After 8 days in Havana it was time to head home. Most of the boats in our group headed home on Wednesday, June 29. Norman Jean and Magic Ride opted to stay an extra day with us so we could finally enjoy some pool time. We all agreed to leave Thursday morning at 6 am. We wanted enough light to easily see our path through the channel and still make it back to Stock Island at a reasonable time. Unfortunately for Stuart and Gaye Lynn, Magic Ride again proved difficult. As Gaye Lynn approached the customs dock, she began to loose steering. We agreed to hang close after exiting the channel in case she needed help. Gaye Lynn radioed us as she followed us out that she had completely lost her steering. We were able to maneuver along side Magic Ride and send Tim over to help. Using a combination of steering and throttles, they were able to make the crossing back to Stock Island.
Our original plan was to leave Serenity in Stock Island and fly home. Plans changed when John learned he needed to fly out of the country in mid July. Not wanting to leave the boat in Florida during hurricane season, we all agreed to make a fast track home with her. Friday morning was spent clearing customs in Key West, doing laundry and restocking our supplies. We were off the dock around noon and heading for St. Pete. After a beautiful night at sea, we arrived 24 hours later. We had a short visit with Dorothy’s Aunt Barbara again and headed back out the next morning. We knew this would be a long haul. We ended up spending 58 hours crossing to Grand Isle, La., stopping for fuel and then running up the Barataria Waterway and to the ICW , and on to Houma for a night on the city dock. Tim and I rented a car the next morning to drive back home. We had a retirement/ 20th wedding anniversary party planned for the night of July 9 that we needed to get back for.
Now back home and living the retirement life, we are completing jobs on our boat, Subject to Change. We have a few trips planned for the summer before we renew our adventures in October.
