reminder from Elle:  don't forget to put coins outside your door tonight and bring them back in first thing tomorrow, for prosperity in the new year.


additional insurance:  we were on a lovely boat today, and the owner was putting coins on all the stairs to ensure good fortune.  She said it was a Chinese custom.  I can find nothing about this on line, but am testing it out here anyway.

from Channel Key to Marathon, FL
N 24 41.782 W -81 07.068
19 miles, 3 hours


We got to Marathon yesterday and anchored in our usual spot:  beside the sunken fishing boat just west of Vaca Key.  And it is cold.  Not to be all whiney about temps in the low 60's, but it is not what people here expect.  A wonderfully sociable place, there are all sorts of lunches, happy hours, lectures, yoga classes, bingo games, etc.  On New Year's Day, they've announced there will be a swim at noon, no matter what the water temperature!  probably around 65 ...

from Key Largo to Channel Key, FL
N 24 47.283 W -80 54.989
36 miles, 8 hours


Here's our wake, probably composed of exquisite corals- no, not seriously.  We did cut a swathe through Florida Bay, though.  6.5' draft, 7' channel.  We forgot the Coast Guard rule:  double the draft of your boat, and stay out of anything less.

from Miami to Key Largo, FL
N 25 07.374  W -80 26.032
47 miles, 7 hours

Day 86

Typical Lincoln Road beauty.  International tourists, dogs in strollers.  Unwalkably high heels.  The weekend is worth waiting for, but it's a show every night.

nice, right?