Our Spot In No Name Harbor

Day 281  |  Key Biscayne      

Knowing that our desired anchorage already had well over a dozen boats calling it home, it was our mission to be underway at first light to stake our place in No Name Harbor. At 6:30 our anchor was up and we were creeping through the entrance. We were relieved to find enough space for a couple of boats and we found a nice spot just beyond the opening. As the wind was to continue out of the north and east, we would be well protected during our stay. We cleaned Crossroads up from a long yesterday on the water, followed by a quick lights-out. We lowered the dinghy and took it out for a good run in Biscayne Bay to check out all the high-dollar waterfront homes. When back at the harbor, we tied up to the wall and set out on foot to explore the area. No Name Harbor is part of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park which advertises itself as "15 minutes from Miami, but a world apart." Too bad they didn't get their whole logo printed on their sign. There are many trails and we followed both tree-lined paved and waterfront sand paths. Iguanas were everywhere, soaking up the morning sun.

There were big ones and little ones. Visible from the southern end of the island is a cluster of houses built on stilts out in the water -- "Stiltsville." These houses were popular gathering places in the 1950s and 60s for boaters and fishermen. Today Stiltsville is owned by the National Park Service and is part of Biscayne National Park. Just around the corner we got our first look (in the daylight) at the Cape Florida Lighthouse. We were most appreciative of its beacon last night in the dark. Originally built in 1825, rebuilt in 1846, and most recently refurbished in 1996, it is the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. A replica of the keeper's house, cistern, and necessary house are also on the grounds. The lighthouse is 95 feet tall and has 109 steps. We worked ourselves to the top where the breeze was refreshing and the view was magnificent. The beach is consistently highly-rated because of its crystal-clarity and the usual absence of waves due to a gentle slope and a large offshore sandbar.

This view looking north shows the Atlantic beach on the right, Biscayne Bay on the left, Key Biscayne in the near foreground, and the Miami skyline in the distance.

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew left the island nearly treeless. These palms were replanted after the devastation and line the walkway to the lighthouse. We were surprised to see three raccoons out in the picnic area -- until we noticed the man feeding them. The presence of iguanas everywhere was also surprising, especially when lying camouflaged on the tree limbs. This collection by a fence reminded us of two things -- a colony of prairie dogs, and the Addams family (They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky, they're altogether ooky ...). We left the beach and walked out of the park and up the road into the town of Key Biscayne for a look. Odds are we'll resupply lettuce and milk one more time before leaving on Friday.

We were accompanied on our return walk to the harbor by several species of butterflies. I don't recall seeing any like these black and yellow striped ones before. The wind finally began to pick up in mid-afternoon, but all was good in the harbor. When we got back to the dinghy, Crossroads had a good view of Key Biscayne from the bow and a bit later, provided a prime spot for viewing the sunset from the stern of the upper deck.