Whooppie!!! We have wifi. Thanks to Madam X for keeping everyone up to date while we were unable.
We are earning our stripes on this trip. We left Marathon heading for Cape Caniveral. We were sailing along in the Hawk Channel just cookin at about 7.5 knots. We left the channel and headed for the Gulf Stream about 18 miles out. Most of the afternoon and evening was great........then at 8:00pm, (my watch) the wind picked up. During the night we hit winds of 30 knots and 15 foot seas. It was less than fun!!! At about 3:30 am, Tony and I decided to wake Nick and get into a harbor. The closest place was Fort Lauderdale. There is a silver lining. Fort Lauderdale is very nice. Yesterday Tony and I went to the beach and slept. We had been up for way too many hours. Today we will get some more supplies and the plan is to get going again tomorrow. The weather is still bad out on the Atlantic and so we will go over the Inter Coastal Waterway to Palm Beach. I'm looking forward to that.
I try not to think about the trip through the Bermuda Triangle. I have always had really good luck on Friday the 13th so I believe we will have a safe trip. We have already paid enough dues to get us a "piece of cake" sail into Bermuda. I'm truely looking forward to Delle and Maria joining us. Delle, you called it. Tony and I learned along time ago that we can't wait for Captain Nick to be ready to play. I hope you will be able to get him to kick back and enjoy.
Well, our next leg of the trip should get us to St Augustine. There is another boat joining us there for the rally so here will be some parties at the yacht club and it all sounds like fun. We'll check in again then.

I just finished lunch with a Miss Bridgette Bordeaux. That is some smooth lady and she did wonderful things to my psyche. Thanks Nick.
Reading D'Elle talk about all of you going down in the famed and feared Bermuda Triangle I wish that I could make the trip with you. We could all party in the other world and see what that is like. Couldn't be with a better bunch of friends. I hope that it will be a great sail and lead to an even better time over the Atlantic.
Wow, Fall in Greece. You are some lucky cats. I am putting in a new lawn so really cool down by reading of your watery adventures.

I know just the thing for those belts in a pinch...read it in Cosmo... pantyhose!! You be sure and tell them for me K? No thanks necessary, I am glad to help.

heard from tony and Sharon this morning (pdt) they had left the Keys and are in the Hawk Channel heading for the Atlantic Ocean. Then up to Cape Canaveral (Our old stomping ground in the eaarly space race) Still having trouble with belts breaking. More later, when I get the word. Chio[

My friend Bob (here in Hawaii from Seattle at present) after looking at your boat and your supplies... said "I have been sailing the almost exact same boat... (he then pointed out and listed all the similarities from the posted pictures.) I would suggest simplifying. The more technology the more things can go the way of Murphy's law. " Yes, I am a dyed in the wool pessimist and he did not help me one wit! He has been sailing "same beam boat for 25 years" from Alaska to Panama. Last winter he and his wife climbed aboard their boat to keep warm. They said it was the warmest place in the Pacific North West... ??? So I warned D'Ell to take warm stuff... but after listening to Bob I admit : "What the Bleep do I know."

just talked to sharon, who asked me to relay a message to you all. She hasnt got access to ennernet now. They just put to sea at 1:ooPST (4:there) They are headed for Marathon (from Fort Meyers) and expect it to take roughly twenty-six hours. If it takes much longer, they may not stop; as they are meeting D'elle in St Augustine. Hi from them and from me. Love

Tickets in hand! Maria and I will rendezvous LAX ~ proceed to Daytona Beach and arrive 9:41pm 5/8/06. Looking at online atlas to see which cornor of the triangle we're going to cut! My dad is sure optimistic (Robert) but he'll have a chance to catch up in Greece.{dad~ We're counting on you for the 'reprise' voyage in the Pelloponese.} I didn't get nearly enough time there. Love my travel agent, she's going to let me know when there's a good deal on round trips to Spain, Italy, Greece etc. I will be flying in for a week here and a week there and probably an extended stay toward the end of the season to really 'do' Greece (a favorite) Maria (being Greek) would probably like to join in again late fall and have us up to her place for awhile to rest up for the flight home! Screw online ticket purchase. I wish I had the 10+ hours back I struggled to get flights booked. Walked in at 8 this a.m. and by 9 had tickets in hand for both Maria and I at the price I was being quoted for ONE on Priceline, Expedia, Orbitz, and several others. Phoooey! Why do we get sucked into the hype that is out there???? I've learned my lesson. There's a reason they have professionals to do things. I don't ask the plumber to sing. So...I now have a 'personal travel consultant' and hooray, I"ll happily give her $30 to go through all the hassle on my behalf! There is that philosophical faction that simply must 'do it themselves' and goddess knows, Nick is one. I, on the other hand, derive no particular personal satisfaction on cutting down the trees, splittling the rounds and stacking the cords. It's enough for me to enjoy flipping the switch and see the fire come on. I admit it, I'm a hedonist. A shameless, exquisitely expert, hedonist. That is why I look forward to joining the crew for a while. I fear they may have been sucked into the vortex of constant work and gotten out of frivolity practice... perhaps they need a companion in 'play'. Not that I have anything to teach Tony and Sharon. I am assured they have advanced degrees in spontaneous hilarity. However, I think we have a good time to look forward to, notwithstanding the famed and feared Bermuda Triangle. I am finding myself looking forward to a 'modified passage'. Since I long ago realized I would be no asset on the 'real' one! I am glad the Ronz crew has had time to get the bugs out and get the head working and get the table started and all the rest. I will arrive in time for a major PARTY! Hooray! What's this I hear about Sheri and Carl being 'iffy'....hey! See you there! What's 10 days. If the world won't go 'round without you for 10 days, you're in the wrong world! (Having spent many years in the wrong world I know how attached we can become.) Well, enough. What will be, already is...somewhere. Love to you all and I will look forward to hugging you in person very soon!

