The first of two cold fronts

The first of two cold fronts

Thursday 28th January 2021

...SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT...

Synopsis: A strong cold front will blast through the coastal waters of the Florida Keys this morning, followed by strong northerly breezes and quickly building seas.

This is an excerpt from the NOAA marine forecast and they were right. We woke at 7 am and it was relatively calm. By 9 am it was blowing 20 knots from a generally northerly direction. The marina is very well protected and there is next to no swell in the harbor, but the effects of the wind pushing Cotinga to one side of the slip and back towards the dock were a little un-nerving. So we doubled up our lines on the windward side and stayed around the boat this morning to make sure all was well.

This afternoon we did get out for a walk around town and ended up on the south side of the island where the water was as flat as a pancake. It looks like the entire fishing fleet has moved around and anchored on what is currently the protected side of Key West. The anchorage areas to the north looked really rough from shore. This evening I wandered over to see the sunset from near Mallory Square and was quite surprised to see several of the charter sailboats out for their sunset cruises, albeit with reduced sails. It looked choppy in the waters to the west but sand banks seem to stop any big swells developing. Although it was mostly sunny today, the temperature drop compared to yesterday is remarkable. It was quite chilly hanging around for the sun to set. The winds are expected to stay fairly fresh through tomorrow night and then settle briefly over the weekend before the next cold front arrives on Monday. I think we timed our arrival at the marina perfectly!

Mike

24 33.709 N, 81 48.093W

There are chickens and roosters running around all over Key West. Our friends Lynn and Lee remember  me chasing after the pigs at Big Major in the Bahamas ... well L&L I have to tell you that I made a fine sight chasing after chickens today ... passers-by were stopping to stare and giggle!

This particular rooster seemed a little put out by my advances!

A derelict building in downtown Key West

The beach at the south end of Simonton Street ... notice how flat the water is with the wind blowing off the land to the north

Sunset cruise on a charter sailing ship

Sunset from Key West