June 15, 2011 Day 11 "Gulf Crossing"

Happy Birthday Uncle Roger!

We welcomed another beautiful Sunny day out on the Gulf of Mexico!

With Randy at the helm at 0915 hr, the winds were at 12 knots-waves 2 to 4'

He logged that the water color has turned from the brilliant turquoise color

to that of the "Mississippi Mud". Well it makes sense as we are now just south of the Mississippi Delta.

Dean can sleep anywhere!

We had "Brunch" today about 1000 hr - Bacon, Eggs, and Toast. 

At noon, Randy started the engine. We needed to charge the batteries and make better time. The "rule" is  ...if you are traveling under 5 knots - on comes the engine.

Weather: Temp in the high 80's and becoming partly cloudy.

Wind W/NW at 14 knots ~ Waves 3-4' confused.

We are all starting to feel wore down and tired. I think the heat and lack of a good solid nights sleep is getting to all of us. And we are only just a little over half way there!

Dad is still not feeling well. I'm sure he has been running a fever. He is exhausted...every time he lays down he starts to cough and has to sit up. His appetite isn't the usual either. We are all worried about him altho he insists he is fine, that it's just a sore throat and cough. I think he has pneumonia!

We see a bunch of rigs out here on the horizon. Way too many to count!

I'm tellin' ya this boy CAN sleep anywhere!!
And he does!!

Actually I can't pick on my Hubby...he isn't the only one snoozing all the time. We are all napping now as much as we can. We're becoming sleep deprived!

But Captain Rob smiles even when he's tired!

Cuz he is doing what he loves best!

~Sailing~

Enjoying a smooth ride!

At 1600 hr we are still motor/sailing along at about 5.1 knots. The wind is at 14-15 knots. We are waiting for it to clock around to the SW. According to Rob's WeatherFax that should happen in a half hour or so. Waves 1-2'....Good ride!!

For our supper I made a pot of Seafood Jambalaya.

During dinner cleanup we ran out of water so Dean started the generator and preceded to make water with our watermaker. The watermaker would not start and after several tries, my discouraged, tired, and upset husband gave up. The seas were getting alittle bit bouncy and he wasn't totally positive that we could operate the water maker while underway. (Something we would need to double check with John when we talk to him next.) He couldn't figure out the reason it wouldn't make water and he was pretty frustrated. Especially since we still had at least 2 1/2 days left to go. We had 1 gallon of water sitting on the counter and we were running low on drinking water in the fridge. Dad needed as many fluids as I could get down him so that was another big concern. Also, we all needed to rinse off from the heat and salty sea air. 

Lessons Learned:

Have more jugs of reserve water stowed.

Plan to make water when the 1st tank is empty!

Another project on Dean's list of "Things to Do"....find problem with Watermaker & reason why we went through as much water as we did in such a short period of time.

And we ready ourselves for another long night...........

June 14, 2011 Day 10 "Gulf Crossing"

Happy Birthday Captain Randy!!!

We hope you are having a great trip & are honored to have you with us! We love you!

Thank you for being with us & all your help, long hours at the helm & advice. 

Also a very "Happy Birthday" to my friend Dave Hemmerling!!

It's Flag Day!

Motorsailing since 0040 hr

At 0600 hr we have traveled 251 nautical miles into the Gulf.

We have 400 nm more to go to Kemah TX!!

Beautiful Sunrise

At 0645 hr we have 3-5' waves off our bow. West winds @ 18 knots....steady.
1228 hours on our engine.

At 0830 hr engine was quieted and we were under full sail once again. Winds still @18 knots.
At 0945 hr we are still plugging away westwardly. Winds are not cooperating very well.
Up...down...changing direction...motor on....motor off! We just go with the wind!!

We had 2 small casualties today on Rob's watch...or should I say offerings to Neptune! 

First ...the wind stole Rob's "Wandering Star" hat off his head and it was laid to rest at 3000ft in the 

Gulf of Mexico. Then shortly after the small cutting board we used to filet fish, slid off the aft deck into the drink as well. Just glad is wasn't a MOB!! (Man overboard) Our Way Too! likes to keep her crew all on board & safe!!

My Birthday Boy requested Brownies instead of a cake, so I baked some for him today. They tasted very good for a change!

I enjoy working in the galley! It will take some getting used to but I will do fine. My tummy gets a workout when cooking/baking underway...that's for sure. Lurching this way...then that way...Maybe I will shed some pounds! I do have to be very cautious when working with the oven tho...opening the heavy door and not being on guard could slide the hot pan right out of the oven if I don't keep it level. I definitely don't want to burn myself!

