Day 2 Pumpkin Key

Wow, what a night we had at anchor here in Pumpkin Key. The winds picked up to 20kts. And the seas to 2 to 3 ft. Neither of us slept well. This morning things were not much better so we decided to stay on the hook here for another night. The waves have not decreased all that much throughout the day but we had warm sunshine and mostly blue skies. The wind generator and the solar panels pumped power into the system all day. We have been able to charge computers and phones etc. power our fridge and freezer and watch a little TV all day and we are still at full power.


Last night there was one power boat anchored here with us but in the last hour three sail boats came in and dropped their hooks. One of the boats, I think about a 36ft, arrived in with a Great Dane on board. Now that is a little crazy in my book. As soon as he set the hook he had to load him onto the dingy and take him ashore to do his business. It looks like just the dog and his master on board. The dog takes up most of the cockpit.

We were told before leaving Coconut Grove that this was a very exclusive area of the Keys. We were not anchored very long before several Leer Jets, a helicopter or two, and other small planes flew in to the private airport. The actual Pumpkin Key Island on our bow is privately owned. It looks like two houses a dock and several small boats both power and sail along with other toys like a golf cart are visible from our anchorage. What recession!!!!!!!!!!!! Boy, if you really want to see how the rich and famous live all you have to do is join us on a trip down the coast of Florida, indeed down the entire east coast of the USA. I am sure you can multiply this to many other areas of this great country.

Yesterday as we slowly made our way in light winds down Biscayne Bay we gave some thought to taking a swim of the boat. That thought did not last long after we spotted our first of many Man of War jellyfish. They look so innocent on the surface, just a pretty looking bubble ranging from transparent to deep blue. The bubble, which propels them, is only about 6 or 8 inches long above the surface but the tentacles reach far below the water and if they wrap around you they can do serious damage including death if stung by enough of them. One other thought. The day we passed through Miami a rather large skate (fish) launched out of the water just off our bow. It was Peter’s first time seeing one jump but Jane had seen one last year in the Bahamas. We read recently that one jumped into a small fishing boat injuring the owner who had to struggle with the help of his son to get him back overboard. AHHH, the joys of cruising. Every day is another adventure.