We finally cut the dock lines and have started our new life, which would not be complete without email. I was never able to get connected over the SSB radio in the marina but now that we’re out I have done it! After hearing the offshore forecast this morning (after our first night anchored out at Offats Bayou in Galveston) we decided to take the ICW for the time being and look for an opportunity to slip out into the Gulf maybe by the weekend. We’re currently anchored near High Island after logging nearly 40 miles today. The autopilot has already become our best friend. We had some engine problems today (it died in the middle of the ditch) but after quickly changing fuel filters and bleeding the lines, we were back in business. Luckily there was no barge traffic around us at the time. This is the kind of thing that makes offshore MUCH safer (after Mitch goes away, that is).
About sending us email:
Our email connection is via our SSB/Ham radio, rendering our connection rate at somewhere around 100 – 300 baud. (If you connect to email via a phone, you experience from 28,800 to 56,000 baud). Staying connected to SailMail too long overheats my radio and drains my batteries, so please keep in touch, but TEXT msgs only and not too long.

Happy Trails,
David and Claudia