Thursday 0707 - An early morning stealth journey by Steve and I to the marina - beach walk by Steve, computer time for me. The last official day in the United States of America assuming all goes smoothly. 83 nm to our destination - Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. Winds from the East and South East, a 2-3 knot current from the South aka Gulf Stream, water and fuel tanks to be filled, obtaining charts of where we plan to go, phone plan changes as at $1.50/min in the Bahamas I suspect team Audax will be vocally silent at first as we work out the kinks of Skype. Where are we going now? A map of our jump across, the Bahamas unfolded and our most recent route maps.

Wednesday
2229 – 38 feet of fiberglass real estate, I type at anchor from the Audax- Fort Lauderdale. Trying to simplify and save money I managed to spend more and complicate matter last night. Taxi ride to Staybridge Extended Stay in Miami, awake 4 hours later, shuttle to train, train to Fort Lauderdale, cab to marina, dingy ride to Audax. Well back in action but perhaps with karma a bit off, coupled with lackadaisical driving skills that were magnified by a strong current, dingy Audax suffered a slicing blow today as I attempted to navigate this low hanging bridge. (Disclaimer: I was not under the influence of any substances) Pop, hiss, sh$!!!!…..a moment of hesitation and then full speed ahead to the marina. Patch work surgery performed, knock on wood, and “no named” dingy returned to action. Highlight of the day: “West Point, ME” on Audax’s stern. Great work Steve! Loving, awesome memories of the last 72 hours that will last forever…great to be back with team Audax

Tuesday
1743 – Portland International Airport… Christmas evening. Poem by blog reader formerly known as Agent of Abulafia. 

Tis time to remember the Spirit of Giving
Encompassed by He who is ever living
In each and every pine redolent home
Where Christmas’ magic resounds and bestows

Share in this warmth as best as you can,
And knighted in Spirit, unite in a stand
For all that is good - passed down through the ages-
In knowledge in vessels on oceans of pages.

Welcome the bright ships into your hearth,
Take heed of the words as but a spark
To kindle the latent potential in you:
The Spirit of Goodness that good Christ did prove

Any may Hallelujah set all hears ablaze
On that morning when rested ways
Like retribution be gone
To frame every moment in Heavenly dawn

Pics Album #2 with lots of cute doggie pics from the Herrigel Family X-mas