Northbound ’19 – Travel Day 2: Marathon, Fl to Miami, Fl

Because the forecast was so ideal and we were on our way to an anchorage rather than a marina we didn’t feel the need to start day number two unreasonably early.  So we were off the docks at Marathon Marina at 7:50 am for what will likely be one of only a few “long” days during this particular journey.  Jasper never complains and, quite frankly, he naps for much of the time we’re underway, but nine and a half hours is a lot to ask of him and as much as we love being on the water on a beautiful day, we don’t want to burn ourselves out with too many of those long days.  And it was a beautiful day.  Glassy calm as we pulled out of the harbor and turned to the east into the Hawk Channel as we began our day of wrapping around the Keys to the northeast on our way back to “civilization.”  Once we were north of Marathon the number of fishermen’s traps began to subside and, for the most part, we were able to keep our autopilot engaged, sit back and (relatively) relax.  We’re always on high alert and paying attention but when the seas are flat and you’re not negotiating a minefield of traps it is a much more enjoyable experience.

[Cruisers note: the run through the Hawk Channel is straight forward but many captains make the decision to plot their course right along the “suggested route” indicated on the chart by the magenta line.  That’s not necessary and not even the most efficient route and we suggest people don’t do that as you will be more likely to have to make adjustments as you come upon fellow cruisers who are on the exact same course]

We had our first dolphin sighting at 11:42 am – there aren’t as many of them as you would think in the Keys – and we always take that first sighting as a sign of good luck.  We turned from the ocean at 4:20 pm to enter Biscayne Bay and continue north to our anchorage for the night in Miami.

We anchored off Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key in a surprisingly peaceful and lovely spot just across the Intracoastal Waterway from downtown Miami.  Our Rocna Vulcan grabbed immediately, we deployed One Love and settled in for an evening of watching the evolving skyline of this storied and energetic city.  The show didn’t disappoint and we’re sure it was better than anything on the TV news.  Tim treated us to our last batch of Key West conch fritters and the spectacular jerk chicken quesadillas he had made while underway. Then he took Jasper for one more quick run to shore and we called it a night after a good, long day.

A much shorter run to Fort Lauderdale is next.  See you out there…

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