We left Bahia Honda with a strong east wind making for a bumpy run south. We made good time to Key West but it seemed to take forever to get to the mooring field with the wind and current against us. Once at the mooring field we found a free mooring and after a couple of attempts in the windy conditions we managed to get secured for the night.

                We were a ways out in the mooring field so the dinghy ride to the dinghy dock the next day was a long wet one. The wind was strong and the waves in the harbor were choppy although not very they were enough to create spray that the wind picked up and blew straight back into the dinghy soaking us.

                Finding the town harbor office was not easy but after a bit of wandering around we managed to get checked in. Unfortunately the wind picked up the next couple of days and we were basically stuck  on the boat as the dinghy ride ashore was too rough and wet. When the wind did settle down we were able to get ashore for some exploring.

                Key West is nice and can be fun but everything is a bit expensive and there are not a lot of free or cheap things to do. We did go out for dinner at a nice Cuban restaurant to celebrate Teresa getting below two hundred pounds. Of course we had to take advantage of the many bars as well, When in Key West drinking is part of the experience!

                We spent a week in Key West getting ashore a few times to explore and watch the tourists with red skin from too much southern sun. We visited some places we had been to in the past as well as checking out some new places.

                While there I also managed to get a bit of boat work done changing the engine and generator oil. We also were able to take on some fresh water although it had to be carried out to the boat in jugs. After a week here we decided it was time to start back North before our bank account disappeared. We had primarily worked our way this far down the coast to work out the bugs before heading to the Bahamas. Due to the never ending fronts moving across the US and into the islands it did not seem like a good idea to head over there this year. Reports from other cruisers in the Bahamas confirmed that we might be better off staying here this year. We also need to get back to NC to knock out repairs to our other boat so we can sell that one to reinforce the cruising kitty.