June 12, 2011 Day 8 The Gulf of Mexico!

After a short night of sleep in the outer harbor of Tampa Bay just off Kristy's Key ;)   (Egmont Key), I woke up to my Crew moving around on deck. Rob & Randy were hooking up the jack-lines and getting the deck ready for our crossing of the Gulf. Jack-lines are safety lines that run from the bow to the stern of the boat. When our crew steps out of the cockpit-they snap their tether, that is attached to their life jacket, to the jack-line. In rough waters and especially at night the person out on the deck is attached to the boat incase they fall.

We sat in the cockpit for a bit over coffee & enjoyed the sunrise.

The guys chatted and discussed the helm schedule and game plan.

We hoisted the anchor and were underway @ 0645 hr with Capt' Rob at the helm. The sky was clear, water was flat and it became another beautiful sunny day on the Gulf! Up went the main sail but on came the motor! Hardly any wind! 

Tummy is full!

Dad & I got busy making pancakes for breakfast. Gotta keep the Crew happy! 

After eating and clean up  we decided we should be dragging a couple lines to see if we could catch anything. Dean, Dad, & Randy decided on their baits and rigged the two poles we had with us. My Dad had borrowed a pole from my brother in law Russell and he also brought me a pole that was my Grandpa's (Grandpa "Roy Wheeler" recently passed away). Between Russell and and the help of our friend Larry, we had alot of baits and equipment to catch some fish!! So began our day of fishing!

Randy took over helm at 0850 hr.

FISH ON!!!

After about an hour things got quite busy! Dean reeled in the first fish of the day! 

A nice "Spanish Mackeral" (according to our Fish Book). Dad no more had that one cleaned and we had another one on the other pole!

So Randy reeled that one in! Another Spanish Mackeral. 

I ended up taking over the helm and manning the camera because we had a double header!

Poor Dad couldn't clean em' fast enough!!

We all had a ball! 

Fresh Fish for Lunch! Yummy!

I made coleslaw and Dad fried up the fish for lunch. We had homemade bread with it. It was excellent!

Before we were even done with lunch we caught more! It was decided to clean them & bag for later. Randy took over the cleaning station to give Dad a break. It ended up our catch for the day was 7 out of 8 hits. 2 Spanish Mackeral (light flesh) and 5 Frigate Mackeral (dark flesh)

**Our Grandson Kolden's Book says the Frigate's are called Little Tuna. He is soooo into fishing!**

And I am proud to say that my fishing pole from my Grandpa caught all but one fish!

I think he was watching over us from above & enjoying every minute of it too!!

The Admiral even got a nap in!

Rob trying for a nap

Dad 

After I cleaned up lunch, we all tried to take naps.

I took the helm about 1545hr to give the 3 main helmsman a break before our "night shifts" start. It is official now....we are running around the clock now until we reach Kemah, TX ! 

Smooth water & Lucky Fishing Pole!!

Dean & Randy took advantage of the smooth waters and made it a "Project Day". They adjusted the steering so the knot was on top of the wheel, installed a fan in the master stateroom, and they installed the Radio/CD player. Those two just can't sit still long! No wonder their GM co-worker's hated to see Randy retire and Dean to leave Grand Rapids!

Soon as it was working, I spent the rest of my watch singing & dancing to Keith Urban at the helm! :)

Rob & I soon decided it was "Beer:30" We worked so hard watching Dean & Randy on their projects!

OK, I guess you both deserve one too!! Didn't take long for them to wander around the boat looking for the next batch of projects!! No one can say this trip wasn't a productive one! ;)

It really is so beautiful out here! The sky is so blue...the water is so blue! We see nothing but the sky meeting the water all the way around us. Strange to realize we are out here all alone...miles & miles & miles.......

Daddy reading & relaxing!

I know Dad still doesn't feel very well. He has been snoozing & reading on & off today. It seems to act up the worst at night, which is usual. His cough is pretty bad and he gets some pretty rough coughing spells. Whenever he tries to sleep it wakes him right back up!

