We're back...and we're off!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

Well, we did exactly what we set out to do.  Leave the boat in May, return to our log cabin in Indiana, and work as hard as we could, to make as much money as we could, so we could return to Marquesa by the first of the year.  Christmas, for us, was essentially 'over' by mid afternoon. We had to get  crack-a-lackin' packin'!

Such a pretty Christmas kitty

The tree and decorations were down within hours, and the Jeep
was packed soon thereafter.  This was Willis' idea of being helpful.

Simon, our little buddy, was safely delivered to Grandma's
by bedtime.  They were both happy to see each other; she
spoils him rotten.  Grandma had his 'sleeping spot' all ready
for him up on her bed :)

Bedtime for us didn't come until after 1am, so it was rough going at 5:30am. There were lots of last minute details, and though we didn't make AIS by 6:00am, we left at 6:15am, loaded for bear and bound for Marathon, Florida. New mainsail, - check; new 5hp motor for the dink- check; addt'l scuba tanks- check; hawaiian sling for me- check; flip flops and bathing suits for the next four months- check; box of receipts and invoices for tax time- check; kitty food and litter for the next four months- check; essential food stuff provisions for the next four months-check...you get the idea!  Willis howled and carried on for the first 30 miles or so, and then he settled in...

...travelling the better part of the day in his litterbox :/

...until he was brave enough to come out for a look about.
I believe he prefers to travel at about 7 knots rather than 75mph.

Twice, I-75S was like a parking lot.  It seemed everybody and his
brother, and his mother's uncle, was all heading south for the winter.
We saw motor homes, travel trailers, boats, (even a trimaran!),
and countless cartop carriers. (Speaking of, our cartop carrier is going
on Craigslist the day after tomorrow!) We saw license plates  from
Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Nebraska, Canada,
and even Alaska!  I'd hate to think how long they were stuck in a car.

The good news is we made it to Wildwood, FL, or 967 miles under our tires. We have just 417 left to go tomorrow.  The bad news is that it has been two very long days, and two very short nights for this momma, so I am heading to bed.  Willis finally settled down in our motel room, and is asleep at the foot of the bed.  I am going to join him.  G'nite, all :)