It has been nearly 2 months since the last riveting update of our Great Loop adventure. There is much to catch up on…
We were in Key West for 2 months, leaving March 14 to continue north. We are now in St. Augustine, leaving tomorrow for Jekyll Island SC.
Before leaving Key West, we had a last-minute one-day educational and cultural excursion to Havana, Cuba (https://ourkeywest.com/things-to-do/havana-day-trip/). There we toured Hemingway’s Cuban house, which included a walk-around his boat, Pilar. As well we visited a downtown square, lunched, stopped by the famous Floridita (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floridita), and saw many well-maintained cars from the 1950s. The country is beautiful and the people friendly. Unfortunately, the economy seems to be struggling with rolling power outages and food shortages. Our guide made it clear that the Cuban people love America and hope that full relations are restored between our governments.
Highlights of the trip from Key West to St. Augustine are below. Exciting sightings along the way: sea turtle, flying sting ray, and rocket!
Wednesday March 14: Key West to Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park (mile on the ICW 1164 [m1164]), via Hawk Channel and crossing at Channel Five (Total traveled: 85.7SM).
We raced to Gilbert’s Resort and Marina in Key Largo (m1134) for fuel to beat a powerboat club’s luncheon rendezvous. It was close but we made it — powerboats can travel over 100mph were buzzing in all around our slow trawler, music playing. Almost wished we could have stayed.
After crossing to the inside route at Channel Five, the water was quite thin and covered with crab pots. If there is a next time, we’ll cross at Snake Creek (m1156). The anchorage was peaceful and pleasant. At 4AM a single dolphin was swimming around our boat – I was awakened by it’s breathing a splashing. Around 5AM, Rob shown the flashlight into the water, and schools of little blue fish (dolphin snacks?) followed the beam of light wherever he moved it. Very cool.
Thursday March 15: Lignumvitae Key anchorage to crowded Biscayne Bay anchorage (m1079.9) (Total traveled: 85.7SM). This day we passed by Miami. From Miami north, increased large boat and jet ski traffic, more ‘no wake zones, slow/manatee zones, and the beginning of waiting for bridges to open. Not as many as bigger boats—another advantage of a low-air-draft boat.
Friday March 16: University Cove anchorage in Biscayne Bay (m1080) to Safe Harbor New Port Cove, Riviera Beach (Total traveled: 62.9SM) – just north of Palm Beach. Ended up staying a week due to weather and work. Not unsafe but asked not to walk to the grocery store after dark. Uber’ed to West Palm Beach for dinner one night. HAD OUR FIRST ‘FRIEND’ VISITOR: Leland Tug’s original owner. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and visit!
Thurs-Sat (Mar 21-23): The weather was great for traveling Thursday, but a storm was coming across lower Florida Friday and Saturday. Our plan was to stay north of/out of the weather, which made for 3 long travel days. It worked though, and we were happy to be tied up at our marina in St. Augustine by Saturday afternoon. Sunday was WINDY and getting in to a marina or anchoring out would have been difficult and uncomfortable.
Thursday March 21: Safe Harbor New Port Cove, Riviera Beach to Coconut Point-South anchorage (m925.3) (Total traveled: 93.6SM). Stopped at Blowing Rocks Marina for fuel en route and passed Vero Beach. Great anchorage. We had Canadian neighbors soon after finishing dinner. Slightly rocky night. Not bad. The choppy water was impetus to get up early and continue north…storms were coming!
Friday March 22: Coconut Point-South anchorage (m925.3) to Halifax Lake anchorage (m832) (Total traveled: 104SM). Good cruising day overall. A bit foggy at times. Some hints of “National Geographic days” (narrow channels with green/development-free shore lines), which we both love. We usually pick out a few anchorage options, but in this case, each anchorage option we passed (near Daytona) was full with locals living on their boats and the few remaining spots for transient vessels were taken. We had one more planned anchorage to try….as daylight was dwindling we agreed it was also too full to be safe. We decided to continue on another 60 miles and try to reach St. Augustine after dark. As I was checking bridge heights ahead and preparing for dinner underway, Rob saw a sailboat in an anchorage we had crossed off because of poor/shallow water reviews. After cautiously checking depths in the area, we anchored! It turned out to be a perfect place to stay for 11 hours. While we could have traveled into the wee hours of the morn, we were thankful we didn’t have to travel at night. Plus, the full anchorages around Daytona were sitting in choppy water. Where we were, the water was flat – all night – and no/little wind! I renamed this anchorage, ‘A gift from God!’
Saturday March 23: Halifax Lake anchorage (m832) to Windward at Camachee Cove, St. Augustine (Total traveled: 47.9SM). Thankful not to have traveled all night, and to have had such a calm stay, we got an early start and made our way under the Bridge of Lions Bridge marking the entrance to St. Augustine. Showers, courtesy car to Costco. A rainy but happy afternoon/evening.
