This morning we got up around our usual time at 0800. We needed to finish our purchases today and deliberated on whether to rent a car, take the dinghy across Biscayne Bay or take the boat (8 km). We decided that the best bet would be to take the boat so we weighed anchor later than we wanted to but were underway by 1100. It was a good thing we took CS'ta Time rather than the dinghy because the waves would have soaked us. The skies were cloudy with  a bit of rain but the temp was warm, mid 20s.

Close to Dinner Key we encountered many sailboats beginning a race. We were fortunate enough to get through to the channel before the race actually started. Then in the narrow channel we encountered a barge which had been collecting garbage from the bay.

Racing Biscayne Bay style.

Close up of the racers.

Barge collecting garbage (he was quite close as you can tell.)

Ditto.

Entering Dinner Key (Coconut Grove/Coral Gables area.)

Maybe 1/4 of the mooring field.

 

Once in Dinner Key Marina we tied up at a slip, had lunch and while I paid for a mooring ball, Jorge filled up the tanks with water and had extra time to kill so CS'ta Time enjoyed a fresh water bath. We then headed out to the mooring field, located our ball and tied up.

We dinghied into shore, located the bus stop and headed to get the propane tank filled. We were told it was quite a walk but we have walked further in our travels! We decided to walk part way back to the bus station as we wanted to stop off at the Office Depot, a marine shop and of course a Publix (grocery store). They make a good empanada and also carry the beer Jorge likes.

Next we walked to West Marine to purchase the new edition of the Exumas chart. Unfortunately the guy I spoke with over the phone misinformed us, it was not the newest edition, it was not in yet! Okay so that was twice I have been led astray by store employees in the last couple of days. While at West Marine we were asking directions to the bus stop to head back to the marina when a customer said he was going that way and offered us a ride. Fantastic, both Jorge and I were weary by this time. He dropped us off at a local restaurant as Stefano, Helen and people from two other boats from Ft. Lauderdale had arrived, phoned us and asked us to join them for happy hour.

Pelican statue in Monty's (the happy hour restaurant.)

Entrance to Monty's Restaurant.

We went back to Stefano and Helen's boat after dinner for a night cap, said our farewells as they and another couple are heading to the keys and the third boat is coming to No Name Harbour with us tomorrow for wait for the weather window for the Bahamas. We got back to CS'ta Time after 2300 a little wet as the ride to the boat in the mooring field was on the bumpy side!