Capt' Randy
This a favorite picture of mine!

Great photo of our Helmsmen!!

As the sun began to set Randy took the helm over and we decided to have "Sundowner's" to celebrate our 1st night out. We mixed up Rum & Cokes and then we shared the most beautiful awesome sunset!! 

I think I should win an award for this one!!

and this one!

Me & my Daddy!

It was so Brilliant & Stunning! We were all amazed and awed by it. More of God's awesome handiwork! I was really impressed with my photography as well! :) And Randy shot a great video too!

Hope you all enjoy as much as we did! The guys watched carefully for the "green flash" but didn't see it.

Then Capt' Randy decided that Our Way Too! needed to be initiated so he brought up a bag of pistachios into the cockpit & all of them started to crack & munch. 

They filled the floor with all the shells!! I found shells in the aft head when I went down to potty!! 

My guys were in the being "Silly" mode for awhile! I think they've been out to sea too long! ;) It may have been too many Rum & Coke's?? Ya think??? Gotta have some silliness to make the time pass!

Oh my it sure is dark out there!! I see nothing but darkness thru that window up there!! 

Hammin it up!

Buds

And I think it's gonna be a long, long night.....

;)

About 2300 hr, with Randy & I on watch a pod of dolphins started playing along side us. Randy alerted me & we went up on the bow with Edgar guiding the boat. There were 8 to 10 of them! We talked & whistled back at them for about 10 minutes. I couldn't get any pictures. We could only see them by the light of the moon. Fortunately, we had nice low wind  & flat calm water's because Randy & I didn't even think of our #1 Nightime Rule in the midst of our excitement to see the dolphins! My loving Husband & Captain of Our Way Too! scolded me later for going out of the cockpit at night...without our lifejackets...everyone else was sound asleep down below and couldn't hear us...and we didn't attach to the jacklines! Lesson learned!

Randy stayed on watch longer to let Dean catch up a bit more on sleep. Then Rob woke up early to come up on watch so Dean really got extra snoozing in! They are so much help and we appreciate it so much!! We just love those two guys!! Great friends!

June 11, 2011 Day 7 Getting Ready to Cross!

Happy 71st Birthday to my Crew member Daddy!!!!

 We love you!! 

You have no clue how much your love & encouragement & help & presence on board means to us!!! Dean & I are honored to have you with us on this maiden voyage! Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts for all your help!

Happy 71st  Birthday!

((Earlier during our trip I wrote a post for ya'll promising to post & update the blog as soon as I could. We had very little or no internet to update & load pictures while we were out there. Thank you for being patient with me as I have been on the go constantly since then! You will read about our crazy month.... of our trip to Kemah, TX.....then my trip to MI....trip back to TX...another trip to MI and our updates of time spent on Our Way Too! up thru & after the July 16th weekend. Please hang in there with me as I catch it all up! 

Stay tuned....Hugs to everyone!))

We are getting ready to cross the Gulf! :) I ask for lots of prayers!! God has already been with us the whole trip but now we are leaving to go with land far away and many oil dereks and unknowns. We will have very capable "Captains"  on board and no doubts about good weather and good seas!

I had made a few trips around the boat during the night and stuck my head out of the hatch to check our position but it seemed all was well. For once I tried not to bother Dean & let him sleep but it seems we both sleep with one eye open while at anchor, he was up checking shortly after. We both are so tired! We slept in alittle this morning. After coffee and birthday wishes/smooches, first thing...Dean & Dad got the dingy in the water so they could cruise in to shore and see where we could fuel up, fill water, and make sure we could pick up the crew without problems. When they come back we notified Rob & Randy that they could get their taxi to the Tampa Bay Yacht Club! They informed Dean we could come to the marina and take on fuel, then get a slip for the day if we at least buy lunch at their restaurant! Kewl!! We can do that....NO PROBLEM!! 

