Rodriguez Key

We're both glad we stayed put for an extra day.  There were random squalls throughout the morning and it could have been lumpy out in the gulf stream .  We're not in a hurry so we took the time to enjoy being here and taking care of boat business.  The water here is so clean and clear that it made cleaning the bottom and prop easier.  After a month sitting in less than pristine water both were quite dirty.  David didn't think our speed up yesterday was a good as it should have been.  The prop was fouled with a lot of growth so it should do much better tomorrow now that its animal free and scum free.  We took turns cleaning the hull but he did most of it since my ears could only take so much.  We not only worked but took the dingy over to the island using our viewing bucket along the way to see what was in the water.  We saw a variety of sponges, fish, a ray and a large concrete cylinder with holes in it. Near the boat we saw a huge old whelk and most of a bicycle.  Go figure.  About 4 this afternoon all the folks that left Boot Key today showed up.  Several of the boats we've socialized with are here and crossing tomorrow as well.  Some are headed to Bimini, others on the Grand Bahama or Nassau or some other location.  I imagine it will be a race out of here in the wee hours of the morning.  We plan to be underway by 5am.  With the full moon we shouldn't have any problem seeing the way ahead.

Rodriguez Key is dense growth of mangroves.  There are dense grass beds for a
long way from shore.  These spots make a great place for nesting birds and baby fish.

Rowing is a good way to get around without tearing up the grass.
Also a good upper body workout.

I have to check every once and a while to make sure I'm going the right way.

One of the many sponges we saw.  These were close to shore and smaller than the ones in
deeper water.

This is what it looks like with our viewing bucket.  David made this one
by cutting the bottom out of a contractor bucket and epoxying in Plexiglas.
Since we store things in it they usually last 3 years.

We needed to prepare the boat for open water crossing.  We hanked on
our Solent sail since the winds are forecast to be around 15 kts.  If they prove lighter,
 it's easy to move and use the regular jib.

Solent all tucked in it's turtle bag to protect it form the sun but ready to go.