On Sunday we had OUR FIRST FAMILY VISITORS! My ever so talented and handsome nephew/Godson Jeremy and his ever so talented and lovely wife Erin made their way from Orlando to see us. What a delightful day. We were able to see some St. Augustine sights, walk on the WINDY beach, and enjoy some Kilwin’s ice cream! Thanks again to those 2 for taking the time to see us!!
And that’s where we end. We leave Wednesday (3/27) for Jekyll Isle. The adventure continues…
Thanks for checking in.
Fair winds,
Amy
Heading out for a 1-day educational/cultural excursion to Havana
Heading out for a 1-day educational/cultural excursion to Havana
Airport parking lot (many of the older classic cars are used as taxis)
Airport parking lot (many of the older classic cars are used as taxis)
First stop: Hemingway’s house. You can’t go in, just peak in windows. He didn’t expect to leave. The condition is said to be “exactly as he left it.”’
First stop: Hemingway’s house. You can’t go in, just peak in windows. He didn’t expect to leave. The condition is said to be “exactly as he left it.”’
Many well-behaved dogs in Havana. These two keenly sniffed out a sandwich in someone’s bag. The one sat nicely in expectation.
Many well-behaved dogs in Havana. These two keenly sniffed out a sandwich in someone’s bag. The one sat nicely in expectation.
Realizing he would be followed by these two and perhap more, the sandwich owner wisely—and kindly—handed it over to them!
Realizing he would be followed by these two and perhap more, the sandwich owner wisely—and kindly—handed it over to them!
Hemingway’s bathroom as it was. The writing on the wall is his weight. He would record it daily.
Hemingway’s bathroom as it was. The writing on the wall is his weight. He would record it daily.
Hemingway’s desk. He also had a standing desk for writing (not pictured) which he may have used more frequently on account of back pain.
Hemingway’s desk. He also had a standing desk for writing (not pictured) which he may have used more frequently on account of back pain.
I hate to see an empty pool. It must have been something in it’s day.
I hate to see an empty pool. It must have been something in it’s day.
A Picasso over one of the beds.
A Picasso over one of the beds.
Pilar rests under the canopy set up over the former tennis court.
Pilar rests under the canopy set up over the former tennis court.
Pilar.
Pilar.
Pilar.
Pilar.
Pilar’s helm.
Pilar’s helm.
Along the streets.
Along the streets.
Along the streets.
Along the streets.
Along the streets.
Along the streets.
Along the streets.
Along the streets.
Life in Havana.
Life in Havana.
A plaza.
A plaza.
View of statue of Jesus.
View of statue of Jesus.
Spanish Fort.
Spanish Fort.
Downtown park.
Downtown park.
Walking downtown.
Walking downtown.
View from our restaurant.
View from our restaurant.
Not all cars are 1950s vintage.
Not all cars are 1950s vintage.
Hemingway’s old haunt and home of the daiquiri.
Hemingway’s old haunt and home of the daiquiri.
Just like he was there (notice the picture of Hemingway on the wall. It is interesting this was the only picture we saw of the former leader of the country. Hemingway was at one time friends with Castro and even awarded him a fishing trophy).
Just like he was there (notice the picture of Hemingway on the wall. It is interesting this was the only picture we saw of the former leader of the country. Hemingway was at one time friends with Castro and even awarded him a fishing trophy).
And back to Key West
And back to Key West
Large Tarpon (protected fish) at Galleon Marina at night.
Large Tarpon (protected fish) at Galleon Marina at night.
Sunrise as we left Key West.
Sunrise as we left Key West.
I believe this is a segment of Flagler’s original train track, it’s by the Channel #5 bridge.
I believe this is a segment of Flagler’s original train track, it’s by the Channel #5 bridge.
Anchorage at Lignumvitae Key — our first mooring ball!
Anchorage at Lignumvitae Key — our first mooring ball!
Sunset at Lignumvitae Key.
Sunset at Lignumvitae Key.
On our way to Biscayne Bay!
On our way to Biscayne Bay!
Fuel stop at Gilbert’s. Powerboats coming in hard and rafting deep for their afternoon rally.
Fuel stop at Gilbert’s. Powerboats coming in hard and rafting deep for their afternoon rally.
Good-bye Gilbert’s! (Very nice to squeeze us in for fuel before the powerboats descended. Some of these powerboats 5 500+HP engines).
Good-bye Gilbert’s! (Very nice to squeeze us in for fuel before the powerboats descended. Some of these powerboats 5 500+HP engines).
Powerboats coming in (as we were leaving Gilbert’s).
