Waiting on a "Window"

 Or how do we spend our time while the Atlantic churns.

 We've actually been ready to cross the Gulf Stream for a few days now but with seas approaching 12 feet recently we have elected to sit things out. Especially since our pain threshold is right at two feet. Call us wuzzy, but I double dog dare you to ride it out with us on Freedom in 4 to 6 confused seas. We've done it. We've learned.  Patience. This latest disturbance was dealt us by tropical storm Sean which made a mess of things for a while, and it seems there are additional disturbances in the form of cold fronts making their way this far South. So the Gulf Stream remains a place for those with strong stomachs or boats able to plow through it. It's not only the Gulf Stream that's rough.
 A mail transport named Legacy ran aground at Lynyard cay in the Abacos this week. Considering we  have received weather reports from them regarding passage of Whale Cay we wonder how they found themselves in such a horrific experience. Fortunately there was no loss of life and Legacy has been hauled off the reef at North Bar, and towed back to Marsh Harbour. We have transited this area and know it to be fickle, best left for calm seas. In spite of being inside the reef this is where we first experienced weightlessness on the bridge of Freedom.
 But it's all good since where we are we have a monthly rate, the condo has been sold, and we have the car with us as opposed to renting cars which we done have in the past. The serious issue here is not going out for dinner because the food at the marina restaurant smells great and based on our experience it also tastes terrific. Calamari at the bar is outstanding.
 Fortunately we are not alone here since there are several folks in a similar situation. We all have frequent conversations regarding the crossing which helps us temper the urge to get the crossing over with. We know this is supposed to be fun. A bit of an adventure yes, but fun. No one wants to take on more risk than they or their equipment can tolerate. While the "battle wagons" go out and crash through this weather, for the most part we are fair weather boaters that would find themselves in a very uncomfortable situation if we moved into this weather on the big water. We could easily take the boat South to Lake Worth and or Peanut island so as to be close to the inlet for an early morning departure, but why give up a monthly rate on the gamble of a very narrow window only to be stuck on the Bahama Bank waiting for better weather? Along those lines today's talk is centering around a crossing on Thursday the 17th but I look at this "weather window" as being quite narrow. Given that we know we will be caught in the stream with rough water, or, caught at a marina charging high fees for docking and utilities the rationale in favor of the crossing is weak at best. But it is a hurdle to surpass and always presents itself as a goal worth accomplishing regardless of the consequences. We look at it this way. Unless you can run at 25 knots you will be stuck at West End, Lucaya, or elsewhere waiting on weather to get around to the Abacos. Most weather windows at this time of year are not wide.
 So we plod along with additional preparations that don't need to be performed but we need to get out of the way. The dink has been hauled, cleaned and waxed. New registration numbers have been applied to the tubes and now all vehicles are registered in Florida. Provisioning has been accomplished but will have to be replenished.
 Anyway it's easy to while away a weekend when the local airport hosts an airshow. We were in the area at this time last year, and witnessed a F/A-18 Hornet buzzing around at very low altitudes. Cool. This year we had the privilege of seeing a restored P-51 in military color fly over head. I have to admit the jets are impressive when they fly over. The F-16 at full afterburner was clearly heard at the marina even though we had to be at least a couple of miles away. But that P-51 with it's old Merlin(?) sounded sweet as it entered steeply banked turns overhead. And then there was the surprise entry a MIG-17.
 All of these demonstrations were a pleasure to watch and commanded respect for the people that were willing to put on the show. Let's face it. Air shows have taken a hit this year with a number of accidental deaths caused by crashes. Nothing happened this weekend and we are all grateful for the show and its safe operation.

 So we wait. Could be a while. So what. Better to be safe.