2025 November: Arrive Marathon FL

 25 November 2025

Depart: Sands Key anchorage 8:50

Arrive: Barley Basin, Islamorada, FL anchorage 3:00

Distance: ~ 46 nm

We woke to a lovely, peaceful day as the only boat in this particular anchorage. 

Sun coming up over Sands key

Boca Chita in the distance

Miami, FL way off in the distance

Options for interesting photos were limited through here as we traveled calm waters with little to no boat traffic. Two hours after leaving the anchorage we passed from Card Sound into Little Card Sound.

Bridge to Ocean Reef

As we approached Key Largo we passed through narrow cuts with mangroves on either side.  

Mangroves in background

Key Largo offered up the same set of photo opportunities we see each time through here.

Anchorage Resort & Yacht Club

In the past we have seen some wrecked boats near here. Apparently they have cleaned up the area. Now the only boats moored here appear to be in good shape.

Boat houses near the yacht club

Perhaps it was the time of day or the day of the week, but the resort across the way looked deserted.

Further along, also in Key Largo, we passed by a tall concrete tower that always catches my attention. I did a bit of research and found that it is an old AT&T microwave tower. The tower in Key Largo was first operational in 1957, and it provided a way that Cuba could communicate via telephone with the outside world. Having worked for AT&T for most of my career I found this fascinating. 

Concrete Microwave Tower

I recently complained to a friend, Betsy, that dolphins never play alongside our boat. Well, I guess the rule, "beggars can't be choosers" applies as today we had dolphins come to play in our wake. First one showed up, then another and another until we had six dolphins along side jumping in the wake.

The anchorage Clark chose for this evening was one that we have used in the past. Barley Basin has good water depth and is well protected, but it is a mine field of fish traps to be avoided while looking for a spot to drop anchor.

Clouds offered an interesting sunset tonight.

26 November 2025

Depart: Barley Basin, Islamorada, FL anchorage 11:25

Arrive: Marathon, FL anchorage 3:35

Distance: ~30 nm

Checking the radar this morning, Clark saw some rain off to the west. He decided we should hang out at the anchorage to let the storm system pass while he ran the generator to bring the batteries up to snuff. With a short distance to travel today, the batteries needed an extra boost.  While we hung out on the hook in Islamorada, I did some crossword puzzles and Clark did some boat cleaning.

He decided to "bite the bullet" and buy a new, totally different pump for the autopilot. We spent about an hour fighting with a cellphone transfer of money to buy the unit. With that nightmare completed, we pulled up anchor for the final stretch of our trip from NJ to Marathon.

With so many fish traps to maneuver around on today's path, the autopilot probably would not have been of much use. However, we will both be very relieved when we get it working again.

Amazingly, we had another pod of dolphins playing alongside our boat today. Once again, they had a limited source of entertainment as there was almost no boat traffic other than fishermen pulling in or putting out traps.

We have arrived several days early for our Marlin Bay reservation. As such, we dropped anchor with Marlin Bay visible to one side of us and the Faro Blanco lighthouse to the other.

Last year at Marlin Bay they had put some paint samples on the tower to decide what to use. Based on the fact that the tower has changed color, they must have made their choice.

Marlin Bay Observation Tower

Faro Blanco lighthouse

A few boats at Marlin Bay

Keys Fisheries

As we came into the area where we planned to anchor, we were haled on the radio by boating friends on "Agape" - Paul and Michele welcoming us back to Marathon.

Later, after we had the anchor down, we saw a boat that we did not recognize coming straight at us. Clark said, "Maybe it's someone we know." It was! Folks we met last year, Marcy and Jeff, bought a Ranger Tug, and it was them coming to see us to say welcome back and hello. As we talked with them another boat pulled up, and it was our friend, Brian, from "Solitude". What a welcoming committee! This is why we love boating!

After they left, Clark and I did some much-needed boat cleaning. Clark worked on the deck while I tackled the upper helm.

Later, as the sun sank in the west, I grabbed the camera.

Looking to the west as the sun dropped in the sky

Sunset by Faro Blanco light

Looking to the east, the clouds caught 
the last of the setting sun.