After two and a half months in the northern climates - just because we missed the winter weather - we are back on the move. We had a wonderful time with Eric and Courtney in Jamestown around the holidays; we visited with family and friends in the RI/ MA area; and spent a relaxing month in Philadelphia, cheering on Courtney and the Penn Squash teams while visiting Nanny and very good childhood friends. We even managed to be entertained by Justin Timberlake with Eric and Courtney and hang out with the 4047 Spruce Street gals at Smokey Joes before we packed up and said our goodbyes. We spent 3 days in Titusville getting the sailboat ready to move again and provisioning the boat for the next 2 months aboard. It feels great to be back on Sanderling and heading south with some purpose.

Our plan is to move south quickly, covering over 200 miles to Key Biscayne, where we will then stage our crossing of the Gulf Stream and clear customs in Cat/Gun Cay, Bahamas. The further south you go in Florida, the more bridges you must pass through, many of which have a schedule for the bridge openings. There also is one fixed bridge which is 55 feet tall...that poses a bit of a problem for our 60 foot mast... So we have chosen to spend 2 day trips, traveling offshore, to avoid the bridges. This way we won't see all the sailboats that are moving northbound ...those boats that have already been to the Bahamas and are now making their way homeward...

It is Sunday and we have arrived in Lake Worth, Florida. Tomorrow we will leave at sunrise and sail to Key Biscayne; and if all goes as planned, and the weather is favorable, we will cross the Gulf Stream on Tuesday. The next strong northerly/cold front is scheduled to come through on Wednesday and Thursday so we are pushing to make our crossing on Tuesday to be in front of this weather.

Oh yes... An update on Casey: the most frequent question that we get is- "but how does Casey enjoy the sailing?" Well, he certainly does enjoy having the two of us around 24/7, but he will never be one of those "salty dogs" who thrives on the water. He hunkers down in the cockpit while we're underway - crosses his legs - and waits for his dinghy ride to shore where he has lots of new sights and smells. Basically, he's doing great!!