#Boca Chica Channel Bridge

[hegdetravelphotos]

Glow of Dusk

As day gives way to night, the sun’s final rays dance across the water, leaving a trail of golden memories! Location: Near Boca Chica Channel Bridge, Overseas Hwy, Key West, Florida, USA. Time and Date: Around 7:30 pm on April 21, 2024.

[lmarcotte-blog]

July 20, Marathon to Key West

After a leisurely 10:30 departure from the dock we fueled up (130 gallons) and took a tour of the famous Marathon mooring field. There were many boats, large and small, in every stage of repair from tidy to barely floating. Sailing craft could be divided fairly evenly between those with masts and those without. There were a number of moorings hosting two clearly live-aboard boats rafted together. Perhaps one is the guest house?

Hurricane damage is apparent everywhere. Our marina experienced Irma as a category four. Docks have been repaired and refitted or replaced but the floating fuel dock which had been recently built survived thanks to some mammoth posts which are about 25 feet above the water line. The dock and the building on it had risen to within about two feet of the top where marks are clearly visable.

We headed for Key West with a 2 knot tide against us. At 10 kts we were burning 12 gallons an hour. We decided to set a more leisurely 7 kt. pace and burn 3.5 gallons an hour. After all, you are meant to be laid back in the Keys! We made our way along the Hawke channel, roughy parallel to the Seven Mile Bridge.

We made reservations at Stock Island Marina Village. We could not get into a marina at Key West Bight, mostly due to the crowds assembling for lobster mini season. Our marina does have a shuttle service to downtown so we can join the throngs.

Along the way we saw a sea turtle off Boca Chica Key and have observed, and no doubt been observed by, a surveillance blimp. It floats benignly white against the fluffy clouds. The water was perfectly flat and turquoise with only light surface ripples. We were in 25 feet of water which was so clear that we were watching the bottom as we cruised along.

Stock Island Marina turned out to be very nice. It’s new with floating docks (yay) and very up to date amenities including a pool. We had a spaghetti dinner on the boat and topped off the day with a walk. I love marinas in the evening and this one boasted a beautiful post sunset sky .