The Cruising Adventures of Wild Blue and crew...

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:09 pm Post subject:

Another spectacular day (and not just because of the weather). After Brent and Dixie came into the anchorage today, we rafted up again... talked, laughed, sang, watched the sun go down, and then Dixie made us all a great spaghetti dinner. We are truly enjoying our time in the Keys, made more special by sharing it with our new friends. Fortunately, they also have a great sense of humor...

An interesting event this afternoon, occuring on the bow of the sailboat behind us... Joan said, "I think that guy is naked!" Sure enough. Cleaning his boat... I guess he didn't want to get his clothes dirty. Or perhaps he had been to that same "third world laundrymat" we experienced, and preferred to not do that again? Either way, here is the only photo I took of that situation...

Yes, it brings a whole new consideration to the idea of "neighborhood watch." Disgust

Another sailor came by in his dinghy and asked about our boats. He also told us of his cruising plans: the Caribbean, the Med, and beyond. Looking in his eyes, I have no doubts.

It truly was a memorable evening.

And, here's a shot from early this morning - a sunrise instead of a sunset; still my favorite time of day.

Just for you, Pat: it was shirtsleeve weather when I shot that image.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject:

We headed NW out of Key West this morning, out the Northwest Channel (clever name, huh? ). The wind was supposed to clock around to the ESE. It didn't. Was supposed to be partly cloudy. It wasn't. We got pounded with beam seas that were growing the further we went. This set off our special C.A.T. alarm...

When Molly doesn't like the ride, she hops out of the v-berth and tells her Mommy. Her Mommy tells the skipper to "do something about this." I turned us around, came back to Key West, and poked into a quiet place along Fleming Key Cut. Not much traffic on this rainy ol' day. Stopped for fuel and ice in Key West Bight. If we get cabin fever, I'll take down the dinghy and we can go ashore. For now, it's quiet and reasonably calm. And a light rain.

There are worse places to wait for the wind to clock around.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 6:54 am Post subject:

Rained most of the night, with forecast for more of the same for today. We saw some lightning, heard some rumbles, but things remained calm where we are anchored. The current winds are ENE @ 13; we are in the lee of Fleming Key. The plan is to head out into the "back country" of the lower Keys, but we'll see what Mother Nature has in store for today.

We had a pleasant evening, snug and dry in Wild Blue's cabin. Visits from two sailboats while at anchor: one was the 22' Catalina that was anchored next to us in Boot Key Harbor last week. The other was some folks on a Gemini 105c who were just admiring the boat... trying to decide between a 22 and a 25 C-Dory. Can't really go wrong with that decision.

We spent the evening playing cards, reading, listening to music, and getting caught up on my log. Though rainy and gray, it's still warm. The camperback sure is nice in these conditions, as well. Turned in early, got some decent sleep between anchor checks.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 9:28 am Post subject:

There is a sailing song, "I'm Having Major Doubts About Waterspouts" that came to mind this morning. Shocked

Not long after making the previous post, Weather Radio alert came on with a warning for a waterspout to come ashore in the middle Keys; and a line of thunderstorms just east of our position, moving north. The warning area is from the Dry Tortugas to Key Largo. Heading out right now would move us right into that mess - we are staying put until it looks real good. The crew of Discovery concurs with that decision.

While this certainly doesn't merit "Grand Adventure", it's all about keeping it fun and safe. Never had an up-close-and-personal moment with a waterspout, and have no desire to test the structural integrity on Wild Blue in the process. Wink

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Byrdman · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:05 pm Post subject:

Maybe Mr. NOAA saw the guy washing his boat too...with or without bino's. I sure do miss my swim platform and hot/cold shower on the aft end of FreeByrd. ....and I was not even in the maragitaville area...but in the back waters of Bama. Great post. I needed a boost this morning. Thanks guys for your travels... and I like the no socks/shoes look better than the long black socks and sandles look too... Mr. Green

Thanks for the sunshine of this cloudy day.

