Day 121 - January 30, 2013: Marathon in the Florida Keys

Again today, it was important to rise and get an early start before the impending storms dropped into the Gulf, and this is the sight I encountered while preparing to raise the anchor. It is a shame we miss so many of nature's paintings while busy in our working lives.

Sunrise over the Shark River in the Everglades

Back into the Gulf, the early morning waters were calm, but after entering the Florida Bay crossing to Marathon, we again ran into high winds and waves. We encountered thousands of crab pot buoys with a string every couple of hundred yards the entire five-hour crossing. This crab boat is typical of those working the Gulf, and as the captain pulls alongside, the crew reaches down, retrieves the buoy and line, and pulls up the cage. After removing the legal-sized crabs, the pot is baited and returned for another day's catch. Despite the hundreds of square miles of water, a crab living here doesn't stand a chance!

Typical crabbing boat

Approaching a crab pot buoy

By early afternoon, we followed Moser Channel and crossed under the Seven Mile Bridge at the western tip of the Marathon Key. Here, the water has taken on that magical aqua effervescence that makes the Caribbean waters so unique.

Seven Mile Bridge in Moser Channel

We suddenly found ourselves thrust into 25 knot southerly winds which were pushing up 5 to7 ft waves that we had to traverse to get to our marina. It was the most uncomfortable one hour ride so far on the trip and gave Anne some serious concerns for our safety. Great Laker handled them with ease, even though we struggled to stand and keep all our belongings secure.