Running The Keys

We really enjoyed our visit to Key Biscayne, but needed to move on so we left midday on Friday (the 13th!), and after cutting through the Biscayne Channel out into the ocean, we cruised a short 35 miles to Ocean Reef Yacht Club. We spent two days there relaxing by the pool, checking out the surrounding homes (wow!) and strolling the docks filled with mega-yachts. My little 44 foot Sabre looked like a dingy compared to most of the yachts there.

We have had a prevailing winds out of the southeast each day which has brought lots of isolated thunderstorms, some with strong wind and choppy seas. But they don't last long, and then the sun comes out for a few hours before turning stormy again. Typical south Florida summer weather in the Keys.

Yesterday morning we left Ocean Reef and headed further south (and west) to one of our very favorite spots anywhere -- Little Palm Island, about 30 miles east of Key West. Since the wind was still blowing pretty hard out of the SE we cut "inside" and ran most of the way with only moderate chop. However, we had to go back "outside" in order to reach Little Palm Island and those last 25 miles were really sloppy. We were BOTH glad to get out of that and ENCORE docked.

This small 11 acre private island is dotted with about two dozen grass thatched huts all done in south pacific style surrounded by palms trees. But best part is the restaurant here, with some amazing Caribbean, French and Asian dishes. You can dine on the beach (literally) overlooking the setting sun.

Tomorrow we will make the long open water run from Little Palm Island to the Naples Yacht Club, about 130 miles north.