From Mainland to Islands

March 23, 2022

We take our time navigating our way out of Panther Key. The tides are still new to us and we are on close watch for crab pots. As we make our way about a mile off shore, we can see the whitecaps ahead. We travel at a comfortable 11 knots and take the waves off the port bow. The hatches are closed! We know we are in for a lumpy ride down to the Keys so we gather the family up on the bridge for the long journey ahead.

The seas were coming steady at us at about 4' with the occasional 6' roller just to add some excitement to the rhythm and momentum. None of us had eaten breakfast and heading down to the galley to prepare food for the crew wasn't an easy task. At this speed these waves down below are a fairly uncomfortable for the crew but not for Holy Cow. I feel like she was ready to stretch her legs and loving the waves, the sea spray and getting some miles under her hull. Our Captain was elated. Holy Cow handled the waves like a dream. The sheer weight of her pushed through these waves like a tank and it made aware that these waters were not for our dear Silverton back home.

The crew was starting to get hungry. Another lesson learned for us. When heading out for a long journey in the morning hours, makes snacks the night before to place in a cooler and bring to the bridge. There is no guarantee that the Admiral can get to the galley to prepare a meal while underway. I decided I needed to venture down below and put something together. Two things worth noting. The seas are not really THAT bad, but it is also not the ideal travelling day. The next few days aren't much better wind wise, so today is our travel day. Also, I have never suffered from sea sickness. Being in the galley is a bit of a challenge since we are being bounced around. I manage to get some items packed to bring upstairs. During the process there are several waves that plummet my stomach similar to the feeling of riding in a car that pops over a small hill too quickly.

I climb the ladder to above and starting handing out the snacks. Jaxon doesn't feel well but thinks he'll feel better after he eats. We suddenly feel the bow of the boat take a plunge. The nose doesn't bury into the wave, but we pop back up with a good deal of force and meet the next wave with a huge spray of water up over the bow and into windshield and glass enclosed helm. I look at our captain and said "that was definitely bigger than a 6' footer." Gord is smiling ear to ear, absolutely loving life at the helm and happily takes his breakfast. Brooklyn won't eat and I hold off for awhile. We have a 6 1/2 hour day of this. After two hours, we decide to take Holy Cow up on plane to about 18 knots and put some miles behind us.

Maybe it's the Gravol that I resorted to chewing finally taking hold, but when we go up on plane, with the waves spraying white walls of water up the side of the boat, I can't help but think Holy Cow must feel like the scene from Lord of The Rings where Arwen summons the flood of horses and they race through the water.

With the waves throwing loads of water up to the helm (windows are closed), windshield wipers on, we stay on course and keep and eye out for crab pots. Ocean spray hits the windshield time and time again. Nausea eventually gets the best of Brooklyn, but she's a trooper and when her stomach settles, she tries to nap.

After another two hours, we throttle Holy Cow back to 11 knots for the remainder of our approach to Key West. Crab pots are a constant threat! The waves make spotting and navigating around them difficult so we keep a very watchful eye. I think that from above, the crab pots must look like a giant

connect the dot picture because from where we are there is very little rhyme or reason to them. We dodge pot after pot the entire way and actually encounter a fishing boat dropping them into the water as we approach. Most annoying!

As Key West nears, and our 6 1/2 hour travel day comes to and end, we see land, smoother seas and the glorious aquamarine colour of the water. We all start to feel excited and Brooklyn and I feel less queasy. We are finally able to move about the boat as we navigate our way to Key West Bight Marina where we plan to spend two nights before heading on to our next destination.