Bimini back to FLORIDA and beyond

 As she often does,  life has thrown yet another curve ball.

 Just the boater style!

After finally settling on a plan to make our way back to Florida (as promptly as we could)

One engine decided to refuse to head home!

"We" went through everything we could think of.....and just when we thought we were making progress, there of course was yet another new development!

Luckily we have 2 engines!  However, we sure would like to make our epic redeeming crossing with both available too us! Instead of relying on our SeaTow as our back up!

But hey some back up is better than none!

Luckily for us, our Bahamian family did not disappoint.

There is a reason we struggle to leave this place.  We have come to call these beautiful souls "family" 

Each of them adding a layer to our lives that we never even knew was missing!

Even as we returned to local shops and restaurants, people welcomed us with hugs and hellos!

With all of that said there was still some very very touch and go days....

Days we didnt know if or how we were going to make the journey back.

A swirl of opportunites and scared realities, that perhaps Bimini wasnt going to let us leave.

Just as we had given up hope and come to turns that we may have to return with 1 engine

Opportunity knocked!

Literally! a local mechanic who is friends of freinds....knocked on our boat asking to help!

He quickly confirmed that we did indeed know what was wrong and how to fix it......but HE actually could get us the part!!!!  

If you have every been in the middle of know where, you understand how outstanding this is!

So off he went, us standing there grateful and a little in disbelief! 

Yet a few hours passed, there he was......crouched in the engine bay installing the part he had removed from a friend of a friends truck engine that was in worst shape than ours! (yes yes bittersweet once again)

Of course there was still a glitch! As the engine turned and the excitement spread across the boat....the knocking sound roared over the cheers!  

Could it be.....a new sound!!  And one that sounded almost as heart wrenching as no sound at all!

Luckily, although not as wonderful of an ending as we had hoped....it still gives us access to the second engine for docking and emergencies!   

So off we limped, with fingers still crossed that she will hold out until home and hearts humbled by this strangers kindess.

With emotions running rampid we smiled as our savour of a man, who asked for nothing but a thank you...and the request that we pay it forward!

So there we had it!

We were back on our way!

Somehow a mix of emoitons for the eagerness to return to loved ones, and yet a sorrowness for those that we may never see again.

With cherished gifts and memoires, we set off to face our fears! (da da DA- THE crossing)

This morning left us with swirling stoamachs....and little words.

Pulling away from the dock...than the marina....we watched as a chapter of this wonderful journey turned a tear stained page!

As the hours passed....we were greeted by dolphins and smooth sails. Watching as the flying fish guided us home across the glass waves that they called home.

The ocean/water demands so much respect. As it roars and soothes depending on how the wind blows.

Offering lessons to any that will listen! (WE listened and were damn proud that we had!!)

In the days that have followed we have spent most of those hours at sea, finally embracing and leaning into all that she has to offer.

We had taken the trip down here slow and steady, stopping at every opportunity we could.  

Yet these last few weeks, we have seen the other side....and man oh man do we love it!

We never would have expected to see what we have seen when there is such a vast space for it to happen.  

We simply thought anything that would happen....would happen somewhere far from us.

But from dolphins and whales too breeding turtles....we are once again in awe!

Both of us truly grateful for every opportunity this life has given us and for those too come!

This life we have is oh so precious!  

So please do not forget to say yes....and do those things you have always wanted to do!

Be brave and be bold!

Find what you are looking for in the silence of your own dreams!

We will tell you one thing...if you think your dreaming big....the world has even bigger plans for you!


Trip Summary to date: 

Distance traveled: 535.8 miles / 862 km

Fuel cost to Date: $3235.97 us/ ~$4,465.48 ca

Remaining Guess: 3283 km 

Start date: April 3


George town to Staniel Cay: April 3

51.9 Miles (Fueled up before leaving - $855.44 us: (139.55 Gal @ $6.13 us)

Staniel Cay to High Bourne: April 5

44.8 Miles (Fuel Stop - $ 494.69 us (80.7 Gal @ $6.13 us)

High Bourne to Allen Cay: April 5

 3.8 Miles 

Allens Cay to Rum Cay: April 6

94.6 Miles

Rum Cay to Bimini: April 7

86.8 Miles (Fuel Stop - $1136.07 us (~173.32 Gal @ $6.05 us)

Bimini to West Palm Beach (Florida): April 19

91 miles

West Palm Beach to Sebastian State Park: April 20

84.1 miles (Fuel Stop - $749.77 us (131.77 Gal @ ~$5.60 us)

Sebastian State Park to Titusville : April 21

60.3 miles 


Bimini Cove Marina the morning we started the crossing


Hard to believe this is the same water that tried to kill us!

Sebastian Inlet ( one of the worst inlets on the east coast of Florida)

Turtle Love!



 
Our hearts in crystal form! 🩵


Location: Titusville, FL, USA

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