Wanderers : Ft. Lauderdale to the Keys

The alarm [clock] went off at 0530 and we were underway in 30 minutes. Our goal was to be underway at 6 and we did it! That's probably one of five times in the last 8+ months that we have had to get up to an alarm clock. The draw bridges on New River are closed from 0730-0900 during rush hour so we wanted to get an early start. We also wanted to take advantage of a good weather day and make our way to the Keys. We were getting ready to cast off when I saw a boat passing behind us. That boat needed the first of three draw bridges opened on New River. I asked Sharon, "Can we do this!?!" We did! Untied five lines in record time and managed to piggy-back off "Ursala Minor's" bridge openings. It was dark but we left early hoping boat traffic would be to a minimum. Well.... it wasn't. There were TWO seven-figure mega-yachts being towed in the opposite direction. We (Ursala Minor and us) sat as far to the side of the river that we could as the yachts went by. But wait, there was a third yacht getting towed as well. We were headed for Port Everglades channel when all boat traffic stopped for a cruise ship - Independence of the Seas - to enter port. This was our first time leaving the ICW. We headed 'outside' and ran parallel along the coast. Boy was that nice! Two and a half hours bypassing draw bridges and boat traffic! It was just us. It dawned on me that in the last 33 days, today was only the 4th day we've been underway. As the sun was rising, I thought about this time last year, sitting in an office. Yuck

Cruising down New River

Waiting for Independence of the Sea to enter port.

We entered Government Cut on our way back to the ICW and turned south into Biscayne Bay. Once in Biscayne Bay, it was a straight shot and Sharon and I both enjoyed some sun on the bow and beautiful tortoise water thanks to our auto pilot. We went through Card, Barnes and Blackwater Sound and Jewfish Creek and anchored in Tarpon Basin at MM 1139. We're in a nice protected anchorage with mangrove trees lining the shore. We never got off the boat but there are supposed to be mangrove tunnels that you can explore from the comfort of your dinghy. The wind will be picking up tomorrow and getting worse for the next few days. Luckily, we were able to take advantage of a nice weather window and make it to the Keys!