February 9-12 Duck Key

The Hog's Breath Saloon in Key West--They say Hog's Breath is better than no breath at all! The day dawned bright and we sadly left Key West A&B Marina about 8am bound for Marathon Fl., six hours away. The weather is scheduled to deterioate on Sunday and our plan was to tie up to a Mooring ball at Boot Key Harbor at Marathon. However we soon learned that all 226 mooring balls at Boot key were full and there was a waiting list and virtually no chance of getting one for Saturday night. No Marina space available either, so we set off for another 10 miles to Duck Key. Not our destination of choice, but right now this is a popular cruising area. The Marina sits in a resort area. There is a restaurant and a small grocery store right next to the dock. Our intention was to leave the next day on Sunday. But as predicted we woke up to 25 mph winds. The weather does not look good for the next 4 or 5 days. Eventually we want to meet Our Time in Ft. Lauderdale where we will wait for a weather window to cross to the Bahamas. Right now we are waiting for a weather window so we can head to Ft. Lauderdale. It is now Tuesday and we had wind and rain today and there are thunderstorm and tornado warnings out tonight. Temperature is around 70 but very windy. Duck Key is located on the Atlantic side of the Keys so we are at the whim of the behaviour of the ocean. If we can travel another 10 miles or so in the ocean we can cross over using Channel 5 to the Florida bay side of the keys where we will be in protected waters. There is a dolphin rehabilitation center here on the grounds. They have a fenced in water area where they help injured dolphins. It is interesting to see them feed them. It appears they have not only healed the dolphins, they have taught them many things. It appears Friday or Saturday may be a day to go to the Bahamas so we are anxious to head that way