Monday April 2: Hollywood - Florida, that is!

After a nice ride to breakfast at Waffle House (one of our favorites!) at Key Largo, it was a perfect day on the Atlantic so off we went from Pennecamp park. Since we were docked directly behind Peter and Cheryl, we took off first with a plan to meet in the afternoon at the designated anchorage.

The water was the calmest we had seen in a very long time so we stopped at French reef first. This was a place we have dived at many time in the past and snorkeling was somewhat disappointing. Much of the coral is dead although there were some live brain corals and sea fans. Fish were still around in great numbers. Really fun to see a school of blue tangs swimming as they seem to move as one! I tried out the new camera housing but decided that there is a learning curve I have not yet mastered yet :-( Fishing was next on the agenda - trolling for the allusive mahi mahi. Maybe last year is not destined to be repeated??

After spending the day out in the gulf stream (water was 4 degrees warmer and we picked up about 3 mph of current going north) we headed back toward shore with one more stop at Elbow reef. Steve used his 60 foot hose to "dive" the reef with out the hassle of using a tank and related equipment. Instead the tank again stayed on the boat and I monitored his movements and the amount of air remaining. The report was good - just like diving without the hassle. Of course the restriction of 60 feet is just that - a restriction! We arrived at the anchorage to find Peter and Cheryl already nice anchored in a small channel off of Angelfish Creek. Lots of current but very pleasant place to spend the night. Steve was again up for the sunrise :-)

Biscayne Bay was very nice and flat - probably the best of the 3 times that we have crossed over this large body of water. Miami could be seen in the haze and then finally we were able to see the buildings clearly.

Tonight we are at the Crab Shack in Hollywood - one of our favorite places! A walk to the beach after it cooled off a bit and ice cream for desert - nice way to end the day. On the way back, we walked by the Hollywood Beach Theatre. Nice guy singing a variety of music - all seemingly aimed at our age group :-) Who else would be out on a Monday night??

Tomorrow: in theory we are all going to the beach to see the sun rise as we have read that the green blip can be seen as the sun is rising. Will report back with the results!