Florida Keys - Northbound ICW
Wednesday, March 6. Our first stop moving up the Keys was Marathon Marina. We had a large-ish order from Amazon. Woo hoo! Amoung the packages was our much needed marriage saver headsets. Truly that is what they are called for good reason. No more yelling ‘what?’ and also no more under breath saying various things… all good things..all good things. : )
Sunset from Marathon Marina.
Thursday, March 7th. After leaving Marathon, we cruised for the first time in the Atlantic Ocean. It was a bit sporty at first, then settled down and we anchored at Long Key Bight.
Morning sunrise from Long Bight Key.
Friday, March 8th. Leaving the anchorage in Long Key Bight we went into the protected waters west of the Keys, up to Boca Chita National Park. There are no reservations, no power, no water, no showers, however it does come with a bit of chaos. Actually, alot of chaos.
When we arrived a park employee made room for us. He also gave us a brief history of the park.
Boca Chita summarized history—partly from the park attendant in the boat—and wikipedia:
Mark Honeywell built structures on the island between 1937 - 1940 for he and his wife’s holiday resort. The resort was a popular venue for holding parties when Honeywells and guests crossed over to the island from Miami beach in luxury vessels. A canon located near the lighthouse on the harbour was fired as a welcome gesture to the guests. The lighthouse structure was never used as a true lighthouse as it did not meet the criteria of a true lighthouse. However, Mr. Honeywell would light the top to send the signal he was on the island and ready for guests. The lighthouse structure is made from native coral rock. When Honeywell’s wife passed away, he remarried and sold the island in 1945.
The park attendant said the island is known as a party island. Indeed it was. We felt out of place there but enjoyed the beauty, and understood the signage about no loud music, and at least two visits from park rangers to the park that evening. The party crowd did settle down, but we did not stay very long the next morning.
This boat pulled up right in front of us after the park attendant left. Oh my! Thankfully, they left shortly after everyone went to the beach for a birthday celebration.
No room sadly…. imagine the missed opportunity for their music. Not a looper boat. Can you see the multiple outborads?
Two little girls were sitting on the canon, blowing bubbles and chatting as the sun went down.
Sunrise at Boca Chita right before we left.
Saturday, March 9th. We crossed Biscayne Bay to Crandon State Park. The park had a very popular boat launch for fisherman and pleasure boating. The wind had kicked up so we stayed two nights.
While waiting to take his boat out, this fisherman became very popular with the pelicans. This boat launch was highly entertaining!
We rode the bikes to the beach. It looks cloudy, but the temperature was very hot and humid during our stay at Crandon State Park.
Monday, March 11. Time to continue up Florida to Miami and through Fort Lauderdale. We had been warned never to do this on a weekend. The Monday we went through was during Spring Break. We weren’t too worried as most of the tourists are on the beach side not the Intercoastal Waterway. Plus we left very early Monday morning.
Woo hoo! We are Northbound on the ICW.
Who remembers the phrase—’How sweet it is!’ ?
So much to see going through Miami.
Dodge Island—cruise ships.
Venitian Causeway Bridge—first of many that we needed to wait for openings. Clearance is 12’—we are 13+’.
So many condos!
Florida International Terminal, Fort Lauderdale.
This is the Celebrity Beyond. Guest capacity 3,849 of your closest friends! The length is 1,073 ft, beam 128 ft. We really appreciate our 29’ boat. : )
This marina had loads of similar private yachts. We never saw anyone out and about on them—we did see what looked like maintenance and cleaning crews.
This blog will continue as we work our way up the Florida coast.