Powerboats coming in (as we were leaving Gilbert’s).
And they kept coming…(as we were leaving Gilbert’s).
And they kept coming…(as we were leaving Gilbert’s).
Passing Miami, traveling from Lignumvitae Key to Biscayne Bay.
Passing Miami, traveling from Lignumvitae Key to Biscayne Bay.
Passing Miami, traveling from Lignumvitae Key to Biscayne Bay.
Passing Miami, traveling from Lignumvitae Key to Biscayne Bay.
Passing Miami, traveling from Lignumvitae Key to Biscayne Bay.
Passing Miami, traveling from Lignumvitae Key to Biscayne Bay.
Looking east, University Cove (m1080) anchorage in Biscayne Bay.
Looking east, University Cove (m1080) anchorage in Biscayne Bay.
Looking south, University Cove (m1080) anchorage in Biscayne Bay.
Looking south, University Cove (m1080) anchorage in Biscayne Bay.
Leaving Biscayne Bay for Safe Harbor New Port Cove, Riviera Beach.
Leaving Biscayne Bay for Safe Harbor New Port Cove, Riviera Beach.
Passed Mar-a-Lago along the way. No room for Leland Tug.
Passed Mar-a-Lago along the way. No room for Leland Tug.
Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Confirmation we were not traveling too fast! Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Confirmation we were not traveling too fast! Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Huge estate after huge estate after huge estate. Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Huge estate after huge estate after huge estate. Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Passed the staging for a boat show. Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Passed the staging for a boat show. Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Liked the name of this yacht: Tie Breaker. It is for sale… Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Liked the name of this yacht: Tie Breaker. It is for sale… Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Hadn’t seen a tug in a long while. Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Haven’t seen a tug in a long while. Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Our next boat? Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Our next boat? Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Our next boat? Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Our next boat? Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Bridge after bridge after bridge. Pompano Beach; along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
Bridge after bridge after bridge. Pompano Beach; along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
We found the Marvel team’s vacation spot. Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
We found the Marvel team’s vacation spot. Along the way from Biscayne Bay to Riviera Beach.
View from our slip at Safe Harbor New Port Cove, Riviera Beach.
View from our slip at Safe Harbor New Port Cove, Riviera Beach.
Leaving Riviera Beach; sharing the channel with sculls on a sunny Thursday morning.
Leaving Riviera Beach; sharing the channel with sculls on a sunny Thursday morning.
Rocket!
Rocket!
Anchorage at Coconut Point South (m925.3).
Anchorage at Coconut Point South (m925.3).
A rainy morning. Leaving Coconut Point South anchorage (m925.3) for Halifax Lake anchorage (m823.3).
A rainy morning. Leaving Coconut Point South anchorage (m925.3) for Halifax Lake anchorage (m823.3).
Near Cape Canaveral. En route to Halifax Lake anchorage.
Near Cape Canaveral. En route to Halifax Lake anchorage.
Leaving Halifax Lake anchorage (AKA Gift from God anchorage) for St. Augustine.
Leaving Halifax Lake anchorage (AKA Gift from God anchorage) for St. Augustine.
Thanks LB Knox Bridge Operator!
Thanks LB Knox Bridge Operator!
Passing Palm Coast. Much activity—walkers/runners, bikers, sculls in the water.
Passing Palm Coast. Much activity—walkers/runners, bikers, sculls in the water.
Not sure where this is…interrupted a flock of birds as we went under bridge.
Not sure where this is…interrupted a flock of birds as we went under bridge.
Morning meeting under the bridge.
Morning meeting under the bridge.
Surprised just how many wrecked boats there are along the way. Told a result of storms and hurricanes.
Surprised just how many wrecked boats there are along the way. Told a result of storms and hurricanes.
More wreckage.
More wreckage.
Coming to St. Augustine. Bridge of Lions bridge!
Coming to St. Augustine. Bridge of Lions bridge!
Coming to St. Augustine.
Coming to St. Augustine.
Thanks for visiting Jeremy and Erin!
Thanks for visiting Jeremy and Erin!
A windy walk on the beach!
A windy walk on the beach!
Where IS that fountain?
Where IS that fountain?
Inside “The Oldest House” … in the US … or Florida … or St. Augustine?
Inside “The Oldest House” … in the US … or Florida … or St. Augustine?
Outside “The Oldest House” … in the US … or Florida … or St. Augustine?
Outside “The Oldest House” … in the US … or Florida … or St. Augustine?
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
St. Augustine Lighthouse.
St. Augustine Lighthouse.
Now that’s a fishing boat! (End of St. Augustine photos.)
Now that’s a fishing boat! (End of St. Augustine photos.)
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
Along the way…
3,297 miles!
3,297 miles!