Days 134-140 – 12/15-21/24

Starting location: Mangrove Marina, Tavernier, FL

Weather: 69 am, 74 pm, sunny – Thursday 2/15. 69 am, 76 pm, partly cloudy, calm winds – Friday 2/16. 70 am, 76 pm, mostly sunny – Saturday 2/17. 70 am, 76 pm, rain, breezy – Sunday 2/18. Mid 60s and overcast, breezy – Monday 2/18. 56 am, 69 pm – Tuesday 2/19. 56 am, 70pm, sunny, winds calming- Wednesday 2/20.

Ending location: Marina at John Pennekamp State Park, Key Largo, FL. Near MM 1135 AICW.

Statute miles: 16, then 0 until departure

General summary: We motored from Mangrove Marina all the way on the Gulf side through stretches of mangrove-sided channels, under a 12 foot bridge (had to lower our antennas for that), and then a narrow canal with houses on both sides, to Largo Sound.

We went further into John Pennekamp State Park, planning a brief tie-up to pump out and get groceries and then moving to a mooring ball, but then changed our reservation to stay at the marina instead, since there was room. The mooring balls looked somewhat exposed and we preferred to have power to run our struggling refrigerator for the time being. Plus, we would have had to dinghy a fair distance back and forth for dog relief and to get ice for the cooler otherwise.

Hiked two forested trails.

Sunned on the beach. Did a snorkel tour to an Atlantic reef.

Met and swapped stories with other boaters. Tried out a neighbor’s scooter.

Visited the aquarium.

Awaited a good weather window to move on Northward. We hope to go around Miami in the Atlantic, rather than the ICW, to avoid the traffic, large boat wake, numerous bridges, and extensive slow (no wake) areas.

Boater information: The mooring balls in Largo Sound (for a 25 foot boat) were $30/day. Sound is large enough to be a little choppy in high winds. Marina spot was about $80/day (taxes and fees included). Can stay for up to 14 days. More protected from winds. Fixed piers and the only way to exit our boat was to go stern-in, so had to tie off well considering how close the motor ended up to the dock. Had to lift Cocoa up like a suitcase again. Docks have power and water. No gas for the public. Pump-out is available. Bathrooms close by. Hot showers in campground. Aquarium on premises. Snorkel trips and dive boats (and all equipment available). Kayaks, SUPs, and canoes to rent. Mangrove water trails. Walking trails. Swimming beach (beware of crocodiles, but none seen). Concessions. A food cart.