Snowbirds

I think the spring migration began with a weather window opening up for a large group headed to the Bahamas – 15 boats at least. That was three weeks ago. The marina mooring field is no longer full as it was most of the winter, and it seems a bit more empty with each passing day. An increasing number of boaters are reporting on the morning radio net their intentions to leave and head back north or to follow the others who have already headed east to the Bahamas.

We've made a number of good friends during our time here in the Keys. Most of them have left, and others intend to follow within a few days. Although we still enjoy the setting and the great weather here, we too have plans for heading north – first to Virginia and then on to Maine where we'll spend the summer. We are joining the migration.

What a different lifestyle this is for us who, up until a short time ago, were ordinary people staying in one place throughout the year. There were no migratory thoughts coming to our minds then. While we feel very much a part of this seasonal migration at this point, it still seems strange at times. I'm not sure of all the psychology behind this internal push for us, but I think I now have a sense perhaps for the genetic push that gets birds moving each spring. I might describe my feelings this way: it's as though our winter setting, which we have enjoyed so much, has begun to dissolve as we watch, and we've got to leave before it dissolves completely. In fact, it has changed. An important element of this attractive setting has been the people who populated it. As they left, the setting no longer held quite the same attraction. It's still a beautiful spot, and it is our intention to return. But it has changed.

So we'll be taking flight and joining the other snowbirds in this annual northern migration.

An added note:

If all goes according to our current thinking, we'll be leaving Marathon on Tuesday. We'll be stocked up; the boat will be ready, and the weather looks good for several days. Future blogs will take on the slightly different flavor of a traveling boater passing through places for a glimpse of what might be offered.

Captain Bob

Carpe Diem