The Many Adventures of Stray Cat: Onward to Key West

First let me say officially Happy New Year! So we've actually been here in Key West since.....ummmmm....yeah, don't know for sure--a week today maybe? Let's see if I can possibly remember our trip from Dinner Key to here? Special thank you and hugs to Pamalynn who generously shared their own itinerary from Coral Gables to Key West with us. I sure hope we seen them again soon!

Day One--Dinner Key before sunrise to the Hawk Channel between the Keys and the Reef, destination: Rodriguez Key, off of Key Largo (the longest Key for those keeping score at home). It was a beautiful morning as they always are when it's so quiet and the sun is still down but the light is coming up. It's usually you and shrimpers or fishermen only and the birds. Personally, it's my favorite time on the water...you'd be hard pressed to find more peace I feel. I have a feeling that Captain and First Mate much prefer the wind and 7 knot full sailing...Mars/Venus perhaps. haha

Sunrise on Coconut Grove as we depart Dinner Key pre-sunrise.

It's beautiful and different every moment.

That's Key Biscayne

Heading out into the sunrise

Channel marker from Biscayne Bay to Hawk Channel...and abandoned houses on the water and fishermen...and us!

One of the wacky houses left from Stiltsville...I had to ask my sister what they were. She explained for me, "The houses are what's left of Stiltsville. It's now part of Biscayne National Park. Used to be private structures where people fished, partied, hung out, engaged in assorted pastimes. Some of the structures were bars or clubs. Way back in the day, some supposedly were used for alcohol and drug running and gambling." Sorta awesome to have an expert on Florida and the marine world at my fingertips! Thanks Roxie XO

The Light, Key Biscayne, Miami.

Away we go!!

Out in the Channel--Reefs to the left, Keys to the right...oh wait, that's not how the song goes.

Yeah Baby!!! She sailed like a star!

Cap loves when we put up the sails - he tends and nurtures them like a doting father. It's been how he's learned about how she likes to be trimmed, let out here, pull in there, set the traveler here--tweak there, each boat is an individual and every captain will know his boat in a unique and personal way. That is certainly true of our Captain and his Stray Cat.

Now this is what you want to see--no engines, all sails and many knots to carry us along!

We made it in awesome time to the anchorage!

Anchored next to our twin Island Khaya on the Northwest side of Rodriguez Key. Excellent spot.

What could go wrong?!? It was nice to take a dip off the boat; excited for even clearer warmer water! Take a look at the first official underwater GoPro Video:
http://youtu.be/EiK2Swvx-KE