Trader's 2005-2006 Cruise - Florida and the Keys

After a wonderful semi-retirement party for me in early January we drove to Isle of Hope to continue our cruise. It was noticeably cooler in Ga. in January than it had been in November so we were anxious to get further south.

Anchorage at Wahoo Creek

House in Fernadina - note merry-go-round horses

Our first night out of Isle of Hope we anchored at Wahoo creek which was an absolutely anchorage which we had all to ourselves except for the dolphins which swam around the boat fishing all night.
beautiful

On the dock at Los Olas

We stopped at Fernadina Beach, Jacksonville, St Augustine and Daytona on our way though northern Florida, spent some time at Vero Beach and then moved through Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale & Miami. We enjoyed Vero Beach and Los Olas marina in Ft Lauderdale very much.

After a few days at Dinner Key with my brother Ron & his wife and sister in law, Brenda & Rachel we headed south & west again, stopping at Key Largo, Rodriegez Key, Boot Key Harbor (Marathon) and finally reached Key West which is the furthest south west Trader has ever sailed. Upon reaching Key West we also completed our trip from one end of the East coast to the other- Eastport, Maine to Key West Florida.




We spent several days in Key West. The highlight was a trip on a fast catamaran to Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas, where we toured the fort and did a little snorkling. We then returned to Marathon where Trader was hauled for bottom painting while we went home for a business meeting.

Jean & Friend - Key West

Trader on Dock at Key West (behind catamaran)

We didn't stay in the cold long - one week was plenty! We returned to Marathon, picked up the boat and headed for Miami as quickly as possible. After 2 days in Miami we sailed up to Ft Lauderdale to await favorable weather to cross to the Bahamas.