When we went to bed last night there were 6 other boats anchored with us, as we rose this morning there were two. The other 5 having left quietly during the night to make their way to the Bahamas. You plan your arrival there to be when the sun is high and behind you. It's easier to discern the coral heads and channels that way. It had to have been a beautiful crossing.
We were up just before dawn prepping to leave. With 44 nm to travel today we didn't want to burn too much daylight and cause us to arrive after dark. Scott pulled up the anchor and I manned the wheel as we headed back out the Biscayne channel. There was again no wind so it was a day of motoring down the Hawk Channel. We had very little company on the trip and the seas were flat making for a comfortable if a little hot ride. Shortly after 1630 we had the anchor down tucked in behind the North side of Rodriquez key. We were surprised to be the only boat in the anchorage. The winds were scheduled to switch up from South to North during the night which would put us on a lee shore but there is a bit of protection from the North from Key Largo. We gave the hook an extra blast by reversing the engine. The sun was down shortly thereafter and so were we, tomorrow will be another early day with 47 nm to go before we arrive in Marathon.
The picture is the Biscayne Bay Channel light. I never tire of lighthouses.