Sun Spirit

When we left Fort Pierce on Wednesday we had a plan to get to St. Augustine before the weekend. Of course Mother Nature had other plans - why do we always forget this? The first day was very pleasant as we travelled up the ICW. Sunken abandoned boats are very common along the waterways unfortunately, contrasting with Florida mansions. These little beaches will be packed with boaters on the weekend. We made it to an anchorage near the town of Cocoa Beach. The wind changed direction in the middle of the night and the next day was rough with northeast winds and current slowing our progress. We stopped in New Smyrna Beach at a marina for the night. First time in this town - it has a lot of Art Deco architecture being revived in the downtown area. On Friday we had a short hop to a marina in Daytona. We plan to stay for the weekend to avoid crazy boat traffic on the ICW.  One of the dock hands offered to drive us to the grocery store as he lived in that area. What luxury! Huge selection ...

 Our last days in the Bahamas - we travelled to Great Sale Cay on Sunday and put down the anchor for the night - had a nice nachos and beer dinner on Gaya. All the boats that are here are waiting for the weather window to cross the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic back to Florida. Monday was a quick hop to Mangrove Cay. This is a teeny tiny island and the anchorage is only viable in very calm weather.  There were only 6 boats anchored including some friends from Green Cove Springs - Angie and Sam on S/V Nauti Cali. They were going in a different direction the next day however. So dark and quiet at night - the night sky and stars were beautiful. Our last sunset in the Bahamas: On Tuesday morning we left the anchorage at 2:45 am to make the journey back to Florida. The first 4 hours were in the dark, crossing the Bahama Bank. Just as the sun was rising we left the turquoise Bahamian waters and started across the dark blue Atlantic.   It was a frustrating sail/motor - no wind and...

 Said goodbye to Green Turtle Cay today. The winds have been wild the last few days here but we have still managed to explore the island and get some beach time. Sitting under this palm tree for shade, hoping the coconuts don’t fall. Cats waiting  for a ride: Gunter and I waiting for fresh food to be unloaded and delivered to the grocery store so we can load up the fridge. Sporting our Fifty Point Yacht Club gear and celebrating our last dinner out at the Tranquil Turtle. Hung up our Fifty Point burgee at the Green Turtle Yacht Club. Boaters have been doing this for years - if you don’t have a flag, you sign and put up a dollar bill. We are on the homestretch now - a few more short hops in the Abacos before we cross back to Florida. Today we travelled 1 hour to Manjack Cay. This is an isolated anchorage with no marina, stores, restaurants or small boats - only a few private homes on the island.  Totally different than the last week. Didn’t see any chickens or art, but wal...