Today... We sail!

Yes! Today we finally put the sails up and sailed.When the diesel engine went quiet, it was great. We didn't make great time since the wind was so light but we sailed for at least two hours before the wind finally died all together and we turned the iron sail back on. For those of you that have been out with us I want you to know that Susan was at the helm and I put the sails up. This is not how it has been in the past. I actually had to work today.

It was a great day. We were out in the Mississippi Sound, away from land and with only the sound of the waves and birds. That and an occasional blow from a passing porpoise.  Today we must have seen two dozen porpoise (porpoises / porpi?), many of them right next to the boat. I don't think I'll ever get to where that isn't exciting. At least I hope I don't.

After our night at Half Moon Island we had many hitchhikers, biting flies. We don't have a flyswatter on the boat but Susan and I both took one of her flip flops each and did what we could. She'd already killed 4 or 5 before I got my first one. I'd like to say I caught up with her on the scoreboard but it would be a lie.

Today we sailed and then motored to Ship Island. Ship Island is the home to Fort Massachusetts, a fort from the war of 1812 and the Civil War. Today was a day like we envisioned and hope to have many like. We sailed, we dropped anchor next to an island with white sand beaches, we took the dinghy ashore to walk around and we swam off the back of the boat. Not a bad day. No, much better than that, a great day.

We were treated to another great sunset tonight but I didn't get any pictures so I'll leave you with pictures I took of last night's sunset along with picture Susan took of some porpoise and our sails.

Take Care.
Brian