And- "We done reach"

 With the trip across Florida complete we were staged at Sunset Bay Marina which is a favorite stop of ours. They have a great restaurant in Sailors Return, they are conveniently located in Stuart Florida where anyone can obtain anything they need for a boat, and most importantly we can hook up with friends we have met in the Bahamas, along the ICW, or just about anywhere. It seems that many folks involved in boating pass through this marina. So in spite of the notion we were missing a window to cross the Gulf Stream, we were surrounded by great people many of which we had acquainted with previously. Also notably we were inside the perimeter dock with "Grumpy" on the outside. Grumpy did a fantastic job of knocking down the wind and water, but more importantly the crew on this boat is composed of real people, not snobish yachties full of themselves. I received a couple of great maintenance tips from them, and I was really fortunate to be lent a small floating pad so I could complete the bottom cleaning of the dink. Andy the captain even helped me drag it across the dock so I could use it. Great gang on that boat.
 I have to admit the wait for a window of good weather allowing passage of the Gulf Stream was wearing on us even though we were in a good place with good company. So we rented a car for a few days and took a road trip. To be sure we took advantage of having the car to facilitate shopping but having passed the Jupiter Lighthouse with Freedom several times a visit to this landmark was over due. I have to admit stopping in here is well worth it.
 As anyone can see the view from the top is nothing less than spectacular and it rivals many I have seen in life. Yes, there are many that stand out, like Rushmore, from the WTC, the Empire State Building, the Grand Canyon etc. but the color of the water and the expanse of the view is most impressive. So if you get a chance, check it out. The view of Jupiter Inlet is but one example of the panorama available from the look out of the light.
 And before we knew it Thanksgiving was upon us. Being out in the boat,just the two of us, it was a bit of a depressing outlook but the staff at the marina turned that around famously. They provided ham, turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy and various fixings, while the boaters all brought sides and deserts. There had to be one hundred people present at the feast that went off without a hitch. The food was terrific and the company even better. All in all a very good holiday shared with the boating community!
 It's no surprise we all stayed around into the sunset enjoying the company, weather and good food! A beautiful sunset capped a great experience. The next morning the weather forecast offered hope of a crossing to the Bahamas in the not so distant future so last minute provisioning became sincere which meant I spent quite a bit of time on the bicycles provided by the marina searching out commodities.
 Fortunately Publix is close by and they had a sale on prime rib so a three rib roast found its way into the shopping list. Otherwise last minute boating requirements were filled by a ride down to West Marine where we ran into more folks we spent time with in the Bahamas. Yes, Stu was working and we reminisced about the Grand Bahama Road Trip where Stu thought we were taking him out into the back country to rob him. Many good laughs were revisited.
 And eventually, the window opened. As was related by Doris, it wasn't really a window, it was a peep hole. We normally hope for a three day window of good weather because that is how long it takes to reach Elbow Cay from West Palm Beach Florida. This window starting on Wednesday the 4th of December was really only a two day window but if you left Tuesday before it laid down you could stretch it.
 So we decided to leave Tuesday for West End. I was apprehensive of the forecast because it was on the far side of what works for us. Many other boaters were going to wait for Wednesday where the stream was projected to lay down farther. It was estimated to be a foot or less all the way across the passage to West End. However, if we left on Wednesday the winds were going to increase and that meant we would be exposed to waiting at Green Turtle for the Atlantic to lay down again. So getting out and crossing the stream was the best approach we had to getting the whole trip done.
 It was about half way across that Deb took on this glazed kind of stare that an axe murderer has when they are about to commit a crime. Not that I know any, but I am sure there are people that can relate to "the look". It is a look of impending doom that is best left to someone else. But being in the middle of the Gulf Stream I knew it was all on me. So I did my best to down play the rolling. We were making good progress. Of course this was not flying well. And then it happened.
 We were surrounded by a pod of Spinner Dolphins that came at us from all angles. They jumped in our wake, came right at the bow and dove under us. They looked as though they were having a great time in what we thought was uncomfortable water. Certainly they were loving it. One person's cure is another's poison? Anyway the visit was extremely well receive and Deb completely forgot she was sea sick.

We were very fortunate to get reacquainted with another boating couple we new from Sea Spray and make the crossing together. But the unexpected pleasure came from their invitation to dinner aboard their boat. It seems Laura had a turkey stashed and put it in their oven half way across the stream. We had a fabulous dinner with them and in the morning we all parted company since they were headed to the Exumas and we were going to the Abacos. Hopefully we get to cross paths soon. We owe them a dinner!
 Our next day took us across the Little Bahama Bank all the way to Spanish Cay which is a familiar stop for many. Sadly the restaurant was not open due to a lack of traffic so we had a light meal aboard Freedom and headed out in the morning for Whale Cay and Hope Town. Whale Cay channel is not to be taken lightly and it was obviously a good day to make passage here as several other boats were traveling the same route. With relatively mild but building wind out of the East and South East we went out the channel and around Whale Cay into Loggerhead Channel at slack high tide. Since there was only one or two feet of swell with a foot of wind chop on top coming at us the ride was quite good and the transit was easy.
 It wasn't long after we arrived at our Winter home Sea Spray where the staff welcomed us and we had several folks on the dock helping us in. This is where the first issue with the tow showed up because I snagged the dink on a pole and we had to shut things down while I untangled it all. No damage was done, the trip is over for the time being, and all is well.
 All in all we left at the right time and got it done with a reasonable amount of safety and comfortable conditions.