Here is the picture promised in the last blog... Davey on the L, looking happy to be in Florida regardless of the temperature. Heather's pretty smile in the middle, and me on the left. This was about the warmest we saw for a few days. Getting underway at 35 degrees was the coldest we've done yet.
The last day/night/day have been pretty sloppy. Sustained winds of anywhere from 25-35, 40-50+ have not been uncommon. We were sitting in the cockpit for a few that nearly hit 60. We awoke to tornado warnings and torrential rain. I'm fairly amazed that we both slept fairly well last night. Our main anchor, the 55lb Delta on all chain is well set here in the mud. We also set our 66lb Bruce last evening too.
When the winds began to pick up yesterday we busied ourselves about getting the dinghy raised and such. We looked out over the anchorage and soon everyone was getting their dinks out of the water, outboards on the stern rail, decks cleared... storm preps were being made. As it stands, one boat is dragging...and they're onboard. A second uninhabited boat is questionable, it may be dragging, but only recently. We're heeling at 5-almost 10 degrees because the wind is on the beam and the heavy current is fighting it out with the breeze.
It looks like winds are going to be heavy through tomorrow afternoon. We'll stay put for a few more days and be patient. When things settle down we'll go knock on the other boats and say hello and make some new friends. More than likely, they've been where we're going so they'll have some good recommendations on places to go and things to see.
The cruising kitties are asleep. Heather is in the cockpit drying a few things off. I will head out in a minute and keep her company. We had enough excess power that we actually watched a few episodes of That 70's Show with lunch.
Lunch... it was worth writing home about. We made Thai/Indonesian stir fry with coconut milk, pineapple, chicken, stir fry veggies, fresh mung beans from the sprouter. We also made fried rice (thanks to Brian's mother for the last minute advice.) It was yummy, we'll have the leftovers for dinner.
We're sitting tight, enjoying ourselves as much as possible. While writing, it's been maintaining 40 for the last 10 minutes. I can see outside, so no worries, but some good wind regardless. Gale force to strong Tropical Storm force winds for the last 24 hours and forecast for the next 24. The joys of cruising.
until next time,
Windy & Blustery and the Cyclonic Cats.
UPDATE: As soon as that was written, it blew 40+ for 40-50 minutes. It's been in that range throughout the afternoon. What a blow!! A poor Beneteau that came in yesterday found a low spot at low tide (wind blown tide was lower than usual), ran hard aground, and he was heeled over so far that the side rails were almost touching the water. Tide is rising once again, wind switching from the S to the W. It should clock around to the NW and moderate by tomorrow afternoon. Until then it'll be a long, bouncy evening.
UPDATE NUMERO DOS
It's still blowing and it's Monday evening; this started Saturday afternoon. The bimini is down, wind generator locked off. It blew 50 or so for an hour or so last night about 10pm. It's down into the 30's sustained but still bouncy. We'll find a movie to watch tonight. Probably head to Fernandina tomorrow sometime and then maybe, just maybe offshore to Beaufort, SC on Wednesday. Don't hold your breath. | 