Making Great Time and THE Decision . . .Our Journey is Over

Thanks, Martha, for this photo
of Pekabu at sunrise this morning.

    We had a wonderful breeze when we left the anchorage.  Then we had to change our angle and lost our point of sail for a while. Once on the Chesapeake the winds subtly changed direction and speed all day. Even with the changes we made good time, 6.8 to 7.5 knots as the current will be with us all the way up the bay.

 A reminder that we share
 the waters with those who make a living
while we use the waters for recreation.

    Unfortunately, the fact that we were making such good time also forced us to make a decision.  We could stop at Solomons around 1:30 PM and possibly be stuck there for a few days. .  . OR we could continue and be in our home dock tonight. If we stay in Solomons, we will be only a few miles from John and Betty’s home . . .so close and yet so far!  The bad weather tomorrow and then the winds on Thursday will keep us here until Friday.  We could take a direct route from here and be in our home slips for Andiamo around 7:30, Brunelle by about 8:30 and us about 9 PM providing the winds continue consistent.    As we discussed our options my first reaction was simply “it’s over!” “No hugs and kisses, no final clink of glasses and toasting to another good day and fantastic cruise!”    

    We are all in agreement.  We are homeward bound.  Our wonderful adventure will be coming to an end. I am, but I am not quite ready. It seems to be true of most cruisers, once you get close to home, you push on to get home for any number of reasons.  For us, we have people to see and places to go. This is the longest we haven’t seen our kids. They might be all grown, but we still miss them.  Pete’s Mom had surgery this past January and we have not been able to see her since Thanksgiving. We have spoken often, but it is not the same thing.   And then there is my truck. It is still in Florida with Ann and Howie. We will fly down to see them, pick it up, perhaps stop to see my sister and her family in the Charlotte area on the way out to Ohio to see Mom and then head home. Then Pete will have to set up meetings for work and I will have to figure out just what being retired really is all about.

The time has come for us to part and head for our home ports.
Andiamo is far off to the left; Brunelle is close on the right;
the lines are from Pekabu. 

     Around 3:30 we reached a distance where we said our final farewells over our handy walkie talkies that only reach 2 miles.   At 5:30 we hailed over the VHS to go to another channel and raised our glasses for a final toast to “another great day, wonderful friends and, to borrow from Martha’s Dad’ secretary, a G---  D---- Great Cruise!”

The confused skies sum up today's emotions.

    We followed Brunelle right up to Kent Narrows as the sun was low in the clouds. Brunelle parted to head to Lippincott Marina while we continued up to wait for the 8 PM opening of the final bridge of our voyage.  The tide was very high due to southerly winds blowing all day, so we had no problems with the skinny spots in the northern channel of Kent Narrows or the entry to Castle Harbor.

Brunelle entering Kent Narrows

     By 9 PM we were snuggled in to our slip as darkness was finally upon us.  SPOT was set as to our location and the email to our friends, family and cruising family letting them know that we had arrived at our homeport safely. Tomorrow, will be the final 70 miles at a considerably faster pace on land to home.

Pekabu heads into Kent Narrows and the final bridge.
Thanks, Martha, for the great photo.

    As for the statistics. . .6 months, 193 days, 7 states, 2 countries, 3 thunderstorms with 4 additional smatterings of rain, ever-changing vistas, countless magnificent sunset and sunrises, over 5000 photos (only the best or most relevant of which have been placed in the blog), unforgettable memories , priceless friendships and 3623 miles at 7 miles an hour! Would we do it again? We both agreed we would not answer that one too quickly, but there is so much we didn’t see and so many wonderful experiences that are worth repeating.  It is a definite . . . “maybe.”

     We are sad that something so wonderful is ending. However, we are so very thankful that we have been given the opportunity to experience all the places, the people, the acquired knowledge, the weather, the water, the images and most importantly the friendships that will forever be treasured.

~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete  
  


Pekabu crossing The Bahama Banks February 22, 2011