Before we headed into the marina tho, Dean wanted to put the sail cover on and zip out in the dingy with the camera to take pictures of Our Way Too! (It's a requirement for our insurance to have pictures of her from every angle.) As you can see...it's a Beautiful day with flat seas on the Bay! So here's a couple of great shots of our beauty...."Our Way Too!"

"Our Way Too!"

Port Side view w/ Admiral :)

Starboard View w/ Admiral & Deck Watch Capt'

Stern View (Nice view of Sunshade over aft deck/sunpad)

Afterwards we hoisted the dingy onto the lift and headed into the marina. We took on 36.1 gallons of diesel and it cost us $192.81. Wow...that's cheap...we are amazed...it used to cost us alot more money to run the powerboat!!

At Tampa Bay Yacht Club Marina
Just after her bath!!

We inquired about plugging in to be able to use elecricity for air & use of water to washdown & fill water tanks and settled on $25 bucks for the day...no set time to leave just can't stay over night. They directed us to a slip and we moved over and tied up for the first time in a week! I think Our Way Too! likes to be out to sea & at anchor tho! ;)

Dean preceded to give Our Way Too! a bath, Dad helped me with washing off some potatoes (found a couple that went bad), then he helped Dean fill water tanks. I got busy with my "list of things to do" before we headed out to sea! I baked a birthday cake for  my Daddy (wait til ya see it!! ; ) Boat is a wee bit unlevel!!), put together a couple dishes for the trip, baked 3 loafs of bread, & organized below while waiting for bread to rise, then bake, and for our Crew members to arrive!

The "Wave" German Chocolate Birthday Cake!
Do you think we are alittle Bow or Stern heavy?! 

Daddy's favorite! 

Talking to Mom...laughing at & telling her about his strange cake!

My Bread!

Captain Rob has arrived safely!! We are glad to have him on board with us!

Captain Rob

Birthday Lunch

We all decided it was time for a cold brew & lunch so we went to the "Hula Bay Bar & Grill" in the marina. We had Conch Fritters & Grouper Nuggets for appetizers. A first for all of us! Yummy! Dean ordered Fish n Chips, Katie  had the Wedge Salad, Dad had a Mahi Mahi Sandwich & Rob had the Blackened Mahi Mahi Sandwich. There was also a pretty cool band playing! So Dad & I got out there & kicked up our heels a bit! I ended up getting my Hubby out there too! ;) I got to sing "Happy Birthday" to my Daddy with the band too! A great time was had by all!

We are just tearin' up the dance floor! ;)    

After our lunch/birthday celebration, Dad & I decided to walk to Walgreens for a few supplies. ( Mainly cough meds for him.) A really sweet couple offered us a ride because they said it really was quite a walk. Bless their hearts...it was quite a walk! We greatly appreciated the ride & said we would walk back. They would take nothing in return for the ride so we will "Pay it Forward" in their honor. Well.....we shopped, doubled bagged our goods & wandered out to the heat and lo & behold the really sweet couple was still there waiting to take us back to the marina! Dad & I felt really blessed and both of us will "Pay it Forward" & remember their awesome kindness. It gives me a happy heart to know there are still good people out there that will reach out & touch someone's life. Just because.....

Captain Randy

Randy has arrived safely! We are so happy to see him and are honored to have him join us as well. Our Way Too! & her Crew are almost ready to cast off the lines!!!

The plan is to leave the marina and at least go out to the Tampa Bay Bridge area....find an anchorage & snooze then leave in the morning to begin our crossing. Start out after a good night's sleep.
Our Way Too! cast the lines & was underway & headed to the Bay entrance at 9 pm....it took about 3 hours to get out of the bay & set the anchor. Rob & Randy decided to sleep up in the cockpit. They thought  is was cooler up there.

Congratulations to Colin on his Graduation!! Sorry Aunt Katie wasn't there today for your openhouse!! Get your passport Kiddo & I will see you & Shanika in the Bahamas!!! Love you & so proud of you!

