Hanging in Stuart, Florida

Wednesday, January 5th.


Yesterday Ken, Francie and Skipper, our Vermont cruising friends, visited us at Sebastian River Marina. What a wonderful relief. Nobody knows what it is like to be broken down and having boat work done like a fellow cruiser. They drove the 1996 Ford Thunderbird purchased for their trip to Vermont for the holidays (cheaper than renting a car) from Stuart, Florida where they are moored. Skipper hadn't forgotten us. We had lunch together at Squid Lips, recommended by locals. Then they drove us around to get our provisions. Our mechanic, Vic, invited us aboard his 37 ft. Endeavor which he is restoring. He served us rum from Argentina. His boat is big and will be beautiful someday.

We left the dock at Sebastian this morning and managed to get out of the shallow water without incident. The day was sunny and in the 60's and very nice along the ICW. A pair of dolphins entertained us for quite a distance with their synchronized swimming and our applauding. We are now anchored in Ft. Pierce, Florida. We anchored later afternoon as there was supposed to be some thunderstorms blow in. Nothing yet but some wind. We hope to be able to make Stuart, Florida tomorrow.

January 6th
We had a very windy, rainy night and the morning brought in more of the same along with thunder and lighting. So here we sit and hope for better weather.

January 7th
Beautiful day and we got an early start.  The anchor had buried itself during the storm but it held us secure.   We motored into Stuart, Fl on the St. Lucie River about 1:30 pm  We have picked up a mooring near Release and will stay a couple of days.  Did some much needed laundry and connected with friends.

January 8th
We walked around  beautiful Stuart today, in and out of some of the downtown shops, and had lunch out.  Got hair cuts.  The wind is still blowing so the dinghy ride to the shore is a wild and wet one. 

January 9th
The warm weather is here!  We walked to Publix and got some food, and then pushed the cart back to the dinghy.  The carrying back out have been a nightmare.  We are now only a couple of days outside Ft. Lauderdale, and then we will begin to watch the weather for a crossing either from there or Miami.