After lunch we took the dinghy down and went exploring, primarily to find the house and boat of our friends Sterling and Judy on Sterling Lady. We met them on the loop and traveled with them on the Champlain Canal and then again in Alabama. They live in Key Largo and invited us to stop in when we reached the Keys. Sterling carted us around town to a couple of places we needed to go – dive shop and Publix. We went back to the boat with plans to meet them again around 6:00 to go out for drinks and dinner.
We went to a place called the Pilot House, obviously one of Sterling and Judy’s favorite hang outs as, without saying a word, they were given drinks within a minute of arriving. We also met another looper couple, Susan and Dan on Potest Fieri. We had seen their boat several times during our journey, but had never actually met them. We grabbed a table that would accommodate 8 people – away from the band so we could talk – had a few drinks and a great dinner. It was a fun evening.
Sunrise in Islamorada
Approaching Cowpens Channel. This got it's name from the fact that when the railroad was being built, manatees were kept in pens in this area to be used for food. A lot has changed. Manatees are now protected.
Looking back at our wake -- very small as we were just creeping along.
Nice water
We came across a guy just "hanging out"
Entering Grouper Creek. This opens into Tarpon Basin where we anchored.
.... and here's Second Star in the anchorage
While looking for Judy's home it became obvious that many Manatee are in this area. Here are a few pictures.
There was quite a reflection, but you can make out the Manatee just below the surface
Here is a Manatee getting a drink of fresh water. Manatee are very attracted to fresh water, but too much can kill them. The people in the canal give them a little drizzle now and then.
This is where we went for dinner -- the Pilot House
This was a first class joint -- notice this distinguished fellow having a drink
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