Boot Key Harbor at Marathon

We got underway from Everglades City after an hour and a half fog delay and found Florida Bay to be flat with calm. After an hour or so of cruising along, we decided to alter course to starboard 17 degrees and take the 10-hour run to Marathon, instead of the planned 5-hour run to Little Shark River, so as to take advantage of the wonderful day. We figured that we would arrive in Marathon just at sunset, but owing to being way out of cell phone range, we could not call ahead for a marina reservation. I was finally able to get through to the city marina late in the day just before they left for the day. We idled up the channel to their bulkhead just as the sunset.  Jackie said it was beautiful, but as lead boat and navigator, I was too focussed on the diminishing depths on the depth sounder to pay attention.  Being alongside a big warehouse structure, we couldn't see a sunset now if our lives depended on it.  We will move to Sombrero Marina later this morning.


Along the nearly 80-mile trip, we were in and out of light fog until mid-afternoon in light green colored water usually no deeper than 15 feet. We saw a few turtles, some dolphins, tropical birds and plenty of crab pot buoys to avoid.

We are not sure why, but Mary’s left knee/leg began hurting and the knee swelled slightly about half way here. Ice and aspirin and Advil helped to reduce the pain and swelling, but she remained on the settee all the rest of the day and all night. We will have a rental car today and will be able to take her to medical assistance if necessary. Until this situation is resolved, all other plans are on hold.