…and away we go! Goodbye Marco!

We initially wanted to head through Lake Okeechobee to get to the other side of Florida, but one of the locks is closed for repair, which won’t allow us to pass through.  Our only choice was to go south to Key Largo and come back north up the coast to make the crossing to West End (Bahamas).  On Day 1 – we left at 6:30 AM (planned departure was 4:30 AM but a thunderstorm altered those plans). 

We enjoyed a beautiful sunrise over Marco (if any one follows @lorigonzalez11 on Instagram you will see my new sunrise obsession), dodged a couple thunderstorms through the Florida Bay, traveled 112 miles and arrived in Key Largo by 4:30 PM.  

We intended to travel +/- 9 knots the entire trip (good fuel consumption speed – 9-11 gallons an hour), but our late departure required us to make up the time by going faster (15-16 knots) for 4 hours (burning +/- 46 gallon an hour).

Of course, the well-organized, never-ever a half ass, “shopper” (me) forgot a couple of items.  We found ourselves needing to go to 3 different stores when we arrived in Key Largo.  You know you are in Key Largo when the Uber driver is wearing a bathing suit and tank top.

We made it back in time to enjoy our 1^st vacation cocktail and a beautiful Key Largo sunset. 

Day 2 – started early again with a 6:00 AM departure, another nice sunrise, and relatively calm seas for the morning hours.

The seas picked up in the afternoon, but the ride was OK thanks to our stabilizers.  Anyone who has followed this blog before understands my love for the stabilizers (large fins underneath the boat that significantly reduce the side to side rocking).  Our first trip to the Bahamas back in 2013 resulted in the installation of the stabilizers (either we get stabilizers or get rid of the boat).  They were put to good use today.  The US Navy was doing exercises outside of Ft. Lauderdale. We were “kindly” requested by the Navy to alter our planned path which has us arrive  to the marina by 2 PM after traveling 68 miles.

Of course, no Bahamas vacation should be without a stop in Ft. Lauderdale to enjoy a great Indian Restaurant before leaving the US (food you can’t get in Marco Island).  

We are planning to leave for West End Wednesday morning.