We’re looking at Monday to “sail away from our safe harbour” in Florida and cross the mighty Gulf Stream to cruise to the Bahamas on Windsong II, our Hunter 356 sailboat.

We’ve been preparing for this for what seems like a very long time!

Last year we weren’t able to leave the marina at all because our little Westie Angus was not well enough. This year we were delayed for a few months because we needed a new mast to replace one that had been damaged.

So we’ve been patiently waiting for the right time. There has been much to do to get ready, though, and a long list to work through in recent days. Now most of it has been done.

The fact that this is actually happening  is exciting and definitely even a little scary. But it’s finally time to “throw off those bowlines” as Mark Twain exhorted and “explore, dream, discover.” (That quote is a bit overused, but still apt, I think.)

We’ve been watching the weather carefully as it’s vital to choose the best possible conditions to make what is usually a 10-hour trip covering 55 nautical miles. Monday and Tuesday are looking good. We’re planning to leave Lake Worth at West Palm Beach and then clear customs at West End in the Bahamas after a Gulf Stream crossing. After that, we’ll make our way to Marsh Harbour in the Abacos on the Bahamas Banks.

My plan is to be back here when I can to post some favorite images, but if you’re interested in the day-to-day details of the voyage, come on over to Our sailing blog where you can see what we’re all up to. Hopefully we will have enough Internet access to keep it up.

I wrote a guest post on the blog Focusing on Life with a bit of background on our life afloat. Have a look if you’re so inclined.

I’ll look forward to catching up with you and all your wonderful blogs once I have reliable communications. In the meantime, take care and enjoy your lives and all the goodness in them!