12.31.10
Well, we are all provisioned up and ready to roll but are still waiting on a window! It is very frustrating to get everything ready and then sit and wait. I think especially so when you have been waiting for 3 weeks. But, this is the week to go. Winds have been steadily from the East/Southeast and are going to continue to be that for the next few days. We are leaving sometime between today and Sunday and heading a bit further North up the Keys so that when the right window opens, we are closer and able to just make a dash for it. The problem is that the jump-off island is vulnerable to the East - directly where the currently 20knot winds are blowing. We would be in for quite a rough few days at anchor if we left too soon!
We have said all of our goodbyes, only to realize we would rather spend New Year's Eve here in the harbor with people we know. So, Happy New Year's to everyone and stay tuned as we wait to cross the Stream.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The Big Crossing
12.28.2010
Well, weather permitting, we are finally about to make the big trek across the Gulf Stream. We are a bit nervous, but confident in our boat. We have gleaned all the knowledge we can from the sailors around here, who have been more than helpful and insured that we will not cross unprepared. We are "buddy boating" with a couple from Canada and hope to reach the islands by the end of the week. It will be 130 miles from Marathon to Alicetown, Bimini and we hope to do it in one and a bit days.
The weather has turned cold again and we are not looking forward to sailing overnight in this bitter wind, but are hoping once we get there it will all be worth it!! We are racing against the clock right now to complete the last few repairs/enhancements before we go. We have opted to go without our radar as many sailors have told us they do not have radar and the ships are all lit as they cross the Stream. Our anemometer works...sometimes. But we are able to read the wind with our wind vane and can at this point make a relatively accurate guess as to the wind speed ourselves. Our depth sounder seems to be working better everyday (the only good thing in the electrical department) and we finally wired our cockpit VHF correctly so we don't have to run downstairs every time we want to communicate with another boat. We still have to fix two lights today that are vital to our travel, but otherwise, she is ready to sail!
Once we get to the Bahamas, we will not be able to keep in contact with anyone via phone or text messaging. So, if you want to keep in touch with us, please email us or, to those of you that have it, facebook works too! We love getting emails from everyone keeping us updated with your lives - that way we don't feel so out of the loop! And we will respond as soon as we come across internet service.
Thank you all for your continued support and continue to follow our blog as we start this newest and most exciting part of our journey!!
Well, weather permitting, we are finally about to make the big trek across the Gulf Stream. We are a bit nervous, but confident in our boat. We have gleaned all the knowledge we can from the sailors around here, who have been more than helpful and insured that we will not cross unprepared. We are "buddy boating" with a couple from Canada and hope to reach the islands by the end of the week. It will be 130 miles from Marathon to Alicetown, Bimini and we hope to do it in one and a bit days.
The weather has turned cold again and we are not looking forward to sailing overnight in this bitter wind, but are hoping once we get there it will all be worth it!! We are racing against the clock right now to complete the last few repairs/enhancements before we go. We have opted to go without our radar as many sailors have told us they do not have radar and the ships are all lit as they cross the Stream. Our anemometer works...sometimes. But we are able to read the wind with our wind vane and can at this point make a relatively accurate guess as to the wind speed ourselves. Our depth sounder seems to be working better everyday (the only good thing in the electrical department) and we finally wired our cockpit VHF correctly so we don't have to run downstairs every time we want to communicate with another boat. We still have to fix two lights today that are vital to our travel, but otherwise, she is ready to sail!
Once we get to the Bahamas, we will not be able to keep in contact with anyone via phone or text messaging. So, if you want to keep in touch with us, please email us or, to those of you that have it, facebook works too! We love getting emails from everyone keeping us updated with your lives - that way we don't feel so out of the loop! And we will respond as soon as we come across internet service.
Thank you all for your continued support and continue to follow our blog as we start this newest and most exciting part of our journey!!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas!
12.24.2010
Merry Christmas Eve to everyone! Here we sit in Marathon, which turned out to not be so bad afterall. We have been continuously surrounded by generous and friendly people since we got here and Christmas has been no exception. We went up to the local tiki hut tonight for a Christmas Sing Along. And then came back and made smores and drank hot chocolate while listening to "The Night Before Christmas" on the VHF - definitely a first for us!
Well, we listened until we heard a call over the radio from someone whose dinghy was floating away - and then Brad rushed out and saved the day!
My parents were the Christmas heroes this year and sent us a care package with a mini Christmas tree and lights to decorate our boat. Otherwise, it was hard for us to get in the Christmas spirit with no decorations. Tomorrow we will join the rest of the marina folks for a feast in the main hall. It is sure to be the biggest feast on Marathon with over 200 people attending!
The winds seem to be letting up a bit and clocking around so we are hoping to have a 3 day travel window on Wednesday to cross over to the Bahamas. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
Hope everyone is safe and warm on this special eve and enjoying time with their family and friends. Although we are far from all of ours, you are all in our thoughts! Thank you for your continued love and support and remember the true meaning of the Holiday!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Merry Christmas Eve to everyone! Here we sit in Marathon, which turned out to not be so bad afterall. We have been continuously surrounded by generous and friendly people since we got here and Christmas has been no exception. We went up to the local tiki hut tonight for a Christmas Sing Along. And then came back and made smores and drank hot chocolate while listening to "The Night Before Christmas" on the VHF - definitely a first for us!
Well, we listened until we heard a call over the radio from someone whose dinghy was floating away - and then Brad rushed out and saved the day!
My parents were the Christmas heroes this year and sent us a care package with a mini Christmas tree and lights to decorate our boat. Otherwise, it was hard for us to get in the Christmas spirit with no decorations. Tomorrow we will join the rest of the marina folks for a feast in the main hall. It is sure to be the biggest feast on Marathon with over 200 people attending!
The winds seem to be letting up a bit and clocking around so we are hoping to have a 3 day travel window on Wednesday to cross over to the Bahamas. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
Hope everyone is safe and warm on this special eve and enjoying time with their family and friends. Although we are far from all of ours, you are all in our thoughts! Thank you for your continued love and support and remember the true meaning of the Holiday!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
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