June 3, 2012 Beaufort, SC

Sunday June 3, 2012

Thank goodness for little blessings!

I was more tired than I thought last night, and I know that because I slept solid until about 10:30 this morning, a really late morning for me.  I knew I could sleep more but I also knew we had plans to go see the small town of Beaufort and the day was escaping us.  It’s just like Fred to let me sleep.  I got up and he was not on the boat.  He was back in a few minutes though, he came below and said, I was out looking for Stasia.  I looked at him stunned, think I did not hear him right.  Questions poured out of my mouth, getting the info I needed to find our lost cat Stasia.  Fred said he was up until 3:00 am because he couldn’t sleep (he took a long nap after we got to port)  and she was here then when he went to bed.  When he got up, she was gone.  We usually keep the companion way closed when at a dock to prevent just such a thing but Fred said she knew where she lived and he was right, she has ventured off before but we have always found her nearby.  Last night the air conditioner was on so if she fell overboard, we would not hear her cry like we would if we were anchored out.  She does have a wild cry when in the water, we have found.  It’s not her favorite place to be based on the time she jumped in and you would have thought she was drowning, which she may have if we weren’t there to help her back to the boat.  With this in her memory, I doubted she would have intentionally jumped in, but she could have slipped.  It happens!  Fred said he had already did a check on the two docks here but didn’t go up the ramp to check the other side.  He asked everyone who was out as well as the office personnel.  I was comfortable with all that so I decided to take her treat jar and shake it on each and every finger dock checking each boat to make sure she wasn’t stuck on any and couldn’t get off.  We checked every dock, every boat, the Yacht club as well as the neighborhood past the parking lot next to the marina.   No Stasia.  I even had a reward out for the local kids.  After 2 hours of looking we came back to the boat.  I was sure she would not come back if she had gotten off the marina docks because the concrete and metal was stifling hot and it would have been impossible for there to walk on it.  I have tried that barefoot and it is easy to get 1st degree burns or worse.  I was reasonably sure if she was, waiting for them to cool off.  I decided that we had done all we could do so Fred slept and I went to the Yacht Club and joined them in Mexican Train Dominoes, a great way to pass the time, I thought...but I was still worried and on the verge of tears, but never gave up hope.  Everyone was telling me stories about their cat and dog getting off their boat only to be found or came back.  I was hoping Stasia just didn’t wander too far off where she could not find her way back.

I returned to the boat about 5:00 and our neighbor was on their boat, the first time we saw them since we got here.  I asked, as I had been asking everyone I came in contact with , if they had seen Stasia.  The lady said “Why yes, about an hour ago she was strolling on the deck of a boat a few slips down.  I wondered where that cat came from because the owners were not on the boat.  She was a calico with, I hate to say this, a big belly, like she was pregnant”.  “Oh my goodness” I said, “that is Stasia.  I was so relieved that at least Stasia had not fallen into the water, combined with the thought that she was still on G dock.  I ran over there and called out, looked inside and nothing.  “She must have went to another boat” I thought, but I still could not find her.  After another search on every finger dock I said I am going to see if she got back on Casa Mare’ and went to look for her again.  I heard Fred say, “Patti, I found her”.  I felt like boulders had fallen off my shoulders.  I ran over there and jumped on the boat where Fred was already inside the cockpit coaxing her out.  It was a relief to hear she meow, although it was a weak one, with no enthusiasm at all.  He handed me Stasia and I tried to jump to the dock.  I couldn’t get off and wondered how I climbed that 3 foot gap and height without falling in myself.  I still don’t know how I did it.  I asked Fred to get off and I would hand her to him, which I did but she gave him a blood curdling scream, frightened, probably of the water below.  He gently reached up to take her and she clawed him in the shoulder and face.  “Geeze” I thought, “she is going to rip the skin off his face and he will probably let her go and in the water she would be” but he didn’t let go.  He continued with the firm hold on her and carried her back to Casa Mare’ and set her below and came back to help me zip the dodger curtains back up but I was already done and on my way to figuring a way to jump off myself.  I had to go mid ship to get close enough to the dock to leap off.  Stasia was below, panting from the heat and wanted water but couldn’t drink it.  She just wanted to cool down a bit first.  Fred had the Air conditioner on, so she was actually cooling down fast and her breathing quickly went to normal.  I fed and watered her and we left for Sami and Barry’s for dinner after we closed her in tight.  She was grounded from here on in!  No more boat strolls for her.

