Here’s Looking at You. . . Miami, Hawk Channel and Key Largo! Mile 1138

     I came out to the cockpit in preparation for lifting anchor shortly before 8 AM and looked around… I was surprised to find another sailboat joined us late last night off to our port. However, when I glanced over to starboard the view above Brunelle and Sevilla was spectacular. The sunlight was streaming through the clouds. I was hoping I had enough time to grab the camera before it changed. I did!

Seville and the clouds.

Andiamo & Miami's skyline

     We headed south to the Biscayne Channel.  The breeze freshened a little so we hoisted the main.  Dan warned us that it might get tricky further out in the channel as the water outside the channel is extremely skinny.  The channel starts east then heads north then northeast through the remains of Stiltsville.  There are only 7 houses remaining from the considerable number houses that used to be here on the Biscayne flats. They were built by folks who didn’t want to pay taxes and thought they could buck the establishment. It kind of worked until the hurricanes came. The current homes are boarded up, with one having a boat tied to it; perhaps someone is trying to start remodeling it or just using it for fishing. 

     Once we cleared the Biscayne Channel we turned south, hoisted the jib and cut the engine. It was amazing to be doing 7 knots in shirt sleeves, in blue/green waters and in January!  We traveled the Hawk Channel as it is considerably deeper on the ocean side rather than the ICW on the inside of the Keys. We did not want to face a few more bridges; some that are fixed and not tall enough for our mast and waters that are not deep enough for our 5 foot plus keels. We all hoped to see a lot of sea life.  Betty saw a sea turtle, we saw a large sunfish on the surface, and Martha saw a few flying fish, but we were all very disappointed in our limited viewing of marine life.  With the water so clear and blue we thought and wished we had seen more.

Looking east towards Brunelle
while exiting the Biscayne Channel

     The 36 ocean miles took us 6 hours.  We were not in a rush as we wanted to make sure we arrived at high tide. The entrance to the Port Largo Harbor has a shallow spot so it can be tricky at low tide. We were the test boat going in. It is a rather amazing place.  The canals are very narrow, probably only 50 foot wide as we head north to “Crash Corner.” Pete calls out a “Security. Pekabu approaching Crash corner inbound!” as we boat approach the corner because there is not room for two and there is no visibility around the corner!  After making the 90 degree turn to the left we continued another ¼ mile and made another 30 degree turn to the left where our docks at Marina Del Mar were located, but the canal makes another 90 degree turn to the right, where the tour and dive boats are docked.  This entire area must have 6 or 7 canals off of the main canal. The canals have been carved out of the coral and limestone. This place could never be created today with all the environmental concerns!     Candi is our dock master.  She was here when Brunelle was here 2 years ago and definitely makes a point of trying to remember everyone who comes to visit.

     We all went to dinner down at Sharkey’s Bar and watched the end of the quarterfinals for the NFL where Pittsburg defeated the Ravens in the last few moments. The intent was to have a hamburger, but we all had everything but. . .instead it was lobster tails, seafood platters, ribs, and fish.  Even with a mix-up with the itemized charges per couple everyone had a loud and smoky, good time. Smoking is still permitted in open air bars.

     We all returned back to our boats still amazed we are docked in this little bit of paradise.

56 /1361 Total Statute Miles                                ~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete