The decision to move northward to Miami was met with resistance from Mother Nature. The 20 knot east winds present for the past 6 days were forecast to increase and back to the northeast by late in the day. We raised the hook and continued our uphill climb to Miami in what has become a usual fashion – motor sailing windward with a double reefed main. Rounding Pigeon Key our progress improved as we transitioned from the expanse of Florida Bay to more frequent channels and small bays west of Key Largo. At Barnes Sound our heading shrunk in number as we began to head more northerly. Fortunately we were ahead of the backing winds and our speed increased. Clearing Card Sound Bank provided us a wide enough channel to feel comfortable raising the working jib, if comfortable is what you call sailing close hauled in 20 knots with the toe rail swimming and salt spray leaping skyward as C’est la Vie’s bow cleaves three foot seas. I relish the feeling of making 6 knots on the wind while I stand in awe of our craft’s ability to deftly handle all the forces currently straining to find a weakness.
The wild ride across Biscayne Bay ended at a point west of Cape Florida where we turned eastward to our anchorage along the lee side of Key Biscayne. The easterly heading forced us to drop the jib and return to motor sailing.
We anchored as the Miami skyline shifted from silhouetted buildings in the setting sun to ablaze with it’s evening attire of accent lighting.
Great video.
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