Apparently April showers do not bring May flowers on our boat. We had just popped back out into the Gulf out of Clearwater Pass, enjoying one of the best sails yet of our trip, when we were showered with ball bearings from above. Phillip and I gently made our way up onto the foredeck to … Read more April 12, 2014 – Keys Log: Day 10 (Part Duex) – Jenn-AAAYYYY!!
I woke to find a friend on our stern line the next morning. He didn’t even move as we rustled around in the cockpit and readied the boat for another passage. He just watched us inquisitively and minded his own business. I almost hated to shoo him away when we were ready to leave. But, … Read more April 12, 2014 – Keys Log: Day 10 (Part One) – Rain On Our Parade
I will say, it took some time for both of us to come “down” from the epic mid-sea mast climb. That was something else. But, aside from the busted steaming light and lost gaff, we did have one good thing to come out of it. As we were detaching lines from my bosun’s chair and … Read more April 11, 2014 – Keys Log: Day 9 – For a Good Ride, Call Johnny N
We were both a little disoriented when we woke on the boat behind Dog Island. Having slept so soundly at anchor and waking to the alarm in pitch black, it was a little hard to tell if we were still dreaming or awake. But, we finally eased on up after a few alarm snoozes to … Read more April 10, 2014 – Keys Log: Day 8 – Catching Butterflies
WHAT’S YOUR PRICE FOR FLIGHT?? At least I think those are the lyrics. Feel free to test me (and jam to that oldie-but-a-goodie) here. But, know that I don’t care either way, because that’s what I like to belt out. “Finding Mr. Right! Believe you will tonight!” That’s the way I sing it. And, the way … Read more April 9, 2014 – Keys Log: Day 7 – MOTORIN’!
As we sat that morning on the boat sipping our coffee and cranking away on our laptops (yes, despite all evidence to the contrary, we do have to work – at times), we heard a boat pulling up next to us at the dock at Port St. Joe. A raucous voice rang out, “Pat, get … Read more April 8, 2014 – Keys Log: Day 6 – Wicked Wind of the West
They say for a sailor, wind is more valuable than money. If that’s true, we were filthy, stinking rich when we woke that morning. It was blowing 20-25 knots and gusting in the 30s! If we wanted kiting wind, we certainly got it. It was time, finally to bust out the kites! Phillip and I … Read more April 7, 2014 – Keys Log: Day 5 – Goodbye Gorton
I heard a light little shuffle up on the deck, a gentle swish of a bag and then the warm scent of fresh-baked muffins filled the cabin … Okay, they weren’t fresh-baked, they were wrapped, but the gesture felt the same. We woke on Sunday morning to find the Sunday paper and the two darling … Read more April 6, 2014 – Keys Log: Day 4 – Clean Plate Club
It’s funny how things tend to work themselves out when you’re sailing. We had a follower tell us a while back (and rightfully so) that the most dangerous thing you can have on a boat is a schedule. While time is decidedly always an issue – if only we all had an infinite supply we … Read more April 5, 2014 – Keys Log: Day 3 – Don’t Mind the Weather
It laid limp and lifeless, strewn across the deck in a sad display of failure. Our busted lazy jack. After inspection, we found the eyelet on the starboard spreader that the lazy jack was shackled to had detached entirely. Never to be seen Humph! Well, it’s just a lazy jack. People have been raising and … Read more April 4, 2014 – Keys Log: Day 2 – Into the Black Abyss