Well, Team Hughes has been busy prepping for our next adventure! Bahamas bound! Hauled Ruby Slipper, our American Tug 34, out yesterday. Getting her bottom cleaned, painting it with anti-fouling paint& replacing zincs. She'll be splashed next Monday.

In the meantime, I've been provisioning with canned goods, hard-to-find or expensive food items & some of our must-have favorites. Shopping in the Bahamas is sketchy, at best & very pricey. New equipment includes: a 44 lb Rocna anchor, Single Side Band receiver, WiFi antenna & a vastly improved helm station chart plotter. Ruby's waterline is slowly disappearing.

I've taken up one entire locker for dog stuff (food, treats, toys, meds, grooming equipment & party scarves -- AKA: bandanas). Bill just shook his head in amazement that two little dogs could need so much.

Thank heavens for our Kindles or we'd need another locker for our beloved books!

Our intentions are still to cast off Nov. 1. In the meantime, we're trying hard to connect with family & dear friends squeezing in sleep. Tho we are thrilled to get back on the water again, this time for 6 months, we have heavy hearts at leaving our loved ones behind. Skype & email are going to have to do.

As many of you know, I'll be posting regularly. Read them or not as you desire. But please do try to keep us apprised of YOUR adventures. News from home sustains us. XO