Dinner was wonderful!  Barry grilled Chicken, pork and steak, marinated perfectly!  Corn on the cob and fresh beats, lima beans and cornbread with ginger tea.  What a meal!  Conversations continued on top deck after dinner, as the moon which looked like fire behind the silver lined clouds rose.  It was the perfect ending to a wonderful dinner.  We decided to stay an extra day and tomorrow, try again to see the lovely town Beaufort.  I am glad I will get to see it.  And our little Blessing will be staying on the boat all day, in the AC.  Think she is spoiled yet?  Yep!

June 1, 2012 St Augustine, Florida

Friday June 1, 2012

Thursday started out amazing and continued.  We spent the day with Dave and Denise, most of the first part looking for a radiator cap.  Lunch was calling us and Denise, as usual, suggested a great little restaurant just off the beaten path.  Quaint little place dripping with charm.  They are known for their Tomato Basil pie and I can certainly see why.  I told them the only thing wrong with it was the servings were not big enough.  It was delish!  Always room for desert, cheesecake with raspberry rhubarb sauce  poured over it topped the lunch off.  Culinary catering is only open for lunch and I found it to be the perfect luncheon stop for great food.  The plan was, and we know about plans, to see the town as rustic and historic it is after we found a radiator cap.  I think we went to 4-5 stores before we found one.  Now we can start the engine again.  This may have been one of the problems before and never caught.  Now it is good as new with a new hose and cap.  Denise went back to the house to start dinner while David took us to pick up some groceries, deliver them back to the boat and pick up laundry.  They were kind enough to let us catch up on clean clothes, towels and sheets.  Anyone who has cruised before knows what a treat that is!  When we got back to the house, dinner filled the neighborhood air.  I am not sure how she managed to whip up something so delish in record time.  I thought all Southerners talked and move slow.  Not Denise.  She can multitask and throw a feast fit for a sailor who has been a year at sea.  Dinner was glazed ham, squash casserole (I need to get that recipe), kale greens with yum yum peppers and vinegar, cucumber and tomato salad drenched with balsamic vinegar and fresh basil, and the most delicious creamed corn, fresh from the cob and of coarse, cornbread and Irish butter. Then, believe it or not, she jumped up, hand whipped some whipping cream and warmed berries that were poured over angel food cake.  Those treats are really something for us.  The boat doesn’t lend to making such an elegant southern feast as Denise’s kitchen, which is enviously huge might I add.  Her counter, she says, is used for wrapped bodies, it’s big enough!  Scampering around her feet were Matilda and Grace, their girls.  Grace is the “lickanator” and I promise you if you didn’t have a shower before you got there, you will walk out feeling like you did.  She is so sweet and excitable.  Her tail whooshes back and forth and if you are not quick enough, you may think she doesn’t have one.  Matilda, on the other hand doesn’t have a tail to wag.  But I she is one to put on a show for a treat.  She sits, jumps, rolls over, plays dead and stays, all before the commands roll out of your mouth.  I think she is a mind reader but nevertheless, she is right on top of doing the whole routine, knowing there is a treat at the end.  Quite a show girl.  They came back to the boat later on that evening with us and met Stasia, which Mom (Denise) was more frightened of their safety than they were.  Stasia was ready to play and sat there the whole time waiting for them to come below and see her boat.  Mom said no.  It was good to see both Dave and Denise.  There is something to be said about Southern Hospitality...they are pure breads on that!  We wanted to stay longer, as the laughs and friendship bloomed into a lifelong relationship we developed in just a few short days, but the weather called us out, and we are at the mercy of weather windows when sailing.  There were times when we were waiting for a window for two weeks before we got one, and when in Luperon, that window never came so we could cross the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico so we turned back and here we are.  Next time.  We promised Dave and Denise another visit on our way out next time.  We will certainly miss them and their generous hospitality.

