November 3, 2008 - Monday

Left Haulover Marina in North Miami at 8:30 and arrived in Key Largo, at Gilberts Resort and Marina at 2:00 pm. The wind was perfect and we traveled 10-11 knots across the Biscayne Bay. We were going with the wind and the current. Did not burn hardly any fuel. The trip was far better than we expected.
Gilbert Resort and Marina is a hideaway for anyone who wants to get lost and the interesting thing about this place, is that all walks of life live in harmony and embrace one another. I think that is probably what heaven is going to be like. The atmosphere is very rustic and I love the big bulb Christmas lights hanging across the poles at the docks.
Docking was easy with the long t-slip beside the hotel. Pablo was the dockmaster who took our reservations by phone and Taschi was the Assistant everything according to him. Toschi was hilarious and reminded me of my cousin Frank.
We ate sandwiches and drank beer at the Tiki hut beside the dock around 2:30. It looked like it had been there for years. Amy was our sweet red headed waitress from New Jersey and Ed was the conversationalist at the end of the bar. He was quite interesting. He reigns from Krautland and loves America. We met another couple who docked that evening behind us. They have a beautiful boat called a german name that I can't pronounce or remember how to spell. The Captain gave Joey good advice on our route and warned us of the landmines we would fine this time of year in the water. They're Lobster traps and there are everywhere. This couple has traveled The Great Loop twice and has lived on their boat since 2002. They were on their way to Islamorada for a stay of seven months. They stop at Gilbert's resort for the German Restaurant and they highly recommended the Schnitzel. We took their advice and had dinner there. The schnitzel was delicious as well as everything else that accompanied it. William, our waiter, was a delight and so friendly. He walked us to the door as we talked with him so long, we were the last patrons of the restaurant. William is a young man who has bought his first boat that recently sank. He and Joey struck up a conversation of what possibilities sank his boat and how to format the course of fixing it. Good luck William with your boat! You're young and have plenty of time to make repairs.