Jason & Elizabeth...Happy Anniversary!!! We love you & miss you sooooo much!!! Hugs to both of you! Hope to see you all soon. Landon & Evelyn we miss & love you to pieces!!

We have 639nm to get to Kemah, Texas!

See you all in Texas!!!

June 10, 2011 Day 6

Happy Birthday to our friends Jeanne & Julie!!!

BTW...the bruises I mentioned in earlier blog...I have them from left hip, to left butt cheek, to right butt cheek, to right hip!! Dean wanted to take a picture but I wouldn't let him. It's from my ZUMBA dancing in the galley while underway.

Our view as I stepped out into the cockpit this morning with my coffee!

Another early morning since we are looking at another long day! We are hoping to be in Tampa Bay tonite so we can meet our crew tomorrow and have a "sit tight for the day" type of day. I am worried about Dad, as he has been fighting a nasty cold or respiratory infection since a day or so after we left. It seems it's not getting any better....every day during the day it seems better. But at night it flares and he coughs all night. I told him if we need to...my feelings would not be hurt, if he wants Kristy to come get him and we'd see to it he could get home from Tampa.  I know he's tough but I don't want him to be sick, I want him to be healthy & enjoy this trip. I want him & Mom to go with us again someday to the Bahama's!!

We got ourselves ready to go...dressed...coffee'd up...put carpet back down...everything in its place. OK Capt' we are ready!

At Anchor-view to the north of the ICW 

Heading toward the entrance to Charlotte Harbor from our anchorage.

Anchor up & we were leaving our anchorage @ 0700 hr. Once again, the channel was loaded with fishing boats. Dad hollered to a boat to find out what they were fishing for..."Tarpon"- no food value, just a blast to catch!

As we motored out of the channel we went on a major "lock down" hunt for Dean's sunglasses. We found them on the floor near the forward head. He laid them down on the floor when he was nosing around in the watermaker compartment! Geez...I think we should have extra sunglasses onboard too! We also found the water pump was leaking again! Not quite so bad this time...carpet was still damp anyway. Dean fiddled with that a few minutes...a project to dig into later...but it will be fine for now. I am sure it will bug him later on today & he will be right on it!

The calm Gulf of Mexico!

Is this really Hurricane season?!

 Today is mostly sunny; 14 kts of wind or less and 1' or less of waves. Gonna end up being another motorsail day!

Isn't she lovely? 

We are under full sail @ 0835 hr with 10-11kts of wind. Dad & I are starting to get the hang of this "sail up  - sail down" procedure and Dean really is a good Captain! Of course I am alittle partial to the guy! Our Way Too! is clipping along between 5.7 & 6.4 kts. 1000 hr - wind died to 4-6 kts so we started the engine, pulled in the jib and kept on trucking northward between 5.5 & 6.2 knots. It's still calm as can be. The Gulf reminds us of Lake Michigan. Similar in color and when there are waves they are short & choppy just like her. The Gulf is mostly shallow as well except way out in the middle where we will cross next week. It gets up to approximately 5000' according to our charts. Noon-the wind is switching to the NW...still motorsailing with only mainsail up. Had a light lunch of left-over Tuna Salad w/ cream cheese on celery sticks, carrots, and sliced oranges.

Captain & First Mate
"Third Time's A Charm!"

My sister Kathy called to check on us about 1pm! We were surprised because the cell service is very sketchy out here. We are able to text but not call out. Dean, Dad, & I are getting a real kick out of my Mom, sisters, & daughter Chrissy. They are watching our SPOT like hawks! (I hope Kristy & Chrissy don't get into trouble watching because I know they are at work!) They are addicted to it! We won't normally have it set for every 10 minutes but since they are enjoying it and it's so new to our whole family we left it set as is for this trip. I think they are checking it every 5 minutes!!! :D Mom knew we turned around & backtracked under the Marathon Bridge the same time we did. When Dad asked her what the SPOT showed later that evening she told him we were going backwards!  I decided to try to upload some pictures & catch up on the blog but apparently the signal is not strong enough to do that.

