Let
me back track a little, to 7 month ago. Rich and Laura Newell on Seafari
were planning a three week trip to the Bahamas over Christmas. We figured
since Kristina and James would not be moving back until January 2015, then we
would go. Everything was according to plan until, Kristina and James came
home in November. So we all changed our plans to go to the Keys, then the
kids could meet us down there for Christmas. So the week before leaving all the
plans kept changing and I was becoming very nervous about leaving the kids
alone for their first Christmas in the states and something was nagging at me
that this whole trip was a bad idea. The evening before we were to leave,
Kevin and I backed out of the Keys/Bahamas and decided to go as far as West
Palm Beach with Rich and Laura.
December
13th Saturday.
Rich
and Laura pulled out at 7:00 am we followed behind around 8:30. We came
out of the channel to our marina and notice we did not have much speed, so
Kevin assumed it was the prop needed to be cleaned again. Just as we
approached the first marker entering the ICW he noticed the oil pressure for
the transmission was “0”. We turned off the engine and I helmed making
1.3 knots with just the push of the wind and what little current there
was. I was going to pull out the head sail but the blocks had not been
hank- on yet. After about 30 minutes he filled the transmission
fluid (which was below the tip stick) and we proceeded south.
We finally caught up with Seafari just north of Ft. Pierce.
3:30pm
we have anchored just south of the Ft Pierce draw bridge and rafted with
Seafari. Kevin checked the fluid level again for the transmission and it
was down some so we decided not to go any further south and head home in the
next day or so. We at least wanted to do a day sail off shore since we
were at the inlet. We had a great dinner and watched the boat parade as
it pass right in front of where we anchored.
December
14th Sunday.
Seafari
untied and headed out at 7:00am, we followed out about 40 minutes later.
The seas where supposed to be 2-3 feet slow rollers with an ENE wind.
What we had was 4-5 foot chop out of the NW making conditions bad for us with a
day sail, but great for Rich and Laura heading south to West Palm. We
spent about an hour off shore then just gave up and headed back in. Once
in the inlet we decided to just head north and anchor at Marker 21 for the
evening.
3:00pm
reached the anchorage; it is so quiet and peaceful here. We had an early
dinner, watched a movie then called it an early night.
December
15th Monday.
Staying
another day at the anchorage, since we really have no specific destination and
we are off for the next few weeks. The captain and I have decided to just
play in our own back yard and spend a few days back at dock, mid-week, then
head back out and spend Christmas on the hook, with Kristina and James. I
will probably not make another blog posting for this trip, as you can tell, not
very exciting, but we are getting some well needed rest and relaxation.
Oh yeah Seafari made the crossing to the Bahamas today, so at least
someone made it there. Merry Christmas to all and to all a
good night!
