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

Arctic Weather Continues...

We've received messages from many of you wishing you were in sunny Florida with us. Well in case you've missed the latest national weather forecast, Florida has been sunny - yes - but not balmy beach weather. Sure we've had highs in the mid-50's during the day, but it has been getting darn chilly at night. Additionally, winds have been fierce - 40 mph yesterday making the trek from the mooring field to the dinghy dock a bit damp and challenging.

We are hoping the brisk weather will break soon!

The Admiral

12/10 - 12/14/10

Man Overboard!!!

I'd like to preface this entry by stating that what you are about to read is true. There has been no (or very little) embellishment to the tale.

Our story begins with a dinner invitation from Alain and Judy on Rhama. The Captain, Eric, Ellen and I were all invited and we dinghied out to Alain and Judy's boat Rhama for our evening of fun. A lovely dinner was followed by great conversation. As the evening continued I excused myself to step into the restroom. At about the same time Eric stepped out on deck for some "fresh air". Moments later I saw a shadow pass by the bathroom window followed by a splash and a short cry for help. I confess, it didn't register with me until seconds later when a much more definitive plea for help in Eric's voice reached my ears.

Meanwhile, the others were continuing conversations in the salon, unaware of Eric's fate. There was only one thing I could do - I shouted to the others from my perch that Eric had fallen overboard. A scurry from the salon to the stern followed by shouts confirmed that Eric was indeed overboard clinging to Rhama's starboard door which had come off its track in Eric's fall.

After assessing that Eric was not in an immediate state of drowning the group did what every friend would do in a similar situation. We pulled out the cameras and immediately started taking photos of the event. You never know when a few incriminating photos may come in handy!!!

Next we saved the door. Its an excellent piece of hardwood that Alain made himself so we had to make sure it was not lost. Meanwhile, Dave took off to save a piece of trim that had also come off in all the commotion.

Finally, we pulled Eric to safety. (We wish we had photos of him doing his doggie paddle, but in all the excitement that shot was missed.) Yet as you can see we have plenty of other great shots. Eric dripping wet after being pulled from the river. Eric being stripped of his wet clothes - not by his wife - but the two other ladies on board. (I think Eric secretly relished this bit of fun.) And finally, Eric dressed in the red bathrobe already retelling his tale of terror.

The amazing thing is I was just wondering the other day what in the world I would have to share with all of you.....who knew Eric would give me a juicy tidbit to post!!

The Admiral

12/9/2010

PS. Yes, Eric is just fine. A bit embarrassed, but just fine!

Central Florida aka the Arctic...

A quick check of the weather had us quickly revising our plans to depart St. Augustine. Our offshore weather window would be closing in 48 hours and while this was ample time for our passage to Ft. Pierce, we always like to have a bit of cushion just in case Mr. NOAA's timeline was off. So instead of a leisurely Saturday in St. Augustine, we opted for a pre-dawn departure.

Now, fellow boaters please take note, when departing St. Augustine in the dark beware of unlit red markers - these are also undocumented on our chartplotters. Fortunately, it was an uneventful departure and we navigated our way past them, but a surprise nonetheless. Offshore proved to be our best run yet. Speeding along at an easy 7+ knots. We dropped the hook in Ft. Pierce about 27 hours later.

After a few hours sleep the question became - what next. We were 2 weeks ahead of schedule for our slip in Stuart and a mere 25 miles away. A quick call to the marina in Stuart and we were on our way again. Not to a slip but a mooring ball. That would do us fine for the time being.

On arrival we quickly started to fall into our routines from last season. Friends Eric and Ellen greeted us and Ellen and the Admiral began making plans for morning walks. The Captain and Eric had other pursuits - rib specials from PA's - as our arrival coincided with their anniversary and ribs were $9.99 and drafts $0.99.

Our arrival was also in time for the Stuart Holiday parade which included the local law enforcement, fire department, classic cars, school marhing bands and plenty of floats. The parade must have been a sign for Father Christmas to add a chill to the air as we've experienced near freezing temperatures each of the last two nights and highs only in the low 50's during the day.

Brrrrrr!!

The Admiral

11/24 - 12/9/2010