We were in Marathon a week longer than anticipated due to not having a favorable weather window. It was called being in the Marathon Vortex. We had seen other boats leave, but they were all headed up Florida Bay and we couldn't go that way due to our deep draft. So we sat and waited. On Sunday, May 5, 2013 we got our weather window and left Marathon, FL for Rodriguez Key. We headed out with buddy boat "Horizon". They would be going to Rodriguez Key but t...

We have finally made it to the Keys! While in Clearwater, FL, we got our hydraulic autopilot installed, Mark did most of the work himself, but we needed help from someone who could run and get parts, etc. since we did not have a vehicle. Mark had to really keep on the guy to get him to show up and work as he was Mr. Mom and had to take care of his kids and their issues. Anyway, on March 26, the installation was completed and we were geared up to leave the ...

Well, it has been a while since I have updated our blog. Sorry about that. Thought I would be doing a better job but since we have not traveled as much as we intended, I have not written. We arrived in Panama City, FL on Wednesday , January 23, 2013. We negotiated to stay a little longer than a month as we needed to get back to Texas and then to North Carolina. For those of you that do not know, we have purchased some waterfront property in New Bern, Nort...

We woke at 4:30am to try to get away at 5:00am. We were 15 minutes late. We had a long day ahead of us. We needed to get to Panama City. Getting through the last of the ICW was rough in the dark but we made it with no problem and on out into the gulf. Was a beautiful day with 1 foot waves if that. The water was deep blue and beautiful. Saw an occasional dolphin and some seagulls, but that was it. Saw a fishing charter boat, but other than that it was ju...

Pulled anchor to make our way to Pensacola. Prior to pulling anchor, I called the local Barber Marine for fuel pricing and it was $4.49/gallon. I called Southwind Marina in Pensacola and it was $3.79/gallon. That was a no brainer where we would fill with fuel. We arrived at Southwind at about 12:00 noon. We filled with fuel and then decided to stay the night as this was the last public marina for 30 miles and we had to go outside the ICW to get to Panama C...