A front came through and cooled things off a bit, and Saltaire (the catamaran in the picture with Nancy and Dave Hall) and Blue Heaven were finally able to leave Marco Island. It was a bit lumpy at first but then quieted down so that we could sail until about noon and then the iron jenny (motor) had to get us the rest of the way to Little Shark River in the Everglades where we had been on the way up. This time there were twice as many boats there and the no-see-ums and mosquitoes were out in full force since it had been so warm. We had dinner on Saltaire and planned our next few days. When we rowed back to our boat, it was pitch black with large splashes all around. We could not see if they were fish, alligators, or huge mosquitoes landing on the water but we did not want to find out. I never saw Al row so fast!
I also never saw Al get the anchor up so fast as he did the next morning because the no-see-ums were horrendous! He and I looked like we were doing a special dance as we swatted those pests off our bodies. Once out in the open water they finally departed and we could relax. We had decided to by-pass Marathon and head straight to Channel Five on the inside which saved us one day of traveling. The winds were very light so it was a MYBO (motor your brains out) day. However, the next day we went under a bridge, out to Hawk Channel (which is on the Atlantic Ocean) and were able to sail on a beam reach up to Angelfish Cut. Once through, we anchored once again off Pumpkin Key. With Al’s birthday the next day I baked a cake and some bread for his celebration before retiring for the night.
Our next spot was Boca Chita Key in Biscayne National Park which we had not seen on the way down because it was a weekend . Everyone who has a boat in Miami goes there, or to No Name Harbor so you avoid those 
two places on weekends unless you are the type who likes to dance the night away to salsa music. I am glad we got to see it on our way back because it is a beautiful small harbor where boats tie up to the bulkhead. There is a pretty but nonfunctional lighthouse, picnic tables and a small beach. A gentleman informed us that at slack tide snorkeling was good at the cut. Neither the Halls nor Al wanted to do it, so I tried itmyself with other boaters who were on the island. There were hundreds of fish mostly one kind that all faced into the current looking like they were in school 
facing their teacher. A few other varieties of fish, a conch and starfish were sighted but you did not have the colorful coral or fans like the Caribbean, but it was fun nonetheless.
Since it was Al’s birthday the Halls came to help celebrate to have dinner and cake
, as well as a hundred others. The only thing is that they wanted blood not birthday cake!
As dusk came, the mosquitoes were the most ferocious we have ever had. We knew they were bad, because just walking across the grass earlier, many landed on you, but we never expected to suffer as we had that evening in our boat which has screens. (Here Al is trying earlier his own brand of bug spray called "ode de stinky cigar!" ) Al finally used tape to go around the hatch screens and after killing about 50-80 mosquitoes between the four of us, we finally were able to finish enjoying cake and a game of Dominoes. We were told by people who are familiar with Boca Chita that it is very unusual to have mosquitoes especially this early. However, they had a lot of rain about two weeks previous which is probably the cause. Lucky us!
two places on weekends unless you are the type who likes to dance the night away to salsa music. I am glad we got to see it on our way back because it is a beautiful small harbor where boats tie up to the bulkhead. There is a pretty but nonfunctional lighthouse, picnic tables and a small beach. A gentleman informed us that at slack tide snorkeling was good at the cut. Neither the Halls nor Al wanted to do it, so I tried itmyself with other boaters who were on the island. There were hundreds of fish mostly one kind that all faced into the current looking like they were in school 
facing their teacher. A few other varieties of fish, a conch and starfish were sighted but you did not have the colorful coral or fans like the Caribbean, but it was fun nonetheless. Since it was Al’s birthday the Halls came to help celebrate to have dinner and cake
, as well as a hundred others. The only thing is that they wanted blood not birthday cake!As dusk came, the mosquitoes were the most ferocious we have ever had. We knew they were bad, because just walking across the grass earlier, many landed on you, but we never expected to suffer as we had that evening in our boat which has screens. (Here Al is trying earlier his own brand of bug spray called "ode de stinky cigar!" ) Al finally used tape to go around the hatch screens and after killing about 50-80 mosquitoes between the four of us, we finally were able to finish enjoying cake and a game of Dominoes. We were told by people who are familiar with Boca Chita that it is very unusual to have mosquitoes especially this early. However, they had a lot of rain about two weeks previous which is probably the cause. Lucky us!
