Back in the Good Old USA

Saturday, March 30^th we were in Great Sale Cay with Sun Cat which is a usual staging place for boats to come in and then leave for the crossing to the states.

Al going to replace zincs.

Al decided it was one of his last chances to change the zincs and grease the prop, so into the water he went to do so.  It still amazes me how clear the water is that you see his legs so clearly.

He is down under the boat and look how clear it is!

It was a nice quiet anchorage so I got to kayak and  see some of the wild life along the coast in the water and on land. However, I did not have to leave the boat to see wild life because this one bird came and hopped around the boat like it owned it.  The birds must know to come out for handouts because later a second bird came.  We actually had to shoo them off because we did not want them down below or doing their business where ever they wanted.

Friendly bird came calling in Great Sale Cay.

We left the anchorage around noon.  Tom on Sun Cat decided to leave 2 hours earlier because we motor faster than Sun Cat.  Another boat named Bob Ra Anne left the anchorage the same time we did.  Their boat was a Bristol also, so we were together for practically the entire crossing.   

Blue Heaven heading into the sunset.

The winds were very light so we motored until around 11PM when the winds picked up to 15-18 knots.  We sailed through the night and got into Fort Pierce inlet around 8am.  We only got close to one ship which was the Disney Ecstasy cruise ship which was lit up like a Christmas tree.  Al called the ship to confirm that our closest point of approach would miss the ship.  The captain responded with a strong accent, “Thank you for your co-operation.”  Any time buddy, any time.  We don’t want to hit you or be hit by you!

Sun Cat went in the St. Lucie inlet because he was taking the boat across the Okeechobee waterway to a friend’s private dock.  So we said our good byes over the radio about 4am.  We headed for Fort Pierce inlet.  When we went to start the engine to come in the inlet the starter motor would not start.  Luckily, Al knew how to jump the engine battery from the house battery and in we went.  We motored up to Vero Beach and got a mooring ball for awhile.  We need to decompress and catch our breath after the last two weeks.  Also, everyone at home says it still way too cold to head north.  So when we finally decide to leave we will probably go slowly because Al hates the cold.

We took our first showers off the boat since December.  We both just let the water run on us for at least 30 minutes.  Aaaaaaah.  It felt so good!  We went with some friends to Riverside restaurant’s happy hour and met some new cruisers, as well as this friendly pelican who would barely even move so we could get on the dock.  

Our welcoming committee at Riverside.

 Another day we went grocery shopping and it was like sensory overload with all the selections.  It was wonderful to see hearts of Romaine lettuce for less than seven dollars!

We celebrated Al’s April 2nd birthday on Blue Heaven with Cathy and Curt on Five and Dime who are tied up with us on the mooring ball and Chris and Craig on Tilt.  We had a good time and good meal and of course birthday cake.  I don’t think my mind is still functioning well because I somehow forgot to take pictures.  Why, I don’t know.

We have pulled the folding bikes out and have done some biking down to the beach.  It is a bit different looking beach than in the Bahamas with lots more people and condos and homes along it.  

A bit different kind of beach than those in the Bahamas.

 This town is one of my favorites so I am ready to explore some more.  It looks like I will have time because Al ordered a new antennae for the AIS.  Delivery date is next Monday so we will probably be here at least until next Tuesday.