HD's First Christmas

This is bloody terribly LATE blogging!  Guess who was in charge of getting the Christmas blog out??  Suffice to say,  it was NOT Captain "Get 'r Done".

VERY LATE NEWS FLASH...Cin's son, Tyler, called just before Christmas to announce he had proposed to the love of his life (Camille Chang) the night before she left to fly to California to see her family for Christmas.   He jokingly wrapped up this ring for a stocking gift (since she had always expressed that she would want to pick out her ring herself whenever the time came) but it seemed to go right over her sweet little Harvard head what was going on,  politely saying her "Thank You's" to Tyler for the adorable ring (she really DID think it was cute) ...until he finally asked her to marry him.  Ahhhh.  Now she got it!
We are all THRILLED for them and can't wait to see the real ring and hear more about their plans!

Happy Destiny had a Happy Christmas and New Year in Florida, complete with a real time visit from Santa himself to the Span house on Christmas Eve!

Two days before Christmas, the first mate tried to recruit her family as crew members, but some of them were more interested in getting hold of a "sea bag" while the rest of us stuffed our faces. Even our seasoned crew member, Cin's mom, Mary didn't do well out  in the Gulf.  Those who didn't get sick had a wonderful  time aboard, especially the guys and the "little sailors" took to the water just fine-Cin's grand neices Providence and Autumn...aren't they adorable??

While on the day sail, the Captain received a surprise phone call from our Pastor Tom in Terre Haute, who was happy to pray with the fam and officially "Christened" HD for her upcoming voyage out of the country.  We had wanted to do that from the beginning, but better late than never, and the timing was right to do it  over the phone with Cin's family at Christmas.  Wish the Mathias' could have been there as well, especially would have loved to see that new grand baby's FIRST CHRISTMAS!

After an enjoyable Holiday in St. Pete HD sailed (actually motored) overnight to Naples making the trip in one day instead of the three it took to go North.
Lots of maintenance  required for both the crew and ship: Dentists, Chiropractor, SSB (Single side band Radio) further installation and instruction, Weather primer from a weather relayer, generator repair all in anticipation of going to the Bahamas for the winter.  Still had time for a nice dinner out for our ONE YEAR anniversary at a lovely little French Restaurant on Madeira Beach.

Spent a loaded 9 days getting it all put together with the help of the Harley out of storage and a visit from Tara. Cin had home coming week at the 24 Hour Club and then we were off to Key West.
Forecasted North winds turned out to be nil so again HD motored the overnight trip to Key West.
The wind did kick up the day after we arrived and stayed strong for four days.

Our 6 day stay has been fun and productive.  The mooring field in Key West where we stayed was full of boats, many that haven't been anywhere in years (you can tell by no sails and the barnacles growing at the waterline).  We found out today, the locals (called "Conchs") call those people living on the boats "Hobo-ters".  Guess we better be movin' on before we fall into that classification, now that we're homeless.

Cin's computer has been to the doctor (another reason this is late!) and the crew applied for and were issued LBO Customs cards which will make reentry to the US a matter of just a phone call to check in.

The wind for the trip back up to Marathon is expected to be light and on the nose. Just 43NM to Marathon where HD will have her generator's valves adjusted Friday morning. The crew hopes to pick up some local knowledge for the crossing to Bimini  through the gulf stream when the weather is right . So far found lots of people going to the same place for the winter.  Looks like we'll be in good company.
Please pray for safe sailing across the Gulf Stream.
Love to all,
(Mostly) the First Mate this time.