Saturday March 2, 2013

Hello from No Name Harbor in Florida.  We have been here an amazing 10-11 days - who's counting?
Of course, it is all the weather's fault.  Our weather here has been fine but we hesitated to cross over to the Bahamas due to some bad weather due there.  In hindsight, we could have done it but were afraid we would not reach a safe harbor in time to get a good place.  What happens in the cruising world is:

1)  We check various weather sites every day and discuss them at length with other cruisers.
2)  Then we figure out where to go as the winds will change and where we will end up is good for crossing -  but not for anchoring!
3)  We know everyone already in the Bahamas will head for that safe place and get all the mooring balls, leaving us to anchor out in high winds with poor holding.
4)  Alternative is marina but do we want to spend the money?
5)  Ok, lets just stay here and enjoy ourselves and be safe
6)  10 days later we are antsy & no good weather window has appeared!

So, we have explored Miami a little, had lunch at an Argentinian restaurant (great skirt steak), and had a lot of happy hours with other cruisers.  
No Name harbor is in the Bill Baggs Florida State Park in Key Biscayne.  Lots of weekend activity but quiet Mon- Friday.  We are enjoying the Hispanic culture and food, not to mention dolphins, manatees and other sea life who show up in the water around us.

Eating out with friends at the Boaters Grill at No Name Harbor.
Dina, ginny, Ann, Art, Jesse, David

Diana from GeoNova made a big pot of Broccoli soup one day, then dinghied around the anchorage to share with friends!  We just handed down a small saucepan and she ladled it in.  A sailor of many talents.

Diana also makes jewelry - here we are showing the bracelets she gave us as mementoes.
Ginny is getting into the jewelry making also. It would take too long to go into Ann's accomplishments
 I make reservations quite well.

The grilled whole fish at Boater's Grill - incredibly good.  this baby cost about $36

After a day of provisioning in Ft. Pierce - priorities?
the fun part is finding a place to stow it all - and there is a lot more stuff than this.

View of Miami river from the people mover - reminds us of the Chicago river with palm trees.

Boats at No Name Harbor. We are in the middle behind the boat with tan canvas.