But it is hard. A trip like this one can change your life. We have gained confidence, independence, and  a new found mutual respect in these last few months. For those of you who never thought we could make it confined to less than 300 square feet,  I am here to attest to the fact that we get along better on board than we do at home and we get along great at home. So who ever had the pool going that she would have thrown me overboard by now, you all lose.

Leaving what we had dreamed of for so long was harder than either of us thought it would be. As excited as we are to see our family and all of you again, leaving paradise is hard.

Many people thought we would never go. It was just talk. Not to us.  It is the dream and we are living it.

Enough of that.

We crossed the Gulf Stream by ourselves. None of the other boats was quite ready to leave. We sailed from Powell’s Cay to Great Sale and on to the Little Bahamas bank and into Fort Pierce. Then it was up to Vero Beach which is one of our favorite places. The first night in Vero we had fresh grouper, conch (Alois caught) and red snapper (Jack caught) with friends from the Deltaville area and Jack and Susan from Vero.

We spent time with our friends Jack and Susan, who have cruised since 1987 and have a home in Vero. We helped each other with some projects and they showed us several of the local places. We love those guys and hope they come to Richmond so we can introduce them and show them the town.

From Vero Beach it was north to Coco Village. We lucked into a local art fair in down town Coco. Also in Coco is the best hardware store I have ever seen. It was built around the turn of the last century and has some of the original inventory in stock. Seven connected buildings of unbelievable stuff.

Yesterday was a long day. I had promised myself, no more 75 mile days but what can I say. The weather blew in and we had to find a safe place. Back to Rockhouse Creek north of New Smyrna Beach. We have back tracked two miles to the downtown marina. The weather for the next two or three days is awful with 30 to 50 mile squalls forecast. 

We will leave here on Thursday morning for Saint Augustine. Brooke and her girls will meet us there on Saturday to travel with us for a week and then our friend Pam James is coming to ride with us for a while. Anyone else want to join us? Do come. We’d love to have you!

Life is Good!!