The Gulf Stream: Miami to Bimini
Ambler Isle
V and S
Fri 13 Feb 2009 20:36
Feb. 13, 2009
By 4:30 am we were heading out the Government Cut in Miami Harbor. Suddenly Manhattan Island, all lighted up, was bearing down on us. It turned out to be the cruise ship "Norwegian Sky." Hugging the edge of the buoyed channel, we rocked abruptly in the wake she made. It was already 71 degrees, and with a full moon, it was not really dark. More like charcoal, which turned to dove grey, then bright robin's egg blue. Sunrise at sea is an amazing thing! The water got deeper and deeper, til our depth sounder could not see bottom and simply read "deep." It was a gorgeous indigo blue. No other recreational boats were out at that early hour. The winds were less than 5 knots, and the sea was less than 1'. It did kick up to maybe 2" when we reached the Gulf Stream. A truly wonderful crossing. We congratulated ourselves on picking the best crossing day of the month. After 45 miles, we reached Bimini. Instantly the water turned a bright aqua. Cutting through the narrow, shallow channel, we found 6' of water. The radio crackled and we heard the sweet sound of lilting Bahamian voices. We had made it to the Bahamas!
