WE DID IT!!!!!

January 6, 2013 Sunday 

It is hard to know where to begin.....for starters, WE DID IT!!!!  We tied up to our winter dock at Boot Key Harbor, Marathon, Sombrero Beach Resort and Marina at 1530 hrs, Sunday.  It was bit of a rough anchorage in Rodriquez Key (just South of Key Largo) with no protection from the wind out of the East, but it was the perfect stage for a beautiful sail Sunday morning.  "Chasseur" was in her glory with full sails from the minute we pulled up anchor at  0645 hrs as we headed for Marathon.  It was a sail every sailor dreams of - we were smiling ear to ear.  The air and water were so wonderfully warm, we were in our bathing suits on our departure.  We cruised at 6 - 8+ kts the entire day. We moved so powerfully, that even the barnacle that had frozen our knot meter could not hold on!!  It was such a treat not to hear our engine that had been our constant companion through the ICW.  Our arrival time at the inlet to Boot Key Harbor was at high tide, which we needed to get to our slip.  We called "Tow Boat US" to have them talk us through the markers.  They warned us that we would probably bump, but would be happy to tow us off any shoal that we "find".  It was slow going, but patient Terry got us through without touching bottom.  It should be noted that the Captain has not run aground the entire 2960 nautical miles, luck or skill, probably a little of each!
We were too tired to truly celebrate what we have accomplished.  We cannot believe we made it to the finish line, the safe harbor of our Dream!
There will be much more to write later...........

"It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them.  They went out and happened to things."

Leonardo da Vinci

Morning departure from Rodriquez Key, Atlantic Ocean

Sails Up!!!

Glorious sail

7 Mile Bridge connecting the Keys, Highway 1

Boot Key Harbor

Looks like we have to share our dock post, meet our new pet, "Pete"

Blue dot, right upper corner, our slip