a nice change from the five days spent in the busy Ft. Lauderdale pace.

Later a Punta Gorda couple came by and as we chatted realized we have mutual friends, and had once met at a boating club function.  They have just today returned from the Exumas, also heading home to PG by way of Marathon, so we made plans to get together for dinner.  That’s one of the things we love about cruising, you travel miles away from home and wind up meeting your neighborsJ

Even with the many challenges…this cruising life is sweet!