Water everywhere - beautiful water but when will i see land? - May 9 to 10, 2011

We slep in really late at Fort Myers Beach and took it easy, around 3pm we started getting ready - seems like an odd time to leave.  After fuelling up again including 14 gas cans, we left at 5pm. 

The sunset was nice. 

We followed the shore about 3 miles off shore until it was dark.  We could still see lights from building as we got further.  The waves were coming at us from the NW and it made it a little rough but it settled down around 10pm.  There was nothing to look at so i decided i might as well sleep on the deck.   

Mom and Dad stayed up all night and once in a while would wake me up by stepping over me.

The sunrise was beautiful but when i look around there was no land!!!!  only water... what am i going to do?

Daddy tried fishing for a while and then we followed some dolphins that were playing  in front of the boat.  And we saw quite a few giant turtles, again no pictures, someday we'll get one.

Only water forward

Only water behind us....

They sure seem to be having fun.

Around 10 am we finally saw a couple of boats, then an hour later we saw the first marker. 

Carnival Cruise Ship in port

It was still a long ride down the channel.  Our speed never changed 6.5 knots.  As we headed towards Key West, we saw lots of tour boats, fishing boats and then a cruise ship was docked at the entrance.  We had to go around Fleming Key, this time we didn't anchor. 

 

Boats anchored

Mommy layed down on the anchor pulpit and grabbed one of the many white balls floating.  She then tied us to it.  The boats around are all tied to one of these white balls, they call it Garrison Bight mooring field.  We picked one that was right next to another boat flying the Canadian flag. 

Mooring Field

It is now 1pm and i really need to get to land.  Mom and Dad are trying to get things organized quickly and we finally head to shore.  Its a long ride in, about 2 miles is what daddy said, they have a special dock only for dinghy.   We walked to the closest store to get more water and then headed back to the boat.  we chatted with our Canadian neighbor, which unfortunately is not headed south like us.  Mom and Dad are hoping to find a sailing buddy while we're in Key West.  We then went to bed early.  Tomorrow we'll visit Key West.