American Cape Coral Florida

My emergence back to the states began this week by popping into Florida to sail with my friend Leslie on First Star, her Island Packet. It started off early because my flight was two days earlier than I had planned (there was alot going on before I left so I missed this detail) so I got to spend time with Leslie and her adopted mother, Aunt Vivian. I also had some time to read my sailing book in preparation for the next leg of this adventure to the BVIs for two weeks to obtain an American Sailing Association certification for sailing monohauls and catamarans.

Then there was the issue of some boat work that was behind schedule, not unlike any other remodeling project. We did pick up First Star two days after I was supposed to arrive, did some work at the boat yard like reinstalling sailing, then took off before the tides prevented us from doing so. (Tides are a big concern here, especially when the winds come out of the north, which of course they were doing for the past week). Leslie didn't get a chance to check out all the systems before leaving so we didn't use the genoa since the forestay seemed a bit loose. Neither of us wanted to see any major damage done, and since the winds were rather strong, we used the staysail and a reefed mainsail most of the time. We practiced crew overboard, anchoring with two anchors and enjoyed ourselves sailing along in 15 foot seas--not swells, just simply 15 feet of depth, without being able to see the bottom. Leslie was ever so patient with me as I asked question after question from The Annapolis Book of Seamanship. We did see dolphins along the way and even an inkling of a manatee in the canal as we made our way back to Leslie's Florida home. I did take a trip to see manatees in Belize but determined Belize City only promotes seeing them, but it's a lucky person who does. While there are about 300 around Belize City, there are apparently 3000 further south.

Florida can get cool in March. We were all bundled up today and slept under blankets on the boat, with temps reaching down into the 50s and maybe even high 40s at night. Coming back in today it wasn't until we docked that we could take off our foulies and feel warm. I did hear that Minnesota has 30+ inches of snow, so this was just to remind me why I'm here and not back home.

I'm not quite ready for snow yet, so I'll enjoy the boats and beaches and more diving in the BVIs for another few weeks before encountering even the prospect of snow.

I hope you're enjoying wherever you are.