The Crossing

After motoring out of Biscayne Bay through Biscayne Channel at first light:

We headed east adding about 20 degrees to compensate for the Gulf Stream.  We ended up with winds out of the south southeast clocking to the south at about 12 to 15 knots by afternoon.  The seas started out very benign, but became rather rollicking in the center of the Gulf Stream and continued rather agitated as we approached North Bimini. 

Waves Breaking on the Inlet Sand Bar

As we approached the inlet there was a lot of chatter on the VHF radio.  Seems several of the other captains did not have current charts and all were worried about the depths over a sand bar guarding the inlet at low tide.  As we approached the inlet, all eyes were on us and we were asked to report the depth after we were through.  I saw 5'7" once and Pollie says she saw 5'3".  After our report, several of the boats with 7' drafts decided to wait for the tide to come in.  We love our 4'2" draft.

Previous Attempts

The "coconut telegraph" rumored that the customs officials in Bimini were only giving 30 day cruising permits, and if you wanted to stay longer, you had to request an extension in Nassau or at another port.  We found this not to be true.  Our permit expires on June 5, 2011.  I was very prepared, very friendly, and we are not carrying weapons; that seemed to help.

Weather Window

To cross the gulf stream to the Bahamas, one looks for a period of weather that has allowed the seas to subside, wind out of the southeast to southwest, and enough time to cross before the next cold front rolls through.  After spending almost a week at Dinner Key, we think we have found the window.  So today we moved over to No Name Harbor to stage for a crossing in the morning.  We rode our bikes over to the ocean side and found rather flat seas:

Next posting should come from the Bahamas....

New Years in Miami

After spending a delightful Christmas in Ft Lauderdale we moved on down to Miami Harbor and anchored:

However, we found Miami and South Beach a little to over the top for us, so the next day we moved on down to Coconut Beach and took a mooring ball at Dinner Key ($21.40 per night).  While at Dinner Key, we caught up on maintenance:

And, found some very interesting places for dinner:

With all of the exotic cars roaming the streets of Coconut Grove, the most photographed car was the 50's BMW Isetta:

While there, we toured the Barnacle State Park and enjoyed learning about some of south Florida's original landscape:

 





Merry Christmas

Some of the folks get a little carried away, otherwise you would not know it was Christmas in 70 degree weather.

After opening 19 bridges in two days from West Palm Beach to Ft. Lauderdale, we arrived.  We spent a very pleasant night on anchor in Boca Raton, before Ft Lauderdale.  We then proceeded up the New River where we tied off to spend Christmas.  Great selection of restaurants and sights for the holidays.

Notice the Tow Boat Ahead of this Behemoth 

New rule; if you are too big to navigate the river on your own and require two tugs (one in the front and one in the back), your boat is too big!  Evidently, the New River is one of the places you go to see and be seen.  The parade of boats on "the cruise" is quite entertaining.

Dog Park

 Our slip is surrounded by numerous high-rise apartment building.  The green space near our boat is the favorite dog walking area.  With about 3 foot of tidal action, we sometimes look out of the boat and are on eye level with a dachshund doing their business.  We have met some great dogs and owners.  

West Palm Beach

 After opening 6 bridges, we arrived in West Palm Beach.  The last bridge we opened, The Flagler Memorial Bridge, opened 15 minutes after the hour and 15 minutes before the hour.  We arrived at 2:50 p.m., but the bridge tender was nice enough to hold the opening for us, backing up a lot of vehicle traffic.  The next day on the way to the grocery store, we got caught waiting for a boat to pass through.

Pay backs are hell.

The marina we are staying in is very nice and pricey.  But, it is all inclusive (laundry, pump out, golf cart ride to boat, etc.) so we are making the most of it.

Nearby the marina is the Waterfront Commons they have Sunday on the Waterfront.  This Sunday was Still Surfin' (a Tribute to the Beach Boys).  In attendance was the Mayor of West Palm Beach, handing out free brownies.

Pollie dancing with the Honorable Mayor Lois J. Frankel

Second Month Anniversary and S#%t Storm

While anchored in Manatee Pocket we celebrated our two month anniversary as full time cruisers.

Dredging Operation in Manatee Pocket

Manatee Pocket is a small cove off of the ICW near Stuart, FL.  Unfortunately, that evening we experienced a clogged toilet line that required pin pointing, then clean out - not pleasant.  All is well now and we are being more liberal with water when flushing.

 

Moving South

Our plan is to move south while we are enjoying somewhat improved temperatures (still cold at night).  Some of our cruising friends don't seem to mind the temperatures.

Dolphins Playing in Our Wake

(Pollie worked hard to get a picture of the dolphins)

This morning after leaving Titusville, we had to open two bridges, the Titusville Bridge and the NASA Causeway Bridge.  The first was not a problem other than a 42' catamaran that pulled in front of us because he had to be first.  The second bridge was more challenging.  It had a barge with a dredger working under the bridge.  The bridge tender advertised that there was 20' between the barge and the fender of the bridge.  This eliminated the catamaran, as his beam was 22'.  This put Serenity in the lead.  As we went through, I saw about 3' on either side of our 10.4' beam.  After we got through, I advised the bridge tender, "Serenity is clear, thank you for the opening, now I will now go take my blood pressure medicine."  The boat behind us ask if they could have some too!