NOT a Good Stop–Marina Docks Don’t Work for the Rossi and a Visit with Friends in Miami!

Thurs, Feb 21st: Key Largo to Bill Bird Marina at Haulover Park, Miami Beach, FL
60.5 miles – 7 hours
A lot of work goes in to getting underway when anchored. First the dinghy has to come on board. This time one of the support legs was coming loose. Rip fixed quickly.
Next up, raising the anchor. Which didn't go perfectly either as the rode didn't want to fall correctly in the anchor locker, as fed by the windlass. Rip straightened that out, still the windlass didn't like pulling the rode and actually created 2 picks in it. Once the chain started coming in, all went normal. Something for Rip to noodle through in the coming days.
Sights along the way…


Our cruise was a long one; a bit hotter than previous days. We had the wind from the side or aft so little breeze thru the boat. Several larger bodies of water to travel today...Barnes Sound, Card Sound and Biscayne Bay.  Barnes Sound was bumpier than we like but Rip did well moving the boat to the most comfortable route possible. He had to work hard at it. Card Sound was much better and gave hope Biscayne wouldn't be too bad. Oh well, Biscayne was was a bear. This boat doesn’t like going down sea (waves behind pushing the boat). Rip worked hard at keeping the boat in the best position and yet still on course. It was exhausting for him. I sat with Cally on the day bed to keep her in position and not moving around, as well as watching for fast boats coming up behind us. This wasn’t fun.
A planned long travel day was extended when we arrived at the marina only to find we couldn’t get Cally off the boat to the dock/sea wall.
Rip had done his usual scouting of marinas and picked Bill Bird Marina at Haulover Park as it had floating docks and was close to Frank & Susan. Problem was upon arrival we saw the concrete docks weren’t floating and were built WAY HIGHER than any other dock we has seen along the way.

We were put into a corner with no access from our stern to the rear wall. We were so low at the sea wall along side that Rip stepped off the roof of the boat to the wall. NO way to get Cally off the boat…except to lower the dinghy and take her to a floating dock to then go for a walk.
We were supposed to be here for 4 days. We couldn’t just turn around and go elsewhere, as Cally was ready to go to shore. Dinghy down, Cally to shore and back to the boat, showers for us; then dinner. Exhausting. Rip found another marina for the next 3 days!!
We did find ice cream … so, there is that.

Fri, Feb 22; Haulover Marina to Dania Beach Marina, Dania Beach, Miami
10.7 miles   …   2 hours
A short run to a floating dock!!! Of course we arrive when the dockmaster is at lunch. He says to go to the courtesy dock but doesn’t explain what to look for…so we tie up to C Dock by accident and have to move again when he gets back from lunch. Much smaller and MUCH nicer marina. Except we are a LONG way to grass for Cally and showers/bathrooms, laundry for us. And, very little grass for Cally to do her business.

Sights along the way today…
BUT, we are headed off to stay with Frank & Susan. Cally has been there before and we will have lots of grass and space for her to walk. Frank picks us up on his way from the airport (arriving from a business trip to DC).

Surrounded by beach & the ocean beaches but Cally isn’t allowed to walk on the beach or the parking lot for the beach.
Frank & Susan are amazing & flexible hosts. We are not your typical sight seeing guests in Miami Beach. They had toured us on our first visit back in 2016. This time, after weeks on the boat, it was nice just to hang at their condo and spend time with them. Friday night hanging on the balcony until way too late was wonderful! But, we were busy.
First thing (before 8am) Saturday morning Rip had to have Frank take him back to the boat as our Temperature monitor went off during the night. We think it is only a wifi connection issue, BUT if electric was turned off or the AC failed (etc) we would have issues with the boat or maybe lose food in the frig and separate freezer. It’s always something. It was just a wifi issue, Rip worked through and was able to return to the condo.


Lots more walks, chats and good food … it was time to say good bye and head back to the boat.

Looper friends, Dennis & Jodi, we met at the AGLCA Rendezvous in the fall of 2016 drove down from Ft Lauderdale to see us. AND, brought bubbles to celebrate. It was great to see them again. Next time will probably be in 2021 when they plan to do the loop and will pass by the house in NC.

Tarpon Basin–Our 1st night at anchor in the Rossi

Tues Feb 19 & Wed 20th – Marathon, Fl to Tarpon Basin; Key Largo, Fl
54.3 miles   …   7 hours
Parting is such sweet sorrow. Time to leave Marathon. Pumped out in out slip in the marina the afternoon before leaving. Definitely need a empty holding tank (for potty duty) as we will be anchoring out on the way to Miami.

Up early to get chores done and boat prepped for moving again. We are heading northeast up the bay side of the Keys to Key Largo.

After leaving we stopped at Key Fisheries to top off the gas tank. Then on our way. With the breeze in our face, we had a very comfortable ride. Lots of spray...but, a nice cruise up to Key Largo. We passed crab boats working,
lots of birds squatting on marks, little islands and a couple narrow passages between shoaling (water to low over land to navigate).

The narrow places were very short, well marked and in plain sight; unlike most of the narrow passages in the Georgian Bay and North Channel, Canada.
Then, a passage through the mangroves and into Tarpon Basin, Key Largo, FL.

This is a well known, large natural basin that serves as an anchorage for many boats. There is a government building with a small park for all and dinghy docks for boaters.

This is the first time we have anchored out in the Rossi. Dinghying into shore went well. Cally remembered exactly what to do; hopping on and off the new dinghy as needed.

Feb 20, 2019  Tarpon Basin, Key Largo, FL
0 miles traveled
Staying put in the anchorage today. After morning coffee and getting the generator set up to recharge the batteries...

It was shore time for Cally. All in all, just a quiet day on the hook and rest for the Captain. Well, until a pick up truck in the park parking lot caught on fire. When the tires popped it sounded like a gun shot.

Tomorrow we pull anchor and move to Miami Beach to see Frank & Susan!

Marathon, FL–A nice, Relaxing Stay!

Feb 9 – Feb 18, 2019; 0 miles traveled

I highly recommend The Keys this time of year! We found the warm, sunny weather and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We visited with friends who stopped by, over Happy Hour & dinners. We enjoyed the pool in the hot afternoons.

Below is Happy Hour by the pool at Faro Blanco with MV Liberty, MV Let’s Go & MV Shell Belle.

I kayaked one afternoon with a couple here at the Marina who also have a Rossi; John & Susan on Mighty Wench.

A client/friend, Jane Wilson took me to tour, see and shop Key West!

Evidently, the higher up in stories you go at the Whistle Bar,  less clothing is worn.

Really small Bar

We soaked up the sunsets from the marina beach area.

Not every day is perfect …

Cally had lots of walks, another swim and then her Pedicure – all thanks to Greg from Blurred Lines! Cally doesn’t care for nail trimming, unless someone is holding her and a Bully Stick fir her to chew. The Bully Stick distracts her so I can trim her nails with the Dremel tool.

There are Manatee sightings at the marina; up close and personal!!

There were lots of chores; laundry, grocery store runs, etc.

Rip replaced our 1000 Watt Inverter/Charger with a 2000 Watt Inverter/Charger. Rip stowed the original one and has a plan to reuse at home. No Pics, as my duty was to keep Cally out of Rip’s way.

We have enjoyed our stay here; the local boaters are super nice & helpful. The marina manager & staff are equally attentive and supportive. But, it is time to move on and head north.

After a few days at anchor along the way, the next “stop” is Miami to see our best buddies - Frank & Susan!!

Meanwhile, the Pelicans come every afternoon…just in case some one is cleaning their catch.

Bye, Bye Marathon … going to miss you!!