Luffing of the Sails

We are laughing and luffing! We are laughing because we have had a busy week visiting with friends and neighbors and telling humorous stories. Some are about our previous trip to the Keys while others are just about daily happenings. We are luffing! Luffing in sailing terms refers to the mainsail flapping back and forth while your bow is likely pointed into the wind thereby not allowing the sail to catch the wind and move the boat. We are luffing this week in terms of getting prepared to leave this Sunday. Since Fiu is loaded with lots of food (Bonnie's good judgment and her thoughtful healthy choices) the nav system has been checked out, engine work completed, the sole cleaned and the head smelling fresh and clean as well, there seems to be little to do but wait. The anticipation is beginning to turn into reality. We will be home for only two more nights before we embark on another wonderful and educational adventure!

There will few chances to golf on this trip (one of my favorite past-times). While sailing there are enough things happening to keep one busy, you know like dodging sport fishing boats (always in a hurry), anchoring dragging (usually occurs while eating supper or worse yet while preparing supper) and of course the routine use of time to study charts and safely plan your next leg of the journey! Well, I went golfing yesterday probably for the last time until next May. Maybe that's a good thing since my "A" game was left at home for the day!

There are so many details to manage when you leave a friendly and known environment for an adventure away from home. Important things like "getting the mail", returning to the store for that one "forgotten" item, and gee, I thought I wore that shirt yesterday. All of these cause anxiety, but it's probably better to laugh a little while luffing!

Capt Sid

Preparations September 19, 2011 Monday

Welcome to our blog!  It is always fun and satisfying to create easy reading stories that describe our adventures as we head south to warmer climates (it gets darn cold here)!  It is our intent to sail to the the Keys now (where it is much warmer) and after the first of the new year to the Bahamas, a place we have never visited.  This blog is intended to keep our families and friends aware of our location (please don't all come and visit at once) and provide interesting and hopefully humorous accounts of our adventures as we sail Fiu southward.

Our original goal was to set sail tomorrow Saturday, September 24, 2011 (Bonnie was thrilled to have extra time as we all know she is often late).  However, this has changed due to two events beyond our control.  First, the lift at our marina is waiting for spare parts which will be arriving soon and second, our "Buddy Boat" from Rochester, NY is unable to make a direct link to Albany due to the closure of the Erie Canal at locks 10, 11 and 12 and is currently heading to Montreal, Canada via the St Lawrence River and Lake Champlain to Albany.  We expect to launch Fiu next Saturday and set sail down the Hudson River on Sunday just about the time our buddy boat, "Waves of Grace" will arrive.

There have been many activities this summer including numerous items on my "Honey Do" list ( I'm a carpenter, electrician, painter and whatever Bonnie needed done), a son married in Bozeman, Montana this summer, a New York reception here for friends, family and neighbors unable to attend the wedding and a rather lengthy process of outfitting and preparing Fiu for a safe journey ( you know... varnishing, cleaning and bottom paint).  We are just about finished with preparations with postal and paper deliveries, on line bill pay and numerous other details being close to completion as well.

We will have the ability to email as long as we are within cell tower range so please respond to our postings either by commenting on the blog, emailing at your leisure or calling our cell phones.  I am still trying to decide on the details of our specific daily location using GPS.

Captain Sid