Posting from the Gulf Stream

An early morning departure from Miami, up at 2:30, 3 a.m. anchor up and we're away. There was a hint of the moon behind the clouds, but at times we had to shine a spotlight to make sure we were where we thought we were. (The chartplotter is reliable, but eyes are better!) We slowly pootled around Key Biscayne finding our way in the dark until we reached the channel for the Atlantic. We could tell as we got closer as the sea swells got larger. Another sailboat swung in behind us as we wove around the channel markers and shoals.

Once we came out from land's shelter, the waves were really bouncy with the bow splashing through the biggest ones. We watched an enormous moon set off our stern just south of Miami. We looked forward to the east for signs of sunrise, but it was dark until about 6:00. The bounces felt bouncier in the dark, but the enclosure keeps our exposure to the wind and the sea spray at a minimum.

Sunrise and 25 miles later and we're in the Gulf Stream, one of a variety of boats making the crossing to Bimini. Another 20ish to go and we hope to be there before 4:00.

(Posted from mid Gulf Stream, 25 miles off the coast of Florida - ain't technology grand?!)

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