While Edgar & I took over the helm for awhile, Dean went into "putzing on projects" mode. Yep...he is back on that water pump issue! Dad is reading a John Jakes book when he isn't snoozing! ;)

Snoozing with his toothpick still in tact!

Dean text Captain Rob a picture of a pulley for the jib furling line...the wheel inside disintegrated and it's making it a chore to roll up the head sail. Rob is close to West Marine...we hoped maybe he'd have time to get one & throw it in his traveling bag?! (He text back soon after & said he had it in his bag!) I then decided I need to make a list &  text to Capt' Randy...hoping he could fit a few needed items into his bag too! He says "No Problem" as well.
List:
#1 FLYSWATTER (altho we didn't need one today...one never knows when they might invade!)
#2 Ibuprofen
#3 Q-Tips
#4 Batteries (for the SPOT-which ended up being wrong ones-Dean will need to open it next time!)
#5 Wet wipes
#6 Cough drops for Dad
#7 A Bathing Scrunchie! (Mine went for a swim!)

Later in the afternoon the wind picked up to about 20 knots & the waves grew to 3-4's with occasional 5's. Dean chose to stay with the main & motorsail on in.

At 1815 hr we enter the channel entrance markers of Tampa Bay. Whew! We did it and we will be there to pick up our crew on time! Dean breathes a sigh of relief!

A smile & a sigh of relief...we are entering Tampa Bay

I know he will be glad to have both Rob & Randy onboard. Dad & I are not as experienced and he needs more of a break mentally. Bless his heart...he is such a trooper...that wonderful Man of Mine!!
As we are headed into Tampa Bay, Kristy texts me & says to watch for the island that should be on the north side of us as we enter the Bay. That tells you how close they are watching the SPOT! ;) It is called Egmont Key and several years ago her & Russell went there on their jet ski's for a day. She says, "Do you remember the picture of me laying on the beach in a white bikini?" I said I did and she told me that is where that picture was taken.

Kristy's Key :)

                                                           Sooooo......I have renamed the island!!!

Florida's "Sunshine Skyway Bridge"

I thought it a unique color!

We have the Bridge in sight! It is really a kewl bridge but Our Way Too!'s Crew Poll is...It still doesn't beat the awesome Mighty Mac!! (Mackinaw Bridge) We went under the bridge @ promptly 1900 hr.

We passed this guy in the channel just before the bridge.

As we motored up into the Tampa Bay to find our
 chosen anchorage we watched this beautiful sunset over
Clearwater/St Petersburg.

It turned out to be quite the trek up into the bay. We figure about 20 miles to the spot we thought would be the best for easy access to pick up our crew. We slowly maneuvered Our Way Too! thru the dark, around a huge barge, dodging crab pots, and into the protection of a little island just off the marked channel, then we lowered the anchor and set it @ 2150 hr (9:50p).

We need to make mention of this past week with all our anchoring....it has been quite a lesson for us! As Michigander's we are used to anchoring out with the nose of our boat staying into the wind once the anchor is set. Now...dealing with Tides & Currents...it throws us off a bit! When I get up to do my walk-a-round the boat at night, I sometimes feel I have been drinking too much the night before! But...I didn't drink to much...it's the wind is blowing from one direction and the bow of the boat is pointed in a different direction due to the currents associated with the tides coming in or going out! I tell ya, it really messes with your mind when you are half asleep! I would go back down below, wake up Dean & have him double-check me! Needless to say... we have had a couple of nights with that confused/dumbfounded  feeling but we have been securely anchored. Tonite will be no different as the anchor is set well and the bow is swung completely opposite of the wind!

To this point, Our Way Too! & her crew of Dean, Katie, & Al (Dad) have covered 398.3 nautical miles!!  We are real proud of ourselves & especially Our Way Too! She keeps us safe & performs great!
Today alone we covered 90.9 nm

"Nite ya'll" from the Our Way Too! Crew

June 9, 2011 Day 5

Up bright & early-0700 hr. Dean is worried we won't be to Tampa on time to pick up the crew. We do not want to keep them waiting. Dad made breakfast of Bacon, Eggs & Toast....we are in our glory while clogging our arteries!! :D

Cookin' Breakfast!

