This is our last post for 2013 and document the final leg of our travels down the West Coast of Florida. At the end of my last post we were making the passage across Florida Bay with Key West in our sites. Forging through 2-4' seas with following winds, we arrived at the keys just as the sun was setting and dropped anchor behind Little Spanish Key. It was a good passage and here I had my first glimpse of the clear, blue, and beautiful waters of the Keys.
Sea grass under 5' of water. Looks like you could just step right out onto it like your lawn at home!
We set out the next day with the intention of following the Back Country route down to Key West as described in our "2006" waterway guide. Seems that maintenance of the channel was abandoned in the last few years. At some point the Coast Guard actually pulled up all the day markers because we had a chart full of symbols but they simply weren't there anymore. Realizing that we were going to have to go back into the Florida Bay and considering the weather, we spent the day chasing down some additional fuel for Big Ben. After going as far as we could get in the Arc, Carter set out in the whaler to find some civilization. After returning just before dark we anchored behind another mangrove island.
Saturday, December 28th
We got an early start heading back into Florida Bay and had another good day in the gulf with following seas and winds arriving at Key West just as the sun was beginning to set. We are finding it true, more and more often, that the chart plotter and GPS do not accurately jive with the reality of the water in many areas. Today we ran aground in 23' water! As this occurred right at sunset with a high ebbing tide, it was a full court press to get off the ground before we were stuck for the night right on the Gulf side of the barrier island. Luckily we were able to quickly get ourselves back on track and begin our entry to Fleming Island at Key West.
As I mentioned, the sun was setting and it quickly turned dark. The entrance channel is narrow and full of twists and turns but we managed to stay in the channel AND maneuver through the mooring field to get to the anchorage. It was pitch black this night with no moonlight to help guide us and strong tidal cross currents . Despite an hour or so of nail biting, I am happy to report that we made it safe and sound.
It's now time for our long awaited week of R&R with family for New Years holiday! With everyone arriving tomorrow, we JUST BARELY made it in time...but we did!
We would like to say "Happy New Year" to all! We appreciate every one of you that take time to follow us along our journey. PLEASE, leave a comment or just a Hello any time! We like to keep up with old friends and would like to make new ones.
Captain Carter, Diane and Radar
2013
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