Monday the real Cinco de Mayo and we headed north just on the off chance of finding new places to stop. Saw a lot of condo and private docks and only one good place to dinghy in, right behind a Publix.

Can't believe all the apartments and condos. Many still be completed that were part done on my first trip in 2007. But construction is booming. A lot of tear downs that are gone and new places going up. Not the highest end but in the millions.

Got to Ft Lauderdale about 2:30 and talked to a fellow who is heading south to go to the Exumas. Couldn't talk him into the Abacos. I went and got fuel and food stuffs just in case the weather looks good for crossing tomorrow.

The reports are about 50/50 on an easy crossing. Might we a bit too much wind on the nose but maybe not too bad. Winds are supposed to be lighter in the Bahamas and north of here so there is a good shot. At least I plan on starting and if we don't make good progress in the first 2-3 hours I can turn back and get pushed home by the wind.

If I get to the Bahamas, don't know when the first place I'll have wifi to update the blog. Hopefully in West End but who knows. I will call Karen though as soon as we get there.

Cinco de Mayo in Miami is a busy time. We came back south 4 miles to Oleta State Park where the activity level is higher and more things to observe. I had hoped to get wifi access from Florida Atlantic University as I did the last time I was here. However everything available today is secured. So I'll do a limited update using the hotspot on my iPhone.

Lots of boats and kayakers in the Oleta anchorage area. Had bikini clad folks coming and going all day. Some not completely clad. Oh well, got to look when it looks nice.

Did some weather research for the Bahama crossing and it doesn't look good. Monday and Tuesday, winds from the north (high seas in Gulf Stream). Wednesday and Thursday winds from the East. (seas OK but headwinds making trip too long.) Friday and Saturday stronger winds from East South East. Sunday, may be switching to South and the first possibility.

With that forecast, I'll wander up to Ft Lauderdale getting there on Friday to get fuel and food for a potential Sunday or Monday crossing. Limited updates until then since nothing happening.

May 3rd, motor sailed through Miami. Winds were light and I just had to go 16 miles to get to the West Marine where the replacement autopilot unit arrived. We went just north of the Oleta State Park where we normally stop and turned into Maule Lake. It is a lake about 1 by 1 ½ miles just off the ICW in North Miami (Aventura). Makes for a great place to stop.

Took the dinghy about ½ mile to a kayak rental/restaurant that has a dock they allowed me to tie up to for buying a beer. Such a sacrifice. Walked to West Marine and got the part, when the rains came down. So had an early dinner at Pacitos a great Mexican restaurant. So after a few Sangrias and Tostados, I waddled back to the dinghy to have the required beer and took a trash bag to make a poncho since the rain started again.

I could be ready to leave for the Bahamas on Tuesday but I don't think the weather is going to work out. Got to do some weather research to see what the future holds.

May 2nd we left the Pennekamp State Park at 0830 and headed up the keys. The wind was still from the ESE at 15-20 so we just used the jib and were doing 5.5 to 6 knots as we rolled up to Angelfish Creek which is the north end of Key Largo at Ocean Reef ( a very upscale area). Motored through the creek to go from the Atlantic to Biscayne Bay.

The winds were almost from the south and all of Biscayne Bay was going to be choppy so we just pressed on to Miami, a 53 mile day. This may work out since the autopilot is supposed to arrive in North Miami West Marine tomorrow. So maybe I can pick it up Sunday.

Anchored at the Marine Stadium where they used to hold small hydroplane races and water skiing and jumping events back in the early 60's. Now a nice place to hide right off the Intercoastal waterway (ICW). Not too busy tonight but normally a lot of water skiers and wakeboarders during the weekend. Tomorrow it is up the ICW, waiting for bridge opening times.