Still In Southern Florida

            Well, we're still in Southern Florida as you have probably figured out from the title. After a few chilly days in Palm Beach, we went out on the ocean down to Fort Lauderdale. We spent a night on a mooring there among some of the largest, most extravagant yachts in the world. They were both fantastically impressive and grossly frivolous at the same time. We continued down to Miami the next day and experienced a slight misadventure on the way. While I was in the cabin doing math work, my parents managed to run hard aground while trying to make it to a bridge for it's scheduled opening time. One moment we were zipping along under sail and power, then suddenly we were pounding along on top of a hard shoal. Fortunately we have a Towboats US membership and a friendly fellow pulled us off of the shoal and we escaped this little adventure with little more than some bumps and scrapes on the keel of the boat. My dad's confidence was bruised, but he swallowed this bitter pill of humility relatively well. Mistakes happen, oh well. Everything turned out alright.

            We are currently anchored in a delightful little harbor waiting for a cold front to pass. The cove we’re in has the unfortunate name of No-Name Harbor… whoever thought that one up obviously wasn’t having a very inspired day. (I’ve given it a slightly more creative name; Chicken Finger Cove, after the delicious meal that I purchased last night at the little restaurant at the foot of the bay.)

The beautiful, pristine blue-green water in this protected little harbor is home to manatees, colorful fishes, and other intriguing marine life. I had a lovely adventure to the beach today where I relaxed in the sand and climbed the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse. I have done some jogging on the network of bike paths and walking trail that weave their way through the tropical forest.

            On Tuesday our friends will be arriving in this area on their boat.  I’m quite friendly with the kids on that boat, Rachel, Jake, and Eli. We will hopefully get to spend some time together in No-Name and wait for a “good weather window” before crossing to the Bahamas together. The fifty-mile crossing of the Gulf Stream is somewhat of an undertaking, and sailing across with another boat is both a comfort and a safety measure. But not to worry- my dad has made this trip many times before and we will only do it in perfect weather.

            My mom has been having some problems with anxiety and has decided to spend Christmas in Boston at her sister’s house. She will fly out tomorrow morning if all goes as planned. We will miss her, but hopefully her time away will help her overcome her nervousness and regain confidence. Hopefully, she will meet up with us in the Bahamas sometime before my 16^th birthday on the 16^th of January.

            According to the weathermen, early next week might be a good time to cross to the Bahamas. Until then however, my dad and I will be spending my days at the exquisite Chicken Finger Cove (definitely more catchy than No-Name Harbor).

            I'm posting some pictures from the last few weeks (because my computer FINALLY decided to cooperate.) If I don't get to post again soon, MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!

Cape Florida Lighthouse... I climbed this earlier today!

Me checking out the Saturn V rocket at Kennedy Space Center

A gigantic private yacht in Ft. Lauderdale. This thing is over 300 feet and costs tens of millions of dollars.
Ugh... rich people....

The corkscrew trail left from the Falcon Rocket that we saw launched from Cape Canaveral.