When we last chatted, we were in the beautiful anchorage at Key Biscayne Bite with plans to get up early Friday (2/21) morning and cruise to Key Largo. Weather was checked and reservations made.

As we went to bed Thursday (2/20) night the wind shifted from a comfortable westerly to the northeast and the wind speed continued to build all night. Our “beautiful” anchorage turned into a washing machine and we were rocking and rolling pretty good so none of us got any sleep – well, except for The Duke, that Tijuana dump dog sleeps through anything – nothing bothers him. But Snooki, Michael and I were up all night. We finally got up and made coffee around 5:15, still thinking we would be in the Keys by late afternoon. A last-minute check of the NOAA weather site, our friend Windy and the local TV weather all said things had changed. To sail to our planned destination in Key Largo meant we would have to travel “outside” (in the ocean), and the new reports were for northerly 35 knot winds gusting to 45 knots and seas of eleven feet. Yikes! Not going to the Keys today….

So off we went to Key Biscayne Yacht Club to fuel up and pump out at 7:00. Then we started looking for a place to hide from the weather. We headed across the bay to another anchorage – too shallow. Then back across to another anchorage – not protected. We headed back north – checked a couple more anchorages – not protected, not protected. Goldilocks is not having a good day! I called twelve marinas/yacht clubs, and all were full. “Tis the season” they said.

Finally, backtracking north, we found Sunset Harbour Marina and Yacht Club in Miami Beach, FL. We pulled in and found the marina full of big yachts. We’re looking right into a beautiful Feadship on the quay wall across from us. Her name is A2 and our AIS says she is 151 feet with a 26- foot beam. We’re definitely hobnobbing with the big guys today but we’re also paying the price. The rate here is a jaw dropping $6.00 a foot plus $20/day for electric, plus tax. Yikes!  But as the saying goes, any port in a storm. We must say that the dockmaster did a great job communicating with us, along with another boat we followed into the marina, and dockhands did a great job helping us tie up.

Once settled, we took a little walk-about, but it looked like the rains were coming so we headed back to the boat. When the front passed, I walked about a block to do some shopping at Publix. When I returned Scout was not in the slip. What the????. Did someone steal Scout? Pirates maybe? Did Michael decide to take the doggies and continue on without me? Oh nooooo. Then I saw Scout coming down the fairway, bouncing around like a cork as the strong winds and choppy seas pushed her around. Dock hands were standing by to grab lines and help him get in a different slip. Apparently, most of these slips are privately owned and this slip’s owner had been due back next week but arrived today instead, so Michael had to move Scout to another slip. Everyone was very apologetic and for the inconvenience and they gave us a “little” discount on our rent. How nice is that? Also, the good news – I wasn’t abandoned while shopping at the local Publix.

Anyway, with time on our hands, and much faster internet service, Michael did more research and found a marina on the “inside” shore of Key Largo by looking at some live webcam videos of the island. That meant we would have been in the “protected” waters of the ICW had we traveled today and could have been there sipping on a Mai Tai right now. We called and made a reservation for Sunday. It’s mildly better tonight but we’re still rocking and rolling. At least, we don’t have to worry about dragging anchor.

Saturday (2/22) morning we woke up to rain. Still at Sunset Harbour Marina and Yacht Club we set out for a walk-about once the weather allowed. Within a short walk we found a Fresh Market, Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, and Ace Hardware just to name a few.  We continued a little farther and discovered a huge outdoor mall featuring fabulous art sculptures throughout. It seemed like it was a mile long with every retail store imaginable lining either side and restaurants in the middle offering every kind of food imaginable.  Lots of folks out enjoying themselves as we dodged rain showers. Got in a very good walk with lots of eye candy.

The plan is to leave for Key Largo in the morning. Will keep you posted.