Byrdman

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 12:34 pm Post subject:

SHE'S WUZ JUS A' WHISTLIN' DIXIE! Note

I wish I wuz a- seein' dis guy's bottom,
Ya know he's not got nuthin' on 'em,
Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.
In Dixie Land whar I be a spyin',
Sometimes ya' get a full eyein'
Look away! Look away! Look away! Dixie Land.

Note

JamesTXSD · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:20 pm Post subject:

SeaWolf, now that's funny, I don't care who ya are! To truly appreciate the humor in this, you'd have to see the look on Dixie's face each time I tell her I've posted something. Mr. Green

What a great spirit and easy-going sense of humor she has! I can't wait to show her your song.

Best wishes,
Jim B

Papillon · Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 5:02 pm Post subject:

Don't just show her....Jim..put it to music tonite...you do know the tune don't you...now your south of the Mason Dixon Line.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:28 am Post subject:

Rained most of the day yesterday, with thunderstorms in the area. We sat tight at anchor, keeping ourselves entertained on the boat. By mid-afternoon, Discovery pulled anchor and went for fuel, then we rafted up until well after dark. The conversation was lively, and Dixie got the opportunity to see "her song". A very pleasant evening with the four of us under the camperback on Wild Blue.

We turned in early and got a good night's sleep; awoke this morning to the rumble of thunder in the distance and light rain. A check of the weather shows 30% chance of precip, high of 78º, chance of thunderstorms. Looks like another "wait and see".

A new onboard charger has been shipped from Guest, and should be waiting for us by the end of the week.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Mallory Square, from the water side, in the rain...

Following Mickey's ship in (yeah in the rain)...

handy · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:16 pm Post subject:

Really enjoying your travelogue, thanks for doing it. Great pictures. Started paying attention to the national tv weather in that part of the country to see what it is in the mornings. Are you posting using the marinas wireless or something else?

Dave in Oregon

JamesTXSD · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 9:59 pm Post subject:

oldgrowth · Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:25 pm Post subject:

Jim – that is a great shot of Discovery.

________
Dave

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:00 pm Post subject:

Forgive me... I have sinned. No, not really. While walking by an f-24 this morning, I visited with the folks aboard (I used to be a moderator on the f-boat list). They invited us for a sail.

It was good. Really good. Feeling that tri pulling, dancing over the waves. Standing at the helm, high tech sails. Whew! Of course, out there in the sun, I even managed to sunburn my ankles. Crook

Later, while having lunch, Brent and Dixie came in (didn't expect to see them for another day or so). We caught lines for them and visited like we hadn't seen each other in weeks (it's been a whole day). Ice cream for Valentine's Day. Plenty of conversation, then "Captain Ron" (they had never seen that... one of the few DVDs I actually own) on their "BIG screen" (way big compared to our little 7"), complete with popcorn.

Beautiful, warm day. Molly got to do several walks. We visited with a couple who have a C-Dory 22 on order. Darn nice day around the marina.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

CAVU · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 12:22 am Post subject:

Jim,
Another "Captain Ron" fan! I love that movie-I think I have seen it three times and it's just as funny as the first time. Great trip reports-Thanks. I hope you make it up around Key Largo. In 2001 my wife and I visited the keys and did a lot of snorkeling in John Pennekamp State Park. Nice facilities and beautiful coral.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject:

While at a pump-out station today, we got to see a manatee up close and personal. He (she?) came right up behind our boat... for a moment, I feared that the critter would impale itself on my stopped propellor and I would go to jail! Disgust

We've seen them before, but not reach-out-and-touch close. It makes me wonder just how much rum those sailors of old drank... I can't imagine anyone thinking one of these critters might be a mermaid!

Out and about, the water was a beautiful turquoise; light breeze, blue sky, upper 70s. We had supper with the Discovery crew - Brent grilled steaks, Joan made pasta, Dixie made a fruit salad... um, I ate. I tightened my belt in a notch this week... must be the exercise, 'cause we sure seem to be eating well. Watch for my new diet plan that will be all the rage: "Cruise and Get Thin". Wink

Cooler weather is predicted for the next few days - highs in the 60, night time lows in the 50s. I may have to dig out my one pair of long pants.

Best wishes,
Jim B.