Friday morning we set sail on the Atlantic Ocean for Port Royal Landing Marina in Beaufort, South Carolina.  It was going to be a long sail, We left about 10:00 in the morning and arrived there about 2:00 the next day.  We had planned to go outside and Fred changed his mind since it was raining and storms were imminent.  As we left, Fred said he needed to talk to me and we needed to make a decision.  He was arguing with himself about going outside on the seas again.  I could tell he wanted to try it and I agreed, to give it a try, we could stick our nose out and see if it was conducive for the trip.  It was.  I was ready...except  one thing, I forgot to take a seasick pill since we were originally going the intracoastal.  I was down for the count within a half hour out.  I did take a pill but it took quite awhile to work, leaving me with a headache that lasted the duration of the trip.  Be Prepared...I learned that in Girl Scouts.  Somehow that slipped my mind Friday morning.  Fred and I took turns at the helm, he was there most of the time but I did give him breaks, the longest a 1-5 am shift.  Early evening was spectacular.  A pod of dolphins spent nearly an hour playing at the bow of our boat.  I have heard of them doing that but never witnessed it.  They were breaching, diving in triplets, stopping and laying on their side to see us as if they were looking for an applause.  Fred said there were about 7 or so.  I lost count because I went to the bow of the boat to get a closer look.  I felt if I stretched my arm out, they would come up and swim to it.  It was an amazing experience, never to forget.  A few battle ships doing maneuvers played on our port and starboard, never to come close enough to get a good look at them, one during the day and one at night.  The moon was bright as Casa Mare slid through the waters, sending white capped wakes to her stern.  One could easily communicate with God because I got the sense it was just God and me out in that vast dark ocean, no lights to be spotted on the unseen distant shores.  As the moon set

I got the feeling a dark sunset was before me, orange moon with the deep skies sent chills down my neck.  It slowly slipped behind a few clouds on the horizon and sent the night into darkness and the stars were suddenly turned on like a light switch.  It reminded me of the starry nights on the islands far away.  I wondered how life was back there where we had just been a few short months ago.  I missed the Islands and it’s serenity.  I can almost hear them beaconing me back.  Soon….Sweet winds...soon.

I woke up to the sun beaming down on my face, drenching it with welcoming warmth.  It was a cold one last night and I was glad it was over.  28 hours after we left St. Augustine, we were greeted at D dock at Port Royal Landing Marina by friends of ours, Sami and Barry from s/v Deja Vous.  Sami wanted to have us for dinner tonight although some other friends of theirs, a retired US Navy sailor are coming in also so we are going to the Yacht club for burgers tonight and having dinner at Deja Vous tomorrow night.  Sami and Barry are full time live-aboards and their home is a trawler, huge trawler.  Barry is busy with projects, sanding and stuff.  He actually has a work room on that monster.  All my work is done is in the cockpit on this boat.  It is an amazing place to live.  It’s good to be here.  Time for some sleep and then dinner.

Dinner was wonderful!  We ate under a humongus live oak tree, with Sami, Barry, Paul and Stephanie from s/v Snow Goose.  After dinner Fred and I roamed the docks visiting friends of Fred’s who are staying here.  Fred lived at this marina for 10 years so he has lots of friends here.  I kept hearing a noise coming from the water, the same sound in the water I heard in St Augustine.  It sounded like the water was popping.  Finally, my curiosity got the best of me, convincing myself I was not hearing things, I asked.  It’s the shrimp and crill in the waters eating stuff off the bottom of the boats.  I actually thought the gel coat was cracking on the boat rubbing against the dock.  Mystery solved and I learned something...Shrimp and Crill are not silent and they clean boats, somewhat, the protein anyway and...there are plenty of shrimp in South Carolina.  I could see why Forrest Gump’s friend went into the shrimping business.  Port Royal shores are breathtaking.  This port will need to up there with the top ten for me.  Tomorrow Fred and I are going downtown and see the history.  I can’t wait.  We are missing our good friends Roy and Mary from Giddeon.  They are coming back Tuesday but we are leaving Monday, I think.  It’s good to be in the Carolina’s again!  My Mom is from Adam’s run, near Charleston, Sc and My Dad from Wilmington, NC so I love to say I am a Carolina Girl!  Darn proud of it too!

