After Key Largo the movie, on the 16th we sailed 2.5 miles north to Gilbert's Resort and Marina. Don't bother to plan your vacation there. They tried to sell it 3 years ago when the new fixed bridge was started that will bypass the location or at least make it harder to see. They went condo and only sold 3 units so they stayed open as a marina and resort. Good bar, poor docks but they had water, a washing machine, electricity and cable TV but at normal prices.

On the 18th, after two days dockside, we pressed up Barnes and Card Sounds into Biscayne Bay. As usual, winds were from the NE and that's the way up the Bay. It was almost as rough as in the protected reef on the outside like from Key West to Channel 5. Tacking up the sounds and bay, I tucked in against Elliot Key??"a National Park. The 19th I dingied in to the park docks. Beautiful docks and nice park. The only problem being that the path along the Atlantic was closed due to damage from recent storms.

The only way to Elliot Key Park is by boat, Commercial boats run out there taking campers and kayakers for the day or longer. The rates are cheap for camping and overnight docking. A typical campground, you bring everything you need and take everything back. There are bathrooms and cold-water showers and drinking water available, but that is it. Great campgrounds and the fire ring at the beach would be fun burning driftwood.

On the 20th sailed up Biscayne Bay. Sailed out the channel at Stiltsville, where so many Miami novels have adventures. There are only 7 houses left after Andrew and other hurricanes. The park service has taken them over but nothing is going on with them. But it was fun to see them and then come back into the bay via the channel next to Cape Florida and it's famous 1885 lighthouse. Scoped out No Name Harbor (tiny but has pump out and safe anchorage, Hurricane Harbor (no facilities and no protection from south or west.

To get out the 25-knot easterly winds we ducked into the Marine Stadium bay off the Rickenbacker Causeway. There were 10 different crew rowing boats practicing in the evening. It looked like high school age or younger doing the work. It is really different looking out the cockpit hatch and seeing skyscrapers. Cayo Costa this isn't. Sailed over to Dinner Key on the 21st just because it is noted for the number of sailboats. While there, a rain squall hit so I anchored until it past. Then the winds really picked up and Biscayne Bay was as bad at the Gulf Stream. Water across the bow and sheets of water in my face. Ugh.

Karen came over to join us on the 22nd. I reserved dock space at the Miami Harbor Marina, which is on Government Cut, where the liners go in and out. It is also at South Beach. It was a trip trying to back into a slip with a 3-knot current and winds gusting to 35. It wasn't pretty but we didn't break anything. We walked about 10 blocks on Collins and Ocean Avenues and ate Cubano at Lario's, which according to policeman who recommended is owned by Gloria Estafan. The food was great.

Sailed to Miami and went to a Home Improvement Show. That's on the agenda when I get home. On the 24th we went to Viscaya, the estate of James Deering a VP of International Harvester who built the estate in 1916 to 1918. What a place, nicer than Hearst Castle in many respects.

Karen goes home on the 25th and I'll go up the intercoastal waterway. Hopefully in the next week, the winds will die off and a Bahamavention will occur.