Check-in/OK message from SPOT Queequeg's SPOT

Device Name: Queequeg's SPOT
Latitude: 26.83177
Longitude: -80.05386
GPS location Date/Time: 05/30/2021 15:58:34 EDT

Message: This is Mike and Bev on Queequeg just letting you know that we're OK. Click to see where we are!

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/1UnAq6/26.83177N/80.05386W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=26.83177,-80.05386&ll=26.83177,-80.05386&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

You have received this message because "Queequeg's SPOT" has added you to its SPOT contact list and attempted to contact you.

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT Queequeg's SPOT

Device Name: Queequeg's SPOT
Latitude: 26.58257
Longitude: -80.04727
GPS location Date/Time: 05/28/2021 18:26:30 EDT

Message: This is Mike and Bev on Queequeg just letting you know that we're OK. Click to see where we are!

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/1UjbO4/26.58257N/80.04727W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=26.58257,-80.04727&ll=26.58257,-80.04727&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

You have received this message because "Queequeg's SPOT" has added you to its SPOT contact list and attempted to contact you.

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Finally on the move again

 After a two week holdover in No Name Harbor waiting for the northeast winds to die down, we weighed anchor and headed out to sea. It was our first day of ocean sailing in years. 

We set out at about 7:30 and motored out of the Cape Florida Channel. It was a tough slog against the wind until we were able to turn north, set the sails and turn off the engine.

No sooner had we sheeted in the sails when a gust hit and we heeled over spilling everything to the floor down below. We trimmed sail and settled in for a generally quiet run to Ft Lauderdale. We averaged a little under 4 knots but hit a max of 7.3 for the day.  

The autopilot at first tried to oversteer. We think some metal items in the cockpit interfered with the units compass. We moved some things around and Otto did fine the rest of the day.

We arrived  at the Port Everglades entrance a little earlier than planned and had to fight the outgoing tide. We did time the bridge right and didn't have to wait for an opening.

The big frustration of the day came as we attempted to enter Lake Sylvia. We managed to find the only hard shallow spot and spent about 45 minutes hard aground. So glad we spent all that money getting the keel repaired. Now it's beat up again.

The tide eventually rose, we floated off and found a spot to anchor. 

A beer or two, some jambalaya, a movie and do it all again tomorrow.

Check-in/OK message from SPOT Queequeg's SPOT

Device Name: Queequeg's SPOT
Latitude: 26.10582
Longitude: -80.11185
GPS location Date/Time: 05/27/2021 17:24:21 EDT

Message: This is Mike and Bev on Queequeg just letting you know that we're OK. Click to see where we are!

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/1UhSRg/26.10582N/80.11185W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=26.10582,-80.11185&ll=26.10582,-80.11185&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

You have received this message because "Queequeg's SPOT" has added you to its SPOT contact list and attempted to contact you.

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No Name Harbor

 Yesterday was an interesting day.

First, it was the only time we've ever crossed Biscayne Bay using the motor. What little wind there was was right on the nose. Quite disappointing as the Bay is usually a great place to sail but yesterday it was flat calm.

We arrived safely in No Name Harbor and got the anchor set, with short scope due to the cramped space in this postage stamp size harbor.

With the dinghy nested and stowed on deck, we had no way to get ashore to pay the park fee so I waved down a couple of guys who were taking their dinghy ashore. They gave me a ride in and then said "OK, now how are you getting back?" And walked away. Fortunately, a young man in a small fishing boat gave me a ride back to Queequeg. 

Later, just as we were getting ready to make dinner, a line of thunderstorms passed through. Not much lightning but torrential rain and lots of wind. I was worried that our short scope would cause the anchor to drag but it heals held fine despite our 360 degree spin. 

We sat in the cockpit under the dodger for most of the storm. When we went below to cook we discover leaks everywhere. I guess the little sailing we did on Wednesday worked a few things loose. Now we have some drying out to do.

We had planned to run on the outside ip to Ft. Lauderdale but the weather prediction calls for north-northeast winds and heavy seas for the next few days. So we are staying here today to regroup and get a few small boat maintenance chores done while we decide our next move. Our options are to sit out the weather, which could take a while, or risk the Julia Tuttle Bridge and run the ICW.  I'll keep you posted.

Check-in/OK message from SPOT Queequeg's SPOT

Device Name: Queequeg's SPOT
Latitude: 25.67653
Longitude: -80.16287
GPS location Date/Time: 05/13/2021 16:02:51 EDT

Message: This is Mike and Bev on Queequeg just letting you know that we're OK. Click to see where we are!