May 30, 2012 Aground! to St Augustine

Wednesday May 30, 2012

Last night I had spaghetti on the fold out table within 15 minutes after anchor.  We decided ot anchor at the entrance of the cement factory to get some breeze.  It worked!  This morning we called Dave and Denise Aiken to tell them we were coming into St Augustine today...raised anchor...went aground, all in a matter of 3 minutes. I think that was at 9:30 or so...called Tow Boat US waited.  We like the area anyway!  Quiet and the only thing we could see was a building in the distance, trees and waterway.  It was serene, till we got there, I am sure.  The fun part was when a great big boat was traveling North and I alerted Fred and said, “Do you they could give us a big enough wake to get us off?” Fred radioed them and they were very very happy to give us a wake.  Boy did they give us a wake...it was the "Rogue Wake" of the century, threw me to the other side of the cockpit on my tush, the coffee pot full of freshly made coffee went flying below from the port side to the starboard side along with potatoes, laptops, electronics and anything else that was loose. It took the entire 2 hours to clean it up. We will be picking coffee grounds out of our toenails for the remainder of the adventure. At least it will smell good like, sorta like Starbucks.  All this made us a tiny bit late as we got stuck somewhat! A little further down the waterway we overheated, probably sand from trying to get unstuck.   Stopped again and coasted down the waterway, no sails, no motor, just the current. The anchor was a good idea as from my point of view on the GPS (Fred was below working on the engine) we were going into someone’s back yard.  Finally, the engine cooled and Fred took over and played with it until he got us un-lodged.  I did hear him call Tow Boat US back there (I was at the bow) and I laughed my head off.  He was bragging just earlier that the bill was $1,100.00 for the tow off the shoal (wonder what that would have cost if it was Rod’s man made shoal) He said that paid for the insurance he had with Tow Boat US.  They didn’t hear him hailing though and good thing since he got us off himself.  That would have been a story to tell, Tow Boat US twice in one day.  As Tow boat US passed us another time for a call, we overheated again.  Now we are drifting...again!  Yep, this is fun!  Maybe we should just put up a sail or something and forget the engine.  This is certainly the scenic route! 

Update, Fred put up the sail so we are motor sailing now, making better time.  Fred discovered that the radiator cap is shot so we will need to get a new one in St Augustine.  So far, so good.  I have lost count of engine troubles and running aground but we will never give up!  Pretty soon you all will need to call me Anne Bonnie!  Arrrgh!

I think we need to stay in St Augustine tomorrow to make up for lost time with great friends! This is so much fun!   We just hit a huge thunder storm, how exciting.  The deck is cleaned of coffee grounds!  Blue skies ahead...hopefully a red sunset!

Missed the sunset because we were at this fabulous restaurant with Dave and Denise Aiken.  They came to the St. Augustine Municipal Marina and hopped on for a nickel tour of Casa Mare’ then Fred gave them a ride from the fuel dock to our slip we took for the night.  We ate at Aunt Kate’s restaurant.  I know this is hard to believe but I ate a whole rack of ribs all by myself.  It was fantastic.  Had Johnny Cakes, collard greens, sweet potato casserole several kinds of breads and sweet tea.  It doesn’t much more “Southern” as that.  We all piled into the car and went to their home, which by the way is amazing...and visited them until nearly 11:00.  Tomorrow we plan to stay and see the sites of St. Augustine and visit awhile longer with them before we head North again.  Poor Fred and Dave hardly got a word in edge wise but we allowed them to share once in awhile!  Really!  They had fun too!  It is soooo good to see them.  I loved today, the whole day, even when we got stuck!  I thought after we returned to the US things would be not quite as lively as at sea and on the islands, but I was wrong.  Life is full of adventures at every corner.  God hasn’t run out of surprises yet...I hope he never does!

