Tortugas Tour Day 24: A Change of Plan
Destination today is Newfound Harbor anchored between Little Torch Key and Big Pine Key.
We took our time this morning since we didn’t have as far to go as the original plan. We also decided to try breakfast at “Two Friends Patio Restaurant”. Key West really caters to tourists. On our way to the restaurant, we passed lots of people waiting to board one of the many excursion boats. Options included dolphin watches, sailing, para sailing, snorkeling, fishing and more. There is also the huge ferry, Key West Express that goes from Key West to Marco Island and Ft. Myers. I believe there is a ferry that goes to the Dry Tortugas, but I didn’t see that.
We were seated immediately at Two Friends. The menu offered some unusual items with seafood and egg combinations but we both opted for familiar. Breakfast was just what we wanted – very satisfying. Now we did need to think more seriously about getting underway, so we headed back. We did take time to take a picture of a rooster coming our way on the sidewalk. I had forgotten about the chickens and roosters who roam free in Key West. I read in the guide that they are descendants of Cuban fighting cocks – interesting.
Once back on the boat it was time to take trash, do all the pre-trip checks, pull in the power cords, and figure out the order for taking in the lines based on wind and tide. We were better prepared for leaving than coming in. I was able with Fred’s guidance to get the lines off the posts using the boat hook and with fenders available, ready to prevent us from hitting the two boats alongside. Our departure was smooth, but we immediately had to move to another dock to pump out the holding tank. It was a side tie up and there were people to help, so all was good. No Reel Hurry was also there for a pump out. They left just ahead of us, so I was able to get a picture, attached below. I don’t normally think to do that, but our friend Russ at Port Royal took a picture of us leaving in April and sent it to us. You can’t get that kind of picture when you are on the boat. I have sent the pictures to Tia and Drew.
I have included pictures of several of the boats coming in as we were leaving. As I stated previously, Key West is a busy place!
Our afternoon on the water was pleasant. We spent part of it on the flybridge until the sun became too intense. By 4:20 we were comfortably anchored in our spot. We treated ourselves to a tonic, lime, and rum (light on the rum), and relaxed. We did eventually turn on the generator so we could run the AC and stove. I made a pot of chili which was delicious. By now the sun was beginning to set, so we went up on the flybridge to enjoy the breeze and quiet. Before turning in we cleaned up, shut off the AC, and opened up. Life is good!
Captain’s comments:
The original plan for today was to head west for the crossing to the Dry Tortugas. The weather was perfect (going west or east), but a front coming through is expected to result in 20-25 knot winds and 5–8-foot seas (measured as the average of the largest third of the waves; occasional individual waves are bigger) for Sunday through Monday, the days we had planned for the return from the Dry Tortugas. Having a plan when boating is good, but weather always rules. So, we headed east for a cozy anchorage to ride out the “sporty” conditions. “Sporty” is terminology we learned from the crew of No Reel Hurry.
