Sail aborted Miami Beach to Bahamas 16 Feb 2010

Left the anchorage at 03.20 hrs this morning. To start with very little wind but as we got further offshore the wind steadily increased from the NW. By the time we were on the edge of the Gulf Stream, 12 miles offshore with the sea water temperature having risen from 21 to 25 celcius, the wind rose to 25 knots gusting 30 with several rain squalls - could have been the North Sea. Decided to chicken out as general wisdom is not to cross the Gulf Stream in northerly winds above 15kts. Also negotiating the shallow Bimini entrance channel with a hard onshore wind was not something we looked forward to. So with 2 reefs in main and a small amount of Genny, we changed course and headed back to Miami hard on the wind with the foredeck getting a regular ducking - good test for the water tightness of the anchor windless repair (it passed the test) . By 1045hrs we were back at our anchorage south of Belle Ilse close to Miami Beach. Next weather window is Friday.

Miami Beach 8 February 2010

Another walk along Miami Beach rewarded by closeups of Royal Terns,




Black Ringed Gulls,








Sanderlings








and more Black Skimmers. Now understand the description -"knifelike red bills".





The temperature was cooler today and the Sanderlings where sheltering from the wind in the shallow imprints of footsteps in the sand.



Along Ocean Drive, things have calmed down since the Super Bowl and all the stands and stages were being dismantled. One monster vehicle stood out .

Miami beach 7 February 2010

The New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts in the 2010 Super Bowl in Miami 31 to 17. Judging by the revelry in Ocean Drive this afternoon, there will be a lot of sore heads tomorrow.

Had a stroll along the beach and encountered flocks of Black Skimmers - these seems to be a different variety to those in the bird book as they have white all round the neck.

Miami Beach 6 February 2010

5th Feb had another stroll along Ocean Drive - the hype for the coming Sunday's Super Bowl is increasing - all sorts of tents along the beach with several pop concerts and the media is out in force giving live interviews and chat shows for all to see.

6 February the wind picked up to 25 kts from the W /WWN as a front moved over keeping us on the boat to keep watch as we swung towards the shore. Up North several states were having a tough time with big snowfalls in Washington DC causing transport mayhem including flight cancellations.

Spent the day using newly constructed press to rebuild generator water pump - first time Mike has been able to replace the mechanical water seal without damaging it.

Miami Beach 3 February 2010

Continued to sort out boat then took the 25 cent South Beach Local bus to the southern end of Miami Beach and walked back along the Beach.




Preparations are in full swing for the Super Bowl festivities.

Miami Beach 2 February 2010

31 January had a stroll round the Art Deco part of Miami Beach which is straddled by Washington Avenue and Ocean Drive. On the beach they were constructing various side shows for the big upcoming event - the Super Bowl .
1st February was a washout - torrential rain most of the day - so did not leave the boat. Studied the Bahama charts but decided not to use the 2 day weather window to make the crossing - looks like we may now have to wait till next week. After many months of motoring in flat water , the boat needs a lot of rearranging to convert back to a sailing boat - so that is the plan for the coming days.

Miami Beach Anchorage 28 January 2010

After clearing the deck and giving it a good wash, we said our goodbyes to the friendly Miami Yacht and Engine Works staff and cast off our lines. Many bridges later we exited the Miami River and anchored close to junction of the southern side of the Venetian Causeway and Miami Beach. Dinghied into the supermarket Publix and had a good walk down Lincoln street and along the Atlantic waterfront of Miami Beach - much warmer and more people around than last time we were here - most wearing shorts. A great feeling to be at anchor again.

Miami Beach 11 January 2010

Yesterday 10 January was cold and windy - coldest since 1927 we hear. So we stayed on the boat and Mike changed the oil and while Jeannette baked one of our favourite dishes - chicken with leek and apple pie. As is often the case, one job leads to another and while checking the engine discovered that the sea water pump was dripping. So today replaced the pump with one that I had previously refurbished only to find that the sea cock on the engine sea water inlet was dripping when in closed position. So have now cancelled our planned trip to the Keys and have arranged for Dutch Link to be hauled tomorrow in the Miami River to replace the sea cock . At the same time we will antifoul and have the bow thruster repaired.




The sun came out today and the thermometer rose to a pleasanter level so, having made all the arrangements for haulout, we dinghied ashore to explore the fashionable Lincoln Road pedestrian street and the Miami Beach - far more beach chairs than people.



On the dinghy ride back we were very fortunate to come close to a beautiful Green Heron

9 January Arctic front arrives in Miami

Yes, even south Florida is in a small way suffering like most of the Northern Hemisphere. Dramatic change in weather here as an Artic Cold Front engulfed us bringing rain and wind and causing the thermometer to plummet to close the freeze point. A state of emergency has been issued for the citrus fruit farmers as they may lose their crops.
Unfortunately we had to brave the elements early this morning to dinghy in to return the car. We were glad to be back on board and have spent the rest of the day on board trying o keep warm - decided to have roast chicken to heat the boat up (- our main heating has not worked for several years but we run the generator to use an electric fan heater when we really need to warm up).

Everglades 8 January 2010

8 january the sun came out and the temperature rose to the low 20's C as forecast. So rented a car from Enterprise and drove for a couple of hours south to the Everglades National Park entrance on the 9336, the only significant road which penetrates the park. Entered the park at the Ernest F Coe Visitor Center for a fee of 10 US Dollars - valid for a week.




The first and most fascinating stops of a very fascinating day was at the Anhinga Trail.





This short partly boardwalk trail is on the Taylor Slough, a deepish fresh water slow moving river. The wildlife was prolific with large numbers of Aligators lying motionless enjoying the sun on fallen tree trunks and even alonside the path or gliding through the water.

As one strolled along the trail trying to avoid the many Black Vultures that hardly bothered to move out of the way, the most abundant bird was the Anhinga, a cormorant type bird which was nesting close to the boardwalk.



Other birds were the Wood Stork, Herons (Great White, Great Blue, Green), Great Egret, Double Crested Cormorants, White Ibis. All seemed to be peacefully coexisting despite the close proximity of the Aligators.

After dragging ourselves away we drove to the souther extremity of the park to Flamingo on the coast, just about the most southern part of mainland Florida.

We were hoping to have lunch there but found one could only buy sandwiches as the only resturant in the Park had been destroyed a while back in a hurricane.


On the way back stopped at the Paurotis Pond to see a couple of nesting Roseate Spoonbills.

Had a stroll along the Mahoghany Hammock - a sort of island in the sawgrass and Cyprus marsh where, as the land is a few feet higher than the water level, tropical trees such as Mahogany grow.









Then on to the Pa-Hay-Okee Overlook which had a magnificient view over ther sawgrass marshes.

Arrived back in Miami after dark having had a very enjoyable day in the Everglades. Had a bit of a problem parking the car for the night - solved it by paying the valet service at a nearby apartment building 10 dollars to park the car in the apartment underground carpark.