Best Life

 To continue our "beach" vibe and vacation mode, we treated ourselves to dinner on the water.  Though still 90 degrees, we had a nice breeze ("fan") that made sitting on the outside deck beautiful.                                                       My fish tacos were awesome.                                                       Paul had flounder.                                                  And the waitress got creative with Paul's dessert because we were one of three couples with recent "big" anniversaries....

 Today's goal - New Smyrna Beach.  We arrived shortly after noon and spent a peaceful few hours watching the waves and the few people that were also enjoying the beautiful spot.  Temps in the low 90s and water temp in the low 80s - this was definitely the way to spend our day.  Sweaty, salty and sandy - bliss! Our main morning task - assist in the engine pickup.  With the extra engine we had purchased for Quiet Time sitting here in Daytona, we finally coordinated with the new owners for pickup.  We were ready by 8am and the engine was on its way to its new home by 830am.   The plan - departure south tomorrow afternoon with a stop to visit friends in Palm Bay. Word of the day - felicific.  Meaning causing or intending to cause happiness. 

 We have arrived in Daytona - our layover for a couple days.  (Thank you Don and Kim for letting us crash at the house again!)   In the low 90s and super sunny, we took time to sit, eat lunch and chill before heading out to the beach.  (I also had to stop at Goodwill for books to read!) Our favorite - Ormond Beach.  There were more people than I would have thought late on a Sunday in September but with the high temps and the super warm water - it should have been obvious. We walked about 1.5 miles and watched the clouds roll in for the typical afternoon thunderstorm threat.  It felt sooo good to walk after sitting in the car for so many miles.  And sand between my toes - a piece of heaven! It was way darker by the time we arrived back at the parking lot.  And the lifeguards were emptying the beach due to lightning in the distance.   Hug Your Hound Day.  So many hounds over the years!           ...

 We left Lincoln, RI on schedule this morning.  A 4 AM departure would hopefully get us through New  York and New Jersey with few issues.  It paid off!  We managed over 800 miles in 14 hours.  Since I had drinks, snacks and made sandwiches for lunch, our stops were minimal. Our first stop after a very quick motel check-in in Walterboro, SC -- BBQ!   The parking lot was full and the drive thru line wrapped around the building.  All good signs that the food would be good.  I loved the ribs, onion rings and coleslaw.  Paul went for the pork and chicken.  Needless to say, we are no longer hungry!                                                   Our starting point in RI and our final destination - Miami.                     ...

 International Cloud Appreciation Day.  Until we began sailing clouds were pretty and interesting.  Now I look at them differently - how fast they move and change, how the light shifts through the different layers and how they can change the water.  And who even knew there is a Cloud Appreciation Society!                                                            Fort Lauderdale 2023                                                            Fort Matanzas 2024                                          ...

 National School Picture Day.  It seemed fun when we were younger to "dress up" until as a teenager it just seemed tedious.   And in no particular order, here are the school pictures of family I managed to to find.   (My folders are still not complete or totally organized so I was unable to locate everyone's.)                                                                                Nicholas Calitri (nephew)                                                                           Madelyn Kelleher (niece) ...