Food I prepared for the passage

Food I served durning the crossing 

I pressure cooked a roast before we left. It made several meals, like, roast, mashed potatoes and broccoli on the first night. Roast beef sandwiches and tacos

I bought a cooked ham. I made omelets, ham and cabbage with garlic cheese polenta, ham macaroni salad. I cooked bacon before going as well. We ate it with egg in a hole as well as in other things and just straight out of the bag. 

We snacked on nuts, oranges, fruit chews, string cheese, salami and granola bars

I froze bottles of water and gatoraid each day so we would have cold drinks. I also had via coffee packets but we found we enjoyed our regular coffee. I also made a pot of it and fixed it to our liking in a pitcher and then poured it into small empty gatoraid bottles and froze them to have cold coffee when we like. I have tried a cold press coffee way which we enjoy the trouble with it is we also put cream and sugar in our coffee. It is difficult to dissolve the sugar and cream. I think the other way is a better method for us under way. 

I found that putting a large bowl in one of my sinks to hold the dishes Im constantly using, such as; plastic bowls and silverware, very helpful. I can quickly wash them up and leave them without worrying they will go flying or get salt water splashed on them from the open seacock.  

Passage to Isla Mujeres

Ok, even though my mind is still a bit crazy I'll tell you a bit of what happen during our crossing. 

Basically, the first five days were like riding on a roller-coaster the whole time. The Gulf is much like a front loading washing machine. You experience lots of different currents at the same time. We got a bit naseua the first few days but luckily nothing came up. 

The fifth day was the worse. Choppy conditions then 35kn winds and rain. We we reefed and the wind was on our nose. The only thing bad that happened was a JIB sheet (rope) was washed overboard and got caught in the prop when we started the engine to motor sail. This meant we had to only sail. It wasnt terrible but with the wind on our nose it made our progress very slow. 

The following day brought clean skies and calm seas. Oh and no wind. This allowed Steve the chance to dive down and cut loose the line. He was our hero. Exhausted and a few barnicle cuts but the engine was available again. 

The rest of the trip was pleasant just slow. The wind stayed on our nose so we motored sailed off and on. Making sure to reserve fuel for when we arrived in port. 

We really didnt see much out there. A few birds and a butterfly. Heard voices and music off and on but Im sure it was all in out heads, or mermaids. Haha

Fairlane did great. She had a little problem peeing while underway. We put her potty pad in the cockpit. She finally figured out to get into her stance in the corner. After she would use it we would throw it overboard to rinse it off. Steve tied a rope to it which made it easy to do that. 

I had medicine for her in case she got sick while underway but she seemed to be fine. Looks she even seems to be smiling 

We understand that the AIS' websit wasnt working. Sorry about that. We really did not buy it as a tracker anyways. We wanted it to allow other boats to be able to see us and notify what type of vessel we were. It seemed to work well. Several boats contacted for different reasons. One even gave us the warning on a front on its way. We really appreciated that. 

Im sorry that we made some worry. We really were fine. I hope that my kids have found they over reacted by calling the Coast Guard it wont happen again as we contnue our travels. The AIS seemed to work when we got into the Cancun area because the Mexican Navy saw us and contacted over the radio then board us to get visible proof that we and our boat was fine. I wish they would of let me take pictures. It was priceless. Thanks Samantha

It was a very long passage and I am still moving when Im on land, even Fairlane seems to be having issues. 

We are staying El Milagro Marina and Hotel for a few days to get our land legs and check in. We are using an agent. Seems to be an easy process and worth the extra $50. 

Here are a few pics from the trip. I am also trying to upload some pretty boring videos on our youtube link. Check them out. Feel free to ask questions

Guess who crossed the Gulf

We did! Yeah!  Took forever but that ia what it costs when you play it smart and reef every night 

Tell you all about it later

Anchored in Galveston

It's 3:30 am. Current conditions are humid with an occasional roll. 

Last night, we started to have tea in the cockpit but the mosquitos decided to join us. So we went in and had diced chunk leftover ham from Perry' delicious pork chop with mozzarella cheese chunks and olives. Then a cup of herbal tea and a cookie.  Steve enjoyed a night on internet    I played solitaire and went to sleep. 

It was a bit warm and sticky but the fans made it tolerable. Oh we Love our screens for the hatches. Fairlane tossed and turned last night. Might need to give her something to help her sleep and relax today

Im up to make some coffe then pull anchor and head for Isla Mujeres. 

Ill post when we get there. 😊

Departure Day

We left and now we are anchored in Galveston. Leaving tomorrow early. Here is how to track us

http://www.vesselfinder.com/?mmsi=367609960

Stocking Up

Spent the day with my fellow Boat Divas which magically turned into Elves at Costco. I love it when a friend has a hook up, like a costco membership. 

I left here with my list of items I scoped out on a previous trip. I had a plan and I had my game face on. Thank goodness my Elves where there to bring me back to reality and make me go down each isle, picking on me and cracking jokes each step of the way. It really helped with the anxiety that was building. 

By cash out time the baskets looked like this 

Can you guess the grand total? 

Only $124 of it didn't belong to me. I think we will be fine for the trip down. At least when it concerns food. 

Three dock carts later and the girls pushing me to give them more items to divid out and put in ziplocks, most of it was all stowed away, somewhere. I might need to make a map to remind me of where it is but its on the boat. 

Tomorrow will be another fun filled day of more running around preparing to leave on Wednesday. Fun fun fun

Final Days

Okay the final days are here. Monday is the big stock up day. Tuesday is Steve' last day at work. Wednesday, we plan on filling propane and water then head to Galveston. A front is expected to come in on Thursday, so we will head out very early to try to be in front of it. Exciting Times!  

Ready or Not we are leaving. We will post on the blog when we get there. 

New Ring made by Steve with Love 

Words of wisdom