Nassau to Key West

Our trip from Nassau Harbor to Key West covered 297 nautical miles and took us 57 hours. Leaving the protection of the harbor always comes with anticipation of the promise of a great passage, but is tinged with a bit of hesitation and concern. Hence, we always prepare carefully for these longer passages…full provisions, full water tank, full fuel tank and “jack lines”. Jack lines are made of strong nylon webbing that is attached from the bow cleat to the stern to allow a safe anchoring point for the tether that I wear on my life vest. If you need to go on deck and you are tossed overboard, the tether attached to the jack line will keep you attached to the boat. Of course, this will keep your head just below the waterline so you will most assuredly drown, but there will be no frantic search for the body!

Wind and sea were cooperative during our 60 mile leg over the mile plus deep water of the Tongue of the Ocean, but kicked up a bit as we crossed the Bahama Bank. After 24 hours we sailed by Bimini and started to cross the Gulf Stream in the Straights of Florida. It was time to avoid ship traffic and squalls and there was plenty of both.

Entering U.S. waters is always a comfort. After trading out my Bahamas sim card for the Verizon one I was washed over with a feeling of peace and cell phone reliability that is beyond compare. When you reach the Fowey Rocks light about 10 miles south of Miami at the entrance to the Hawk Channel, the Florida Keys are at your doorstep.

A stop at Looe Key just south of Big Pine Island was a must. It’s a very popular dive and snorkeling site and I wanted to try out some new dive gear. Can’t fit a 72 or 80 cu ft tank on our boat easily, so I have a couple of 13 cu ft pony bottles for underwater tasks or short dives.

With a new dedicated harness and one of my original regulators I jumped overboard and the first fish I saw was not a fish at all, but one of my close friends…a Caribbean Reef Shark. Always a fun dive site, lots of diversity.

We spent a couple of hours there on a mooring relaxing and then it was off to the Conch Republic. We arrived at Galleon Marina in the seaport area near Old Town Key West and tied up at a floating dock just before some heavy rain and wind bands washed down the boat and saved me the trouble.

Now it was time to enjoy our usual haunts, first to Pepe’s for breakfast and then later to the Boathouse to enjoy their fabulous happy hour menu….great food, super prices.

We were surprised when we went by Grunt’s Bar on Caroline to see if our friends Chris and Dani were playing. Chis and Dani of the Shantyhounds were not only playing they were doing a live recording and were also transmitting over one of the local radio stations. Great group, great fun and met many Shantyhounds groupies from last year.

One of Key West’s “unforgettables” was at the event. “Koz” is the  owner of the Green World Gallery and an artist who creates whimsical canvases of tropical scenes and sea life. He is larger than life with an even bigger heart who donates much time and effort to the community. We stopped by his gallery at the  Stock Island Marina to say hello while he regaled us with his stories of the Caribbean. We’ll be back again!

Robin and I spent a couple of more days exploring, shopping and doing some of the usual touristic activities.

During this stay we were able to visit the Hemingway House. As you know, “Papa” has quite a history and his Key West home is something special. The one acre property is lush and complete with gardens, swimming pool and, of course, a cat cemetery for the renowned six toed cats.

Papa had a separate studio complete with the original Royal typewriter where he made the magic happen and accomplished 70 percent of his works.

The 55 cats have the run of the property and two full time caretakers. This one enjoys her perch on Papa’s bed and shows off her toes.

Cocktails and dinner tonight on SABA with Chris and Dani of the Shantyhounds rounds out a great stay in Key West. So after a wonderful day, it’s off to Captiva tomorrow morning.

“Cruising has two pleasures. One is to go out in wider waters from a sheltered place. The other is to go into a sheltered place from wider waters.   – Howard Bloomfield

Wish us fair winds,

Captain Bobby and the Admiral