Elliott Key back to Sunset Islands, Miami Beach, Florida

 We had a lazy day anchored out and surprised by a rain shower. We then headed back towards Boca Chita on our way to Crandon State Park Marina for fuel, water and pump out. We were delighted to see the same friendly elderly gentlemen tending the docks. An extreme black cloud followed us from Biscayne Bay through the the West Venetian Causeway bridge and started raining on us after we anchored. We tried a new beef kimchi stir fry for dinner which was yummy. Looks like rain in the forecast for tomorrow as well.

Gathering to dry their wings

Florida passage and last of the Stiltsville houses

As predicted it rained most of the day and the temperature dropped into the 60's. We stayed aboard and enjoyed a lazy day fixing orange chicken stir fry with cabbage over rice for a yummy dinner.

A beautiful sunny day followed with the temperatures going back up into the 70's for a nice walk to the Ace Hardware Store in North Beach. A new park opened up and we took a break from our 5 mile hike. We stopped by Fresh Fields hoping to have a picnic lunch on their outside tables but it was too crowded. So we made a stop at Publix close to the dinghy dock and continued back to the boat.

Most of the houses along our walk have gated entrances

Gorgeous orchids in the front yard

The biggest stretch of green is the Miami Beach Golf Club course

The first little lending library we've seen in Miami area

New park with rock climbing walls and playground for kids

We hauled our laundry on the cart to SoBe Suds at South Beach. The laundry was busy but there are so many machines it was easy to get it done quickly. Then we stopped at Lime's Mexican Grill and shared an order of chicken nachos. We are working our way through the menu as it is our favorite outdoor dining spot. We had a surprise rain shower in the afternoon so glad we made it back to the boat in time.

Always entertained by creative Covid public health messages

Another sunny day on Saturday so there is more jet skies and even water skiers circling the anchorage. Several boats came in for the day and rafted up playing their loud music. A few larger yachts came in for the always spectacular sunset. We finished off the Hoppin John jambalaya we had made yesterday and always better the second night.  We spotted a manatee cruising by while we were enjoying breakfast on the flybridge. He surfaced twice while we spotted him by his circles.

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On Sunday we had our first real downpour of rain for hours. Then it was overcast and threatening for the rest of the day so we had another lazy day on the boat. At least the rain cut down on boat wakes around us.

Happy Valentines Day on a cool sunny day here. The wind is up and kicking up the whitecaps so we are staying put. It's forecast to be really windy the rest of the week.

Another romantic sunset

The fiery ball of the setting sun reflected on the high rise windows

And in the other direction the moon above