Hurricane Melissa

24 hours after leaving Curacao, Hurricane Melissa began to develop in the eastern Caribbean Ocean, right where Gerry, David, Pilli, and Dave Ryan were heading. This was NOT predicted in any of the professional weather routing that was subscribed to or in Gerry and David’s weather research prior to departure.

The original intention was to do a one shot run of about 1,400 miles from Curaçao to Palm Beach, going around the East side of the Bahamas. But halfway between Curaçao and the Mona Passage between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, with winds increasing to 54 mph and the boat experienced some larger seas, the decision was made to tuck in to La Romana DR. They were already 200 miles out and it was a downwind run of another 200 miles to get there. All the while monitoring what was becoming a very large and powerful Cat. 5 storm with 185 mph winds. Luckily, it went West of the DR and the area the yacht was tied up. It was spared the brunt of the storm.

On Friday, October 24, Gerry and I met up for the first time in over a week. We were going to our little place in Burnt Store Marina (Punta Gorda/Fort Myers area). It was too funny that we booked flights separately with layovers in Charlotte and booked the same flight to Fort Myers. We met at the airport and traveled the last leg together.

We enjoyed our weekend together, and on Monday, Gerry rented a car, drove north, and met up with Bryan from Island Time, and they went to Savanna to pick up AdventureUS.

Together, they made one stop in Fernandina Beach and delivered the boat to Halifax Marina in Daytona Beach, where she would spend November and December. I flew back to CT on Tuesday so I could go into the office and get some work done.

Hurricane Melissa finally moved on, and Gerry was able to fly back to the Dominican Republic and continue with the delivery to West Palm Beach. The remaining 1,000 miles went well for them, with good weather, dodging cruise ships in the night, and Gerry even caught a white marlin while trolling East of Eleuthera.

On Halloween, I flew back to Daytona and AdventureUs and had a great night handing out candy and jello shots with Bryan/Lori, and their friends, Bob and Sharon.

I worked from the boat for the next few days and enjoyed Daytona Beach. Mike from Easy Riders was celebrating his 60th birthday on November 5. Lori found this really cool wine dinner at Carrabba's Grill. John & Sally from Traveller and Kim & Tom from Branching Out all came to the marina, and we had a great night eating, drinking wine, and celebrating Mike!

The next day, Gerry arrived in Daytona about 5 hours after I flew back to CT to go back to work! Gerry stayed, and I flew back down at some point. (too many back and forth trips, I officially could not keep track!)

We spend a day driving around Vero Beach and the Coco Beach area and happen upon a space shuttle launch. We also saw these two guys with these power operated gliders.

We flew back to CT together on Sunday, November 16.

Yes, if you are confused with how many airplane rides we took, so are we!!

Oh and yes, we are very behind in sharing our adventures and are trying to catch up!