Yesterday was a bit of a wrestling match, but we finally managed to jam every last bit of boat gear into the suitcase. With the zippers holding steady, we headed off to the airport this morning, ready to get moving. I actually showed some maturity this time by wearing real socks and sneakers instead of my usual optimistic flip-flops. It is January, after all, and frostbite is a poor way to start any trip. We bypassed those sad, ten-dollar airport croissants in favor of the sandwiches we’d packed at home. It felt nice enjoying a homemade snack while everyone else stared at their dry, overpriced muffins.

Tampa greeted us with sunshine and a surprise. We had booked a midsize SUV and pictured something modest, maybe a Hyundai Tucson. Instead, we found ourselves staring at a giant white beast that looked ready to tow a small moon. For a moment we considered marching back to the counter to ask for something less ridiculous, but then we reconsidered. When else would we get to cruise around in the same sort of oversized tank that snobby moms in our neighborhood love to parade through town. So we tossed our bags into the huge trunk, barely making a dent, and headed over the bridge toward St. Pete.

Koko was waiting for us, looking as happy as ever. The original plan was just to drop our stuff, make sure she was still floating, and head on to Jenny and Gabe. But the Florida sun was out, and the wind was barely a whisper. Since we had stripped the sails off for hurricane season, the masts were looking a bit naked. So why not take advantage of the weather and put the sails back up? We hadn’t rigged Koko ourselves yet, so we braced ourselves for a long afternoon of trial and error. Instead, it all came together with surprising ease.

By the time we finished, the sun was still kind, the evening still young, and Sarasota was calling with the promise of dinner. It felt like the sort of beginning every trip hopes for. A little loose in our plans, a little lucky, and just smooth enough to make us believe the days ahead might be even better.

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