Tavernier Sounds

Last night in Mangrove Marina there was lots of music.  First, a group of boaters blew their conch shells to signal sunset.

We were having docktails, and all of a sudden a group got up and walked out to close the day.

Sunset view from our dock.

Later at bedtime the wind was up.  It sounded like a high pitched chord, three notes zinging through the flags and masts.  Even though we were securely tied, waves hit against the hull loudly. The starboard pounding was a booming bass.  On port side the slapping was less profound. The water hit the boat unevenly, so it was hard for me to fall asleep.  By early morning the winds had calmed, and the water lapped us more than slapped.

It was really fun to be in Tavernier at Mangrove Marina, even for just two days.  There were lots of loopers there.  We got in brief visits with friends and met some new folks.  Now that we are getting into a rhythm of leapfrogging with loopers, I am confident that we'll run into them again as we all move north.

This morning was chilly and windy.  We waited for the winds to die down, and we took off for a 30 mile trip to Card Sound.  On the way the water was beautiful turquoise.  We also went through some narrow mangrove areas beside the Everglades.  Now we are anchored.  We can see our anchor for 50 feet in the clear water.

Coming through a sound.

Near the Everglades there was a stretch of narrow channels.

See the anchor chain going into the water?  It lies on the sandy bottom, easily viewed from the boat.