The weather has calmed down, winds are mild today, almost non-existent. We are all provisioned up and time to head South again. But first, a quick trip back to Gilbert's for a fill up of diesel and water. We weighed anchor at 7:05 am and got to Gilbert's right at 8:00, opening time. Jackie, the dock master was held up in traffic and was running late. We slipped into the fuel dock and filled our water as we waited for Jackie to arrive. After a fill up of diesel, we were on our way again. We decided we needed to get back to solitude, aqua blue waters and found our anchorage off Stake Key, very close to the Manatee Keys. We dropped the hook in 6.4 ft. of water, all alone in paradise.
Stake Key
Pelican watching us go by
There hasn’t been another boat in sight for a while, very strange bubble formations on the surface!
February 19, 2022
It was quite a warm and sticky night. The breeze dropped down. We woke up to gray skies, but the forecast promised a beautiful day. Our plan was to explore Stake Key in the morning and sail around the bay after lunch, when the wind was to pick up. We dropped my kayak and I paddled around the key while Ed kept an eye on me and trolled, cast his lure and paddled in the dinghy. The water was such a beautiful teal blue color and clear. I paddled in about a foot of water, in and out of the mangroves. I was so quiet so as to not disturb the sea life, and came upon sharks, barracuda, snapper and numerous little bait fish along the coastline.
Horseshoe Crab sex?
Look closely at the top of the picture, a barracuda swimming by, very curious fish
And when it’s been a few hours and I’m getting tired, Ed’s there to give me a ride back! I guess I’m a little spoiled!
Trust me, different days, different spot, same gorgeous sunset!
We got back to the boat and it was HOT! We dove in and took a QUICK swim before thinking about
the rest of the day.
Wind Alert forecast shows North to Northwest winds in the teens and gusts to 28-30 kts. Our peaceful anchorage would not be comfortable with winds from the north and Ed would not sleep well worrying about our anchor dragging into the mangroves. The winds always seem to pick up between midnight and 3 am. We decided to weigh anchor after lunch and sail if there's wind, motor and to top off the batteries if no wind.
And there was none. We motored slowly along the crystal clear blue water and made our way back to the protection of Tarpon Basin in Key Largo. We anchored in our same spot.
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