Onto Adventure
Trip Start
May 07, 2007
1
3
28
Trip End
Jun 15, 2007
Sarasota,
Florida,
United States
Thursday, May 10, 2007
So we are off. The drive from N Palm to Sarasota goes via state route 60. Its a dismal stretch of road and I am sure if they put crosses up, there would be no way to see the tacky shacks on the side of the road. Its bumper to bumper semis and pick ups as we wheel our way thought the citrus region of FL.
Of course with all this time behind the wheel, I could not help but think of all the contingencies of an ocean crossing. Of course too, we had not seen Dave and his wife since last fall. What if we don't mix well? What if this storm offshore turns out to be a trend. Well, I'm committed at this point. We will make it work....some how.
So we get to Dave's home in Riverview Fl about 130...late but not problematically so. We get re-acquainted with Dave and Kathy and it all seems fine. Wheeew. At least we are buy the first meeting. Now, how can we fit all our gear...two cases of wine, plus them and their two cats into this little Chevy HHR. I looked to see the rear tires compress as we fit the last bit into it....somehow.
After an hour's drive we Get to this fantastic marina on Long Boat Key and see the vessel. It looks superb...and I was told why...Dave had just spent a 'boatload' to get it polished and buffed. Fresh bottom paint, clean as can be. This was going to be our home for the next two months. We were assigned our cabin...good sized with our our 'head' or toilet area. This vessel has an owners stateroom plus 4 guest cabins each with their own head. This is quite a luxury in any kind of vessel and a big step up from ours...which has 1 head. Hmm.
Later that afternoon, Dave gave my first "detail" as crew: engine room cleaning. "This place looks bad...the mechanic I had was a pig. Maybe you can get this place cleaned", he said. Of course it looked fine to me. But I was so wowed with the myriad of machinery I could hardly see dirt. But off I went and two hours later I emerged. So after cleaning my boat for 10 days, cleaning our rental houses for 14 days, now Im cleaning again. But it was fine and I got a good orientation to the engine room. I somehow knew I would be spending more time their before we get to Gibraltar.
I could tell Dave was a meticulous captain as he went like crazy doing final repairs and putting a few more spare parts away. Yes, I think I want my captain to me meticulous.
"Have you guys ever run at night?", Dave ask. "Yes, twice", I remarked hoping we would not run straight through to Ft Lauderdale. He continued, "tomorrow night we run straight to Key West.". Well that sounded good as both Sue and I really enjoy Key West. It would be a 24 hour run.
This would be the first of many all night runs we do. OK, I was ready. The plan was to catch the morning tide at 0800.
I was dog tired after driving that devilish road for 300 miles, but I felt I was ready to get undereway.
Comments
Just missing you guys in Bermuda?
Gary & Sue - when you read this you likely will be in Bermuda, unless you have on-board e-mail. We leave for Bermuda in the Charleston to Bermuda race this Friday 5/18 & likely will be arriving as you are leaving - look out for us maybe I'll cross your bow! Good luck. We'll be at the RBYC if you're still there 5/24 for any reason. Good luck with your most excellant adventure!
SEA ya,
Scott
Charleston to Bermuda race
Yes, it seems the bi-annual B to C race will run the week before us and be at the RBYC the week before we get there. We wish our good friend Scott, fair winds!