First 6 days of February - Still here in Lake Worth!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Two other boats are waiting to cross the Gulf Stream tomorrow morning bright and early if the weather lets up. Equius (sp?) and The Blue Pearl. Equius is heading to Memory Rock and onward, and Blue Pearl is heading to West End (where we have since decided to go to). We tried to get our DSCs working on the radio (this allows us to call each other on the radio without having to page each other on Channel 16 first and switch to a working station). It seemed pretty hit or miss. They’d get my hails but I could only get theirs a couple of times. It was frustrating since even the directions didn’t seem to help much.

Equius is planning on heading out about 2:30am and we’re planning on heading out about 6:00am if the weather is favorable. Equius is going to hail us at 5:00am to let us know the wind and wave conditions. Time to stow everything and make sure everything is ready to go – don’t want things slamming around the cabin…

Tuesday, February 2, 2010
We were all set to leave and at 5:30 heard from Equius. They were heading back in with their “sail between their legs” after taking a beating on the nose all morning. I told them, better safe than sorry – there will be another crossing with better weather. I couldn’t believe they actually went out. When I woke up at 2:30 the winds were howling and it was raining. At 5am it seemed much better and I’d assumed that all was well until they hailed us. So they saved us a beating up. Thank you guys – we owe you one.

It was nice and calm in the anchorage but there wasn’t enough time for the seas to lay down for the crossing today. On a happier note - It's Ground Hog day!!!! That means Grandson Tanner is having a birthday :)  Hope it's a great one Tanner - Happy Birthday little Ground Hog!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Not much happening on board the good ship Kolibrie today. Read a bit and cleaned up. One scare. While sitting in the cockpit enjoying the brisk afternoon breeze, a catamaran came roaring through the anchorage aimed right at us. One of the passenger’s eyes grew wide as he turned and spotted us anchored right in front of them. I don’t think that his eyes were as wide as Wayne’s or mine though as we stood up getting ready to brace for a collision. There was about 10 people aboard it and only one person noticed us as they came right up to another boat behind us and were waving at them… they changed direction quite sharply as the person yelled and pointed us out to their captain. They managed to miss us by 5 feet or so. In passing us, the captain laughed and said, “Get out of our way!” Real funny. I hope at least one person aboard her was sober… We watched the catamaran tacking back and forth through the anchorage heading south. I said a silent prayer of thanks for the guy that spotted us.

Wayne had left over pork (hot pork sandwich) for dinner and I had a grilled cheese. We both had tomato/cream/basil soup…mmmmmmm. According to the weather reports the first opportunity for us to head out will be Friday or Saturday. We’ll see… These fronts leave quite a narrow window when we’re looking for a non-northerly wind component (for the Gulf Stream crossing) and a non-east (right on the nose) wind/wave component.

Thursday, February 04, 2010 Lake Worth, Fl
     Well, it’s looking like our Friday/Saturday weather window is collapsing around us again. Listening to the weather and looking at the wind/wave charts they’re now calling for 30mph winds and gust up to 50??? What gives? We started looking at the anchorages further south again and contemplating heading over to Fort Lauderdale. It’s getting old sitting in Lake Worth waiting for a weather window that just doesn’t come.

     We heard Blue Pearl on the radio. They’re still here. They were relaying a message between two other boats that are planning on leaving Monday morning. Blue Pearl came by to say hi afterwards and it was nice to be able to meet them. It sounds like Equius is still here somewhere but we can’t pick up their radio signal.

     Made honey/ginger salmon, with mushroom rice and green beans for dinner and am starting some bread dough for bread tomorrow.

Friday, February 05, 2010 Lake Worth, FL
Last night was quite a roily night. The boat kept rocking as the waves slapped the side of the boat in the wee hours of the morning. Wayne got up several times to see what was knocking topside. This morning we appear to be under a weather watch and small craft advisory. There are strong winds with gusts expected up to 60mph as the front approaches tonight and tornado watches posted until 8pm. It’s 82 and muggy and of course I’m making bread! More heat for the cabin LOL. We’re now almost officially out of most of our fresh goods that I bought in Vero for the trip over to the islands. So I definitely needed to make bread if I want sandwiches (and I want sandwiches!).

Chicken, salad and homemade bread for dinner. Last of the tomatoes and cukes.

Saturday, February 06, 2010 Lake Worth FL
The winds were strong most the evening. At one time we had winds to 42 according to another boat in the anchorage. Today the winds were mostly from the west (good for leaving) but very high. When I woke up at 6:00am things seemed calm but the forecast was calling for high seas and there was still a small craft advisory out. We were looking at Monday or Tuesday as the next weather window but dang these windows close mighty fast around here. Each day is blending into the next. My eyes are starting to cross from reading so much… Afternoon tea is calling me…The weather forecast is calling for near Gale force winds again tonight.