Black Point Marina to Gilbert's Resort, FL |
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We awoke to a sunny day and a light breeze. We were both eager to get underway. Key West is calling. Joe filled our water tanks and I make sandwiches for our lunch. We pumped out the holing tank and got away from Black Point Marina about ten. I said a mental good bye to Sebastian were every you are. We made our way slowly out the channel keeping and eye on the depth display. We crossed the more shallow water and turned into the ICW channel. In the distance I saw a few sail boats and we were soon passed by two oncoming boats. Then it was just the two of us again. The water was shades of blue and green. We had been cautioned to pay attention to water color as the more shallow water is lighter, sometimes white or brownish. One of the publications we received from Black Point marina is quoted: Blue, Blue, cruise on through. Green, Green, nice and Clean. Brown, Brown, run aground. White, White, you might. Watching the water colors gets a little confusing when there are large clouds above casting shadows. Caution and staying on the charted course is very important in this area. We are in the lower portion of Biscayne Bay heading into an area called Card Sound and then into Little Card Sound before reaching Florida Bay. As we left Biscayne Bay we traveled through a small area of mangrove. These trees are common to the area and they thrive salt water. Their roots help hold extend into the water and hold things together. I have noticed we are not seeing the usual sea gulls in this area and I am always impressed when I see white birds sitting among the tree roots just watching us pass by. As we approach the Jewfish Creek Draw Bridge we come upon a sail boat ahead of us. Joe chose to follow him in. We had about twenty minutes before the bridge opening so Joe adjusted our speed to delay our arrival. We had planned to anchor near the bridge but changed the plan and called to see if dockage was available at Gilberts Marina. We had read in our waterway guidebook about this place and wanted to check it out up close. It is just south of the drawbridge and when I saw it I thought this must be what Key West will look like. Time will tell. The dock master was there to grab our lines. He tied them to the pilings and shortly after I put out a fender he walked away. He wore a very wide brim straw hat, was very laid back and to see his face one had to make the effort to look up under the hat. Joe and I worked together to secure the boat and hook up the electric. We were located right on the waterway sharing the pier with the Tiki Bar/Restaurant and Raw Bar. The pier was old and quite weathered though stable. The Tiki Bar was under a huge pavilion with a roof of timbers and palm thatch. The section of the bar toward the water has a ground level deck with numerous tables. Off to the side among the palm trees. |