We made the decision to move on a day early from Marathon because weather forecasts continued to show all-day rains. Local intel said the inside run would be simple and easy. They were right. Got underway around 0900 hrs after an early morning dousing, we came across only one sustained rain shower. About 3 1/2 hrs later we were pulling into Anchorage Marina, somewhere in or near Key Largo. Like Faro Blanco, we have a cement pond (and hot tub) just feet away from our boat. Behind that is a five-story hotel (condo?) overlooking our yacht basin. Overlooking that is a highway overpass. And, when we arrived, overlooking that was a helicopter that circled overhead for 15 minutes or so.

The day in the life of a traveling boater is rarely dull. Saturday, in between rain showers in Marathon Key, I changed another shower box float switch. Fortunately for us a West Marine store was located across the street from Faro Blanco, so no express mail charges were incurred with this purchase. I contorted myself like a monkey and re-wired the new switch. Today, as we made the pass through the last mangrove cut and into the sound, I had difficulty putting the boat back on plane. Not a big issue per se, but one which needed to be addressed. I thought that I had snagged a crab trap line or fishing line and got it wound around the props. A call to a local diver and a quick inspection indicated no such issue. So now began the quest to find a qualified Volvo Penta technician. Luckily, I found one nearby. I explained the issue over the phone, and he walked me through the process of changing the Racor fuel filters. Mission accomplished!! Another mechanical thing tackled and done for the first time! That’s what this trip is all about - conquering the unknowns in unfamiliar surroundings. And so tomorrow we move ahead to Miami Beach.

And did I mention the rain? Left it behind us (for now). Looking southerly the sky is black but here people are sitting out around the pool and enjoying a rainless day. Hope Miami Beach is sunny and dry!