Day 3- Passage

It is warm!!! It was amazing to watch the water temperature go from 50's to 78 F in a couple of hours as we passed through the Gulf Stream yesterday. The air temperature increased as well and is much more comfortable at 77F. I, probably too optimistically, put away our winter hats, mittens and layers of fleece. We've been in unfavorable currents and light winds for most of the day so progress was only 117 nm. Mia lost a tooth so we're hoping to get a position report to the toothfairy before nightfall.
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Remi kicking back

Day 2 Passage

We sailed all day yesterday and thru the night under the jib alone. The winds were behind us so it was easier not to deal with the main sail. We motored for 3 hours this morning when the winds died. We've progressed 135 nm so far, only another 1200 to go. The night was clear and well lit by the moon. There are a lot of sailboats around us, usually have at least five in sight. A tiny bird, that the girls named Fiddlesticks, explored the boat for a couple of hours. He liked Sterling especially and sat on him and took a nap on a pillow next to him. Everyone seems happy and getting into the swing of the passage.
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Sterling is getting used to the northern latitudes

The brothers

Sterl and Fiddlesticks

Day 1 Passage

We left Hampton, VA today at 10:30 am. Conditions are rolly. We've sailed all day under the jib alone, making between 6-8 knots. We are REALLY looking forward to warmer conditions. We have all of our winter gear on and its still chilly. No other complaints, everyone seems pretty happy to be underway.
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Day 118- Hampton, VA

The weather looks promising for a departure to the Caribbean on 11/11/11.  We spent the day motoring south to Hampton, VA to be closer to our exit point to the Atlantic Ocean.  There was little to no wind and it was a very grey day.  The only excitement was when a big (over 100 ft) Navy hovercraft buzzed around us.

Hampton is packed with cruising boats.  Many are part of the Caribbean 1500 race/rally.  Others are participating in the Salty Dog Rally.  Most have been waiting since the beginning of the month for a good weather window and seems like everyone is planning to leave tomorrow.  There may be a traffic jam...

Navy hovercraft

Another in-depth weather discussion

Day 116- Deltaville, VA

We, and about 50 other boats, are waiting for a good weather window for the passage.  We listen to weather sources on the single side band radio every couple of hours and search internet sites for the latest information.  Here are a few snapshots of what we are currently tracking.  As can be seen Tropical Storm Sean lies directly along our path (blue).

Other than watching the weather we are keeping busy with never ending boat projects.  Pablo has reached the bottom of his list, ie. his least favorite projects, like rebuilding the head (the toilet).  Pablo has Sterling working hard on splicing, re-embedding cleats and numerous other tasks.  I'm going nuts watching all the "passage" food getting eaten as we sit here and wait.  Its the idea more than anything, I can always run to the store to replenish before we leave.  A nicer distraction has been visiting with cruiser friends.

Remi supervising the head rebuild

Visiting Matty and Sapphire from sv Squander (we spent hurricane Irene with them in Maine)

Day 114- Deltaville, VA

We have prepped the boat, picked up Sterling and now just waiting for a good weather window to depart for the Caribbean.  We are getting a bit antsy but it has been is nice to have everything ready and now take a little time to relax.

We decided it was time for a fieldtrip and visited the Jamestown Settlement.  It was fitting on a couple of  levels.  Mia is studying it in her History course and the exhibits on the ships that brought the settlers to Jamestown made a nice comparison to our journey. 

 During our passage we will be checking in daily on a short wave radio Net known as Doo-Dah Net.  You can hear the audio of our daily check-ins here  (then the select Cruiseheimers' Net and  then select the DoDah Net by date).  Note that this is not the most riveting way to spend time.  It involves listening to a litany of boats checking in surrounded by a lot of static.

 sv Susan Constant at Jamestown settlement

The latest in amour fashion

Fall has arrived, time to head south!

Uncle Sterl teaching the kids "Caca de Vaca"

Day 111- Deltaville, VA

I think we've gotten over the hump.  When preparing to depart there always seems to be a period of time during which we're not sure it will all come together.  The water maker was a complex installation and required Pablo to access many fairy inaccessible parts of the boat.  This is disruptive to living on the boat.  There is no extra space to put things temporarily while accessing areas under storage areas.  Pablo and I have been sleeping in sleeping bags where ever there is room at bed time.  Now that most of the boat is put back together I've started provisioning with food.  This requires pulling everything out and trying to put it away in some organized manner.  Ideally in a way that I can remember and find ingredients when I need them.  I've started taking photos which helps since my memory has failed me more than once.

Tentatively the weather looks good for a Sunday or Monday departure for our non stop offshore passage to the Caribbean.  The passage is about 1500 miles and will take us about 2 weeks. The time frame is completely dependant on weather.  We are checking in with the Salty Dog Rally, a loosely organized group of boats transiting from the Chesapeake to the Caribbean.  We'll communicate by short wave radio with the group daily and compare notes on weather conditions and our experiences.    I'm in the process of making meals for the first 4 days or so.  We'll cross the Gulf Stream around day 2, where currents cause unusual conditions which can be unpleasant.  And I've heard from more experienced cruisers that it usually takes about 3 days to settle into any long passage.  The pre-prepared meals will hopefully make the transition easier.  With Pablo's brother, Sterling, to help we'll have three people for the night watches which is great for more sleep, among other things.  We're expecting cold conditions for the first 3-4 days and then hopefully more tropical air.  I am desperately looking for our long johns.  I know they are in some crevice on the boat but I didn't take a picture when I put them there... 
Planning a passage to the Caribbean from the East Coast is a little bit of a juggling act.  You have to wait until the end of the hurricane season but want to leave as soon as possible since it gets cold quickly and nor' easters become more prevalent along the coast.

The Deltaville Marine Museum put on a great Halloween Bash. Deltaville is very rural and not ideal for trick or treating so the businesses in town put on an event with candy and a haunted trail through the woods. We all had a blast. See below for photos.
There are many cruisers here but unfortunately no other families. The girls have made friends with a local girl and wait at the bus stop after school for her to come home.

Note the serious faces in the misty haunted house

The message:  "Don't Play in the Street"!