About 1600 hr the wind was W/NW @ 6 knots...then jumped to 15 knots! The "Wind Gods" just can't seem to decide what they wanna do and how hard they wanna blow!!

Dad is still not feeling well. The more sleep he gets the better off he will be. I am still keeping a close eye on him. I sound just like his mother...drink more water...did you take your medicine?

We are finally seeing something besides sky & water!

Our very first Oil Rig!

Now begins the "all eyes forward & alert...especially at night"

This is the main reason we needed extra people on board to help be on the lookout. Some are working, some are not. Some are deserted & unlit...just sticking out of the water.

Our Way Too! begins her zigging and zagging trek through the Gulf of Mexico's Oil Platform's for the remainder of our trip to Galveston Bay. We sailed very close to quite a few of them. They are staggered all over the place out here! It's like a mine field!

Randy took watch from 1800 hr to 2400hr. He watched a large ship off in a distance & learned via radio conversation that they were doing soundings.
The wind was at about 12 knots & the seas at about 2 ft.

Dean come up on watch at midnite. Beautiful night with a full moon!
We clipped along pinching the wind under full sail! Wind at 17 knots.

Our Way Too! is flying along

I did some playing with my camera trying to get some good shots at night. This one turned out the best. It appears as if we are just flying across the Gulf!! :-)

Rob next on watch. He was in time for the seas to start pickin up and become confused.
Another night out in the middle of the Gulf is almost over.....

June 13, 2011 Day 9 "Gulf Crossing"

Around the clock......

Engine off and under full sail @ 0715 hr
Capt' Rob off watch at 0720 hr. He sure enjoys watching the moon sets in the mornings! Bless his heart...he took over early for Dean & let him sleep, so he pulled an extra long watch too.
Capt' Randy at the helm once again.

We all had Grapefruits for breakfast that Dad brought along to share with us from FL. Yum!

We are 143 nm out from Tampa, FL for our first 24 hours. It is still flat (0-1' waves) out here! Very light winds out of the NW. Beautiful, warm and sunny!

We were under full sail until 1100 hr. Then had to start the engine once again.
At 1610 hr 1' seas & wind @ 13knots.

Everyone trying to get naps in, staggered throughout the day. I am grateful that Rob & Randy are fresh and able to cover & shorten Dean's shift's for him. He is exhausted I think, mentally and physically. I really think it's reassurance of them being with us now he can relax having more competent help onboard.

1715hr A Pod of Dolphins visit us! How exciting!! We figure 15 to 20 of them. They swim so fast & dive in, around, and under the bow of the boat it is hard to count! Randy and I got some great pictures of them and Randy blessed us with this video! We whooped & hollered & whistled at them. Randy went below & woke everyone from naps so they could see them too!

They hung out with us for about 20-25 minutes! This is why I want to be out on the ocean!  Amazing!! Thank you Randy for the video!!

 

I have taken a gazillion pictures of the friendly fun-to-watch creatures so I must share a couple more!

Putting on a nice show for us & racing with Our Way Too!

Oh what I would give to "Dance with these Dolphins!"

So Playful!!

I hope to display a picture/copy of my Aunt Debbie's Quilt "Oh!! To dance with a dolphin" onboard Our Way Too! I must remember to ask her about it! Now it will have even more meaning to me!

Randy & Rob are trying to figure our fuel burn for the trip. They worry we  won't have enough fuel to make the crossing if we end up motorsailing a majority of the trip. The wind has not been good for much sailing so far. Very light winds! Dean keep watch on our tank of fuel by measuring & comparing with the fuel gage.

Not too much excitement out here since the Dolphins left us. It is pretty quiet! I am really worrying about Dad. I had him lay on one of our folding seats so he could sleep half sitting up. It seemed to help alittle. Trying to push fluids down him, reminding him to take the medicine we bought, and letting him sleep as much as he can. It's pretty warm in the cabin too so that doesn't help. I think he is running a fever as well. :(

Motor off again @ 1900 hr. Randy back on the helm. He sure enjoys this! He puts his earbuds in and jams to his music on his ipod! I am sure it makes the time go by faster on his watch!! He is great Captain & such an awesome friend. We are so glad he was able to join us!

We were blessed once again with another beautiful day out in the Gulf of Mexico & wrapped up our day enjoying another fantastic sunset!

It is unbelievable that it is Hurricane Season and here we are out in the middle of the Gulf! We understand that not too many folks get to see it this calm out here. I never had any doubt about the weather for this trip. Funny...normally I worry about things like that. Not this trip...

And we begin another night.....

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!