December 31, 2011 -- Happy New Year!

On December 27, we returned to Marathon from Seattle, where we celebrated Christmas with Erik, Catherine, Andrew, Rebecca, and Justin. We had a grand time, travelling was not too bad (the flights were full to the brim), but our return was delayed because the plane ahead of ours at the gate was held while they did a “bag pull”. We ended up being directed to another gate and waited almost an hour for our baggage. (We had to check it; the filet knife would not have passed muster in carry on!) Fortunately, the last scheduled Keys Shuttle bus from Miami to Key West also was delayed so we were able to catch it and get back to the marina, and Gratitude, about 1:00 AM.

Grandma caught a doozy of a cold in Seattle, so we decided to stay put here for a few days of recuperation. Also, we needed to re-provision with fresh food and there always are things to get for Gratitude. Rather than stay at the dock, we pulled away and moved into the harbor to a mooring at the City Marina, which is closer (only 2 miles, not 3.5) to the grocery store. After a few days on the mooring, with Lauren coughing and not sleeping, and watching the weather, we signed up for another 5 days (buy 5 get 7) so we can sit through a front scheduled to pass through on Monday and then, when things settle down, head up toward Miami. If the weather breaks before we get there, we will cross the Gulf Stream. Otherwise, we will hang out in Miami. (First visited two years ago, we were pleasantly surprised at how nice the harbor is, so it will not be a hardship to drop the hook off someone’s lovely back yard.) Two other boats from our storage yard are here (Midori and Living Well) and they are planning to cross to the Exumas too, so we have a flotilla in the making.

While walking to the grocery store yesterday, we saw a car with Vermont license plates coming into the marina. At first, we just waved, but then we recognized Jim whom we met in Georgetown last year. He and Irene live on South Hero Island in Lake Champlain and have owned and sailed Escapaid for ~14 years. After exchanging brief pleasantries, we invited them aboard for cocktail hour and it was fun catching up. One of their sons lives in Key West and he and his wife just had a premature baby (all doing well, now) and there are other health issues among family and friends, so Jim and Irene will be cruising Florida’s west coast and the Dry Tortugas. We will share information with them before we depart.

Cruising is like that – paths cross and re-cross, sometimes months or years and hundreds or thousands of miles apart, but people are very supportive and welcoming, which is one reason we love it so. This being New Year’s Eve, assuming Lauren feels up to it, we may have a feast with friends tomorrow to ring in 2012. And, in keeping with the spirit of rebirth and growth, we have appended a photo of this year’s amaryllis plant. As you can see, it is quite healthy, with its primary stalk almost 2’ tall. (Our herb garden is right along-side and is doing quite well also, thank you.) We will add new photos as it blossoms. Amarylli always are a special treat because they are so showy. We hope 2012 is as bright and brilliant as this plant indicates it intends to be!

Van and Lauren