Arrival Bimini...

Can it be true? Yes, we are in the Bahamas!! It was a bit of a battle in the Gulf Stream as the Stream kept trying to push us north of our destination but in the end Tropical Breeze won out and we have arrived!!

Our experience thus far - in a word - spectacular. The sun is shining, the sky clear, the water a clear green that you can see to the bottom in 25+ foot. The fish are plentiful and we are looking forward to casting our lines to see if we get any nibbles. But the best part - and we haven't even sampled it yet - the water temperature is 81 degrees.

For today, we tied up at the Bimini Big Game Club (where Ernest Hemingway hung out) and made our way to customs and immigration where we completed all the necessary paperwork and got our stamp of approval. From there it was back to the boat where we both enjoyed a nap following our overnight cruise. Then it was time for the serious stuff - dinner with friends Ken, Francie, Mike and Lou including a discussion of where to next. A big meal and several drinks later the jury is still out on what is next. The group will reconvene in the morning following the weather report for a final decision.

So stay tuned. The fun is just getting started.

The Admiral

1/29 - 1/30/11

Ready to Roll...

Well with the new wind transducer installed and the steaming light repaired, the projects are finished. The weather is cooperating nicely as the northerlies are moderating and the temperatures improving. It is looking like a fine morning to push off from the dock!

Yesterday as a final Florida hurrah, we attended a Pig Roast sponsored by one of the local yacht sales companies. It was a big bash with lots of food, drink and music. A good sendoff as we trek towards our first Gulf Stream crossing.

Next stop, the Bahamas!!!!

The Admiral

1/29/2011 8am

Getting Ready....

Has it been nearly 3 weeks since my last post? Hard to believe!!

We've been busy working through some of our boat projects. The Captain was up the mast taking down the non-functioning wind transducer. The watermaker installation is FINALLY complete. And the list just goes on and on.

But the work will not be in vain, as we are hopeful that at the end of the month we will be able to cross to the Bahamas. Yes, you heard right.....after three years in the making, we think we are finally going to do it.

We are awaiting the new wind transducer which should arrive early next week. Once that is installed we will be headed south to the Miami area and looking for a weather window to cross to the islands.

More to come.

The Admiral

PS. Our New Year resolutions are finally starting to pay off. The Captain has lost 8 pounds and I've lost 7. Not a bad start.

Happy New Year!!!

We certainly hope you all had a wonderful holiday and are enjoying the New Year - with your resolutions still intact!

The Captain and I have some resolutions of our own that we are pursuing. First, the Admiral - I've been getting rather frustrated with my hair as of late. So my resolution was to get rid of it and gone it is. I am loving the short cut especially with the warm weather that we are once again experiencing in Florida!

The Captain and I's joint resolution will be no surprise - drop some pounds and get more exercise. We've both been doing well on both counts. It was not our intention to make this our New Year resolution ....... but ......we welcomed in the New Year with a bit of fun overload and after 3 parties in two days decided perhaps we needed to cut back a bit on the New Year fun factor.

Of course it all began on New Year's Eve. We wanted to take in the final sunset of the year so the Happy Hour began at 5:15pm. It was a great turn out with about 75 boaters and lots of goodies to sample. By 7:30pm the first bottle of champagne was uncorked in celebration of boater's midnight - 8pm. Another toast at 9pm for second boater's midnight. Then a third at 10pm ..... well you get the idea. By the 'real' midnight I had the Captain on the dance floor doing quite the boogie woogie.

More fun continued on New Year's Day as we enjoyed brunch with friends. Lots of goodies. More champagne and Cesears too. Oh my. After brunch I was in need of a nap!

Then our friend Rod came home. We couldn't welcome Rod home without a bit of fun. Especially with the welcome home treat that awaited him on board. Our friends Russ and Linda had decided to have a bit of fun and wrapped the interior of Rod's boat in aluminum foil. Yes, I said aluminum foil and yes, the whole darn boat interior. With the shock and awe of Rod's arrival behind us it was off to the Harborage Grill where we had great plans to swim and enjoy the hot tub. Unfortunately, the weather was a bit cool so we opted to sit in the bar instead and enjoy more bar fare. It was here that a group of us decided we needed to all eat less and exercise more in the New Year.

As of January 3, the Captain and I are doing well on the resolution. Friend Ellen and I have picked up the pace of our morning walk and are now jogging parts of it. We are doing what we can to eat better and staying away from Happy Hour for a while. We will keep you posted on the results.

The Admiral

1/1/2011 - 1/3/2011