We cut across the armpit of Florida from Clearwater to Pensacola. Clearwater is to Scientologists like Salt Lake City is to Mormons. It’s a well-kept little city with lots of smiley people all dressed the same. Their public marina is walkable to everything you need. Night one of our two day crossing was memorable. The ocean was glass smooth, no wind or current, stars were reflecting off the water’s surface, and bioluminescence was leaving a glowing road in the propeller wash behind us. A pod a of dolphins showed up around 3am and played alongside, emitting light trails as they swam and through the bio. 300 nautical miles and most of them were flat. Went most of the two days with no Starlink or Cell coverage. We had to read books and interact with each other. Gross.

Life and responsibilities have our bow pointed towards home. We are making a multi-day sprint north across the Gulf of America. Stretching our legs in Clearwater before we keep moving on.

Boot Key was a place I was looking forward to seeing. I’d heard it was kinda similar to Georgetown with lots of full time / seasonal cruisers. It has a lot of boats but it’s not Georgetown. We were gonna spend two days here but are moving on in the morning. The waterside restaurant here does offer fried key lime pie if you feel like sending your blood sugar to the ionosphere.

Donned our jackets and headed south in the cooler temps. Hooked into a sashimi grade Cero Mackerel and made ceviche: 10/10 Now we’re tucked behind a small island off Key Largo listening to the wind howl around us. Heading towards Marathon in the morning.

I’m writing this as I eagerly await Uber eats to bring our boat Taco Bell. The Gulf Stream is rough when it’s working against you. Confused seas. A few bonus drift miles put us in after dark. Our depth reader quit working and we ran aground off Biscane Bay. Hard hit into soft material. Gonna check for damage at dawn but she feels ok. Anchored at No Name Harbor. Yes Uber Eats delivers here.