Publish Date: Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Location: Key West, Florida
Coordinates: 24° 34.480′ N 81° 47.207′ W
We spent a very enjoyable month moored on the New River in Downtown Fort Lauderdale. This city-operated facility is one of the most pleasant “marinas” we have encountered. I put “marina” in quotes because it doesn’t really feel like a marina. Rather, it’s a waterfront park running the length of the downtown area on both the north and south banks of the New River. You can easily walk to the numerous restaurants and shops on Las Olas Boulevard, and if you’re feeling energetic you can take a nice run down to the Fort Lauderdale beach. The New River facility is the most inexpensive mooring that we found in Fort Lauderdale (other than the city-operated mooring balls), and we think it’s one of the best locations to spend time in this city.
We enjoyed our time in Fort Lauderdale, but we were also ready to move on. This last month was the longest time we spent anywhere during the last year, and we could all feel the urge to cruise again. We had hoped to voyage over to the Bahamas for the Christmas holiday, but the weather gods had other ideas. So instead, we decided to cruise to Key West to spend the Christmas holiday.
We left Las Olas / New River on Sunday morning and journeyed south on the ICW to Key Biscayne near Miami, anchoring overnight in No Name Harbor. On Monday we cruised halfway down the Keys and spent the night anchored off of Long Key. It was a little rough, but nothing that we haven’t experienced before. Today we cruised the rest of the way, and picked up a mooring ball in the Key West city-operated mooring field. Kathryn and Ayla did most of the piloting during these two days of cruising, while I actually worked. I was fortunate not to have any travel scheduled this week, and since we were cruising only a mile or two offshore in the Hawk Channel, we had good cell coverage and excellent Internet connectivity all the way down the keys — this is my kind of home office! I can tell you with certainty that we were all very happy to be at sea again.
We’ve been to Key West before, but it was a long time ago, so we’re all looking forward to exploring this unique city anew. We’ve been told that if we enjoy Boulder (which we do), we’ll have a loose kinship with the residents of Key West. Hmmm… I’m not sure what that means, but I suspect it has something to do with a free spirit. I’ll let you know what I find out.
Merry Christmas you guys! I hope Santa is good to you. Thank goodness you have a dry exhaust or he would need scuba gear to come down your chimney!
Greeting from beautiful downtown Bobcaygeon, Ontario Canada,
Winter has set in here with a beautiful snowy postcard scene of Sturgeon Lake and the entrance to the Trent Severn Waterway out our window and where we first saw your boat. We visited Key West about ten years ago and LOVED it, particularly when people gather on the beach to watch the sun go down and then of all things clap as tho’ wanting an encore for which of course they must wait 24 hours. Have a wonderful Christmas and a safe and healthy 2010. I always look forward to your interesting blogs
Hello David; A Blessed and Merry Christmas to you and the family. I am glad that all is well and that you have opportunity to work from your little white ship.
We wish you a Merry Christmas! Last year, we did our traditional Christmas Caroling from the dingy with Rio Dulce and Mark and Brendon. We sang ‘Dashing through the ancorage on a 25 horse power dingy’ to everyone who would listen. Tonight, we are going back to the more traditional caroling in our neighborhood with old friends, hot chocolate and cookies. We think of you often. Best wishes to you in this Holiday season.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,cold up here,lots of snow,love reading your blogs ,our escape from winter .Tom &Sharon
David
Wow, what a great adventure! Hope you are having a great time!!! Yes, I am searching out old Delts….we started a page here on facebook. I see Kayla doesnt fall far from the tree.
Happy Holidays!!
Hey Dave,
Doug Miller here from the Delt House. Just noted your neat family trip underway at the moment and got on here to find you’re just up the coast. We’re (my wife and our kids) vacationing on Sanibel Island near Fort Myers, FL and will be in the area for another week. Will also be doing some boating in the area and it would be fun to shake your hand and say hello after all these years.
Call me if you wish to connect as we have sketchy web access but excellent phone coverage.
Regards,
Doug Miller
(208) 762-3451
David, right now, frozen into the ice at the bottom of the Scarborough Bluffs on Lake Ontario, I can tell you this; Key West is Wunderful!
When you go to Mallory Sq for the green flash, could you please see if the guy with the cats is still performing there?
Please let us know, :>)
Joe & Wendy
Aboard the Motor Vessel Surveyor
http://www.marinesupportonline.com/MVS104041cam.htm
Hi David
A few months ago I emailed about visiting the panhandle area of Florida, I see you are in Sarasota and since you are not leaving the states for awhile you should think about cruising up this way. I have to say it is a little cold this time of year but in a few months will be great. You will be very surprised at the water and miles of empty beaches. If you make it up this way we might even plan a raft up somewhere if you don’t mind a sailboat next to you.
Happy cruising
Bill Wismar