S/V Sjokolade

I am getting ready to commence the trip south - finally. I am still in MN but arriving in MD on Wednesday and planning to depart Saturday. I left the boat in fairly good shape so I hope to find it that way when I return, and ready for the trip south. It has been warmer than usual in MD so far this winter, as it has many other places in the country.

Wednesday I arrive and check the basics on the boat: bilge, batteries, and refrigeration. Thursday will be departure preparation: water, battery check, oil change, engine checks, and cleaning as much as I can reach of the hull. Friday is provisioning, last minute whatever, join up with crew. Saturday departure with Randy for an estimated week to Beaufort. So far the weather looks like motoring weather which will keep the boat warm, and the velocity made good, good, but us sailors whining.

Departure for Beaufort NC is by way of Norfolk and the Dismal Swamp Canal, which apparently includes a beautiful stretch of straight canal where the water moccasins drop from trees onto unsuspecting boats, and swim in swarms in the canal. This great image leaves me debating the value of sail around Cape Hatteras instead. But no, not in January.

I hope to meet Jeff L in Beaufort and see his Morgan, and then on to Masonboro Inlet and inside to Southport where we will likely be joined by Ben. The weather still looks cold down there, and systems come and go quickly, so we'll be looking for a good window to head south to Charleston, or Savannah, Jacksonville, Fort Pierce, or even Fort Lauderdale, stopping at one or more of these along the way and travelling inside when necessary, or outside if possible.

I keep being drawn to the Bahamas when I get to the bottom. I am hopeful that these next legs inform me about myself, my boat, and the sea sufficiently so I can made a hard decision on my travel beyond Fort Peirce or Lauderdale.