With a 23 Knots wind at our stern, Saturday’s 90-mile run from the upper Keys to the lower Keys was a success. Aboard to help crew was long-time friend Bill Burg from Boston who helped First Mate Juan chart and select routes.
In most cases a run in 2-4 foot seas with a strong wind is not a day at the beach, but coming from the East, winds kept us at about 11-12 kts for most of the eight hours. Sights along the way included the old Flagler Railroad bridge, a sign of times gone by when rail brought goods from the Keys to the mainland. Our run was in a marine route known as Hawk Channel and running to the West we passed Hawks Cay, Marathon and scores of small islands before reaching the end of the Keys and the lighthouse denoting the southernmost point in the US. Around the bend would take us past the Navy Base and a promenade where gawkers come daily to the carni atmosphere for great sunsets with island drinks. Tonight it is a walk down Duval Street in search of some conch food - named for the locals who have taken on the titles of Conchs after the critters who make the large pink shells home. Yes, this is the Conch Republic teeming with Margaritaville crooners and every odd and end imaginable. We’ve docked at the Key West Bight marina next to the glass bottom tour boat, meaning that early mornings are filled with tourists out to get a look at one of the spectacular reefs that surround the Keys. Sunday will come soon enough and we’ll clean-up, pack and head back for a week’s work before heading North, this time along the western shore of Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico, home to some of the more notorious hurricanes to hit our shores. Happy Sails!

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