Stuart to Boot Key, FL

Be careful what you wish for! After pushing to get down to Florida for warm weather, we were met with 2 weeks of unseasonable heat and humidity. Our highs in the low 60s quickly became mid 80s. It cooled off nicely for the annual marina-sponsored Thanksgiving dinner and remained pleasant until we flew home in mid December.

Upon our return to Florida in mid January the weather was wacky, as was the case almost everywhere. We hunkered down on the boat for a couple of the cold spells, but when we saw lows in the mid 30s forecast, we ran for the comfort of the Hampton Inn for 3 nights. We have heat on the boat but with high winds and temps that cold, getting into the dinghy from a mooring and going anywhere is miserable. Around the same time we had Ballyhoo hauled for a repair and bottom cleaning.

Not seeing any reasonable weather windows in sight for crossing to the Bahamas by the end of January, we decided instead to go across the Okeechobee Waterway to the Gulf. Our trip from Stuart across Lake Okeechobee was pleasant and uneventful but the canal after the lake wasn't as relaxing. We hit an uncharted rock ledge shortly after Clewiston, almost in the middle of the channel while avoiding a boat coming the other way. Fortunately we were going slow and didn't notice any subsequent vibration, but unfortunately we had just had the propellor painted! There are 5 locks on the waterway and 4 of them we made it through without difficulty. The Ortona Lock however, was having a maintenance issue so we had to wait at its entrance for 2 hours. The day was a lot longer than we had anticipated.

Other than a quick overnight stop in Moore Haven, we didn't stop again until we got over to Punta Blanca, a small island off of Ft Myers with easy access to Cayo Costa. We found 2 protected little hurricane holes to anchor in and enjoyed several beautiful hikes on the main island. After a few nights in Punta Gorda and temperatures still not as warm as we were seeking, we decided to head for the Everglades. We took shelter from strong winds for several nights in Russell Pass, amongst the wild and beautiful mangroves of the 10,000 Islands. In order to drive our dinghy around the Everglades National Park, one of us was required to purchase a park pass and complete a 12 module Boater Education Program and pass the test. It was a good review for us and a good way to kill the better part of a day waiting out weather but the ambiguity of some of the test questions had us pretty frustrated by the end! We dinghied into Everglades City and explored some of the channels around us before heading further south.

Our next stop, still in the Everglades, was in the Little Shark River. Dave and Mike had been there once before years ago and the anchor had gotten fouled, requiring Mike to dive down and work it out by hand. I told Dave in advance that I would NOT be doing this if the same thing happened. Further reinforcing my stand, a couple of guys in their small boat came by to chat, and informed us that they had just seen 2 Crocs. Yes, besides sharks there are American Alligators AND Salt Water Crocodiles in those waters! Fortunately our anchor came up the next morning without difficulty...

Heading south for the Keys and with a new mechanical problem rearing its ugly head, we were able to line up a diesel engine mechanic in Marathon (Boot Key) and a week of marina space (lucky for this time of year). We are in the process of having the after cooler replaced. There aren't many jobs Dave won't tackle but "this one," he said is "above my pay grade."

After our week here we plan on working our way further south with hopes to get as far as The Marquesas and Dry Tortugas.Læs mere