December 10

Today was the day we have been working (not too hard though)for since September 29, our arrival at our winter home-Slip 10, Marina Del Mar. The trip would be inside the Keys until we crossed over to the ocean side at Angelfish Creek. The winds were over twenty knots again. In the lee of the key we had relatively smooth water. This rainbow we took as a good sign for the day. We were a bit apprehensive about what we would find on the other side. I anticipated that the reef would keep the worst away from us despite the fact that the Gulf Stream was about as close in to the reef as it ever gets. It wasn't bad (about two to three feet) and, with the wind behind our stern quarter, we motorsailed on a beam apparent wind, making hull speed most of the time. Key Largo is very long and it seemed like it would take us forever to make it pass by.

It was a beautiful day and I was glad that only a few drops of rain fell somehow out of one of the puffy clouds overhead. The sail gave a great boost and the engine gave the Admiral that touch of reassurance that all was under control.

The final stretch is the Key Largo Canal. Here we pass the casino boat just past Crash Corner. We were met by our friends at our slip, including Joy, who had dressed in a turkey outfit for the occasion. Hugs and kisses followed with two bottles of Asti Spumante consumed later in the cockpit and we were home for the winter.