This is Ron Honbarrier. He is with me on this leg of the trip. We have had an interesting day. I started the day by not being able to get the engine started. After purchasing jumper cables, to jump start the engine from the house batteries, I realized I had AGAIN failed to push the engine cut off lever into the off position. After simply pushing the lever into the right position the engine started. This is the second time on this trip that I made the same mistake.
We left Fort Pierce and headed north. Along the way we passed an island that had cottages built on the island. This pictures below show the houses. Disregard the fact that I copied one picture twice. This was a very unique island. The island is a little larger than the islands on Bogue Sound between Morehead City and Swansboro.

Today is the 14th and we had been hearing, on the VHF radio, the Coast Guard tell boaters to stay out of a certain part of the Atlantic just off the coast of Cape Canaveral. We are approximately 45 to 50 miles south of Cape Canaveral. Around 2:20 this afternoon we saw the Atlantis' last launch. The following pictures are of the Atlantis' and the vapor trail it left. THIS WAS A BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE. Especially since it may be the last mission.

Shortly after seeing this fantastic sight we pulled into Melborne, Fla. for the night. We had a good meal and I came back to the boat and began fishing. Immediately I hooked a big fish that straighened my hook. Didn't get to see him. I caught a fish and then I hooked another big fish that rapped my line around a piling and broke the line. I had a good evening fishing. What a way to end the day!!!!!!

Later,

Carl

We are traveling north from Miami. This is Ft. Lauderdale. The waterway is very congested, lots of "No Wake" zones and lots of bridges that only open on the hour and half hour. It is a slow process to travel north.

There is a large loading area for cruise ships. This is the loading area and a cruise ship is in the background.

Miami is not the only place that has large boats. The following pictures show some of the yachts and homes along the waterway.

This is one of the most beautiful boats I saw today. It is an old wooden boat that is in pristine condition.

As we passed Jupiter Inlet this is a light house that is just inside the inlet. We are getting out of the congested area and there are not so many bridges that the Pelican can't pass through. We are beginning to make better time.

This house looks like a ginger bread house. The picture does not do it justice.

Tonight we are in Fort Pierce, Fla. This is the marina with the tiki bar on premise. We are going there for dinner. Afterwards we plan to walk down the street as they have them blocked off for "bike night". We are having a great time and the only issue is this darn computer. I'm having problems down loading pictures. Hopefully I'll get it figured out and be able to show some interesting shots as we continue traveling north.

Later,

Carl

Well, I've spent 5 days in Miami. Had a great time with my brother. We took an extended ride in the dinghy and took the following pictures. This is a Cormants. which I've seen from New Bern through the entire trip. They are in fresh water and salt water. This fellow seemed to pose for this shot.

This tree house was one of the neatest ones I've ever seen. I'm sure the kids that live here really enjoy it.

While in Miami, I stayed at the Keystone Marina. It is primarily dedicated to boats that stay in a dry stack. However, once they realized I was wanting to be near my brother, they made accommodations for the Pelican.

Less than 1/4 mile from the Keystone Marina was my brothers condo. It was on the same canal and I could see it from the Pelican.

This is my brother. I'm the one with the most hair. We had a great time together. He works for American Airlines and we don't get to see one another as frequently as we would like. I left Miami on Tuesday and started north. Ron Honbarrier, my oldest daughter's father-in-law, joined me and is staying until we reach Daytona Beach. If I can get my pictures to down load another blog follows.

Later,

Carl

As I indicated in my last update we were in Key Largo. This is the last set of keys we went through before entering Biscayne Bay, which is just south of Miami.

While in Biscayne Bay, heading toward Miami the Atlantic Ocean is off to our right and there are stick houses built in the Atlantic. There was a large community at one time but most of them have fallen down. I don't think it is legal to build new ones. The above picture and the below one is of the stick houses and their attachments.

This is the big city, Miami.....

There are some really large boats docked in Miami. Check out the helicopter on the back of this one.

I'm tied up at a marina in North Miami. It is the Keystone Marina and primarily services boats that stay in dry stacks. My brother, Ed, lives 3 condos from where I'm docked. Walking distance. Buzz and Alex left Friday. Ed took them to catch their connections home. I'm staying here until Wednesday. Today is Sunday and Ed is working. I've just been lazy, read, rode my bike down Biscayne Blvd. Found a grocery store, Mac Donald's, Flanagan's ( a great restaurant) and West Marine. What more could I need. Ed is off Monday and Tuesday. We are going to take the dinghy and explore all the canals around his condo. It will be mid week before I post again.

Later,

Carl

Today we are in Key Largo. We are tied up next to a Tiki Bar.

This is a picture of us going between some of the last Keys. When we leave Thursday Morning we will be entering Biscayne Bay and into Miami. The picture below is us exiting from between two keys.

This is a picture of us in Marathon at the Marathon Marina.

I anchored just south of Sarasota and this boat was in that anchorage. Here it is in Marathon. I really like this boat.

We left Key West and the next stop north was Marathon. The picture above is the 7 mile bridge

that begins on Vaca Key, where Marathon is located. This place is also know for having a lot of boats on moorings. I think they have 280 moorings. The pictures below show some of these boats.

Sorry things are not in sequence. I'm having too good of a time to worry over the small stuff.

We will be in Miami Thursday and I may not do another blog for a week as I'll spend a week with my brother and not be traveling.

Time to go to the Tiki Bar.

Carl

This is pictures of the Pelican hard aground after leaving Everglades City. As indicated before she is listing 15 to 20 degrees, which may not seem like much unless you are on board. What an experience!!!!

Because of rough weather we did not go directly to Key West. We went to Harbour Key Bank and anchored as indicated in an earlier blog. We left Friday morning and ran back to Key West. This is a picture of one of several dolphin that swam along with the Pelican for some time. What a beautiful scene.

Another shot of down town Key West. This is the Mariners Museum.

It is now Sunday night. We planned to leave this morning but had high winds and rough seas, there we spend another day in Key West. We hope to get out Monday as we have to be in Miami by Thursday evening. However the winds are predicted to be high Tuesday as well. I'll let you know what happens on the next blog. Our next destination is Marathon, Fla. which is on Boot Key or Vaga Key.

Later, I need some rest so my eye balls can heal from the sights in Key West.

Carl

Again, I have this part of the blog out of sequence with the follow up one. Buzz and I are in Key West and Alex Badger has joined us. We are at the Conch Harbor Marina. There is a outdoor bar and pool at the end of the dock. Alex had not eaten lunch so we went for a burger. The picture above is the waitress, Alex, Buzz and me. Paul Wachner brought Alex from the airport to the marina. He is pictured below.

The following pictures are of some of the young ladies lounging around the pool. It was rather hard to concentrate on lunch......

There is a large rib boat on this dock that has teak decks, enclosed cabin and is a very nice rib boat. The Iguna was sunning itself on one side of the boat.

Just so you recognize that we did not spend all our time at the pool, the following shots are of down town Key West.

More to follow.