Al enjoyed reading all his birthday greetings from many of you. It was definitely the most birthday wishes he ever received!
The next day we parted ways with Nancy and Dave because we wanted to go into Dinner Key Marina at Coconu
t Grove, and they were not able to accommodate the Hall’s wide catamaran. The few spots they have for such a boat were all filled. Dave finally found a spot at Grove Isle which was about 1 ½ miles from Dinner Key. It was blowing 20-26 knots but luckily it was behind us once we left Boca Chita We were in the slip by 1pm, and then it was chore time with Al cleaning the outside of the boat to get the salt off of everything while I did four loads of laundry. It was close to ninety degrees with high humidity which set another record, and we were glad to be in a marina where we could use our air conditioning.
The next day we went for a bike ride after getting needed groceries. We went to see the accommodations at Grove Isle where the Halls got a slip. Well it was something! It was a gated community where they took our picture before they allowed us to pass. It was definitely for the high paying customer at $3.50 a foot per night. Dave never asked the cost because he needed a spot because his daughter and son-in-law were coming for a visit and they needed to pick them up. There were several pools, spa, high-end restaurant and beautiful landscaping. They only have four transient slips, and they just had a cancellation when Dave called which he took because he had called all around with no luck elsewhere.
That evening Al and I went to a great little French restaurant called Le Bouchon du Grove on Main Street. The food was excellent and I never had a restaurant start you off with complimentary champagne.
The next day we parted ways with Nancy and Dave because we wanted to go into Dinner Key Marina at Coconu
t Grove, and they were not able to accommodate the Hall’s wide catamaran. The few spots they have for such a boat were all filled. Dave finally found a spot at Grove Isle which was about 1 ½ miles from Dinner Key. It was blowing 20-26 knots but luckily it was behind us once we left Boca Chita We were in the slip by 1pm, and then it was chore time with Al cleaning the outside of the boat to get the salt off of everything while I did four loads of laundry. It was close to ninety degrees with high humidity which set another record, and we were glad to be in a marina where we could use our air conditioning.The next day we went for a bike ride after getting needed groceries. We went to see the accommodations at Grove Isle where the Halls got a slip. Well it was something! It was a gated community where they took our picture before they allowed us to pass. It was definitely for the high paying customer at $3.50 a foot per night. Dave never asked the cost because he needed a spot because his daughter and son-in-law were coming for a visit and they needed to pick them up. There were several pools, spa, high-end restaurant and beautiful landscaping. They only have four transient slips, and they just had a cancellation when Dave called which he took because he had called all around with no luck elsewhere.
That evening Al and I went to a great little French restaurant called Le Bouchon du Grove on Main Street. The food was excellent and I never had a restaurant start you off with complimentary champagne.
The next day we took our time leaving the marina because it was hot and humid again and we were only going across Biscayne Bay to anchor outside of Hurricane Bay which is at Key Biscayne. When we anchored we were with about 150 other boats most that were there to party for the day on the long sand bar that comes out there. It sort of reminded me of Hart/Miller Island for those familiar with the upper bay, just the boats were a lot larger! I went in for a swim around the boat like many of the other boaters and had just been thinking no fish would come around this area with all the commotion when not far from the boat a huge fish leaped out of the water and I did too, right onto our boat!
That evening I made a great salmon recipe with mango salsa which we enjoyed while watching the sunset. I have found having the time available for cooking that I have enjoyed trying new recipes on this trip. Al says why go out when he gets better food on the boat. I say, if I have to burn a few things, I will!
We will be heading to Fort Lauderdale next.
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