One bit of sad news, Fred’s computer doesn’t work.  I think that pot of coffee drowned it.  Keep your fingers crossed that it will work tomorrow...Maybe it just need a bit of drying out. 

May 29, 2012 Titusville, Florida

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Monday, Memorial Day, was spent relaxing.  We could see a parade forming at the park on the waters edge in Coco in the early morning. As well as bagpipes practicing their planned marching tunes.  It was nice to hear those, it fit the serene morning, cloudy but bright, as the storm moved it’s way inland, just North of us.  We didn’t feel any effects of it other than about 20 rain drops and a bit of rocking, nothing unusual.  We kept the hatches open all night, allowed the breezes to flow through the cabin which cooled it off considerably.  We were in no hurry to leave, and finally made our way up the intracoastal waterway to Titusville Marina, where we planned to refuel, top off our water and get some bread.  We were unsuccessful with the bread which means I will probably be making bread.  We did pick up a Ben and Jerry’s and ate it on the way back to Casa Mare’ as a dark band of rain was quickly approaching us from the North.  Fred wanted to get the boat away from the dock before it was too late.  The dock hand was more than willing to assist us in the process as he also wanted to get inside the marina before it was too late for him also.  It was a record departure.  He decided to drop anchor and wait out the passing storm.  The hatches were slammed shut, the boat secured and before we knew it, we were getting the first significant amount of moisture that hit us since Beryl formed off the coast.  It was clear it had no plans to move on, more than making up for what moisture we had missed during the weekend.  Exchanging smiles, we were succumbed to a rainy day on the boat, and there’s nothing wrong with that!  It became clear to both of us that we were in no rush to get home making decisions like this easy.  We had already set the trip back 2 days waiting out Beryl so what was another day?  Dinner was steak and macaroni and cheese with onions and broccoli, great comfort food!  We watched a movie we dug up, “Smile”.  Reruns are in the mix of movies since we have seen all on board, we thought.  Not this one though.  It was a good movie and a true story.  The plan was to get an early start but neither of us could sleep so we played Ono.  I knew when he was stirring his cup of coffee before the pot had finished perking and the engine started, he was on a mission.  I closed the ports and made my way back to the galley, poured myself a cup of coffee poked my head out to the pretty overcast but bright skies above.  “Morning” rolled off my lips and I sat down on a wet cushion, a normal wake up call the day after a storm.  I moved to the other side, making a mental note to replace that soggy cushion before any of the others were replaced.  It would be nice to have closed cell cushions in the cockpit but after that, the bank account would have to be closed as that stuff is expensive.  It became clear, to stay dry on a boat, comes with a cost.  Closed cell foam is at the top of the list for costly things.  Hard to find and drains the funds quickly.  I am okay with a get it as you go format, replacing the worse ones first or not doing anything or going with no cushions at all.  Actually, it doesn't matter at all...there, that one is solved.  Life can be simple.

The morning started off comfortable, no humidity, which is a given on the Florida East coast.  The waters are calm and the bird estuaries are a sight to see.  A great photo opt going through the canal but I was too busy putting up the main sail, although the camera was ready.  Next time.  We motor sailed for 20 miles, North West following the narrow path which gives a foot slack on each side.  I took my stand and declared I was not going to be at the helm through this.  Sails, up, current flowing and the engine helping us along, a perfect set up for disaster with me at the helm.  I would be busy gawking around and find a shoal to slow us down, for sure.  I feel like a child on their first adventure, soaking in all that there is to see and more.

