Today started on a somewhat sour note when we pulled into the fuel dock and were obliged to land on the windward side. Landing and refueling went smoothly enough but as we backed off the dock the port shroud hung up on a piling. I pushed off on the piling and when the shroud pulled free it took 1/8" off the back of my right hand. OK, maybe a 16th of an inch. Enough to get sympathy anyway.
The wind was still from the Northeast at 15 to 20 knots and as we headed south on Biscayne Bay under reefed main and working jib we had a spectacular sail. By early afternoon we were anchored off Elliot Key exactly where the GPS said we had placed a memorial stone for my mother and father 5 years ago. I put on goggles and swam around for quite a while looking for the stone but did not spot it. So up with the anchor and the sails, and we headed further south. At quitting time we found an anchorage in the lee of little pumpkin key off Key Largo. The island (picture below) is 400 yards across and has a modest 3 bedroom house on it. It is also for sale for 110 million dollars, making it the second highest priced residential listing on the market in the US. First is something in Connecticut. Maybe the whole state. Anchoring offshore here is free.
Although the wind was chilly today, it was strong and from the right direction. And the day was mostly sunny. It was definitely the best sailing day of our cruise so far. The forecast for tomorrow is more of the same; after that we may get another cold front with the possibility of rain and adverse wind shift.
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