Shell Key to Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina, Islamorada, Florida

 The winds went dead calm and then turned to the north so it was time to move to find protection. It will blow hard all week from the north so we decided to head back to Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina so that we won't have to worry about the weather and can enjoy ourselves as there are very few anchorages that would work. We went out dinghy fishing around Shell Key but did not get any bites. It would seem like the mangroves and grass flats would be fishy spots. We arrived at the marina to take a slip down a few where we were before with different dock hands this time. It will be nice to have air conditioning and unlimited power and water. We enjoy being out at anchor but it is always nice to have easy access to shore sightseeing.

It turns out there were two osprey nests and here's mama and her chick

Here's dad osprey out fishing

Another nest with mama osprey returning

Pelicans in their high roosting spot

Even the mooring balls are fought over as roosting spots

Calm reflection

A black squall line moved in with gusty winds after we got in marina

On Tuesday we walked to the visitor center outside Founder's Park and contacted Freebee for a free ride to bike rental but never got a response back. So we walked to Hog Heaven Pub on the waterfront for a beer and sliders. The three little buns had a brisket in barbeque sauce, pork in mustard Carolina sauce, and a turkey with bacon. Yummy! We overlooked the dock and sandy beach to the ocean side. It was a nice sunny but windy afternoon.
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Nice view from the bar

Path to Hog Beach

Plenty of tiki huts

This morning we headed to Rain Barrel Shops to pick up the Freebee ride to the bike rental. We got picked up right away. We rode with the wind along the Overseas Highway bike path, sidewalks and the old Highway 1 towards Tea Key across three bridges and then back to Florida Keys Brewing Company for a great Mexican lunch and cold drafts. We also strolled through Redbone Gallery with great fishy art. The wind is howling at 25 knots but we are nice and cozy in our slip with the wind blowing through the bedroom window making it great for sleeping.

Gate along bike path

Sculptures along bike path

Gallery stained glass

Gallery coffee table

Gallery lamp

Gallery paintings

Beer garden

Monument to 1935 hurricane

Small park next to the marina

We were surprised by the rain last night so it was a scurry to close all the hatches. Today we planned to ride against the wind to Gardenias Bistro for breakfast and then continue on to Habanos on the Creek. It was a partly cloudy very windy day and we took the old Highway 1 route. We rode around the neighborhoods behind Tavernier Creek Marina and decided we were not hungry enough for lunch so we headed to Marker 88 Beach Tiki Bar for a gin and tonic before heading back to the boat.

Orchids at Gardenias Bistro

Beautiful gates at a waterfront estate

The path narrowed underneath the bridge

View from Habanos on the Creek

Neighborhood park creek side

More keys mailboxes

Art gallery and sculpture garden

Two peacocks crossed the road

The only beach bar

Sandy beach down from the marina 

Our rental bikes

We had plenty of rain overnight and we woke up to an overcast day, The rain stopped but it was plenty windy as we took off on the bikes. We stopped at Island Grill for breakfast and then continued pedaling on the old highway to Islamorada Brewery and Distillery. We returned the bikes to the outfitters across the street and then strolled through a couple nautical gift shops waiting for the brewery to open. We sampled their two gins as we had already tasted their rums. We quickly got a Freebee ride back to the marina. The wind is still howling,

For my sister, everything octopii

Everything nautical

Sandy beach down at the end of the brewery street

Gigantic palm trees

More coral than sand on the beach

Beautiful plumeria blooms

Both breweries are within a mile of each other

Great tasting bar

We had more rain last night so decided to wash the decks and clean up the boat before we depart tomorrow. We decided to walk to MEAT Cafe known for its award-winning burgers and craft beer. We also enjoyed an ice cream float before we headed back to the boat to do laundry. We were surprised by the Pops in the Park concert right next door to the laundry room so we enjoyed listening to the community band and the local ukelele players. A nice farewell to Founder's Park.

The Founder's Park amphitheater

The local uke players