We left Old Bahama Bay as scheduled at 7:30 this morning. It was like a parade getting out of there as so many boats left at the same time. Everyone has been waiting for the weather window. Our wait was worth the time. The seas were virtually flat with a few rollers but hardly even a white cap. Many boats came from Florida to the Bahamas so there was a lot of boat traffic.
We heard on the marine radio that another boater had come across a boat with three people on it that had been out there drifting for three days. The way the winds and seas have been the last few days I cannot imagine what their experience must have been like.
As we got closer to Florida we could tell that we were leaving the tranquil Bahamas in our memories. The boat traffic increased, helicopters flew overhead, and you could see people everywhere. Ahhh, welcome back stateside. We were however glad to have our Verizon internet and cell phones again.
As we entered the busy harbor we passed a boat that must belong to Richard Branson.
We had only been in port about one half hour and a storm hit us like few we have ever seen. The skies turned black and opened up. The winds were unbelievable and we thought for sure that we were going to lose our flybridge canopy again. Winds howled, hail hit us everywhere and the lightening and rain were amazing. We lost power, fire trucks zoomed through the marina and chaos was everywhere. Jim Favors called to see if we were OK . They had left this morning from West End like we did but were going to Stuart. He heard on the marine radio that a 50 foot boat pulling into West Palm Beach was taking on water. Nice of them to check to make sure it wasn’t us. Not long ago I talked to a local business person who said they are a mile from us and there was a tornado there. Yikes, we are lucky and glad to be in port, safe and sound, no worse for the wear. By the way, this storm was never predicted.
Tags: Great Loop
The Great Loop 
April 14, 2009 at 5:31 pm |
Del and I were in there the same time! We went down for his dad’s 88th birthday. I have really enjoyed seeing your photos and learning there is so much more down there than golf courses!!!!