The Waiting Game

South Beach-Some babes but not a

Since last writing, I left you with Al looking over at South Beach wondering about the beach babes.  Well, we have been there many times since and not just to look at the “Beach Babes.” 

One of the many art deco buildings.

Anchored nearby is Discovery with Carl and Marilyn whom we have seen on and off since Deltaville.  We met their friends Chris and Karen on Synergy also anchored near us.  So “the girls” went into South Beach for a good long walk, people watching and checking out the Art Deco buildings around town.  Until we got back it was time for a Happy Hour on Blue Heaven. 

Collins Canal

Saturday Al and I went over again to do some necessary chores.  To get into town many cruiser use the Collins Canal which is where we take the dinghy to a small new dock they have across from the Publix Grocery store.  You can see how low the bridges are, so you have to watch your head at a very high tide! 

Going under one of the several bridges in the canal.

Al got his “South Beach” haircut, nice and short.  The wavy back flips are gone!

Al's new haircut.

We dropped off mail at the post office and then met Carl and Marilyn for lunch at the ever popular outdoor mall at Lincoln Road. There must have been 50 restaurants all vying for our business.  

One of the many outdoor restaurants on the Lincoln Road Mall

We walked off our lunch once again people watching (a full time sport in South Beach) and checking out the town.  Of course a stop at the grocery store is always warranted.  And I finished my chores for the day by making an apple dessert for dinner tomorrow night on Discovery.

Colorful spices at the Sunday Farmer's Market

We have lots of farmer’s markets in Lancaster but never on a Sunday which was the happening place once again at the mall on Lincoln Road in South Beach.  We three couples all went in to look at the interesting Hispanic food at the market as well as to get some delicious produce.  The stand we found most colorful was the spice and tea stand which I could not resist. 

Holiday decor South Beach Style

Since it was Sunday, I wanted to go to church so we caught the 25₵ bus to take us to the other end of South Beach.  Afterwards we decided we could use a long walk, so we walked back along the historic art deco area seeing the politically correct holiday decorations and some interesting artsy sights.

My "artsy" photo.

By the time we got back to the boat we were ready for a rest before going over to Discovery for a wonderful pasta dinner and a game of Sequence.  Unfortunately, the men won best out of five games.   The ladies want a rematch soon!

After listening to the weather guru of the Bahamas, it sounded like there was going to be a weather window to cross over to the Bahamas on Wednesday.  So we headed over to the local Publix for last minute groceries in the dinghy.  However, on the trip over, we hit a wave and then we heard a crack.  The dinghy seat cracked in the middle.  We could not believe it.  Just what we needed right before crossing over to islands.  Al returned me and the groceries to the boat and then went to the local hardware store in search of parts to fix the seat.  I prepared the “ditch bag” (for non-sailors that is a bag that holds important things for survival) with the last minute items that it needed.  We of course hope it never needs to be used but we have it just in case.  Al did some preliminary work on the seat repair and then called it a day.

We listened again to the weather guru the next morning at 6:30AM and he had a change of tune and so did we.  He said if you like heading into 10-15 knot winds on the nose with 3-4 feet seas it would be okay to go otherwise don't go.  We did not think that would be fun for 28 hours so we are staying in Miami for another week probably until another window might open up.

Skyline of Miami from Key Biscayne

We decided to haul anchor and go down to Crandon Park Marina which is on the northern end of Biscayne Bay to get fuel, water and a pump out.  It gave us a chance to sail some in the bay and we got to see the tall buildings of Miami.
When we went past, there was SeaFair, the huge boat that was up in New Bern, NC that is a moving art gallery.  In front of the skyscrapers of Miami the boat looked average size, in New Bern it looked huge.  Perspective is everything!

SeaFair the moving art gallery.

We also went down to No Name Harbor to see how full it was.  There were only 5 boats there which surprised us. (That is where many go to be ready to leave the cut to crossover.)   However, we decided to return to Miami Beach where there is easier access to stores and activities since it was going to be a while yet.  We are in the same anchorage as before just a little closer to the causeway. 

So now it is the waiting game, listening to the weather every morning for the next opportunity to prepare to cross.  This morning he said possibly Monday, Dec. 10^th. 

Iguana sunny himself on the bridge.

In the mean time, I kayaked some yesterday around one of the islands in the Venetian Causeway.  Going under the one causeway bridge I noticed a quite large creature sunning himself on the pipe next to the bridge.  He kept his eye on me as I got closer, but be assured I did not get too close!  He was at least a yard long from head to tail!  We see him every day so I named him "Iggy the Iguana."  He can be seen from the cockpit of our boat where we are anchored.

Beach at Monument Island in South Beach

Monument in honor of Flagler

I also kayaked over to Monument Island which has this pretty little tropical beach on one side and the monument on the other.

We do our daily chores and of course socialize with our friends in the anchorage. One of the things I did, was decorate Blue Heaven for Christmas.  Even though we are far away from home, we brought a little bit of home with us.  So you can see our little Christmas spot in Blue Heaven.
And so the waiting game continues… more to come!