Photo from Deb's email, February 2, 2018

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And the Plot Thickens (well, it gets complicated anyway)

We've been anchored outside the St Thomas airport since Thursday.  Had to arrive early because of the weather.  It's a pretty rolly anchorage but the others are very crowded.  We're renting a car today and going to drive around and get groceries.  The steering wheel is on the normal side of the car but they drive on the left.  Don spent all day yesterday plotting courses and entering them into the chart plotter.  This will be the most complicated sailing of the trip. Deb (via email)
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The Minnow Was Not Lost!

We awoke at 0400 to get an early start on a long passage. After waiting 2 days for 15-20 ft. seas to wane we were anxious to be underway. Despite the forecast (8-12 ft. waves) it was remarkably calm. Our good fortune did not outlast my sordid past, though. With their approach hidden by the glare of the rising sun, a US Coast Guard Cutter approached us and demanded to board. I was certain Cat Cay Security had gotten to them and I would be dragged back to the Bahamas to join Jean Valjean on the rock pile. Actually they were very polite and friendly and just did a safety check. We passed. Just so the story doesn't get too dull, we did average 8-9 knots in the Gulf Stream (compared to our normal 5-6) and as we approached the Florida Coast at Pa!m Beach In!et their were 25knot winds with rip tides and 6-8footers breaking on the beach and all around the inlet. If not for the courage of the fearless crew the Minnow would he lost. The Minnow would be lost! The Captain (Don via email)
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Wednesday, October 4, 2017

We got up with eardrums aching from the squeaking fenders, especially Fred, who's head was right next to one.  Got the mast loaded and secured, got a pumpout and fuel and we're on our way at 10:30.  Flat water and following winds.  It was a pretty morning but clouded up and we had a thunderstorm in the afternoon - lots of thunder and lightning We went through the first of many lift bridges and it first locks.  For both you radio ahead when they are in sight.   We had some trepidation about what the locks would be like, but they aren't difficult, especially with a crew of four.  Once the water starts do drop, the biggest challenge is keeping the fenders of the slimy, muddy walls because they would never be clean again.  There's no hope for the gloves we use to hold on to the equally gross cables. We stopped earlier than we'd planned because the bridge tender thought we should.  We later realized she only thought that because is we'd gone i...
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