Anchor up @ 0900 hr and we were underway. John called from Norway to check on us & see how Our Way Too! is performing for us. She is awesome John & Nelly!! We love her already!! He & Dean chatted for quite some time. I just know they are going to miss her...especially John-15 years of TLC...especially when he arrives home and she isn't docked outside his front door. It will look so empty! I guess they will have to come visit us in Texas!! ;) At least until we return...

Today is beautiful. Sunny  & in the 80's. Winds are about 15 knots out of the West. Seas are 1-2' Sails up at 1000 hr. Dad decided to wet a line right away so he kicked back read and watched the pole. I decided to clean our eisenglas since it was covered with yesterdays salt from the deck washes & splashes. That done I headed below to organize a little bit. Needed to put things away better....feel a bit more organized if at all possible! It is easier on me & my body to move around more comfortably when it is calm & I'm not being lurched across the dinette table!!

We discovered we have STOWAWAYS!! And by the gazillions I might add! Flies, flies, and more flies! Oh Boy! No flyswatter either...better add that to my list!

I made a light lunch of Mexican Corn Dip w/ Fritos, (Recipe is Compliments of Mrs Anne Johnson, friend & secretary from my school), Wheat Ritz Crackers, sliced Tomatos, & sliced Bananas. Yummy! We enjoyed lunch up in the cockpit. 

Kapt' Katie & Kewl Klyde

Kewl Klyde
The wind blowin' his hair back!

Dean decided to go on "Fly Patrol" while Katie took over the helm. He closed up cabin doors and went on the great "Hunt." He did not resurface for a very, very long time! Dad's poor fishing magazine will never look the same!

Atop the bimini...adjusting the flaking system.

Then Dean decided he needed to adjust the Dutchman lazy jack system...so when he disappeared & I couldn't see him from the helm I panicked & went looking. His brain is always ticking about something! You never know where you might find him!

Sanibel Island

The scenery is absolutely beautiful. Brilliant turquoise water and off to our east the FL shoreline and white sandy beaches of Sanibel Island. The wind calmed to almost nothing...0-1kts...switched to N/NW so I chose to motor-sail awhile. About 1545 hr we pulled the sails down and continued to motor. There was no wind at all! We wanted to arrive at our anchorage early to get some extra much needed sleep. I think the sun & wind are tiring us all out. Not used to it I guess. About 1830 hr the wind picked up along with the seas building out of the west...1-3'. We decided to keep motoring as we were just about to our destination. As we approached we could see about 40 fishing boats blocking the channel entrance...most of which had lines in the water. None of them wanted to move. We moseyed our way in and around them, might of even ticked off a couple! Wonder what the heck they are fishing for?

Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico

Anchor down & set @ 1900 hr just inside the channel of Charlotte Harbor. Dean & Dad did their "lift the dingy for air flow" routine while I set to fixing something to eat. As I was mixing up Tuna Salad for sandwiches, sliced tomatoes & chips for supper, Dad came down & discovered the carpet was soaked all in front of the companionway. We discovered our water pump had sprung a gigantic leak. :( So we had to drag out the carpet onto the dingy to dry, clean up the wet mess, and proceed to finish the food prep. While we were finishing up our supper & sitting in the cockpit I had just commented to Dean that we couldn't leave the carpet out there incase the wind came up & our carpet ended up in the water. Not a minute later the wind picked up and tried to defy me!! It flipped the carpet off the dingy, half over the lifelines toward the water...but...I was quick!! I jumped up & out of the cockpit...saved the carpet & the towel that was hanging on the lifeline! :)

We cleaned up supper. Took showers on the transom while fishing boats came by and bounced us all over the place. I think we may have been anchored in their normal cut through. Sorry guys!!

