Ft lauderdale, Miami, Marathon - Just Chillin

Named for Brenda's sister

OK, so we left you at almost Ft Lauderdale.  We got there next day and anchored there for a week in Lake Sylvia which is a pretty little lake in the middle of the City.  Here we launched our dingy motor so we could travel the canals into the city…up the New River goes right downtown old Fort Lauderdale…we had tried to book a slip at the City Marina but because of the 40^th annual parade of boats on the Saturday they didn’t want any boats tied up in the narrow river…we dingied out on a fullish moonlit night to take in the parade, it was entertaining…many boats anchored to watch; local police telling people to stop travelling while the parade is on; dingies darting in and out between the boats, evading the police; anchored boats partying with loud music, rap vs Country etc….the Parade boats were great, many with corporate sponsorship but also enthusiastic individuals with 20 -30,000 lights- truly a unique Christmas parade.

We went to the grand opening of West Marine’s largest US store and got an offer we couldn’t refuse on a chartplotter (a Raymarine E120) upgrade. I couldn’t get a timely appointment to have it installed in Lauderdale so arranged something for the following week at Marathon, our Xmas destination.

We went outside into the Atlantic and had a great motorsail to achieve Miami and anchored in the marine amphitheater bay just north of the bridge. A  great anchorage with a view of the Miami skyline  but it smelled industrial…so next day we moved over to Dinner Key, City Marina and spent a few days meandering and eating out in Cocanut Grove…the marina dock costs were the highest at $2.75 per foot but the convenience  and ambience of the Villiage of Coconut Grove (suburb of Miami) were worth it. Great shops and restaurants (see Brenda’s blog on this). You could also stay on a mooring ball for about $270/month but the mooring field seemd rather exposed to weather; a sialing club next door is also a wery economic possibility, with better wind  protection.

Famous Stilltsville houses - leaving Bicayne Bay

We went outside again for a couple of days of a  sleighride (wind behind, following seas)  and anchored overnight at Rodriquez Key before getting to get to Marathon, Boot Key Harbour, where we are now. This is half way down the Florida Keys

Sailing the Hawks Channel South of Biscayne Bay - water is beautiful here

We booked a week on a mooring ball for $105( it is $275 for a month) – this includes access to free wifi, a weekly heads pumpout, dingy docks…actually if you anchored in the harbour you could have everything  except the ball for $45/week…a very cheap way to spend the winter.  Many cruisers go no further than this paradise. 

Famous GAM Magazine author is a neighbour

Neighbours in Marathon - unusual name for a boat!

There is a real international cruisers community here (about 220 moorings plus anchored boats) - daily cruisers Net on VHF channel 68 welcomes new arrivals, wishes well boats leavingprovides daily announcements, buy/sell/giveaway segment and trivia section starting a 9am every morning…potlucks, polker games, free yoga and spanish lessons are announced at the tiki hut,  xmas celebrations, etc.  Dingies are active all day long to and fro.

We have arranged installation of the new chartplotter, a battery (Xantrex LinkLite) monitor and some additional sunshade canvas while we are here.  Daughter Meaghan is joining us for xmas on her way back from Peru and sister Leslie and (brother-in-law) Tim for New Years…we plan to sail down to Key West to take in the “other world’ New Years eve party before heading to the Bahamas after New Years….Life is goood!