We slipped lines around noon and headed out of Kitching Cove around noon with Second Star leading the way. We had to wait for high tide as the water was pretty thin in the basin. We had a short run to Hellgate where we anchored for the night.
On Saturday we had to contend with weekend ICW traffic and numerous bridges, many of which we had to have opened. We had thought of going on the outside and entering the Port Everglades Inlet at Fort Lauderdale. However, the winds were beginning to build plus we discovered that Fort Lauderdale was having their annual Parade of Lights Saturday night and there would be no space in any marina or anchorage. With that bit of information we decided to meander down the ICW with a tentative stop for the night at Boca Raton. The waterway was very busy (as it was a beautiful day) and we were ready to stop when we got to Lake Boca Raton around 3:00. The anchorage was pretty crowded, but mostly with small boats just there for the day. By evening it had thinned out. Because of the crowded conditions on the waterway on Saturday, we decided to stay put on Sunday. We did a little exploring in the dinghy, but there was no place to land ashore, so we decided to go out the Boca Raton Inlet to check out the beach and ocean. We did make it out, but with the wind building and heavy fishing traffic going in and out, we soon returned to the anchorage. By night, the temperatures were dropping and it had become very windy. Humm … cold and windy … must be in Florida.
When we tried to raise the anchor Monday morning we found a surprise – about 100 pounds of slimmy seaweed attached to the chain and anchor. It took Linda quite a while to clean everything as she slowly brought up the anchor. This was more than we encountered in Newboro or Baie Fine in Canada (our previous grassy anchor spots).
We made our way down the ICW to Maule Lake. There was not much traffic, but it was very windy. We had decided Maule Lake would give us the best protection for the current weather conditions. It was a little bumpy overnight from the wind, but not too bad. The temperature dropped to the mid 30’s, but with the windchill, it felt like the 20’s.
We had a leisurely morning and departed our anchorage a little after 9:00. We had a short run to Palm Bay Club and Marina in North Miami. We plan on getting fuel, water and provisions and prepare ourselves for a Bahama departure on Friday or Saturday. Stay tuned !!!
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Following Second Star as she approached the crossroads
of the Port St. Lucie River and the ICW |
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| Hellgate anchorage |
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| Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse |
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| Gerry captured dolphins jumping beside the boat |
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| Another dolphin jumping |
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| Going through the Ocean Avenue Bridge -- it's sort of unique looking |
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| The tour boat, Lady Atlantic, in front of us |
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| Heading out the Boca Raton Inlet in the dinghy |
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| Fishermen at the inlet |
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This was the mess we had on our anchor and chain when we
pulled it up -- almost looked like a manatee under the water |
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| Back in Lauderdale and huge homes |
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| Another home |
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| And one more -- quite scenic with the palm trees |
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| Lots of cruise ships in port |
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| Second Star getting diesel from the fuel barge |
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