Garden Key, Dry Tortugas to Key West, FL—Friday, Feb. 28---March 1

Meeting for early drinks and appetizers on “Horizons,” but still not caught up from the overnight, we made our way back to boats and berths by 8:00 for an early night on the 27th.  Even stronger winds than on our crossing gently rocked us to sleep, reinforcing how glad we were to be in the safe harbor of Garden Key. 

Awaking Friday morning refreshed, Dennis fixed a full breakfast and the two of us set out to explore Fort Jefferson.  A ferry brings a boat-load of people from Key West around 11:00 each day so at 10:30 there was time to explore the quiet grounds on a self-guided tour.   The fort though never finished or used for the purpose built, has a rich history and is a none-the-less fascinating and beautiful place.  Erected in 1846 to 1874, sixteen million bricks later, with the lower cisterns sinking and cracking allowing salt water to contaminate the fresh water, the army abandoned Fort Jefferson.  At one time or the other over those years it housed nearly 2,000 people, soldiers, prisoners and some civilians, with the most famous of the prisoners being Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was eventually pardoned for his role in assisting in President Lincoln’s assassination.  It is fascinating that such a remote park could provide a rich and fascinating walk through history.  Imagining all the ships and variety of people who passed by this placed throughout the years was intriguing.  If the harbor could only talk!!!

After hearing about the good snorkeling, we were anxious to get wet.  Dinghying back to Aurora we donned our gear, including our wet suits to ward off the 75.6 degree water temperature and headed back to shore.  Rewarded for our efforts to snorkel around the Fort we saw colorful parrot fish, conchs, nemos, starfish, plants, beautiful corals and Dennis saw a squid.  Later that day we saw a nurse shark underneath the boats.  Probably the most unusual animal we saw all day was in the mote around the fort was the resident crocodile.  Nobody’s really sure how he got there, or where he came from, but he seems to be surviving quite nicely. 

Although we would have loved to stay an extra day and snorkel some more, with winds predicted from due east on Sunday we made plans to set out early Saturday to catch the Northeast winds for a smooth ride into Key West. 

True to predictions the winds were pleasantly 5-10 knots, giving us some assistance on our 68 mile motor sail into Key West.  Resting comfortably in the anchorage overnight then taking dockage at A and B Marina early Sunday, we were all were excited to again have the amenities which come with being in a slip. 

Our destination and timing from here are uncertain, but will post again as soon as we have service.  

The Crossing--February 26-27

As always, unaware of what lies ahead, spirits are high when beginning a cruise.  “Lena Bea”, “Chill,” “Wild Oats” anchored with “Aurora” the evening of the 25^th by marker # 1 in Charlotte Harbor, rising to a beautiful sunrise on calm waters, the four captains and crew were underway by 8:00a.m. for the 24 hour cruise, destination Dry Torgugas, FL.  The first leg across the harbor to Boca Grande Pass was uneventful, with clear skies and winds out of the southwest allowing us upon turning westerly at marker #5  to raise the sails.  A fifth boat, “Horizons” joined us at Boca, we cleared the pass into the open waters of the Gulf at 10:30a.m.  On a southwest heading with winds on our nose, but with promise from the weather reports that the winds would favorably shift to more westerly in the early afternoon, we continued on our course with spirits undampened.  Needless to say, wind on the bow is not a delightful way to cruise even for a couple of hours, but the waves were not too high, at least at first.  Later as they grew to heights of 3-5 feet and the winds continued on the nose we all began to question why we were doing this.  Around 50 miles offshore “Chill” decided to head back for the safety of Charlotte harbor, thus able to turn off their engines and sail back.  On the other hand, the four of us pounded, with spirits greatly dampened, on until 1:00am the next morning when the winds finally shifted enabling us to silence our engines, and proceed the next 10 hours under sail.  Spotting the massive Ft. Jefferson on the horizon we slipped into the safe harbor of Garden Key, Dry Tortugas at 11:00a.m.  About an hour later “Route 66,” joined us in the anchorage, bringing our number to 5 boats having completed the 150 mile crossing.

Honestly most of us would not have stayed the course had we been by ourselves, but instead, like “Chill,” would have turned back at some point.   I can tell you, in the middle of the long, long night, and after getting very sick for the first time ever while sailing I was wishing to be back home with the lucky ones who for various reasons were unable to accompany us on the trip.

Order of business after the long night was to eat, shower and nap before exploring the shore of the Dry Tortugas National Park. 

Tomorrow's finally the day!  Setting sail a hundred fifty miles across the Gulf for the Dry Tortugas with 6 other fellow Mariners of Punta Gorda Isles.  When I look out our lanai and see the scene to the right I wonder why we ever want to leave this almost perfect place.  Are we crazy???  I know, I know, you're thinking "yes, maybe" to even want to make this trip.

Closely following the weather forecasts for the next few days the captains have agreed that the trip is a go, although there may be some wet weather late Thursday and Friday our overnight trip on Wednesday should be calm seas and fair winds.  Without much moonlight the stars should brilliantly guide us to our destination. Here's a couple of our weather and sailing sites we've been checking in with to make decisions:

http://www.passageweather.com/

http://www.weather.com/weather/today/Dry+Tortugas+Park+FL+3704:19:US

Our departure time is Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. from Ponce Channel in Punta Gorda Isles and our heading is southwest. Winds are predicted to be light and variable changing directions throughout the daytime.  Continuing through the night our arrival time is early on Thursday hopefully around daylight. To give you an idea of what's there here's a website for the Dry Tortugas National Park. 

http://www.nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/index.htm 

Really don't know for sure when we will have the next opportunity to post because there is no service until we get back to Key West, which will be, weather permitting, on Sunday. 
By then we should have some fun stuff to tell.  Thanks so much for your interest in our adventure!

One of our upcoming stops on our return trip, Boot Key Harbor at Marathon, now requires running lights on the dinghys so we lowered ours down today, installed the lights and modified the dinghy chaps to fit.  Also made a drawstring bag for the two lights to keep them out of the sunlight when not in use.  Added several items to the provisioning " to buy list" like more batteries for the lights.

Dennis defrosted the refrigerator and turned on the freezer today to get them good and cold before adding provisions on Sunday.  Wanted to thoroughly clean the cabin today, but ran out of time working on other sewing and house projects that needs to be completed before leaving.  Guess we'll try to fit the cleaning in tomorrow.

And as always we're checking the weather forecasts for Punta Gorda, Dry Tortugas and Key West and seeing a variety of predictions...time will tell.

 http://www.nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/drytortugasweather.htm

Although the sunrise was amazing today, we're following the weather for our departure next week very carefully.

Latest Adventure

Well, we're finally at it again, making preparations and provisioning lists for another trip. This time to the Dry Tortugas, 70 miles West of Key West.

Today after using 20 yards of fabric, 2,000 yards of thread, and many, many hours out of the last 17 days our 35 cabin cushions are recovered.  Notice the before and after pictures at the right.  Now for my recovery!!! 

Dennis took on fuel today for the 24 hour, 152 mile overnight trip which will commence next Wednesday, February 25, weather permitting, from Charlotte Harbor.  Accompanying us will be 6 other boats, that is of course, barring no other unforeseen cancellations between now and then.

Needless to say we are excited to again be cruising to a new, and we are told, beautiful destination and hope you will accompany us as we traverse the blue waters of the Gulf.  

Home for now…

Well rested after having a relaxed day at Pelican Bay and compared to last year’s homecoming which was an overnighter from Marathon to PGI in the July heat, physically we were ready and able on Saturday when we got home to dig in and get as much done as possible.     

When cruising you begin planning, thinking, and talking six months ahead and then provisioning/loading the boat the month before leaving.  Our post trip disembark this time seemed so easy compared to those six months of preparations. Once home we worked for about 3 hours to get everything off the boat, cleaned, sorted and stored (maybe not in that order, but you know what I mean.) Dennis began immediately to dismember the electronics for further attention by the experts, and to order some needed parts.  Although making it home without any more lightning related issues it seems little gremlins are sometimes left behind to cause havoc when least expected so we will not sign off with Progressive Ins. for now.

As we reflect on our 595 mile three-week cruise there are a few things that are quite obvious; like expect the unexpected.  There’s never a bad day on the water, well maybe one.  Each day is totally new, and totally different than the last.  Be content with where you are, and it’s never about the destination…it’s about the journey and the people you meet along the way.    

Final reflections: Cruising is a lot like life, there are many disappointments, you pick yourself up, figure out what to do, and make the best of it.  My dad and I loved horses and rode together.  His only rule was if you fall off the horse, you must get back on immediately and ride again to overcome your fear.  Not a bad rule for living the cruising life.

Yes Daddy, Dennis and I will, in spite of the lightning strike, climb aboard Aurora, grateful to cruise another day.   

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We may have some short cruises that I will blog on over the next few months, so check in on the website at the first of the month for updates.  Out next long cruise will probably be to the Dry Tortugas in November, definitely blogable.

Fair winds and may God bless.   Arrivederci