We Are Underway!!!!

Dateline Marathon Marina, 7:30am, the sun is just over the horizon and we have cast off for the trek back home. Great Escape, with her fine growth of Florida Keys flora and fauna clinging to her bottom and rudders, clears the channel entrance into 3 ft seas and a 20-25 kt southeaster.

Due to the forecast, we elected to take the inside route in Florida Bay rather than the Hawk Channel outside route. The forecast was for 15-25 kt SE gradually moderating and clocking back to the S then SW by evening. By backtracking a bit and going inside, we would have the shelter of the Keys and avoid the short chop and uncomfortable ride outside. This would allow us to make better time. The plan worked out well. Once under the bridge, we turned east and found our selves tacking into some heavy air, but the seas were calm compared to the trip outside. We unfurled the jib, and the boat started at 5 kts, and built to 6.5 kts over the next 2 hours, largely as a result of the sea action washing all the critters off the bottom. As the day went on, we continued through some fairly shallow waters, +/- 5ft, and touched a few times, but eventually anchored in Sunset Cove for the night off Key Largo. Great sheltered spot, since the forecast was now for thunderstorms after midnight developing to rain in the morning.

We will hoist anchor at first light and have a rainy and dreary run up to Miami, where we plan to spend 2 days in Coconut Grove marina, and see daughter Jennifer.

Last word from Pete and John is that they were making great time north and yesterday were in Morehead City/Beaufort, NC, after several overnights at sea, but without much wind. Pete said they had the night shift thing worked out and the routine down. No more bridges for them!! Our plans will not be as ambitious.

The departure from Marathon was as expected, bittersweet. We went to dinner with new cruising friends, and vowed to meet again soon. Still, each ending ushers in a new beginning, which is why the photos are of a sunrise at Marathon, and a sunset at Key Largo, the first stop on a 1,300+ mile trip home.

Rob