MIDORI ADVENTURES

We worked hard this past weekend, cleaning up underneath the boat. Topping up the water jugs and gasoline jugs and lashing them to the deck. Provisioning for five days. Taking miscellaneous stuff to storage and packing any leftover stuff in the car, whew!

It’s Monday of Thanksgiving week and we know the boat lift will be busy, but we’re in luck and there is a cancellation! YAHOO, we will go in early enough that we can still make the six hour journey to Cayo Costa in daylight!

Gene and Charlene Legasse (TWOCAN), help us put the jib sail on at the dock and push us off! It is 10:24 a.m.

We are both a bit anxious about the self-operating lock that leads from the freshwater canal into the Myaaka River. In previous years, we had a remote control that we found useful because it meant we could start the opening of the lock without having to stop and dock, but remote controls have been banned and we will have to revert to manual operation. This means an additional stop at the entry dock to pull the chain, and once through the lock, an additional stop at the departing dock to pull the chain. Brian and I have talked it through and decided that the key is to take our time going through each step. After all, there is no hurry. And so, that is what we did and it all went smoothly. And to top it off, a dolphin jumped out to greet us once we were successfully past the lock and on our way!

Once in the Myaaka River, we set the autopilot and put up the mainsail and the jib sail. In order to make time, we leave the motors running. We have a nice light NE wind of maybe 10 - 12 mph. We cross Charlotte Harbour to Cayo Costa and are at anchor shortly after 4:00 p.m. We have gone 27 nautical miles in 5 hrs and 46 minutes with a maximum speed of 7.6 knots.

There are not too many other boats in the anchorage and we are concerned about the Red Tide which has been affecting this area of Florida. We have even packed face masks in case we run into problems. However, we do not feel any ill effects like coughing and a sore throat.

What a wonderful feeling it is to sleep on MIDORI at anchor!

Stay Tuned,

First Mate Lynn & Captain Brian