Tough Choices

We've been in Florida aboard our Alberg 35, Mystic, since the first week of April. When we got here, we were using three blankets on our bunk. The nights were cool and great for sleeping. On May 1st, someone flipped a switch in central Florida. It got incredibly hot overnight and it hasn't eased a bit. The locals tell us the heat is just getting started. It is May 12th and we are now using only a sheet. It often ends up on the floor.

Blanket, Quilt and Afghan, no longer needed

Temperature in our car!!!

Stormy skies, t-storms arrive daily

Our original cruising plan was to be in the Bahamas with our friends Scott and Rhonda Joiner for the month of April. Life got in the way, then work got in the way, delaying our trip to the first of June. We've been killing time cruising around the Cape Canaveral area and working out kinks in our sailboat. After two weeks of increasing heat, we were forced to look closely at our plan. We realized that we would be spending the month of June in the Bahama Islands, returning around July first. Not only would we have to travel north from Southern Florida in the middle of summer, it will be smack dab in hurricane season. We had to weigh our concerns and make a decision based on common sense and practicality.

We've spent a lot of time talking about the pros and cons of going to the Bahamas in June. After a few steamy days on the hook with no shore power, no air conditioning, and no fans, we began to realize just what we were getting into. Our wind scoop helps move air but we can't hide from the intense sun. It makes no sense to head further south during the summer. We realized that our course should be north. In fact, when we cruised down to Vero, we passed several other Looper boats heading North. They made hand signals at us indicating that we were going the wrong way!!! In the Looping world, spring is for northbound traffic out of Florida and into cooler air.

Wind Scoop guiding airflow into Mystic

Scott and Rhonda were not surprised at our revelation. This just isn't the right time for us to experience the Bahamas. This destination has NOT been scratched off our bucket list. It's just going to have to wait until our timing is perfect. We are excited to move north in June. We may even make a stop in Mystic Connecticut to visit family and we can't wait to traverse the Erie Canal. We're even looking forward to getting back to the Great Lakes. As for the Bahamas...we'll be back!

Scott and Rhonda Joiner with Dave and Beth Rogers
We've covered a lot of miles together!