Nov.20 It was a nice calm day so we launched the dinghy and took a ride into town. St. Augustine is definetly a tourist spot. We walked around and had a quick lunch outside under the trees. Back to the boat in time to pick up some more cousins who wanted to visit. Torrey brought a cousin, Melanie, and her cute 7 yr old son, Freddy. They got the 25 cent tour and we gabbed for a while. Then John dropped them off and found another Cape Horn in the marina! It was an older and smaller model but the owners were nice and we had them out for a quick visit to see Windermere. Now, we left for another overnight down to Ft. Pierce.
Nov. 21 This trip wasn’t too bad just seemed long as we either had a bad current against us or our bottom really needs a cleaning. We arrived just at sunset with a vicious current bringing us in to the harbor. My first idea for an anchorage didn’t work as the area had silted in more than the charts said. We found another spot near a marina and dropped the hook. After a quick dinner, we went to bed.

Nov. 22 It was a perfect day to get 2,500 gallons of fuel. The fueling dock was easy access and the attendant friendly and the whole thing went well. Next, we moved to our new spot just south of an island with lots of townhouses on it. We took the dinghy to several spots looking for a place to leave it and be able to park a car. We were here to visit our friends, Peter and Joan Ross, from Mystic for Thanksgiving. We finally took the dinghy into a lagoon and found a friendly man who let us us his dock and park the Ross’s car. They came and picked us up and we had a nice lunch at the city marina. Then we did some more errands and ended up at their house for a leftover dinner.

Nov. 23-26 Over the next few days, we did errands and were entertained by the Ross’s and another friend, Marcy Porter. Joan took us to the Navy Seals
Museum, and the Vero Beach Art Museum which we both enjoyed. We had thanksgiving at the Moorings big club with a very interesting group of their friends.

Nov. 27 It was still a bit windy but it was time to move on down to Lake Worth. We rocked and rolled a bit but not too badly but we still had a bad current or dirty bottom problem, We arrived just before sunset and found a spot to anchor. It was surreal watching the cruise ships and tankers and gigantic private yachts coming and going.

Nov. 28 We stayed put because there was wind on the outside.

Nov. 29 It was sunny and calm so we poked our heads out and motored in almost lake conditions for once down to Ft. Lauderdale. What a busy place that was and it wasn’t even a weekend. At least we don’t have to wait for the main big bridge there because we fit under it now. As we curved along following the channel northward to our special anchorage, John decided to try to go into another spot we knew about and missed the turn. We were hard aground! The Z drive couldn’t get us off so we had to wait for the last hour of the out going tide and the first 2 hours of the incoming tide. We were right off Bahia Mar marina and the tour boats going by announced to their passengers that we were agound and the tow boat would help us when the time was right. Tow Boat US was there waiting to help us and they did as we started to float again. Then we proceeded up the channel and under the next bridge and to our littl anchorage spot for the night. Needless to say John was not happy.

Nov. 30 A new day and we had arranged for divers to come and clean the bottom. They did a great job and found no damage. Pays to have a strong boat. John and I washed and dried the boat because we had special visitors coming. Our broker, Judy, lives in Ft. Lauderdale and was one of our lunch guests. The other was a lady named Jane who had done all of the designing of the interior of the boat. We had never met her and were thrilled to finally do so. She hadn’t seen the boat since it was finished in 2003. We gave them lunch and a tour of the boat. John was happy the rest of the day!

Dec. 1 It was time to go south again and this time we were able to go up to our normal cruising speed. It is amazing what alittle scum and some barnacles can do to a boat’s speed through the water. we made it down to Miami is good time and came in the big channel where the cruise ships come in and all of the comercial traffic. Then we had to weave our way east in Biscayne Bay towards South Miami Beach where we planned to anchor. Our friends on Ariel were there in the marina waiting for us. As soon as we got settled and launched the dinghy, we went in to have a drink with them and catch up on their travels. Back to the boat for an early dinner.

Dec. 2 In the morning, we checked out the two good grocery stores and then our friend, Robin, came to see us and have lunch with us at a nearby Italian restaurant. She used to live in Brazil but has moved back to the states and lives in Florida now. We had a wonderful lunch outside with wine and felt so cosmopolitan. Then, she drove us to Costco to get some things which took most of the afternoon. It was a fun visit if short.

Dec. 3 First we had to get some more dry goods for our trip but then we met up with our friends on Ariel and they showed us around the area. South Beach is definetly a hopping place! We walked the whole length of Lincoln road which runs east-west on the island and loked at all of the shops, restaurants, and, of course, people. They knew a good lunch spot with great salads so we stopped there and ate. Then, we walked along the beach south to the real part of South Beach and had ice cream cones. There are buses everywhere so we rode one home.

Dec. 4 We had a slow morning but then decided to go into the marina and use their pool and have a shower. I forgot to say, our water heater had died the day before so we had no hot water. The swim and warm shower were both great. Cocktails was on Ariel and dinner was at a good French bistro on Lincoln Rd. amist all the action.