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/1UHNI7/25.67653N/80.16287W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=25.67653,-80.16287&ll=25.67653,-80.16287&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

You have received this message because "Queequeg's SPOT" has added you to its SPOT contact list and attempted to contact you.

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Check-in/OK message from SPOT Queequeg's SPOT

Device Name: Queequeg's SPOT
Latitude: 25.20605
Longitude: -80.37756
GPS location Date/Time: 05/12/2021 14:53:37 EDT

Message: This is Mike and Bev on Queequeg just letting you know that we're OK. Click to see where we are!

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/1UFK6i/25.20605N/80.37756W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=25.20605,-80.37756&ll=25.20605,-80.37756&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

You have received this message because "Queequeg's SPOT" has added you to its SPOT contact list and attempted to contact you.

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Bittersweet

 A bittersweet departure. 

Today we set sail for the wild north but our departure from Boot Key Harbor marks the first time in 13 years that we have left any harbor without our little buddy, Morgan. 

Morgan passed away unexpectedly last week. We are utterly heartbroken over his loss. He was our constant companion for 13  years. We have never been aboard Queequeg without him and now the boat seems so empty and quiet. 

But life goes on and now we are considering adopting an older bird if we can find one that will have us.

We had planned to finish the Loop this year bit the loss of our little buddy delayed us enough that that goal is now in doubt. We plan to stop a few places along the way that might have a rescue bird for us to adopt. We might end up spending the summer in St. Augustine, who knows.

For know we are anchored in Matecumbe Bight and hope to make Thursday Cove tomorrow. Then No Name Harbor and a passage on the outside to Ft. Lauderdale the following day. 

Wish us luck. Both in our travels and in finding a new bird to love.

Check-in/OK message from SPOT Queequeg's SPOT

Device Name: Queequeg's SPOT
Latitude: 24.87134
Longitude: -80.72519
GPS location Date/Time: 05/11/2021 16:38:00 EDT

Message: This is Mike and Bev on Queequeg just letting you know that we're OK. Click to see where we are!

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/1UDaH8/24.87134N/80.72519W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=24.87134,-80.72519&ll=24.87134,-80.72519&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

You have received this message because "Queequeg's SPOT" has added you to its SPOT contact list and attempted to contact you.

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RIP Morgan

 Our little traveling buddy, Morgan, our beloved Quaker Parrot, passed away last night.

Morgan had been our constant companion nearly as long as we've been together. We got him in August of 2008, nearly 13 years ago. He went everywhere with us. 

We were gearing up for our planned summer cruise and planned on starting out this past Monday, Over the weekend he stopped eating. We took him to the vet on Monday to find out what was wrong. While the doc was trying to get a blood sample he had a seizure and started bleeding from the nose. Without a proper blood sample the doc couldn't make a proper diagnosis so she asked to keep him overnight. She called us this morning to say that he had passed during the night.

Now all our plans are on hold while we make arrangements for Morgan, decide what to do with his cage, toys, etc, 

We also have to make a decision about getting another bird. Do we do it now? Or wait a few months?  How can we cruise without our little boat buddy? We have never been aboard Queequeg without him being with us. The boat seems empty and much too quiet. 

Final preparations

 We are finally getting ready to make another attempt at completing the Great Loop. Just a few last minute groceries, and a few maintenance checks and we are ready to cast off.

The plan, if you can call it that, is to set out first thing Tuesday morning. We will head up the Hawk Channel to Rodriguez Key and anchor for the night. On Wednesday we head for Key Biscayne. Then Port Everglades and Ft. Lauderdale. If weather holds, all those hops will be under sail.

The dinghy is nested on deck so we won't need to tow it. We should have fuel and water for at least two weeks so we won't need to go ashore for quite a while.

The plan is to run offshore as much as possible to save time on the trip north. Then we'll take our time coming back. With my health issue it might turn out that we just get too physically pooped to go all the way, so if we end up spending time in St. Augustine or Brunswick, that would be fine too. Who knows. When sailing you can have a destination or a timetable, never both.

Our one big concern is Morgan, our little parrot. Since yesterday, he seems off his feed. We're hoping he's just anxious about our trip, picking up on our vibes. Pray that there's nothing serious going on with the little guy. His veterinarian is no longer in the area and we wouldn't know who to take him too.

Watch this space for updates almost daily. Even if I don't get a chance to write, our SPOT messenger will post our position ever time we set anchor.