THIS IS WHY

Marathon, FL 24º42.366N | 81º5.669W

Back when I was an armchair cruiser, I daydreamed about days like today.

Our plan was to leave Islamorada and make the 35nm passage to Marathon along the "inside," which refers to the shallow bank north of the keys rather than "outside" or the ocean side. We contemplated waiting another day but wanted to get to Marathon well ahead of the blow that's predicted for the weekend.

We raised anchor at 7:45 a.m. and raised the sails soon thereafter. Our southwest course was beautifully complemented by a south wind predicted to be in the 5-10 knot range but happily blew more to 13-15 knots.

Head over heeled.

Cara Mia skimmed along over ripply smooth water that made us wonder if we somehow woke up in the Bahamas.

Seven straight hours we skittered along at 6+ knots, lightly heeled, making only one short tack to adjust our course to pass under the 7-mile bridge, then one more to head back north into Boot Key Harbor.

It's days like this that remind us why we're sailors. Free as the wind with free wind for fuel.

House on a hill or just under sail?

Out my kitchen window.

Contemplative contentment.