Home to Burnt Store Marina

After months of preparation, anticipation, and occasional consternation, we cast off Aurora’s lines and departed our home port of Punta Gorda Isles yesterday at 10:00 a.m.   Unlike last year when we quietly slipped off the bowlines with little a due, our departure was noted by our neighbor’s hand-scripted “Bon Voyage” sign and as we motored about a half mile into the canals were surprised to be joined our friends Dave and Anna aboard their Catamaran  “Lion’s Paw.”  Another 15 minutes, a Hunter, “Southern Bell” with skipper Joe and first mate Lisa, pulled into the procession, then followed more Mariners, Jim and Dawn on their newly acquired Hunter vessel, “Tranquillo.”  

So you know Aurora’s Bahama Bound, and some of you know that 7 assorted vessels are also headed for the Abocos with us.  But none of the above mentioned sailing vessels are making the that crossing, instead we all set a course for Burnt Store Marina about 9 nautical miles south of Ponce Inlet.  Morning rains had freshened the winds and made for an amazing two-hour engineless sail across the harbor in 8-15 knot winds.  What a fun sail for everyone and what better way to start the first leg of our trip than accompanied by our sailing friends.  In our minds we’re thinking, “This could be the best sailing of the whole trip!”   Just a little before 1:00p.m. Captain Dennis guided “Aurora” into her slip, with the other sailors in the flotilla all safely harbored shortly thereafter.   

Greeting us as we docked were members of our PGI Mariners boating club who had also arrived for our annual Regatta, which includes but is not limited to a race for the sailboats, crazy games, fabulous food, entertainment, dancing, prizes…everything you can imagine for a fun-filled two-day event.  Last night was Hollywood night, with skits, surprise visits from Mariner/Hollywood stars, prime rib, with all the fixin’s, then DJ and dancing into the night.  Today was team games…more food…manatee sitings…scavenger hunt…crafts.  Tonight…more food…more dancing…more good fun with our boating friends.   It doesn’t sound really relaxing, but after a month of listing, purchasing, washing, packing, hauling,  cleaning house and boat for departure, it’s actually quite a nice change of pace, and quite enjoyable.  Plus it will be two days in the luxury of a marina before we are again “Bahama Bound.”   

To those of you who followed last year, welcome back, and for those just joining us welcome aboard…and hope you enjoy the journey with us.   We will be able to post almost every day till April 15, then only when we have access to Wifi, which may not be every day, so please be patient if you do not hear from us but every few days.  Just know we miss each of you that you are in our thoughts and prayers throughout our journey, and please keep us in yours.