To Rodriquez Key

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Fri 4 May 2012 22:57
To Rodriquez Key, Florida
 
 
 
 
 
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We woke in the quiet of No name Harbor and left the entrance behind just after seven
 
 
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We rounded the corner, looked back at Miami and set off into the Atlantic Ocean, well actually into the Hawk Channel. Parallel to the ICW (the other side of the islands with a four foot depth – clearly no good for Beez, but acts as a mile marker to us) the channel runs between the Keys and the many reefs in shallow water. Most of the time we had two point four metres below us, occasionally up to five.
 
 
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We had no idea what these odd looking buildings could be off to our right. Since writing this we had an answer.
 
The buildings on stilts in the bay are in an area called Stiltsville. At one time there were quite a few of them out here. Time, hurricanes, fires and other disasters means they are disappearing. Many were just get away homes, others served as gambling and houses of ill repute. (Thank You Terry for the update).
 
 
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We had plenty of company for the first few miles
 
 
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Soon we were alone, sails up and blessed silence as the engine went off at eight twenty five
 
 
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We were actually sailing for the first time in a year. This particular grin says it all.
 
 
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Miami faded behind us
 
 
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We saw a little traffic
 
 
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One of the many well buoyed inlets
 
 
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A gaggle of kayakers
 
 
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Then nearly forty nautical miles later we anchored in the lee of Rodriquez Key. Facing us was the vast Atlantic Ocean

 

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ALL IN ALL PEACEFULLY BOBBING AT SEA