Slipped our lines from Galleon Marina's Slip #9 and were underway at 9:35 AM. Winds and waves were from the south as we headed for Marathon, 48 miles away. Anticipating an evening cold front's passage with heavy rain and 25-35 knot winds, we wanted to be in-port by early afternoon.
An hour away from Marathon, I called the Harbormaster and found that all mooring balls were taken. Tried a few marinas but they were full too, so we continued onward to Key Largo, 50 miles beyond Marathon, arriving at 3:30 PM.
It was a bouncy trip, with beam seas building past 3 footers and strong winds pushing spray against my side of the boat, so we closed the center windshield, my side door and the rear door. Outside, it was sunny and 89 degrees, making it very warm in the cockpit, but the fans over the helm kept us comfortable.
We are in the same Marina Del Mar slip that we used a month ago and will probably stay a few days until the rain stops and the wind and seas subside. Last night, there were several heavy storms. Today, it's fully overcast with intermittent showers. The good news is that the smells of Cuban cooking coming from Denny's Latin Cafe and their Cafe con Leche are as good as ever!
Ebb Tide II underway
