Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Charmed Life: From Islamorada to King's Bay in Eastern Florida
Wednesday, February 14. The morning broke bright and blue, so it was time to get moving. Tearing ourselves from the Keys was hard, but we've committed to spending a whole winter here some day. Blue skies and 80-degree weather trump even the long bout of rain that we've had. But now we need to be heading toward the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. The route took us over open bays, under a couple of bridges, and through narrow, twisty cuts between mangrove islands. It was quite lovely, even though I noticed that after we left Key Largo and moved further north, the water had turned more green than "Caribbean blue." After several hours we could see Miami and Miami Beach in the horizon. It was about a year ago that we toured this area with the Huntsville Museum of Art travel group. Today, seeing it from the water, we had an entirely different perspective. Cool!
When we turned to port on Biscayne Bay, we had a few minutes of really uncomfortable beam seas. When waves hit a catamaran from the side, they lift each hull separately, slapping the boat from side to side. Bob's sailing experience came to the rescue. We simply tacked the boat back and forth over our planned course. This way we sliced through the waves rather than letting them pop us around.
When I say we are leading a charmed life, it is because of people like Brian , owner of PDQ Dana Louise, whom we have now met twice. He invited us to join him in Kings Bay, which is south of Coral Gables. He said we could tie up with him "on a dock in front of a friend's house." Little did we imagine that King's Bay, tucked just off of Biscayne Bay, is surrounded by a gorgeous neighborhood, including the home of his friend Denny. We have spent the afternoon visiting with Brian, Denny, Denny's wife "Sam, " and their super friendly dog Sinatra. Our charmed Valentine's evening has consisted of delightful conversation, hors doeuvres, and cocktails on our flybridge, followed by a splendid meal at the Red Fish Grill, a restaurant known only to locals. This restaurant is very much off the beaten path; it doesn't need to advertise because it stays busy by reputation alone. The view was spectacular and our sea bass dinner was delicious. What delightful, interesting people. We will regret having to leave again tomorrow morning, but we will gather for coffee at 8:45, then say farewell. until next time.
When we turned to port on Biscayne Bay, we had a few minutes of really uncomfortable beam seas. When waves hit a catamaran from the side, they lift each hull separately, slapping the boat from side to side. Bob's sailing experience came to the rescue. We simply tacked the boat back and forth over our planned course. This way we sliced through the waves rather than letting them pop us around.
When I say we are leading a charmed life, it is because of people like Brian , owner of PDQ Dana Louise, whom we have now met twice. He invited us to join him in Kings Bay, which is south of Coral Gables. He said we could tie up with him "on a dock in front of a friend's house." Little did we imagine that King's Bay, tucked just off of Biscayne Bay, is surrounded by a gorgeous neighborhood, including the home of his friend Denny. We have spent the afternoon visiting with Brian, Denny, Denny's wife "Sam, " and their super friendly dog Sinatra. Our charmed Valentine's evening has consisted of delightful conversation, hors doeuvres, and cocktails on our flybridge, followed by a splendid meal at the Red Fish Grill, a restaurant known only to locals. This restaurant is very much off the beaten path; it doesn't need to advertise because it stays busy by reputation alone. The view was spectacular and our sea bass dinner was delicious. What delightful, interesting people. We will regret having to leave again tomorrow morning, but we will gather for coffee at 8:45, then say farewell. until next time.
