On the road again.... (Queue Willy Nelson)

This morning the forecast was for very light winds so we embarked on the loop once more.  Boat tested well a week ago after I replaced all fuel filters (four) and cleaned the diesel out of the bilge that necessarily leaks out of the systems when taking them apart.   

The water here in the keys is special.  A blue you just don't see other places.  I love it here.  It's especially blue near Islamorada.  Not sure why.... The tides must wash over this area from a deeper area or something.  

Of course the water is also really warm.  My boat said the surface was in the mid 80s most of the day.   (And so was the air).  

Hot.   Really hot.  And almost 100% humidity.  But not raining.   Beautiful skies. 

I set the crab pot watcher in her control seat and took a seat to the side some today.  This gave me a little break from the direct sunlight.  

I'm beginning to see why people in Florida don't buy isenglass.  It's just hot in a glass room.  No need for a greenhouse. 

Crab pots are the bane of a boat's existence.  These crabs must reproduce like rabbits as the pots don't seem to ever go away so they must catch them....

The ocean is only 10-20ft deep all of the way up the keys so it's perfect for crabs.  

The wind did build during the day and with it some waves so we eventually found a pass through to the lee side (bay side) of the barrier islands once we got to the mainland.  

We cut through north of Key Largo into Card Sound and then cruised slowly (it's only 5-7ft deep) over to the Intracoastal (which is apparently also 5-7ft deep here).  

We are anchored within sight of Miami by Elliott Island (a former coconut plantation that is now national park). Miami is barely visible on the horizon and cell coverage isn't great.  Miami will be part of our journey tomorrow if all goes well. 
The sunset was lovely and the heat dropped back as soon as we were at anchor.   No more direct sun.  


A long journey today (almost 90 miles).  We left about 8:30am and arrived about 5:30pm....   

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