Deb and George arrived bright and early as was the plan. Gear was stowed, last minute bits that could fly were stowed, the lines were cast and we were off to Miami. The run would be about 22 miles in total length off the coast. The day was bright and beautiful with a smattering of clouds in the sky. The winds were out of the N/NE and light at less than 5 knots. We motored under the 17th street causeway bridge's 55 foot span holding our breath a bit but there wasn't any problem our 49 foot mast with antenna cleared with room to spare. The Ft Lauderdale inlet has to be one of the easiest to transit, wide, deep and not tremendously long we were headed south in the ocean in no time. The seas were pretty flat with waves between 1 to 2 feet. The sails were raised and off we went motor sailing. The day was blissfully uneventful, we could see Miami in the distance and life was good aboard the good ship Light Reach. We caught up with Deb and George swapping tales as only sailors can with each yarn topping the next. By 14:03 we were headed up Governors' Cut to our Marina. The original plan had been to stay in the marina right on the cut but alas they had no room so I had called ahead to Miami Marina at Bayside to reserve a slip for the night. We had thought about anchoring behind Fisher Island but decided not to test the water depth and anchorage room there. When you come into the cut you have the option of transiting either side of Dodge Island, the north side is where the cruise ships dock and there were three in port. South of Dodge Island the cut is bounded by Biscayne Bay and is very shallow on the south side of the channel. Now knowing the Capt'n which side do you think he would prefer? Right then up the North side we went. Just as we were approaching the first ship about a mile above where you have to make the decision out comes an security boat telling us the cut was closed to local traffic when more than one ship is in port. Oh the crew was not happy, um shouldn't the "chase" boat be positioned out where the choice is made not more than halfway thru the cut? Some choice words were spoken as we turned around. The cuts are busy with freight traffic, ferries, tugs and other pleasure craft. We made our way back around the tip of Dodge Island and proceeded up the channel. On our way we were waked several times by power boaters who either don't know what effect their wake has on a sailboat or don't care. After some consternation caused by dredges and tugs we made our way back into the intercoastal heading north to where the Marina was located. We contacted the Marina got our slip assignment and directions and proceeded into the Marina basin. There was a little bit of crankiness as we pulled in missing the proper fairway but we got it all sorted out and soon Light Reach was tied up for the night. The Marina is located in an area of downtown Miami surrounded mby high rise hotels and a shopping dining venue (mall). The area is a happening place and I can imagine on a weekend the partying goes on into the wee hours of the morning. The Marina itself is undergoing quite a bit of renovation, the building are older but it served the purpose and we were only going to be there one night. Once we got registered and settled we hopped off the boat to find supper. There were so many restaurants to choose from we asked the dock master what his recommendation was for dinner. We did end up taking his suggestion and the four of us had a nice meal out on the waterside toasting to a good day out on the water. We wandered through the mall area taking in the sights and people watching a bit before heading back to the boat. Tomorrow was going to be a long day of 50+ nm with no bail point. We had to be up at first light to be able to make the distance before dark. Alarms were set, good nights were said and off to bed we went. The picture is of us coming in the channel to Miami