Just checked in to your travel scheme... wow ! Don't know what else to say except to say God watches over fools, drunks and sailors ( I hope) Of course, since I am a quasi-atheist I have very little in the way of reassurance to offer.
Recoommed to light some incense for Poisidon! Love and hugs R

It's looking very promising that Maria and I will be joining the crew in time for the Bermuda Triangle crossing. I am not sure what to expect for weather tho' will attempt to pack light (quit laughing Nick)! We are so soggy here that we've been burning brush and sending smoke signals you guys can probably see over the western horizon. The 'park' is looking quite open and inviting. I pleaded with Roberto to finish the cobblestone parking area before it got too hot. Next week is supposed to be 90 degrees. The leak at the fireplace in the Oak Room is getting substantial so it's probably just as well it might stop raining soon. The roof is far toooooo slippery to attempt to cross but if this weather keeps up we'll have to parachute down on it just to cover the hole! Most things have held pretty well considering.... So the big question is....how many of us are going to be at Sharon's birthday party in Bermuda? Do we reserve the top floor of the Hilton? I have a travel agent ready to commit mayhem with the bizarre itinerary I am proposing. Seems they don't want to sell you a one way ticket out of Bermuda. I don't really want a 14+ hour flight with 7 layovers either! There MUST be an easier way! I can remember a time when spontaneous travel was fun! Perserverance and patience...two more character traits I can work on. Hugs for now and I'll see you in a couple of weeks. P.S. Sharon...do I need to bring some toenail polish??? tweezers or???

Nick,

I was saddened about the news of your Mother. Aunt Ada was by far, one of the best persons I have ever met. I must also mention that her integrity was a virtue that will be remembered. I will miiss her.

On a lighter note: Your wine has been very much enjoyed by us The Sirah was exeptional!

I was in Neworlansss last year about this time peddling my stuff. My distributor and almost everyone else are still trying to make sense of anything.

We are bottling soon. I rented a gizmo that takes alocohol out. What a disturbing situtation!

Till later, my friend,
Steve

Glad that your progress is progressing. Are you still somewhat on schedule?

Nick (Dad), We just wanted to let you know of Polly's weight loss progress. She is now down to 297lbs. That is a total weight loss of 112lbs in a years time. I am so proud of her. She is now wearing size 22/24 clothes. Well thought we would let you know. Dean

Hey, It's sunny today! (or something is on fire in the yard) So good to hear your voice when you called, thanks. Did let L&J know we heard from you. Hope you had a wonderful Easter and everything went together properly for your repairs. We guess you must be well on your way on to Fabulous Bermuda. Hope it's a wonderful get together. We will be there in thought and prayer. Hey, found the PERFECT thing for you guys!!! While shopping Cousin Clint's fav surplus shopping sites for a pick up truck I came across an ocean going floating workshop. It is 100 ft long and boasts a full galley and berthing for 40 (guess some of your fan club would just have to double up). A welding and fabrication shop (could double as a wine cellar?) as well as engines and generators and fuel storage (bi fuel of course). Fully modern (what ever that means for a 1986 manufacture) bridge. The mental picture is maybe something out of Waterworld? You need this I think. It's a $60,000 opening bid (doesn't say about licensing or smog requirements) and you can pick it up on the coast of Washington State. Though I don't know much, I imagine it would be a clumsy thing to sail BUT with Laura's fabrication and design skills, together you could probably rig something suitable and cool looking (always cool looking). You could have just awesome Pirate themed parties!! Hmmm...??? Well, thought you would get a kick out of this. Gotta get busy, love you guys. Affinity, M &N