Editor's note: I don't have a computer or internet on the boat anymore, so I'm transfering my logbook entries to the guestbook whenever I get a chance. If I ever get to a facility that allows it, I'll try and upload some pictures and things like that, but for now, you're just stuck with the text! Seriously, though, thanks for caring enough to keep up with me...I miss ya'll!!

Monday, June 7, 2004

Wow. I finally left! I had no clue how hard it would be for me to leave Bear Point. It's like I'd actually become part of a family, in only 3 months. The resturant gang threw me about 4 going away parties, & were beginning to wonder if I'd ever leave. Actually, I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever leave!

I was hoping at first to leave as soon as I got back from Anna's graduation. That would have been around the end of May. Solar Panel and Autopilot install delayed that to Wednesday the 3rd. On Wednesday, bad weather came through and delayed me until Friday...and everybody knows that it's bad luck to start sailing trip on a Friday, so Saturday was the day, right? Well...Friday, I took this girl that works at the resturant and her friend sailing, and Andy and his brother came to town. So, I decided to stick around and hang out with the guys, but also fit in a little more time with Lee. (I started hanging out with her last week, when she asked me to go to the beach with her because she wanted to hear more about my trip. We stayed until 4:30am)

Ok, so finally on Sunday night, I quietly went around and said all my goodbyes, & was ready to get going. I had a bunch of last minute errands to run on Monday, so I didn't actually get going until around 4pm, but that was fine since I was only going a monsterous 12 miles to Ft. McRee.

So, here I am at anchor, having said goodbye to my friends, my home...my life for the last 4 months. I think the toughest thing about it is that I know that when I get back, things will never be quite the same. I also, know, however, that more great things are over the horizon, and I just have to go for it. Leaving Bear Point, some dolphins escorted me out into the bay and wished me well. I returned the favor, by offering them a few ounces of Captain Morgan. (Sorry mom...another one of those superstitions that I just as soon not mess with!)

Tonight is an extremely peaceful night at anchor. I'm joined by 3 other sailboats and a trawler. The sunset was great, although mostly hidden by clouds...and I just saw a school of fish swim, then fly, by my boat. I'm not sure what kind of fish they were, but about 100 of them jumped out of the water and landed 10 yards away, flying in perfect formation. The smell of hamburgers is present, & there's a campfire a little ways away on the beach. The stars are bright as day...it's just a gorgeous night.

I'm going to try and get to sleep early...It's going to be an early morning. I'm getting up around 5:00 to leave for Destin tomorrow. I've never really sailed in the gulf before, so I'm pretty stoked. Night!