We Passed!

I am proud to tell you all that Beth and I both passed our Basic Keelboat test with flying colors! Yeah! And there was much rejoicing!!! We just got back from the Pink Elephant once again and, except for a very splashy dinghy ride on the way back to the cat, all is very, very well.  Mark remarked (pun intended) that we are very well advanced and above his normal students. I think he was talking to me, too.  Oh, here's a pic of the famous 'phant!

We are currently perched on the back of the boat in the cockpit so let me set the mood for you.

There is a crescent moon this evening that is shining a beautiful glimmering light aft of where we are sitting. The glow off the water is entrancing and, mixed with the gentle breeze blowing across boat, it makes for a truly enchanted evening. Maybe it's the passing of the first test. Maybe it's the fact that this experience is a first experience of something we have grown to love. Or, maybe it's a few too many beers and Hummers! Whatever the reason, it's a truly enchanted evening tonight!

(Here's a pic or two from our sunset dinghy ride back into Boca Grande)

Btw - Beth's favorite part of the trip may be driving the dinghy. All this money spent and of course she falls in love with a rubber raft with a 15hp engine. Anyway, beware if you see her doing this (above).

At sunset when we went back to the island for dinner, we saw some fireman out playing with their water cannon. Yeah, that's right - a water cannon.

Yes, ladies, it was impressive (and it does matter!)!

Ever since we dropped the hook here, we have been surrounded by dolphins. In the sailing world, dolphins are known as good luck charms and these pictures were taken during our test (and yes, now it's a running joke that I freak out and dash for the camera each time we see dolphins).

We slept pretty well last night so I think that helped our frame of mind. We opened the hatches and port holes and we had a really nice flow of air running thru the cabin - no AC required. Now, in the deeper summer months students get a free sauna with their cabin berth!

Well, I need to shut it down now. It's 10 pm and I want to relax and enjoy another hour of wonderfulness....

PS - it WASN'T a hawk that hit our car after all! It was actually an Osprey that hit our car!! Here's one who hasn't gone all kamikaze on anyone yet...