Land Ho!

I had the good fortune, in 1996, to take a 20 day cruise from Panama City, FL. My plan was to head south for 10 days, turn around and come back. Obviously, I was a naive boat driver and not a captain at the time. Boating is never that predictable. However, I planned to either cruise down the west coast of FL to Key West, or to hang a left, across Lake O to the east coast. Well, the locks were closed for maintenance on the lake, so Key West it was!

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The last leg of that passage was from Marco Island to Key West. Land was completely out of site when we spotted a tiny speck in the distance - Land Ho! - it was Key West. We docked at the Galleon marina, popped open a bottle of champagne and began a 27 year romance with the Keys.

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Before I shoved off from Panama City, my neighbor told me if I stayed more than 12 days in the Keys I would have Keys disease. Well 2 years later I had a terminal case - that's a good thing! I spent those 2 years flying back and forth from Atlanta, and I explored 106 miles of the keys by water. I saw landmarks either walking or by cab. I docked my boat from Garden Cove Marina, in Key Largo to Walt's marina in Stock Island.

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I eventually cruised Bimini, Port Lucaya, Walker's Cay and the Abacos. My boat safely rode out 19 hurricanes over the years. I recently cruised the Berry Islands and I look forward to Eleuthera and southward soon.

 

I founded FL Keys Cruising in 2020, to share with you, the good times that are to be had on the water. I look forward to seeing you have a great adventure! I'd love to have you come check out a sunset with me. After all, we're not guaranteed we'll get another one tomorrow ...