Heading South to the Warmth of Tropical Waters … Again!
I just took a look, and it appears that our last blog post was way back on March 20th. That’s pretty close to nine months ago! We were in the Florida Keys, self-quarantining at anchor aboard Dejarlo for the COVID-19 pandemic, just beginning to pick up steam and wreak havoc across the world. Who would have thought at that time that we would still be dealing with this mess, and that close to 300,000 (so far) of our fellow Americans would have perished. It’s hard to comprehend.
So, let’s bring everyone up to date with the current status of John, Jane and s/v Dejarlo.
Following our almost three-month quarantine at anchor in the Florida Keys, we began the long journey up the east coast to the Chesapeake Bay and our home during hurricane season, Spring Cove Marina in Solomons, Maryland. From the Keys to Solomons is a trip of over 1,000 miles. With numerous stops to enjoy all the history and wonder of the east coast, it took us almost three months! However, the beauty of the trip and introductions to new friends made the trip well worth the struggle.
We stayed in Solomons for ten weeks, tackling various boat projects and enjoying new friendships that will last a lifetime.
Despite our love of Solomons, Maryland and Spring Cove Marina this is not a location where we can stay year-round. Around the first of October, the coming fall season is apparent. And right after that it quickly gets much colder than either of us can withstand.
Our goal aboard Dejarlo has always been exploration of the warm tropical waters of the Bahamas and Caribbean. Due to the pandemic, we were cheated out of our first visit to the Bahamas last year. On October 20th, we departed Solomons, Maryland one more time to travel another 1,000 miles south along the east coast. Destination: the Bahamas and eastern Caribbean!
Our first major destination would be Sebastian, Florida where we would complete more boat projects (they never end) and provision the boat for several months in the Bahamas. We arrived at Sebastian River Marina on December 4th, after a journey of 46 days, 973 nautical miles, 21 anchorages, 10 marinas (some to ride out storms, some to re-provision and do laundry, some just because we like the town and wanted to get off the boat to explore), and 142 gallons of diesel fuel.
Click below to see a short video of some of the sights from our trip along the coast and down to Sebastian.
[If you’d like to see our track along the east coast for the past couple of years, CLICK HERE. Be certain to click “View All Tracks” to see the entirety of our travels.]Whereas Spring Cove Marina in Solomons, Maryland has become our summer home, Sebastian River Marina, in Sebastian, Florida is the place we call home in the winter as we make our way further south for our crossing to the Bahamas. We’ll be here for about six weeks as we complete more upgrades to Dejarlo and visit with cherished friends living in the area.
After that, we’ll depart Sebastian and head about 200 miles further down the Florida coast to Key Largo, where we’ll enjoy friendships made during our last stay there and make the final preparations for our 75-mile Gulf Stream crossing to Bimini in the Bahamas. At this point in the pandemic, rules for entry into the Bahamas include having taken a COVID-19 test within five days of arrival. We’ve determined that the best place for us to get the test and make the crossing, all within the 5-day window, is Key Largo.
So, around mid-January, we’ll depart Sebastian and begin the journey down to our anchorage at Rodriguez Key, about a mile off Key Largo.
We’ll talk to you again from there.
Have a joyous holiday season, everyone.
Stay safe!
Noni
All the best in health and travel to you two wanderers! Sorry I missed you while you were at Spring Cove. Happy Nee Year!
Noni
John & Jane
Noni! WE’RE sorry we missed you, too! Running a sailboat home might be as time-intensive and complicated as running an RV park. We know you’re adjusting to your retirement and RV park sale, and I wonder if you’re as relieved as I to not be teaching or attempting to teach my students virtually. It’s a different education world, isn’t it? Best wishes and fond memories…2021 will be ok. Hope to see you again when we get back up there.
Cindy Platzer
Down time from the garden so I thought I’d check out your adventures. Looks fun! Happy Holidays and smooth sailing.
Tom and Trudy
John and Jane, As always, Love the videos and blog. It’s getting colder here in Illinois and We always look forward to seeing you pics and vids, usually in a warm setting. This time you guys were wearing sock hats and jackets. Bu r r r – made me feel cold. Send a pic when your warm again. We love and miss you two. Stay safe and warm!!
John, is Captain Jane keeping you on point?
Pat Ridgeway
I love your latest blog, and video. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Stay safe.
Randy and Diane
Hello John and Jane,
Thanks for sharing your journey. We enjoyed seeing your video and are glad to hear you are having a good time. Have a blessed and wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.
John & Jane
What a special treat to see your comment. We’re really loving our new life afloat. However, the down side is not getting to be with our cherished family and friends back home. We’re thinking of you always. Have a wonderful holiday season!
Jim & Sharon Dalton
Hi John & Jane,
Great video, I especially enjoyed the still pictures of Jane. She looks very happy. Welcome to Florida, Sharon’s only comment of the video was yuck the water sure does look dirty in Georgia. Can’t wait for you to enjoy the clear blue waters of the Bahamas. Looking forward to vegetarian dinners in restaurants and Cold Beer.
Enjoy your six weeks in Sebastian, safe travels. Jim and Sharon Dalton
John & Jane
Thumbs up for clear blue waters and cold beer. See you tomorrow.
Darren and Robin Parker
Hello John and Jane,
Looks like you are having a great trip. Great to read your update and your latest video is fantastic. Keep em’ coming.
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Judy and Jerry Stejskal
Jane and John……
So good to hear from you! Your life sounds so amazing …… truly an exciting adventure. We haven’t left for PortA because of appts that have delayed us, but we hope to leave within days before frigid temps arrive…. and they are coming. We have stayed healthy and busy. I still paint a lot…. best therapy! Have you done more Jane? Have a blessed Christmas and a new year filled with great memories and good health,
Your MN friends from PortA….. Judy and Jerry
John & Jane
Hi! You can SEE we’re having an exciting adventure. What you can’t see is all the daily problem-solving, just like RV’ing! And that you both know about.
We love what we’re doing, and we know we’ll be back to RV’ing Port A one day. Hoping/intending to start painting again; I miss it. Doesn’t it SNOW in MN? Get south…
Gregory L Wigton
Hello John and Jane,
Great to hear from you again.
We love to see your videos and get to enjoy some of your adventure.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you both!
Safe travels.
Greg