After almost a year of getting ready to become a "cruiser" I headed out across the Gulf of Mexico. I had no expectations. As soon as I hit the Galveston jettys I was treated to a really strong south wind. I am not the best sailor but I am good at making quick decisions. I decided to work east which took me through the densly populated oil fields off the coast of Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Oh lordy. The wind stayed strong and the seas were big. I did many sail changes to keep things comfortable and still make good progress. Where were the easterlies to get me south. I had a little trouble getting around the Mississippi delta maybe due to currents and maybe because my navigation skills were a little rusty. Three days into the trip I had still not slept more than a cat nap here and there. I was not 100%.
After clearing the delta I still had southerlies so I set my autopilot for Panama City at the east end of the Florida panhandle. After a day the winds did switch to the SE but I needed to get off the boat. I reset for Pensicola and went to bed, waking up becalmed twenty miles south of the harbor. I was able to locate a transient slip where I intended to get my ducks back in a row. I got the slip and met the local yachties and made made a decision.
"This is not what I want to do for the next years, month, day." I talked to Sheryl and explained my thoughts and she was supportive as she always is. I knew if I did not get Buddha back out on the scary seas it would only get harder to go. I headed back out the next day and the winds were pushing me to Panama City...............until they died. I decided to motor south through the night and decide on my course the next morning.
The next morning and the rest of the trip I was faced with weak south winds along with frequent thunderstorm type squalls. I was headed back to Kemah, Texas but I was going way out and avoiding ALL the oil fields. I saw a few huge rigs, well lit and very avoidable. Two days from home I entered the ship safety fairway and motorsailed for two days into Galveston.
During the trip I saw beautiful deep, deep blue water. I saw dolphins and flying fish. Flying fish can fly. Not just glide. I saw ten foot waves and absolutely flat water. I became a better nivigator and boat handler. I also experienced panic and unbelievable boredom. I got wet from the waves and rinsed by the rain. I ate well during the two weeks but ran out of bacon. My beer froze but I only split two so I never ran out, thank god. They were just a tad flat.
Buddha worked great and sang all the way. No problems at all.
I learned to sleep while the boat sailed. This is a very nice experience. The alarm did not wake me several times. The most difficult times during the trip were sailing through oil fields in heavy seas and strong winds............. at night. My radar did a pretty good job of showing me the rigs but the waves often made for sketchy echos. The first daylight was very welcome.
Anyway, I am home. My friends Dina, Troy, Kat, Trey, Kitty and Jim met me at the slip. Dina and Troy brought me a fresh beer as I motored in the channel. Bless you. I am fortunate to have beautiful friends down here.
I am really happy and excited to have some blue water sailing under my belt. I wish Sheryl was here and look forward to getting back to our house. Our 33rd aniversary is June 26. I probably will not be with her but it is only a day.
I hope this is not my last sailboat trip.
Morning I left Texas
First sunset before the terror of the night
Big waves
No waves
Rig
Marley taking the helm
Beautiful moonset
I love you
1 comment:
Great post John (except you spelled my name wrong). We love you too.
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