Yesterday, at 10:30 am, Shearwater and I completed our voyage around the world. We arrived at the same dock that we had started from almost three years ago-the circle was finally and tightly closed. However, the sea had one more surprise, one more challenge before letting us go.
We had arrived outside the inlet to Riviera Beach at about 1:30 in the morning and spent the rest of the night motoring against the massive Gulf Stream current - just to stay in place. At 930am Clyde aboard his flag-emblazoned catamaran, "Gypsy", arrived to regally escort us in. However, all the while I had noticed ominous clouds, black and foreboding, developing to our south. And, no sooner had I started the engines for our last mile in, the heavens unleashed and a final fury of 35-40 knot winds and heavy rain had us both going back out to sea, escaping the lee shore of Florida. Once again and for the final time, we were battling.
The furious squall passed, all calmed down and we arrived at the dock to a memorable welcome of great friends. We were home. A big "Thank You" to all who came...it meant a great deal to me.
The press was well represented by WPBF/ABC television in West Palm Beach and The Palm Beach Post which printed a lovely story today. CNN played the story nationally.
THANK YOU SHELLEY for that grand press work.
In the next few days I will be putting up some more video of the final weeks of the voyage. So, no 'goodbyes' or 'thank yous'... yet.
Link to news article Arrival in Florida
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