May 27, 2012 Coco, Florida

Sunday May 27, 2012

Ah, the elements of being back in the US.  I have suffered with sinus problems since I was a little girl, hence the dark circles under my eyes.  It dawned on me this morning when I woke up with a headache and nasal blockage, I have only had one sinus problem since I have been gone, and this morning is the second.  I call myself the walking barometer.  When a front moves close, my sinuses react, causing pressure so bad in my head my teeth hurt.  This is easily alleviated with Astelin nose spray and a few aspirins although I have to stay on top of it until the front passes.  Other than that bug I picked up in Luperon, I have been completely healthy, which says a lot.  Island hopping on a sailboat is much more healthier, for the body as well as the soul!  I think the daily cleansing by the elements is a healthy way of living.  There is something to that pollution thing going on in the US and other countries!  I am sailing, living, breathing proof of it.  But I am not going there because I think we all have choices and I too have done my fair share of polluting the air and land around myself.  I am a non smoker now, have been for 4 years, a non drinker, have been for 5 years now, I think...I lost count, I am so on top of that clean path...and I stay alert to the nearly pristine seas surrounding me as well as the beaches.  I have grown to appreciate clean air and clean beaches.  My health proves it.  My eyes have seen it.  From pristine islands to completely polluted shores, it’s an eye opener what collects and never goes away.  I am sure this has a lot to do with our clean air also, which is affecting me this morning.  So much for my soap box...I’ll get off now.

Fred was contemplating going up to Titusville today if weather permitted but changed his mind.  It is really windy up there and they are expecting worse.  Fred makes some pretty good decisions and I feel this is another good one.  We are in no hurry.  I plan to keep it that way if possible.  It’s an overcast day here in Coco, Florida.  We are having a few gusts here and there but no big deal.  I think we are bound to Casa Mare’ for the day.  Probably a good day for books, games and movies as we stay hunkered in our Sea Cradle.  Internet is really bad here so I feel lucky to be able to post anything before I get kicked off.  No news is good news, I say.

May 26, 2012 Coco, Florida

Saturday May 26, 2012

Well, as luck fate would have it, I could be about to go through my first tropical storm on Casa Mare’ but being the safe Captain Fred is, he has chosen not to move any further North until Southbound tropical storm Beryl turns around and heads North.  Fred says there is no sense in heading towards the storm.  I totally agree, knowing what rough seas can be like when not in a tropical storm as in our earlier adventures.  I have made a mental note to take something for sea sickness since I am prone to get sick in rolling seas.  We won’t get off the boat during the storm.  We would loose our dinghy for sure.  Fred said we would be better off at anchor than in a marina because in a storm, the marina tends to tear up the boat.  I don’t care where we go, I just know wherever he goes, I am right behind him.  I am not nervous.  I actually love storms.  I’ll let you know if I feel the same after this weekend if we actually get hit by this one.  Hopefully, staying South will prevent us from going through anything uncomfortable.

The day is beautiful, blue skies, gentle breeze and great music on Sirus.  One would never know there is havoc brewing ahead of us.  I asked Fred what the “Project of the day is” and he said we could go ashore and see the cute town of Coco and go to the hardware store.  That excites me, as I love stores like that.  Always looking for a gadget to make life easier.  I would rather be in a hardware store than in a clothing store.  Today should be fun.  Last night we were chewed up with mosquitoes and I vowed to light the repellents this evening.  I thought we should get screens for the hatches and he said, we have screens.  I looked about the hanging locker and by gollie, there are screens there!  They are made but no way to attach them so today I am going to figure out how to get Velcro on them and put them up!  I need a small sewing machine on this boat.  There are several times I could have used one.  This is one of those times.  We didn’t need to worry about bugs in the islands.  In Florida, it’s a given.  Probably worse in Georgia since we are going to be going through all those marshlands up the intracoastal.  Yep, screens it is. 

We talked to Rod today who is coming to Wilmington and them making a few other stops to see his sisters in Cary, NC and Illinois.  He has an appointment on Tuesday with the VA and I suggested he hop on a plane and fly to St Augustine and hop aboard instead of paying all that money to fly north.  He is checking on it.  Stasia loves Rod!  They are bunk buddies! 