Nitey Nite Klyde!
You lucky bird....Dean hasn't hung my hammock yet!!

We put Klyde to bed along with ourselves.

59.4 nm today

June 8, 2011 Day 4

Up at 6:15a but my Crew slept a few minutes longer. I woke up alot during the nite and walked around the boat....checkin' to make sure we were still secure! Must be sleeping with one eye open....makes me think of Capt' Ron! :)

Reefed

Coffee & quick breakfast when my crew woke up then hoisted the anchor @ 0800. Motored under that bridge for the last time on this trip! We are used to it now...but we still watch carefully! :) Sails up & reefed @ 0900hr. Put in 1st reef but then decided to put in 2nd since we still don't have all of our sea leg worthiness yet & we are having gusts. (Admiral's request....Dad & I don't need a ton of bruises!)  Overcast-mostly cloudy w/ some sun. Waves 1-2'. Our Way Too!'s speed 6.2 up to 7.5 knots. Wind out of East @ 10 but with gusts up to 25 knots.

Underway again....just can't wait to get underway again!
(To the tune of "On the Road Again")

We had a pretty uneventful afternoon. Very relaxed cruise & crew! The wind died down to almost zilch again so we let out the head sail some. Still moving along at 5.2-5.4 kts. We are far enough out to be out of touch...no cell service! Strange feeling but nice to not have phone ringing.

Dean loving this!!

Dad watching the waves go by!

I'm thinkin' they are both pretty relaxed!!

Enjoying the view from another great watch spot!

Keeping watch with Edgar Jr.  :)

We discussed saving for a Spinnaker Sail...yep you read it correctly...Jeanne, Roni, & Janie...I never thought I would agree to a "Spinnaker" after that "scare the begeezes outa me" in the narrows on White Lake! ;)  We decided to let out the last reef & go full head sail. Then after a while...all heck broke loose!!! Wind jumped to a steady 24 kts....Seas built quickly to 5-6'. Dean  decided to put both reefs back in to keep better control & to make me happy! ;)

Now you have to remember here... (in my defense)... I have not been on a boat much for 2 years! And I am a Lake Michigan Girl so I know how quickly the waters can change & blow up a storm unexpectedly...I have not a clue if the Ocean or Gulf of Mexico act the same! And I must admit...I am pretty protective of my Daddy who is not a sailor, has NEVER been on a sailboat until this week & is turning 71 in a couple days!

In control & playing it safe!

Being safe, sitting on the low side & reading the Logbook.

So instead of taking any chances I request that we all put on our trusty lifejackets! Then....about 45 minutes later...the wind died, waves lay down and the sun comes out! And then...an hour later(...the winds pick up again to 20 kts and the waves start to build again! Oh My Gosh...You'd think we were still in Lake Michigan!! :) We do really miss her! Well, I say we need the practice and need to know how to put in and take out those reefs!

In the midst of all this I decide to cook underway because is appears we are gonna have a late arrival to our next anchorage. Dean has decided we need to make the run to the outside entrance of the Gulf of Mexico to Marco Island so we can stay on schedule to pick up our crew in Tampa.  I decided on a one pot meal...Grandma Sladick's famous Cabbage Casserole dish (revamped just a bit to be galley/boat suitable!) It is rather interesting cooking while in 4-6' seas! I get quite the workout down below...kinda like ZUMBA & Belly dancing classes...only alittle more confined to a small space!! I'm sure my belly will be terribly bruised but my abs are already tightening! If this helps then I should start planning my trip to sail around the world! I could be REALLY skinny!! ;)

Daddy on "Coffee Patrol" 

We finally reached our anchorage and got the anchor set @ 2300hr. We covered 90.9 nautical miles today! Wow! And Dean was all excited because he saw up to 8.9 for speed...Our Way Too!... can fly! We were all pooped out & ready to crash for the nite. Dad prepped the coffeepot for morning, our showers were quick...and I am pretty sure we all snored quite loudly.


Hugs from the S/V Our Way Too! Crew