X-Mas 2014 Bahamas or Not

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!