Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Finally at 1:30 PM, we cut the lady’s lines, gassed up, picked up some mail waiting for us at the marina and we are on our way. Even though it was windy and beautiful, the tides didn’t permit us to go outside so we had a leisurely ride on the intracoastal waterway from Stuart to Jupiter Florida. Stasia had a bit of a fright when the engine started and chose the v-berth for a few hours with a bit of howling to let us know she wasn’t warned far enough in advance about that strange noise coming from below. Later on, with a little coaxing, she decided to come up to the cockpit and join us. Fred decided to let me take the helm. He said just follow the GPS, stay between the green markers on the port side and the red markers on the starboard side. Looked simple enough to me. Just follow the white area between those signs and all would be okay. Had a bit of trouble adjusting the autopilot but soon learned how not to over correct the point of sail. Fred went below to do a few things while Stasia and I enjoyed the ride and beautiful scenery. Smooth travels until I felt a slight bump. Quickly looking at the depth finder and speed I saw we were okay and wondered if Fred felt it. Just as I looked down below, Casa Mare’ took a hard hit and we went from 5 plus knots to a dead stop as I saw Fred fall flat on the floor below. He said he was okay, kept his cool, as most sailors do but I can tell you my heart jumped out of my body. I knew we were sinking...threw it out of autopilot and said, “I am still in the white road part on the GPS!!!! We hit something “BIG”...ya think it was a whale???” (forgetting there are no whales in the waterway that I know of anyway.) We finally started to jiggle around and move some then we were free from the giant sailboat snatcher. By the end of the day, Fred came to the conclusion that we hit a sunken boat...or something big...twice. (Maybe it was a sunken Boston “Whale”-r) No water coming in anywhere, although I can assure you I have been trying to talk him into putting on his wet suit when we get into clearer water in the keys, to take a peek at the bottom...just to be safe. I think he will. Fred found a cute little cove just past the Indian Town Bridge in Jupiter, dropped anchor and finally got it to hold. Dinner was Ribs, applesauce and a salad. I love this, no internet, no TV, and lots of time to spend with each other! The sun was setting and the moon was so bright. Got our first and probably last Christmas card today from Jim, Linda & Jennifer so now we have a wreath, a card, a jar of party mix from Mom & Dad. No Jim, Linda and Jennifer, I didn’t open the package yet. ‘Saving it for good’. Fred said we will not be sailing outside tomorrow because there are 6’ seas which would make for a rather rough sail but perhaps Friday. No problem. Doesn’t look like there is going to be a window to cross for another week anyway so we will just mosey on down towards Key Biscayne and see what happens. The evening sunset was beautiful red skies at night, sailors delight. Stasia is up on the deck enjoying the fresh air and guarding the boat. We are having fun!
Finally at 1:30 PM, we cut the lady’s lines, gassed up, picked up some mail waiting for us at the marina and we are on our way. Even though it was windy and beautiful, the tides didn’t permit us to go outside so we had a leisurely ride on the intracoastal waterway from Stuart to Jupiter Florida. Stasia had a bit of a fright when the engine started and chose the v-berth for a few hours with a bit of howling to let us know she wasn’t warned far enough in advance about that strange noise coming from below. Later on, with a little coaxing, she decided to come up to the cockpit and join us. Fred decided to let me take the helm. He said just follow the GPS, stay between the green markers on the port side and the red markers on the starboard side. Looked simple enough to me. Just follow the white area between those signs and all would be okay. Had a bit of trouble adjusting the autopilot but soon learned how not to over correct the point of sail. Fred went below to do a few things while Stasia and I enjoyed the ride and beautiful scenery. Smooth travels until I felt a slight bump. Quickly looking at the depth finder and speed I saw we were okay and wondered if Fred felt it. Just as I looked down below, Casa Mare’ took a hard hit and we went from 5 plus knots to a dead stop as I saw Fred fall flat on the floor below. He said he was okay, kept his cool, as most sailors do but I can tell you my heart jumped out of my body. I knew we were sinking...threw it out of autopilot and said, “I am still in the white road part on the GPS!!!! We hit something “BIG”...ya think it was a whale???” (forgetting there are no whales in the waterway that I know of anyway.) We finally started to jiggle around and move some then we were free from the giant sailboat snatcher. By the end of the day, Fred came to the conclusion that we hit a sunken boat...or something big...twice. (Maybe it was a sunken Boston “Whale”-r) No water coming in anywhere, although I can assure you I have been trying to talk him into putting on his wet suit when we get into clearer water in the keys, to take a peek at the bottom...just to be safe. I think he will. Fred found a cute little cove just past the Indian Town Bridge in Jupiter, dropped anchor and finally got it to hold. Dinner was Ribs, applesauce and a salad. I love this, no internet, no TV, and lots of time to spend with each other! The sun was setting and the moon was so bright. Got our first and probably last Christmas card today from Jim, Linda & Jennifer so now we have a wreath, a card, a jar of party mix from Mom & Dad. No Jim, Linda and Jennifer, I didn’t open the package yet. ‘Saving it for good’. Fred said we will not be sailing outside tomorrow because there are 6’ seas which would make for a rather rough sail but perhaps Friday. No problem. Doesn’t look like there is going to be a window to cross for another week anyway so we will just mosey on down towards Key Biscayne and see what happens. The evening sunset was beautiful red skies at night, sailors delight. Stasia is up on the deck enjoying the fresh air and guarding the boat. We are having fun!
