Of boats and hurricanes

We arrived in Fort Lauderdale in a Tropical Storm Warning.  It didn't matter, we were on Southwest and they will fly in anything.  However it was truly a 'oh lord save me now' landing as the plane got swatted by 30-40 mph winds.  But land we did and after visiting Hake Yachts we headed down to Marathon.

The following pic is taken while driving down "The Stretch" on US 1.  The water is literally being blown out of Barnes Sound onto the road. A fascinating sight if you were going South, probably a bit of bear if you were heading North.

We arrived in Marathon just as another outer band from Sandy come rolling through. And we see our beloved baby smashed up against the finger of the dock, with no fenders. To which Tim and I started rapidly saying some very unpleasant things about whoever tied off our boat after they splashed it and I think their family members also.

BTW--retying your boat in a squall as it is blowing 40 knots, its a good way to recharge after a long drive down the keys. It was essentially the Lamazz method of boat tie off. Okay, breathe, breathe, PUSH! each time there was a lull in the wind.  Hey we got 'er done though.

We are in that mess in the southwest quad of the storm.

By then, the iced down wine was ready to drink as we finally got to get on the boat.  (I would have done a shot of warm Sailor Jerry's at that point).  

That night, both Tim and I wind up getting slightly seasick from the constant bouncing of the boat and vibration of wind against the mast.  I relocated to the salon which was a bit more stable and between that and dramamine got some sleep, until I rolled over onto the floor.  Whoops. 

To quote Eddie Izzard, Sandy was a big fuck off storm.  That was before she became the frankenstorm SuperSandy also.  Due to another system off to the northwest, we got pummeled with winds from her for three days.  Folks tried to head out to get down to Key West for Fantasy Fest and headed back in.  (We went down, via car, though)

Another fun thing was seeing the swim platform of your boat actually ABOVE the cement dock at high tide.  HIIIIGGGGHHHHH tide.

With all that going on. We made plans to extend our trip until the wind and seas calmed down.  Hemi D got some much needed TLC in waxing, stainless work, wood work, gew gaw fixing.