Fred and I dinked to shore and saw the town of Coco.  He is right, it is a cute little town.  Reminds me a lot of Wilmington, downtown riverfront.  We had Stromboli's at an Irish restaurant and walked around.  It felt good to stretch our legs.  We were going to get our favorite desert, Tiramisu, our favorite desert but they were out so we walked down the street and got an ice cream instead!  Yummmmmm!  They have some unique gift shops and the people here are very friendly.  We were unsuccessful at getting volunteers to come out and get us on the boat if the storm got bad.  Guess they run inland or something!  Looks like the storm stalled which may be good news or bad news.  It either stalled and will fall apart or strengthen.  Internet is very hard and slow here although we do have radio.  I have always said, if you want to know the weather, just look outside.  I think we will, for the time being, do that!  I am so welcoming this breeze in this hot humid weather.  The only thing missing on this Sea Cradle is a hammock to hang from!  Actually it feels like Casa Mare’ is in a hammock.  She is certainly swaying back and forth!  For those of you who asked, my phone is on and it’s local from Wilmington.  Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!  Stay safe and enjoy it!

May 25, 2012 Coco, Florida

Friday, May 25, 2012

Fred came in and said, good morning, I am going to start moving and you just sleep.  It was 7:00.  I suppose he said that knowing the night before I didn’t sleep a wink and probably thought I needed it since I went to bed last night and was asleep in a matter of minutes, out for the night, never to wake up once.  I was tired, that is true but felt a commitment to help Fred, which I didn’t or at least be there in case he needed me, which I did.  Although the sun had already risen, it was a pretty morning as we motored up the intracoastal, watching the morning activities in progress, early fishermen, cars scooting over bridges, birds singing as the fish were jumping, both looking for their breakfast.  I could already tell this was going to be a great day!  By 10:00 the alarms went off.  We both knew what it was, as I went below to move the ladder out of the companion way and uncovered the engine.  Fred dropped the anchor as we were drifting, in the middle of the waterway.  No traffic in there anyway.  Seems that no one had taken Friday to get an early start on their long holiday Memorial Day weekend.  Overheated again.  We both looked at each other, knowing the radiator hose had just been replaced so Fred grabbed the flashlight and checked the engine over.  He finally got the cap off and it was dry again.  It was clear that there again, was no water in it although it was too hot to add water and needed to cool off.  Fred took a nap, I cleaned the cockpit and the litter box, lack of things to do, and waited for him to put water in the radiator.  In 20 minutes we were under way again.  “I guess we need to add water to it every day until we get home”  I said.  “Yes, I guess we do” as he set the auto pilot and we were once again, enjoying the morning.  The day was lazy and relaxing.  We took turns at the helm, Fred taking a 3 hour nap and I was enjoying everything around me.  I saw a manatee, first one on this trip, and a pod of about 5 dolphins, swimming South.  The clouds surrounded us but never were over us the entire trip, giving us plenty of sunshine, even though it called for thunderstorms.  Never saw a drop of rain.  We are anchored in Coco, had Wiener schnitzel for dinner and plan to relax for the evening, hoping to get another early start.  We may be in St. Augustine by Monday.  We are in no hurry, just enjoying the ride and moving as we feel like it.  We went 60 miles today.

Yesterday I saw people scurrying around, letting life hurriedly pass them by, not taking time to seize the moment and gift themselves with the beauty of life, bypassing the moment of opportunity to breath and enjoy the life in front of them.  Oh how they are missing chances to relax and fulfill their dreams.  I see people who are retirement age, still working, not knowing why, just giving it one more year still dreaming about their retirement as time slips away, making their retirement years shorter and shorter.  Thinking...I am so glad I am doing this.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to choose to stay home and work or just go for it.  My world may have stopped at my home for six months, but the world moved on, even though I didn't make a difference there, and it’s okay.  I may have on my journey and that too is okay.   Everything in life waits for us, and I am glad I seized the opportunity and learned how to take a different road with someone as special as Fred.  We compliment each other, and live in harmony.  Life is so good.