Crossing the Atlantic again! Taken by Lisa from the boat KismetToday is Thursday, April 2 and we are in our second day at Ft. Pierce City Marina, Florida. Freedom’s Turn did a wonderful job getting her captain and first mate across the Atlantic Ocean from West End, Bahamas.
The Crossing: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 Day 237
Our alarm clock woke us up at 5:15 am, announcing the day to leave the Bahamas and make our crossing back over the Atlantic to Ft. Pierce, Florida, about a 90 mile, 11 hour trip. We were instantly up and at ‘em; all senses on alert. Freedom’s Turn and her crew prepared for a first light departure of 6:30 am. Lisa and Jim and their boat, Kismet were to be our buddy boat. After carefully studying the weather for several days, we all decided it was the day to go back to the good ol’ U.S. of A.
The air was already hot and muggy and very still as our feet first hit the deck in the dark; and we were already getting the extra clammy, extra adrenaline rush feeling that would be with us until 5 PM that evening. The feeling of great anticipation was upon us. So off we went. A big day in this year long adventure! Good-by Bahamas!
The sky had a bit of red in it as the sun came up. The ocean breezes picked up right away and became 10 knots out of the east, then later out of the southeast. This was fine because the Gulf Stream coming from the south gave us additional 2-3 knot boost. The waves out of the North were not a factor as we experienced only 2-3 ft rollers. Much later in the day several storm cells developed south of us. We only got some sprinkles. It is rather amazing to see the constantly changing weather patterns developing from such a long range! The temperature of the seas was 78 degrees and 83.4 degrees. in the Gulf Stream
We lost sight of Kismet off and on but could always contact them on the radio.
We made it safely after a turbulent passage into the channel entering Ft. Pierce. It was 5 p.m. We were tired but happy. We anchored the first night in a nearby cove outside of the Ft. Pierce Marina along side of Kismet. The next day, April 1, we both entered Ft. Pierce City Marina. To our delight, we got reunited with our friends Larry and Margie from the boat ‘Wanderin’ L & M’ who are currently staying here for several weeks. Also, friends Patti and Brad from the boat ‘Salvage Crew’ came in today.
Our Bahama adventure lasted 47 days. We stayed in marinas all but 3 nights; two were anchorages and one night was a mooring ball. Freedom’s Turn took us 535 statue miles.
This brings us to a total of 3,474 statue miles with about another 2,500 to go!
Our very best meals were on our boat eating fresh, locally caught lobster and grouper which Charlie did on our grill,($8 for a medium sized lobster tail and $10 /lb. for wonderful Strawberry grouper), rice (seasoned with a new and now favorite spice for us- Old Bay seasoning) and we made our favorite coleslaw with oranges, dried cranberries, walnuts, and key lime honey mustard dressing. Coconut ice cream was a favorite dessert. We ate this meal several times. It was certainly a treat for us. And we now know how to make tasty tropical drinks, especially our Pina Coladas!
One More Event needs to be written here, before we end the Bahamas blogs. We were leaving Treasure Cay on Great Abaco Island one day last week, heading back north into the Sea of Abaco. These cruising grounds offer a great deal of protection, normally speaking, against the strong open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. There are a few passages where you have to go to the outside briefly, however. Calculating the weather and tides carefully is a must. We chose passing through an inside channel where a massive rock called “Don’t Rock” is located. All weather conditions and going in at a rising tide made the trip look very doable.
Even though the area here is surrounded by islands there is a brief opening to the open ocean and the waves and winds really picked up. Quickly.
Others that had traveled through here before advised us to go at high tide and head straight for the rock until we were only 100 yards away then make a sharp left turn.
Making the sharp turn. The tide was still rising at 9:30 am, not yet at slack tide. (Slack tide is when the only water movement comes from the winds and residual waves.) Later, Charlie would say “ the rising ride may be the second worst time to be there, second to tides lowering.”
As we came about the turn, the incoming water, the winds and waves seemed to be colliding with each other. The waves were building fast to swells (rollers) of 6-10 feet with additional surf on top.(crests) At the lowest part of the waves, when we were in the troughs, the depth got to only 1.3 meters (about 5 ft) so we only had about one ft to the bottom! In ocean waters, the rollers come from the ocean current underneath the water.
These photos don't capture the force of the waves and winds. That is because we could not release our grip or stand up t0 get a better look!
We made it through, but were somewhat frozen to our seats as we watched the waves hit us and rock us like we hope we never have happen again. Linda thought Charlie did an excellent job turning into the waves to quarter them; making the waves hit us between the bow and the mid ship on our starboard.
We made it ok but hope to never have the conditions like we had that day. We know first hand why this rock is called “Don’t Rock!’
We anticipate our schedule in the following spring months as follows. As always, weather and mechanical factors always dictate the actual timeline.
Around mid-April, Charleston S.C. area
Around early-May, Norfolk, VA area
Around 1st week of June, New York City
There are several people we hope to meet up with as we go up the Intracoastal Waterway. Those that need to know more specifically where we are heading to and when, can email Linda or Charlie or call us on our cells. Linda’s number is the same as our home phone number.
As we came about the turn, the incoming water, the winds and waves seemed to be colliding with each other. The waves were building fast to swells (rollers) of 6-10 feet with additional surf on top.(crests) At the lowest part of the waves, when we were in the troughs, the depth got to only 1.3 meters (about 5 ft) so we only had about one ft to the bottom! In ocean waters, the rollers come from the ocean current underneath the water.
These photos don't capture the force of the waves and winds. That is because we could not release our grip or stand up t0 get a better look!
We made it through, but were somewhat frozen to our seats as we watched the waves hit us and rock us like we hope we never have happen again. Linda thought Charlie did an excellent job turning into the waves to quarter them; making the waves hit us between the bow and the mid ship on our starboard.
We made it ok but hope to never have the conditions like we had that day. We know first hand why this rock is called “Don’t Rock!’
We anticipate our schedule in the following spring months as follows. As always, weather and mechanical factors always dictate the actual timeline.Around mid-April, Charleston S.C. area
Around early-May, Norfolk, VA area
Around 1st week of June, New York City
There are several people we hope to meet up with as we go up the Intracoastal Waterway. Those that need to know more specifically where we are heading to and when, can email Linda or Charlie or call us on our cells. Linda’s number is the same as our home phone number.
Happy Spring and Happy Easter!
