Key Largo to Islamorada, Florida Keys

Gilbert’s was very quiet as we got underway at 8:15 am on this beautiful Saturday morning. After last night’s party crowd I expected to see people still passed out on the lounge chairs! WHO CARES was positioned at the far end of the dock so when we eventually took refuge, we weren’t bothered by the partying at all.

Today’s cruising was very peaceful and relaxing through several sounds and mangrove lined creeks and cuts. We almost had the place to ourselves. At noon we anchored off Islamorada with plans to put the dingy (13′ whaler with 15 hp Yamaha) in the water and head to shore for a walk around and visit to the Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar. The whaler hadn’t been in the water for several months and more importantly the motor had not been run under a load since Steve had the shaft converted to a long-shaft. This would be good weather, sea conditions and location for testing.

It was almost 3:00 pm by the time we outfitted the dingy with all the necessities, dropped it in the water and started the motor at the swim platform…then the wind came up. With no warning, the air movement went from a slight breeze to a 30-35 mph wind! Steve made the decision not to untether the dingy. If the motor quit even 10 feet from the boat, there would be no getting back in this wind. Unfortunately for Abby, this meant going to the bathroom on the boat which had not been necessary since she was a puppy/young dog living on the first Hatteras in the Bahamas ten years ago. We had been trying to coax her into going on pee pads on the bow whenever we were cruising for the last month to no avail. This was a sink or swim situation, fingers crossed!

After the dingy was secure we let out more anchor chain to compensate for the rougher seas and proceeded to have a party for three in our comfortable, roomy salon.