We were enjoying diving the reefs of John Pennekamp and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Then along came tropical depression 13, now known as Tropical Storm Laura. Being a slow boat, we can’t wait until a storm and its track are well defined, so as soon as the tropical wave we’d been tracking became Tropical Depression 13 that looked like it could impact the Keys, we started heading north.
We got as far as Oleta River State Park near North Beach Miami yesterday (Friday) when Laura’s track starting resolving to something likely to affect the Keys (maybe) and then the Gulf of Mexico, but not Miami. So rather than continue to Fort Pierce and our slip at the hurricane 3-rated marina, we anchored off the state park last night and will stay here until it looks safe to travel back to Biscayne Bay, possibly tomorrow, maybe as late as Tuesday.
For an urban park , this isn’t a bad anchorage. We even dinghied ashore after breakfast for a lovely though hot walk- my first time ashore in 17 days! The anchorage has great protection, but with a lovely breeze. The downside? It’s party central today (Saturday)! It was quite nice yesterday- lots of boats hanging out for the day, but relatively quiet considering. Today looked promising until after lunch when a couple of boats showed up who feel compelled to share their playlists with the greater Miami area. Egads, turn down your damned music! They know they’re being bad, too, because when one of the police boats shows up on one of their checks, the music magically gets turned down, for about 15 minutes! Fortunately they don’t look like overnight boats, so I expect (hope!) to see them leave around sunset.
Alas, beggars can’t be choosers. If we’d had to return to Fort Pierce marina that would have ended our trip and we would have driven home right away. Staying here allows us to return to Biscayne Bay if not the Florida Keys once the storm passes on Monday. So we should get about another week of QUIET anchorages and some diving before we have to start the trip back to Fort Pierce marina and head home.
We check the National Hurricane Center’s and Chris Parker’s updates several times a day. We’re praying tomorrow looks good for returning to a quieter anchorage on the north end of Biscayne Bay, but we won’t let the insanely loud music here drive our decision, although it is tempting. I have to keep telling myself it’s temporary. I’m actually hoping the weather tomorrow is rainy so these people don’t come back. Yup, it’s that loud.
We’re just glad that this storm is tracking where it is so we don’t have to end our trip early. Loud music and all, we are thankful. And there is some interesting people watching here. Lord help us if we have to stay here tomorrow because I don’t know how much more loud music we can take! 😳
Oleta River State Park is the largest urban state park in Florida. They are open despite COVID, with the typical social distancing and mask wearing rules. Their layout is conducive to social distancing, at least for family groups, and people on shore appear to be complying for the most part. People on the little beach seem to be well spaced. We can’t say the same for some of the boats showing up in the anchorage with 12+ people on board, or the others rafting up with each other for the day. Perhaps I should presume good intentions and assume they’re just large family groups.
At any rate, Dave & I have stayed away from close human contact since we left the marina August 5th and plan to continue doing so.
I’ll update later this week. Until then, stay a healthy and take care of each other!
Life on Lady 