Ft. Lauderdale--Day 1

We woke up this morning and Zani and I made a big breakfast of eggs and kielbasa with bagels and juice.

It was very good if I do say so myself. 

I won’t lie though, today was hard.  Our dreams of a family vacation in the Bahamas were dashed upon the rocks.

The little things hit me like waves.  We were going to find and bring back a big Conch Shell, Mom bought Dad a bottle of sparkling white wine to have in the Bahamas on New Year’s and then she was planning on filling it with Bahamian sand.  I brought the knife for Seth.  (An inside joke).  We were going to try to go to Atlantis and surprise Mom with the idea when we were down there.  (Atlantis is a HUGE water park that has aquariums and other habitats.)  I was VERY disappointed.

Mom still felt like crap and was scared every time the boat moved on the mooring, it would upset her stomach even more.

But we tried to make the best of it and went across the street from the Marina to a public beach and got some color and played in the warm wave-filled Florida water.  Then we came back on the boat took showers and then ate an early dinner played games as a family.  Now I’m heading to bed.

Our mooring field taken from a dew covered window.

 

There a lot of neat boats here…

And HUGE Mega Yachts!

 

If you don’t think it looks all that big look at the “little” boats in the first picture.

Good Night,

Victoria

No Hurrah.

We are not going to the Bahamas.  Mom and Zani couldn’t do it.  Before we turned around just under half-way across the gulf stream seas were 6-12 feet and the wind was blowing over 25 knots.  We are back safe and sound in Ft. Lauderdale. 

This is the coordination of the closest point we will ever be to the Bahamas: 26.03.389  079.43.063

This is about all I can write. 

Alas, Bahamas.

 

Off to the BAHAMAS!!!

 

We had a nice time with Nana and Grampy and were able to have Christmas Eve and Day with Dad.  Christmas day we had a big Christmas dinner with all our relatives. That was really nice.

 We left out of Ft. Lauderdale at 3.00 PM Wednesday December 26, 2012.

The Ocean was the most beautiful dark turquoise and purple. Seriously it was a dark purple color. We were fascinated. If this is what Florida water looks like, I can’t even imagine the amazing clear blue water of the Bahamas! We are all super excited. 

 

 

We are planning on meeting the Potters in the Berry Islands.  We’ll check in at Great Harbor Cay Marina and clear customs and then meet them further down the Berrys.

They said they can’t wait to show us all their favorite spots and they promised us a good time!  This will be an adventure of a lifetime.  I can’t believe God has given us this amazing opportunity!

This will be our last hurrah.  And what a final trip it will be!  I’m so excited, but I don’t think I’ll believe it until I’m standing on Bahamian sand and looking into the faces of the Potters.

--Victoria

Our Journey to the Bahamas begin!

Today I helped Dad bring the boat to Morehead City, NC where Mom and Zani will meet us with Mr. Charley who will take my place on board and help Dad bring the boat down to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 

So here is the plan:  Mom, Zani and I will then leave for Naples, FL  a few days after they leave to visit our grandparents for a few days and then we will drive across the state to Ft. Lauderdale and hop on the boat and go to the BAHAMAS!

As we sailed off toward Morehead City the dolphins in Adam’s Creek wished us safe travels!

 

Leftover from Hurricane Irene last year.

Once we got to Morehead City we had to wait a while for Mr. Charley whose flight was delayed.  While we waited Dad and I looked at the Weather reports for the next few days and the charts to try to determine the travel plans for the rest of the trip.

After a long delay Mom, Zani and Mr. Charley came.  We changed crew and said goodbye.  Then Mom, Zani and I waved goodbye from the dock as Dad and Mr. Charley headed off to (hopefully) Charleston, SC.

This is it for the next few days.  I will blog again once we are in Ft. Lauderdale and heading across the gulf stream to the BAHAMAS!!!

Farewell for now,

Victoria

Preparing for our trip to the Bahamas!

 

Dad working on the windless.

 

Dad's newly stained and sealed cockpit seats.

Don't they look pretty!  (They used to look just like the floor)