Karen got a three-day work pass and decided we needed a mini vacation by boat. We reserved a slip in the Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove and headed south from Port Everglades on a sunny Saturday morning.

Dodge Island

Cargo ships loading on Dodge Island

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ocean was confused by shifty winds that clocked from the northwest to the east and made for a lumpy ride to Miami. We had a steady, white capping 1- to 2-foot chop with rolling swells coming at us on our port side in the 3- to 5-foot range. Karen was initially concerned about some of the jaunty angles the boat assumed while climbing over pesky seas, but our Glacier Bay ate up the conditions without complaint. After 25 nautical miles of open Atlantic we pulled into Government Cut in Miami and Karen was at ease with the way the boat handled the rolling conditions. I was extremely pleased with our new boat’s performance.

Biscayne Bay was a beehive of activity with the massive Jaguar Cup Series – Sid Doren Regatta scattering hundreds of one-design boats across the bay. It was a challenge to dodge boats heading to and from race locations and groups of up to sixty vessels speeding around multiple courses.

sailboards

Sailboards heading out

 

 

catamarans

Racers hiking out on catamarans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High on Karen’s list was a close up look at Stiltsville. There are seven remaining houses on stilts scattered among the reef a mile off shore in the open bay that remain from the first one built in 1933. They were originally hideaways and hangouts for the rich and nefarious, but can now be rented from the park service.

Heading toward Stiltsville

Heading toward Stiltsville

 

 

Stiltsville

House on the reef

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stiltsville

Stiltsville Rental

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a great time exploring Coconut Grove on foot. It was a short walk from our slip at Dinner Key and we arrived in plenty of time to check out many shops and local watering holes. A nice surprise was a scenic stroll through thick woods in The Barnacle Historic State Park.

Dinner Key

Slip 45 on Dock 8 in Dinner Key Marina.

 

 

 

 

Dinghy Dock

Dinner Key Dinghy Dock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barnacle St. Park

Barnacle State Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ate dinner and enjoyed the live band at Scotty’s Landing. This venerable brew and view venue is rumored to be torn down any minute after surviving 23 years on the waterfront. The sunset was delicious, as well as, our stone crab and grouper dinners.

Scotty's Landing Sunset

Sunset in front of Scotty’s Landing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday’s sunrise at Dinner Key was superb.

Dinner Key sunrise

Sunrise at Dinner Key Marina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We opted for taking the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) through Miami back north to Ft. Lauderdale. We cruised up the Miami River and back before heading home. We dodged lots of sailboats at the Rickenbacker Causeway.

Rickenbacker Causeway

Cruising under the Rickenbacker Causeway

 

 

Miami River

The mouth of the Miami River

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cruise ships were lined up on Dodge Island in Government Cut waiting to take you and yours away for some summer warmth on the water.

Miami Cruise Ships

Cruise Ship lineup on Dodge Island in Miami

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We bid farewell to Miami’s tall buildings.

Miami

Leaving Miami on the ICW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sandbar party was in full swing when we passed Baker’s Haulover Inlet, which divides Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles, while marking the northern end of Biscayne Bay. It was a great trip on a great boat with my favorite person.

Haulover Inlet

Sandbar party at Haulover Inlet