We are off across the Gulf Stream in the morning (Thurs, Jan 28). At least that's the plan! We intend to leave Cooley's Landing on slack tide - about 6:45 - in time to get through the bridges before they close for morning rush hour at 7:30. Once we're out Port Everglades inlet we'll set our course for Bimini if the wind is right. If not, we'll head a little further south for Gun Cay Cut (both in the Bahamas), and if that doesn't work either, we'll point even further south to No Name Harbour (still in Florida). This is such a change from the last trip when we were much more definite about landfall. Timing was always an issue, but this trip we are trying to keep open about both time and destination. How is that for being laid back??

Jim, Steve and I took the bus yesterday to Sailorman, stopping along the way to have BIG breakfasts at Lester's Diner. The # 6 bus picked us up near Walgreen's on 7th Ave and dropped us off at the corner of 84th (St, I think). It was just a short walk - right past Lester's - from there. ($1.50 unless you are a geezer, only $.75 then, and we could have gotten a day pass for $3.50). What a fun place Sailorman's is - like a good old NS Frenchy's for mariners. There were racks and shelves of everything imaginable - absolutely worth a trip even if there is nothing one wants - because there just might be something irresistible! Our purchases were pretty tame - a floatable cushion, some glue, a dinghy anchor, but we could have gotten motor parts or line or a life raft or seats or fishing gear or fuel filters. Boater's Warehouse is on 84th too so it is a 2 for 1 trip!

On Wednesday morning, Jim, Steve, Marc and I headed out to National Liquidators to check out the boats for sale. (Sandra is still feeling yucky and keeps close to the boat to see if she can shake this cold bug). We went on a few boats - including a 73 foot motor yacht that we could have gotten for less than a million! None of us was quite willing to put the money down.

A trip to Publix to restock the larder took part of the afternoon, and then it was a matter of loading water, hoisting the dinghy on the davits, stowing the things we've had spread all over the cabin while we've been stationary so they won't go flying if we manage to get heeling nicely on our crossing.

We had one final happy hour in Madcap's cockpit with Steve and Sandi (Princess), Ben (Loon) and Shel (Rainbow). It feels very weird to be going off tomorrow and leaving our good friends, but we'll meet up again and have new stories to share.

We will probably be away from internet and phones for a couple of days. I'll put up a posting as soon as I can. In the meantime, you may assume we are enjoying fair winds and finding that blue Bahama water!