Merry Christmas

         We made Key Largo in good time on a blustery Christmas Eve.  Our anchorage in Biscayne Bight turned out to be extremely uncomfortable as the wind picked up and blew across the Bay, and we got underway by 0730.  We first decided to anchor in Tarpon Basin - we’d spent many nights there seven years ago and had good memories of the manatees playing and the hospitality given us at the government center.  The first thing we noticed was that there were over a dozen squatter-boats anchored there (last time there may have been three or four, max).  The second thing we noticed was there is absolutely no legitimate access to shore here.  The government center’s dock was fenced off, as was about a hundred feet of its property on both sides, with signs forbidding anyone from tying up to the fence or to the nearby mangroves in order to come ashore.  The one small beach was also posted private, no trespassing, and neither of the two hotel/resorts offered dinghy access.  What a shame!  So we hauled anchor and moved around to Sunset Cove.  Sunset Cove is not as protected as Tarpon Basin, but it is far, far more cruiser friendly.  We anchored in front of Snook’s Barside Tiki Restaurant and went ashore for dinner, tying up at their docks.  Dan inquired about us using their docks in order to walk to town and they were very agreeable.  There are other places to get ashore as well.  

The winds picked up in the night as the temperature dropped down into the 40s and our anchor alarm went off around midnight.  We hauled her up and moved across the Cove to a more protected spot, reset the hook, and went back to bed.

It’s Christmas Day.  Yesterday we had a long phone call with our sons and their wives and pictures flew back and forth as we virtually celebrated with each other.  Today our phones are going off with messages and texts from family and friends wishing everyone a merry weekend, with a small competition as to who has the coldest weather.  (Wisconsin wins, a 2 degrees.)  Dan made coffee cake - a family tradition for Christmas morning - and we are just taking the day off, listening to the wind howl and nibbling.    

I’m ending this post with a Quaker Benediction:

When the Star in the sky is gone,

When the Kings and Princes are home,

When the Shepherds are back with their flocks

The real work of Christmas begins.

To find the lost

To heal the broken

To feed the hungry

To release the prisoners

To rebuild the nations

To bring peace among brothers

To make music in the heart.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Solstice Blessings;  peace, joy, laughter, love, and music to all.