Goodbye USA - hello Bahamas....

We left the dock about 7AM after a brief thunderstorm.  We spent the majority of time navigating from the inside helm as we were dodging rain and lightening storms that were in our path.

Because we increased our speed, our planned 7 hour trip was only 4.5 hours giving us some needed down time from traveling.  We arrived in Bahamian waters around 11:30AM - where Dan flew the Quarantine Flag upon our arrival.

Once we docked and cleared customs - I hung the Bahamas Courtesy flag showing that we have cleared customers and are ready to cruise the waters.

Vacation has officially started. Sydney was ecstatic to finally be on shore for more than a potty break.  She ran up and down the beach, even rolling in death a couple of times.  She requested to stay here longer, but we are insisting to move on to the next destination.

We have changed our plans because of the weather.  We are headed to Crab Cay/Angelfish point instead of Double Breasted Cay.  The wind is expected to pick up and we didn't want to be so far north on anchor when it happened.  We plan to stay 1-2 nights at this new location on anchor.

Up the coast of FL....

Today started out a bit more relaxing.  We had breakfast and started on our way around 8:30AM.  The  first 3 hours of our 7 hour day was great.  The sun was shining, the waters were clear, and the sea was relatively calm.  Around noon, the weather started to turn.  We had to retreat to the inside helm as we started taking waves from the side - making it a rather uncomfortable ride. 

A bit after passing Miami and 20 miles to go, we decided to take the Intracoastal waterway.  Our speed would dramatically decrease, but the quality of the ride would dramatically increase.  The rain was stead, so we remained inside.  We passed under 6 bridges, 4 of which were draw bridges and had to be raised for us. The bridges open every 30 minutes - when there is a boat that needs to pass.  We only had to wait 20 minutes for one, and the rest were almost perfectly timed for us to pass through.  4 of the 6 bridges required 22 feet of clearance.  Our boat  - I think - is 21 feet tall.  Dan didn't want to risk it - so we requested for the bridges to raise.  I even went outside, in a minor lightening storm, with a tape measure to check - still - Dan preferred we didn't halt our trip by ripping the top of the boat off.




We arrived to our destination about 1.5 hours after our initial plan.  We refueled in the Marina and only added 410 gallons of fuel to the boat.  Since the refueling Marina is the same marina we were staying for the night - the Dock Master just told us to keep tied up - as it was too late in the day for anyone else to fuel.  Today's evening view is of the fuel pump with the 410 gallon price tag showing every time I look out the window.  To add to that, there are Mega yachts surrounding us - that makes our boat extremely inferior.  We didn't feel so bad when the Dock Master told us the Mega yacht we were admiring took on 22 tankers of fuel before they set sail to the Mediterranean.

To end the day, we were hoping to relax with a Mia Tia.  Instead, Dan had to go hunt for a clamp - as the one he tightened upon our arrival snapped off of the after cooler (whatever that is).

We are ready for the big crossing tomorrow.  Wish us luck.

….And we’re off….

The morning started very early as we had about 122 miles to travel  on our 1^st day.  This will be our longest haul of the trip.  Our goal was to reach Key Largo.  We left at first light where we were able to enjoy a beautiful sunrise over Marco.  Most sunrises I see are over the 5 freeway on the way to work.

The waters were relatively calm for the majority of our trip.  We “planned” to travel at 2 different speeds to make sure we arrived about 1-1 ½ hours after low tide.  I spent the 1^st part of the trip doing what I do best – calculating our speed vs. travel time vs. dollars spent on fuel in my already created spreadsheet.  We ended up going faster than originally estimated, at a lower fuel consumption point and arrived 1.5 hours early – just in time for low tide.  We are currently sitting right outside of the harbor waiting for the water to rise enough for us to enter (we need 4.5 feet of water below us).  The view while waiting isn't too shabby.

The waters upon entry into the Atlantic, through the Keys, were beautiful – much prettier than on the gulf side.  The boat handled well while getting our first taste of shallow, clear water and the different color/hazards that come with it.

Get Ready – Get Set…..

Preparation for our “big trip” has been extensive.  The amount of time that Dan has put into getting ready has been consuming.  Since we arrived back in FL in mid-April, almost every activity has been “big trip” related.  From getting the boat ready, to creating extensive shopping lists and even more extensive “to do” lists, to loading then endless supplies.  The boat lowered 3-4 inches after it was fully loaded.

Of course, no “big trip” would be without the proper fishing equipment.  Dan finally mounted my rod holders on the boat.  It was about time.  I took the task of getting all the gear ready and doing the Lori version of research (quick and easy).  Thankfully, our previous trip to the Keys 5-6 years ago helped me with some of the needed supplies.  My dreams of catching Dorado (Mahi Mahi) and Tuna are well within reach.  Of course, Dan – the logical one – broke down the actual task of fishing/catching for me.  He reminded me that he is driving the boat in a complete different location from where I am fishing.  If I do land a fish, I will have the daunting task of reeling in the un-hooked line, reeling in the large fish, gaffing the large fish, and bringing the large fish on board….all by myself.  Logic won’t interrupt my fishing aspirations.

All of the lists have been checked off – all of the supplies have been loaded.  It is time for us to begin the 1^st of many adventures.  Let the summer chasing begin…. (boat name is Summer Chaser).