Feb 16-18

Log Date February 16, 2008
It was not a good day! The sun was out and the temperature was beautiful but despite all not make for a happy boat captain. The biggest problem for us is large super fast Sea Ray type boats in the 50+ length. As they blow by our little trawler they create big wakes that suck the water out from under our 4 ½ foot draft. At one point three of these not so pleasant boats came by at one time and we struggled a good bit to keep the boat going forward and not going aground. As Bill said, I’m so glad we’re getting closer to Miami. The boat here’s are big noisy and inconsiderate of trawler speeds and depths. Tonight we’re anchored in a nice protected sound just north of Key Largo. The wind has been on our nose (that’s coming from the north) all day so progress has been slow and difficult. It’s especially hard on us since we left such a protected, courteous mooring in Key Colony Beach. The Blaudow’s have been the epitome of great hosts. Yesterday they headed to the boat show in Miami and needed the van we’ve been driving so we were left with the Jeep! Yep, a jeep; windowless and VERY beach-ee! Life has been good to us so I guess we have to learn to put up with days like today as they come few and far between. This is being composed as I sit on the aft deck watching the sun set – mother nature is truly a great artist.
Kilby here: my people decided to leave the land and start out on the water, AGAIN! What are they thinking. We’ve had lots of trees to sniff, a great couch to sleep on and a new friend, Brigette who came by to take me for walks. I’m missing Brigette already. Mom promises we’ll visit again next year. Can anyone explain to me what “next year” means? Kilby out!
Fair winds and gentle seas to all.

Log Date: February 17, 2008
We are in Miami! There’s a great anchorage just off the Miami Yacht Club and east of Watson Park, a dingy ride away from the Miami Boat Show. Four big cruise ships in government cut each of which left after taking on new passengers made for quite a spectacle throughout the course of the evening. We contemplated running over to the office to see if we could get a last minute great price. It sure would be nice to have someone else at the helm and doing the wash, making the meals, and doing the laundry
But, we opted to stay with OUR TURN. The rain clouds have been rolling in over south beach all evening! No lightening but enough weather to make us decide to stay with the boat and skip the boat show. Many guided cruises pass by our anchorage including a red and black pirate ship!


Log Date: February 18, 2008
Ft. Lauderdale tonight! The marina is just below the Los Olas Bridge taking car traffic to and from the beach. Coming into Ft. Lauderdale, one wonders where all the money in Florida comes from, really. The ICW passes by row after row of homes, no; they are truly mansions, on the main waterway and down canals off the ICW. Outside each of these mega homes is an equally mega boat – it is truly awesome to see all of this. We look like a dinghy compared to these ships! The plan was to rent a car and stay here for a couple of days. So we called Enterprise and made the car reservation in the early morning and when we arrived called for the pick-up! “No problem we’re on our way and we have cars coming in as we speak – there will be a car here for you when we get you back to the office!” As you can imagine, that’s no exactly how it worked. After 90 minutes of waiting, I just cancelled the contract, called a cab and headed back to the boat! Corporate will be getting a letter from me: that customer service is in need of repair. Dinner was a big splurge at the Blue Moon Fish Company on the ICW. The service and food were great! While we were sitting at the bar we met folks from Chicago and Rochester. And in the cab ride back, we shared with a couple of different ladies from Rochester. Everyone’s trying to get away from the cold and snow!