Cruising with La Dolce Vita: Marathon Key!!!

We finally made it to Marathon Key, our destination since November 1! We left Key Largo at 8:00 am and arrived at Fanny Key Anchorage on the West end of Marathon (just before the Seven Mile Bridge) at 5:00 pm, traveling 60 miles.

We left this morning with two possible destinations in mind: 1) we were going to come directly to Harbour Cay Marina, where we are going to stay for the month of February, on Marathon, or 2) only travel 40 miles and take a slip at a marina on Long Key. As it often happens while cruising, we ended up doing something totally different. At 10:00 am the dockmaster at Harbour Cay Marina called me and said that the boat in our slip had not left and would not leave until tomorrow. So we were left with going to Long Key. At noon, we called Long Key to confirm and after talking to the manager there, decided that the wind was too strong for us to go in there. It is a tight marina and under calm conditions we would be fine. But the wind was gusting around 20 kts. So our second choice was now gone. We called around for marina slips and came up empty. Since we were making good time, and we found an anchorage right next to Harbour Cay Marina, we decided to go there.

We anchored, then lowered the dinghy and went ashore. We were greeted by the folks at Harbour Cay like we were long lost relatives. It was right at sundown, so they were all celebrating sunset in the Tiki Hut. Marjorie and Jeff (s/v Far Niente, an IP 420), who we met in New Smyrna Beach and were the ones that recommended we come here, were there. Also on hand to meet us were Jim (the manager), and several other cruisers who spend the winter here. All very nice folks and we are looking forward to getting to know them better.

Today's photos: