We
arrived at our intended inlet earlier than expected and decided to
bypass our planned anchorage and take advantage of the incoming tidal
current to make significant bonus progress. Total mileage for the
day... 55 nautical miles (typically we average about 40)!
While
the weather was only supposed to turn Tuesday evening we resisted
bumping out again and instead erred on the side of caution, motor
sailing inland, making it almost to the Florida border. Ultimately
the weather was great all day (even easier than Monday) and we
totally could have gone out again but no regrets. We dropped anchor
in a marsh creek at sunset, positioning ourselves for the impending
north winds and letting out extra chain for the expected 40knots
gusts.
Exactly
as predicted around 19:00 the wind kicked up. While the marsh
provided excellent wave and current protection it provided almost no
wind protection. We rocked and rolled all night with the wind howling
outside. This made our poor dog Dexter very nervous and he was up
almost all night pacing around and breathing heavily. We kind of half
slept and I got up & out a couple of times to make sure
everything was OK. Stepping out into it was a blast of cold air to
the face (they did say it was a Canadian cold front).The wind
indicator showed 32knots. The chain was pulling hard but we were
secure. I felt really bad for anybody actually out on the ocean in
this.
By
Wednesday morning the worst was over (or maybe it just seemed that
way in the light of day) but winds remained very strong so we
declared it a "gale day", like a snow day where you get to
stay home from school or work. We slept in, Cassandra made pumpkin &
spice scones in the oven (even while the boat rocked). The delicious
aroma was great to wake up to (yes I had kept sleeping). We read,
scrap booked, relaxed, listened to the radio. All in all a good day,
even if we didn't make any progress south.
Nice neighbourhood! The sailboat in the distance is on the ICW. |
Mmmm... warm pumpkin scones... drool.... |
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