Crossing the Gulf Stream

March 15th
On March 15th we left Fort Pierce at 2:30. I was filled with emotion. I had spent a week of waiting and hoping to leave for the Bahamas. Just when I let myself stop hoping it happened the workmen said “O.K. we’re finished”. George and I were like two captured wild animals being set free.
George took first watch from 2:30 p.m. till 5:30 p.m. We would be at the helm 3 hours on and three hours off. I had what he called the sunset watch from 5:30 till 8:30. Earlier that morning I had wondered, “Isn’t it easier just to fly to the Bahamas. After the first few minutes on my watch, I realized why I wanted to go by boat. Something caught my eye on the starboard side of the boat. I saw what I thought was the noses of seal. Now they talk about having hallucinations on long passages with out sleep, but this was much too early in the trip. Before I knew it the seals noses were getting closer. There were at least 25-30 dolphins jumping in unison along side of the boat. For a moment I just looked with complete amazement. I tried to go forward to get my new camera to take a picture. By the time I got my camera, most of the dolphins were gone, only 3 or 4 dolphins were playing hide and seek with me. Later that watch I enjoyed a beautiful sunset, and a beginning of a very special night. My next watch was from 11:30 till 2:30. We were in the middle of the Gulf Stream. Oh! By the way, much too much adrenaline to sleep between watches. The moon was just enough light. The moon glistened on the water and highlighted each wave with a white cap. The waves were in rhythm with 3 or 4 short smooth waves then the last big one that shot water over each side of the bow. I looked up at one point during that watch to see our stern light shinning on our American flag, with the flag in the fore ground and the moon shinning in the background. A vision I will never forget. My next watch was from 5:30 to 8:30. By then the moon had disappeared and the night was much darker. As your eyes begin to get adjusted to the darkness, I realized that the stars have taken the place of the moon lighting the way. They were collectively giving light. Two or three were very bright. Each star was so defined. It was as if they were saying it’s our turn to shine. Just when I had started enjoying each star in its own brilliance, I saw a glimpse of light coming over the bow. The sun had also wanted to take my breath away. George got up to put another way point in to continue our passage to Great Sail Cay. I cooked breakfast, then I lay down and this time I slept like a baby. I awoke from my two hours nap because my body is now on a three hour on three hour off schedule. I woke up to the most beautiful deep calm aqua waters. All you could see 360 degrees was beautiful aqua water no boats no land just water. George was forward watching dolphins play. He had a big smile on his face. He greeted me with “Welcome to the Bahamas”. Now you know why I didn’t just fly to the Bahamas.

Praising God for all of this, and for the opportunity to live the dream,
Freida and George