Saturday morning we crossed back to the Hawk Channel side. There is a light house, although it really looks like the Eiffel Tower, and there are mooring balls there. We tied up to one and Kelley jumped in to check the bottom of the boat, clean it a bit and then do a little snorkeling. He gets in and right next to him is a jelly fish. Wouldn’t you know it! But Kelley got away. This is the first water that we have been able to stop in that has been clear. The bottom looked great, easily brushed, but not a lot to see as far as fish.

We went on down the coast. There are some huge boats here. We are in awe of the 60 footers that are going at least 20 knots and they have no dinghy. It seems here that power boats go from marina to marina. There are so many nooks and crannies that we think it is a shame that they are missing them.

To get into the State Park you wind your way through a very narrow channel.

There is no room for us to meet another boat of our size so we had to call “securite” to make sure the coast was clear.

This place is filled with fast boats (like our Boston Whaler) and in Florida if a captain can go fast he is. Upon entering the lagoon we go over to the mooring field and we are surprised that there is only one other boat there, a 30 foot catamaran called About Time. This is what always surprises us. This is a gorgeous spot and no one is enjoying the quiet.

Dinghy goes into the water and we go everywhere looking for the dockmaster’s office. Finally we head toward the swimming beach and a kind boat rental person pointed us in the right direction. We are here to wait out the storm that is coming.

Sunday we keep waiting for the storm. We take a great walk and have a delicious lunch at the Fish House. As we go back to the boat we talk to the dockmaster and he confirms that the storm is coming. We should have checked the weather because we could have left for Dinner Key and been comfortable there.
Where is this storm?

Monday early morning, the storm hits. The winds are gusting to about 30 mph and the bay is filled with white caps and rough. Getting off the boat is tricky, but we are pleased to do so. We paid to stay for 2 more nights. The north winds have now become east and southeast.

We head off on another walk. This time in the opposite direction. Kelley sees a sign for Publix at the next light. Who knows where the next light could be; this is the overseas highway and signals are few and far between. Having nothing better to, we just keep walking. And there is a shopping center.

A K-Mart and a Publix! A shopping oasis. We bought a fan because the stateroom gets so stuffy at night (sailboats have hatches to catch the wind, our windows slide and we only get a little air) and a few groceries. We stopped at Hobo’s Café that had come highly recommended to us and had a good lunch around 2 (Sounded like an early supper to me).

It now looks like it will be late Wednesday before the winds calm down. We will check the weather tonight and make a decision. Why have an uncomfortable ride if we can wait it out?

Tuesday and Wednesday, came and went. We stayed on the boat reading and playing cards. Of course, I cooked gourmet meals for us to have. We keep checking the weather. I just don’t want to hit the ocean with swells of 5 feet!