We are definitely not in the Bahamas anymore, but we still had such a fun day! Got moving before the sun came up and tried out nearly every sail configuration available on our way back to Belhaven. This sweet little town has become our East coast port and it always feels good to return here. We'll haul the boat again soon and head west to refill the cruising kitty! So grateful for all this season served up 🙌🏼

It's always so difficult to peel yourself away from the turquoise waters and dreamy anchorages of The Bahamas, but when this weather window lined up we had to take it! 3 days from Powell Cay to Wrightsville Beach - whew, what a run 🤘🏼 Starting the journey inside the Banks was dreamy. Smooth sailing into the night as we settled into a rhythm of 4 hour watches. By 5 am the next morning we had passed the comfort provided by the reef and found some big swell just as the wind started to putter out. We turned into a motorboat to make the ride more comfortable, forever grateful for that option!!! The winds were light and flukey, so we unfurled and furled the sail a hundred times but seas were calm and the miles came easy! We didn't take many photos, but will forever have memories of a rocket launch (and land!) dolphins playing around the boat, the most vivid rainbow there ever was, more flying fish than you could count and another 544 nautical miles under our belt!

Took advantage of the calm weather & motored our way through the coral head gauntlet to The Exumas! Was super nervous about this route when I looked at the charts, but it actually wasn't that bad when the sun was shining bright. Satellite overlay saved us when a few clouds tried to ruin the fun. Happy to be on the other side of that 🫣 It's our first time in the Exumas and we've got the next month to explore! Please share all your recommendations in the comments!

Super light winds and calm seas made for an unforgettable day on the water. Thought this would be a motor but we got a few great hours of sailing in, caught our first Mahi and dropped the hook at egg island for a swim! Ended up motoring around to Russel Island for the night to avoid the death rolls at Egg. Loved the little beach bar!

Hot tip: when crossing shallows at low tide, make sure the boat's got a good heal angle 😉

Took advantage of the calm weather and rode high tide through the Don't Rock Passage! Pretty cool shortcut - had 6+ feet of water under the boat the whole time 🤘🏼

Calm seas and light wind made for an unforgettable Gulf Stream crossing! Feels good to be back in turquoise waters!! 🤩

I can’t be the only one that forgets to start their track. Fun lake sail on an Express 27

Got on the water again and hauled the fireworks barges in. Beautiful day and tons of boat traffic up the channel. This might be the last year Fran makes the trip. The old girl has survived the Mississippi, being disassembled shipped to Lake Tahoe 1949. She was a casino paddle wheeler and the original MS Dixie until 1993 and a work boat ever since we’ve been launching the 4th of July fireworks off her decks for the last 30 years. She’s had a rough life.

Does everybody’s rudder pee after a haul out?

Got the boat on the hard and flew to visit friends and family. The views have sure changed.

Finishing up the season and heading back to belhaven to haul the boat out for a couple months of refit.

A little morning rain and then a downwind run from Albemarle Plantation to the Pasquotank River. Then a beam reach to Elizabeth City. Ran under the spinnaker all day. Didn’t even put up the main.

Good run in the Albemarle. Went from a nice anchorage to a nice free dock. Found some cold beer and went for a walk to see the local wildlife. Found a 12’ alligator

Beautiful day for hanging out on the alligator river. Made the bridge tender mad though. I don’t think he likes sail boats. Got told to “put those sails away!” A mile out.

Made it into the harbor last night. Got some Mexican food and couldn’t be happier. Ready for a wind shift it’s a little rock n roll inside the breakwater but makes for a nice day to relax some.

More ICW. Not much to say. New motor is getting a workout

Cold icw slog north. Getting back into these long days behind the helm and the chatter on 16

Saw a submarine leaving Fernandina. Got buzzed but navy helicopters. Lots of dolphin and turtle visitors and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. It got a little sporty over the bar into Cape Fear but good trip overall.