Distance made good: 10 nm
Average speed: 4.1 knots, motor sailed
Wind: E 12 knots
High Temp: 92
We raised the anchor around 1 p.m. getting a rather late start as the captain was not feeling well. This was no doubt due to trying to cram too much into the previous day, with shopping, last minute projects, laundry, propane tank refill, and a late night tiki hut party involving gummy bears soaked in rum.
We stopped at Marathon Marina to take on 15 gallons of diesel which was just over $60. The captain nearly fainted at the price and vowed to sail more and motor less. We also took on 90 gallons of water – 50 in our primary tank, 30 in an auxiliary tank, and the rest in various jugs. Thankfully at this fuel dock the water was free – last time out we paid 15 cents a gallon.
Our plan was to travel to Molasses Key, drop the hook and clean the boat bottom, but upon nearing the little key, we determined it wasn’t very well protected and the water was a bit too rough for comfort. So instead we made a new course for Bahia Honda State Park. We were motor sailing – as despite my earlier vow not to use the engine, I had a badly depleted battery bank. The seas were only 1 to 2 feet, but it was very rolly. Poor Coleen was freaking out again about all the rolling, and we were both a little bit seasick. I tried to encourage her that soon we would be used to the motion and it would be no big deal, we’d just go about our regular activities – not even noticing the rolling.
The anchorage at Bahia Honda is between the old railroad bridge and the new car bridge. The removed a span of the old bridge to make an entrance. Of course we had following seas as we were coming in and quite a bit of current, and I’ll admit to be quite nervous. We finally dropped the hook around 4:30 p.m. – after one aborted attempt. I’ll tell you it’s not fun to start out already feeling sick, travel through rolly seas, and then when you finally arrive, miss anchoring on the first try and have to pull the darn thing up and try again. Was I ever exhausted! The anchor was just cover in huge clumps of mud and grass when I pulled it up. Then I had to take the boat hook and clean all of that off, before trying again. All this while trying not to drift into a bridge – just a little stressfull. Thankfully, it set well on the 2nd attempt.
Soon we were drinking our favorite frozen chocolate rum beverage, and had hot dogs on the grill. We had a simple meal – grilled hot dogs and a melody of raw veggies – broccili, baby carrots and grape tomatoes – topped off the a fresh nectarine for dessert. We made up the large bunk in the saloon and settled in for a showing of Captain Ron. That’s one movie you just can’t see too many times!