Mon, Feb 1, 2010 - Marathon, FL

We slept very well. It rained some during the night and we woke to a cloudy morning. During breakfast we did some reading about Marathon and the Keys. Maureen was soon feeling nauseated from the rolling seas and having her eyes on the guidebooks -- not a good combination for someone susceptible to motion sickness. The cure was to get in the dinghy and make our way into Boot Key Harbor to get the “lay of the land.” We stopped at the marina and registered for the dinghy dock for a week giving us dock privileges, access to water, laundry, showers, pumpout, etc. We put our name on the waiting list for a mooring ball, checked out the facilities and visited with some cruisers including Jack and Sue aboard their Gemini, Passage, and learned about their journeys on their catamaran.

After leaving the marina, we set out in the dinghy to find Sisters Creek and see what kind of an anchorage we would find. There were a couple of catamarans anchored and it looked like a good spot for us as well. We also found Sombrero Beach and made a note to return in the next day or so. It started to shower on our way back to the harbor and, wouldn’t you know it, we took a wrong turn and ended up in an opening in the mangroves to a small lake. Fortunately, we had a handheld GPS with us and used it to find our way out without difficulty. We didn’t, however, escape without getting drenched! The rain came down very hard but, at least, it was a warm rain and there was no lightning.

We finally made it back to Blue Heron and changed into dry clothing. We waited for the rain to let up before pulling anchor at 3:30 pm and traveled under the bridge to enter Boot Key Harbor. Along the way we stopped for fuel and water at Burdines Marina and then continued through the channel to Sisters Creek anchorage. It took a little longer than usual to get positioned where the Captain was satisfied. We did put out a stern anchor to keep us away from the mangroves and out of the more shallow areas.

Talk about a peaceful anchorage! The waters were quiet and still with just enough breeze to keep us comfortable. Our screens did a good job of keeping out the no-see-ums at sunset.