Safety First

I am humbled. 

The ocean is vast. She is great.  She doesn't care when her depths are shallow, or when they are fathomless.  She just undulates and breathes her breath. You are not a factor. You are lucky if you can move about her surface without mishap, without fail. You honor and respect her majesty. You bow to her power. 

There are times when you and your vessel return to a safe port and respect her wishes. 

You listen and learn from her. 

I wonder sometimes how often we would pause if it was just Hubs and me. If we didn't have Coco.  

I think we would we be a lot more reckless. We would charge head first, holding hands, and press our way through... Anything. 

But, it's not just the 2 of us. We have extra special gargo. 

There is Coco. 

So, we are more cautious. Our anxiety and fear is exponential.   

That is why today we turned back. 

We could have forged ahead and consequences be damned. 

But... Coco... Sanity and self preservation. 

Our Coco.  She was just happy with the pool on the other end of our meltdown.  

*We were well on our way to crossing the Bahamas Banks. We turned around and headed back to Bimini. This, we are learning, is part of cruising. The weather window that was predicted was inaccurate. We were in a position to turn around.  So we did. Safety first. 

Yes, we are completely deflated. We had hoped to be on our way across the Banks. But also, YES, we are content to be at a safe marina... As it was our only other other option. 

Taking stock. Licking our wounds. Feeling grateful for honest, human responses.  

To being free and being real!*

Crossing the Gulf Stream

Rolling mountains of water. In the dark. The longest 45 minutes ever, waiting on the moon rise. Followed by the longest 10 hours pushing our way through from peak to valley to peak again. 

At the time it felt like it would never end. 

I've read so many things about night passages. But nothing really prepares you for that first time out at sea with only the stars (and possibly moon) to guide you. 

Mellow drama aside... We did it. We crossed the Gulf Stream.  It was just as intimidating as we expected, but people have been doing it for ages. 

The plan was to anchor off Angel Creek for the night and shove off around 4 in the morning. Hubs decided to call an audible. The wind was light. The sea relatively calm. So we went for it. 

I think the abruptness of the call, coupled with strong coffee and anxiety made it even more uncomfortable. 

But we are here. Currently tied up in Bimini, but leaving in the morning to cross the banks. A long stretch for the next few days. Then... Then we will be able to take it one island at a time. 

Yesterday, after knocking out some school work,  Coco and I walked around North Bimini while Hubs worked on a few things aboard Airabess.  

P.S.  So far, I'm not one of those authors who enjoys night passages. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the fact that I can't see at all to begin with. It's even more a problem under the cover of darkness. I may change my mind. You, and I will just have to wait and see. 

  

Riding this Wave

The north east wind is still blowing. So we are still moored up in Marathon. 

We are fully provisioned. The laundry is all done. Everything is pretty much stowed. 

Insert thumb twiddling. 

Yeah... So we are just hanging out. But not really doing anything other than homeschool and checking the wind forecast. 

There are 2 last minute things we need to do before we leave the U.S.A.  Unfortunately, we can't do them until we know for sure when we are setting out~ Ms Willow to the vet (there is a 48 hourish window allowed from departure to arrival in the Bahamas), and turning off our phone. 

Insert more thumb twiddling...

This is part of boat life.  We are going with it.  We are making the best of it. 

We would be playing at the beach here, but it's just a little to low on the thermometer. Instead, we have other distractions.  

I'm not complaining. I'm just so ready to start this adventure. It's been a long time coming. 

Zero-Car Family

I guess it's really official now. The last thing on land that was keeping us in one place is gone. We sold our car. 

The timing was perfect. I finished my last day at work on Saturday. We did a last heavy provisioning run on Sunday and Monday. We exchanged the keys for cash on Tuesday. 

Now we wait. 

Waiting~ a common theme for us, and cruisers alike.  It's different this time though. This time we are ready (as ready as we will ever be) to go. We have accumulated the necessary supplies, we have outfitted Airabess, we have sent in the proper paperwork (I.e. vet documents for Ms Willow, homeschool documentation, etc...). We are prepared. 

Now patiently doing what cruisers do... Watching the weather and looking for our window.  

Ms Willow she is just waiting. Coco... Staying on top of her studies. 

Boo

So strange.  These moments (months) of not quite continuity. Work.  Homeschool, Marina/harbor friends...etc... 

We are in this bubble of life that is and isn't limbo. As humans, we make connections. Boat life incorporates that... But there is a difference. We KNOW its temporary. But it's life, and we move forward. We forge bonds. We build lives and structure~ even with  intentional avoidance or nonchlance. Even when we try to step outside THAT kind of conformity, we connect. 

And when we do its wonderful. 

The kids of the harbor had a pumpkin carving party courtesy of the Marathon City Marina. 

It's a reminder of this life and its beautiful connection. 

Lobster, It's What's For Dinner.

Lately the weather has been blah (rain for weeks). Yours truly has been in beast, I mean work mode and Hubs has been in the project zone (there's a surprise). So, the fun factor has been on hold. 

But today, TODAY,  the planets were aligned. I got out of work early. Hubs was already on hold because Coco had homeschool P.E. at the park- After which we had planned on a quick trip to the beach for a cool down~ but the water was calm and the sun WAS SHINING.  Hubs called an audible and we went (slightly) offshore in the dingy with our snorkels and masks.  

We were handsomely rewarded. Hubs scored some dinner. AND... He cooked it too. 

Here's to bringing back the spontaneity. 

Waiting It Out

I know I've been quiet on the blog front (and Facebook) as of late. 
We are still here.  We are still hot.  We are still just in a holding pattern.  But it's all good.

I decided to use some of the waiting time to get a paying gig for a little while.  It's working out pretty well so far.  Though, it's definitely changed our schedule. 

We had planned on random sailing trips while we are here... but doesn't really work when I am working 5 days a week and my days off aren't consecutive.  Again, no biggie.  Hubs is finishing a few projects around Airabess, installing new systems and tweaking the old ones.  Coco is easing her way back into a school routine (we aren't officially starting until October), and I am bringing home the bacon.  

Also, making new friends and planning rendezvous for when it's time to set sail for real.  

A few more weeks (and if the weather is right) we will be on our way.  

People have asked why we didn't just wait it out back home.  Truthfully~ we just didn't want to.  We were so ready to just go (away).  It really wasn't necessary to acclimate for months.  Nor was it important we sweat our tushes off in the process.  But. We wanted to get going.  Get moving.  Start heading in another direction.   We were ready.  So we went.  And now we are here and waiting. 

It's kind of nice too when you can pull up to the dingy dock and not have to vie for a spot, Or have to wait at the showers (while we have access we use them, no need to use our hard hauled water when we don't have to).

I know it will be time to go before we know it!