Little Shark River

1366 nm   N25 19.781  W081 08.180

After 9 days of sleeping late and staying up late, we were out of practice at this "up before dawn" stuff!  But we managed, and quietly pulled away from the dock shortly after dawn.  Several of our friends turned out to help us with dock lines and see us off.

The tide was about midway on our way out, so we had no problems with depth, although there were a couple of spots that were shallow enough that we would have run aground at low tide!

Once back out on the Gulf, we turned south and set the jib for a motor sail.

Easy Motorsail

 We were close enough in to the coast that the waves were pretty mild, but we could see several miles out on the Gulf where there were big hills of water marching southward. Our easy ride and shortage of sleep had its inevitable effect.

Easy Seas and Short on Sleep

 Our goal today was the Little Shark River.  We had originally planned to rendezvous with S/V Pearl there, but they were still holding in Marathon due to the north winds, which would have had them pounding into chop all the way.  In two days, it would be glassy calm, but that would have them leaving Marathon on the morning after we got there!  Oh well, thats the cruising life.  Plans always change.

As we turned into the entrance of the Little Shark River, and dropped the jib, we saw that there were already a few boats snchored in the first big meander in the river and beyond.  We motored in past them and went in a good ways before dropping the hook.

Other Boats Already at Anchor

Drop the Hook here...

...with Red Mangrove Swamps All Around.

The anchor bit in right away, and set with no problem.  This is a really remote spot, right in the middle of the Everglades.  No Verizon service here!  It would have been nice to get in the dinghy and explore some of the mangrove creeks, but it was still just too d@%n cold!  Gotta keep moving south! Its bound to get warmer sooner or later!

 After end-of-voyage drinks, we grilled burgers for dinner and turned in early.

Tomorrow, we head for Marathon.  Hopefully, we'll be able to get together with Bruce & Gayleen on S/V Pearl before they leave.

Life is good.