Still in Miami

[Roger Mummah]

Hi HOW Folks, It is December 17, 2003. This is our first posting =using the SailMail/Airmail SSB radio equipment. We left Marathon =Florida on Dec 8 and motored up the ICW to an anchorage called =Buttonwood Sound. The next day we traveled from there to an anchorage =on the inside of Cape Florida. We motor sailed and saw 6.4 knots. =The plan was to put the dinghy on the bow and leave at about 4AM the =next morning and cross the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. We were with =three other boats but many more were also waiting. As the day =progressed we all decided that the weather was not right for a =crossing (north winds and a very short crossing window) so we motored =to an anchorage near South Beach (Miami Beach). The weather forecasts =have been bad ever since and we are still in Miami Beach. There was =another short window (about 18 hours) and a bunch of boats made it =across just fine. We moved from the first Miami Beach anchorage to a =more protected one that is between two man-made islands (Palm Island =and Hibiscus Island). A cold front is supposed to pass here beginning =this afternoon and bring us temperatures in the mid 40's, showers and =thunderstorms. Bummer! We have had to run the diesel to charge the =batteries because it has been too overcast for the solar panels to do =their job very well. We are also monitoring a possible problem with =the refrigeration system. Maybe we need a freon charge, but it's too =soon to tell. There are lots of other boats in the area and they are =waiting for weather too. Today we will dinghy to the dinghy dock at =the Miami Beach Marina with Tommy and Harriet (Summer Wine) and walk =around a bit. It's good to get off the boat to stretch the legs =whenever possible. So we will be stuck here for a while because the =forecasts are not good for as long out as the forecasts go (5 days). =This is a great place to get stuck and hang out with other cruisers. =Do you know the definition of "cruising"? It's "working on your boat =in exotic places". When the weather keeps us on the boat we can =always find boat chores and boat projects. We can also read and relax =and visit other boats. We're having a great time and hope you are =too. Roger and Susie Mummah s/v Endless Summer (1983 Hunter 31 #58) =on the hook in Miami Beach, Florida-------------------------------------------------Do not push the "reply" button to respond to this message if that includes the text of this originalmessage in your response. Messages are sent over avery low-speed radio link. The most concise way to reply is to send a NEW messageto: WCD9494@sailmail.comIf you DO use your reply button, be sure to deletethe original message text and these instructionsfrom your reply. Replies should not contain attachments and should beless than 5 kBytes (2 text pages) in length. This email was delivered by an HF private coast stationin the Maritime Mobile Radio Service, operated by theSailMail Association, a non-profit association of yachtowners. For more information on this service or on theSailMail Association, please see the web site at:http://www.sailmail.com

 

[Ed Schenck]

Lucky stiffs.

Hope you get that window. Where do you hope to be for Christmas? I'm working on a plan to be wherever that is next Christmas. I hope you will give us an update about the crossing. And about the refer.How is the speed of your ham/internet connection? I guess all of those '=' signs in your note have something to do with the HAM connection. Have a safe journey and Merry Christmas.