We have sort of put ourselves under the gun. The goal is to get almost everything done that will need to be done, for our sail to Bermuda, by the time we leave here to come home August 15th. So far, we're doing pretty well but it ain't easy. There will still be some woodwork that we won't get to and a few other odds and ends but for the most part, all of this work will be under our belts (or bikini bottoms) soon. We have arranged to have made a canvas covering for the butterfly hatch while we are gone. It will have see-through plastic so the daylight can come in while it protects down below from leaks. It also will have fold out pieces to cover the plastic for protection from the sun. Butterfly hatches are notorious leakers and we have been using a blue tarp when it rains. Well, in actuality, the threat of rain is all of the time here so we have had the tarp on constantly.

It has been hot, hot, hot. Mid 90's and extremely humid. My head feels like it's going to blow up. (You can tell we've been sitting at anchor entirely too long because I'm whining.) We need to sail! We're greatly looking forward to coming home for my mom's 70th birthday party. Oops, I mean 49th. When I was home in April, I suggested to my sister that wouldn't it be nice to throw my mom a party and my sister readily agreed and I said, "great! Let me know when it will be." She panicked for awhile and then buckled down and made arrangements. My brother and his family are coming in from California. There will be something like 60 of us at my mom's favorite restaurant. Open bar. Yum! We will be driving home, leaving the 15th and returning somewhere around the 21st. Mutual Fun goes up on the hard (land) on the 14th. Defrost the fridge, give away all of the food, close all ports and hatches, remove the dorades (air vents) so no critters board, pack and off we go. 10 hours in the car isn't my idea of fun anymore but we'll survive. Cars go so fast. They scare me. Except when I'm driving, of course.

Our friends are all still here except "Elysia" who is out playing. I think they are in Block Island now. "Greensleeves" is in Maine. The rest of the bunch is here working. They work from 9-5 but with the neatest concept. They get paid. The weekends they don't get to relax much because there's shopping, laundry and boat chores. And don't forget each one of these chores takes a half-day. These guys are really going to appreciate getting back to relaxing, vegging and enjoying life after the boat show. And so will we!

After laundry, we cleaned the whole exterior of the boat, which hadn't been done for a few months. We either have to do it in the rain or at a dock and we're almost never at a dock so the last time was in the Bahamas in a nice, warm downpour. I put on my slicker and had a grand old time. This time, we scrubbed the teak, the fiberglass, the windows, cushions and anything else that got in our way. I can't do the inside yet until the guys are done playing with the oven. They did get our grill working so now Bob can cook, too. From here we will go north but we're not sure when, where or for how long. Oh, it's good to be back home!

Today was supposed to be rainy and windy but that was the report in the Delaware Bay. We got plunked into the ocean early this morning. We are now 200 miles into our trip with another 137 to go. The weather couldn't be more beautiful. About 75 degrees and sunny today. We have following seas so we are making great time but still motor sailing. Our average speed has been 7 knots all day, which is huge for us. Due to that freshly cleaned bottom, I'm sure. The autopilot is working like a charm and we have only hand-steered around fishermen, buoys or other traffic, and not often. I am writing this on my watch as Bob is snoozing. I peek my head out every 10 minutes and come back down. I got a fair amount of sleep between yesterday, last night and today but Bob is falling behind. We are on 2-hour watches so we don't get to sleep long but often, if we want. We're both fresh out of the shower, which makes life even better. Tonight should be an easier night with way less traffic in the ocean. We should be able to use the egg timer and doze in-between watching where as last night, there was no way. We are hoping to make landfall before dark tomorrow night but that means we would have to keep up this 7 knot pace. It's probably unlikely as we may get rain or a wind shift. For now, a very pleasant trip.

Eric and Susan are currently in Mystic, Connecticut. At least that's where they were as of checking in to the "net" this morning. Block Island, our destination, is only 18 miles from where they are. It wouldn't surprise me a bit to see the sleek "Elysia" waiting for us when we get there. Our ETA is about 6:00pm, but with tides and possible rain, I'm hoping we get in before dark. These night landings are for the birds. I saw a whale today while Bob was asleep. Just a single one although I didn't know they traveled alone. He looked to be about 20 feet and he dove and came up and sputtered 4 or 5 times before I lost him. Truly beautiful. That's a scene I never get tired of.

Bob and I traipsed into town for yet another death march, had lunch, went to the post office, did a few shops and came back. Total, maybe 5 miles. I'm pooped! On the way back to the boat, we ran into Bob, whom we met in Vero Beach. In fact, Bob gave Bob a ride to West Marine in Vero Beach. Meanwhile, "Greensleeves" is not too far away and our old friends on "Linus" are getting closer. We would love to see them both. As for us, we will be heading out of Block Island soon for Newport, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and then maybe to Long Island and New York. Or, wherever the wind blows.