Best Life

 A stunning sunrise as we left Fort Pierce to head north.   The wind was minimal.  The water calm.  The traffic was horrific as everyone and their brother decided to take out their boats for the holiday.  Some were courteous and slowed as they passed.  Others were thinking they were James Bond and cutting close in front of us or zipping between boats.  We maintained our course and "got out of town".   We stopped in Vero Beach for fuel, water and pump out of our waste tanks.  That is when the wind decided to pick up just as Paul was trying to dock.  He did a great job and the kid working on the dock was awesome.  (I say kid because he looked 15!) We finally arrived at Hole in the Wall Island just before noon and quickly set our anchor.  The downpour began almost immediately along with increased winds.  The rain was short, sporadic episodes but the wind has continued in the 20 knot range.  Nice breeze!! We are...

 Though this spot is busy with boats and jet skis coming and going and weaving through those of us anchored, I am enjoying this spot.  Dolphins, the occasion turtle and only sporadic annoying wakes.   It was another hot, humid day that ended with the typical afternoon thunderstorm threat.  So many cool cloud formations!  Somehow all the storms skirted us and we received very little rain.  Too bad because I was looking forward to washing the cockpit and giving it a really good scrub.                            It ended with a full rainbow (faint but still amazing) and super calm waters.   The plan - pull up anchor in the morning and head north again!

 We left early from Peck Lake hoping to avoid all the holiday traffic on the water.  So many boaters who just cannot help themselves but need to show off just how big a wake they can make and how close the can cut in front of us.  Ugh.   None were as bad as the sport fishing boat we encountered about 30 miles offshore that our radar warned us of imminent collision and we altered our course.  As a sailing vessel with sails raised, we have the right of way.  This particular boat's captain had his auto pilot on and had left the helm.  Why?  I'm sure he is still unaware how close he came to a disaster.  Idiot!  (The name of his vessel - The Big E - just in case the name pops up on your AIS!) Anyway, it was a beautiful sunrise and the water was super calm. There was absolutely no wind to either cool us off or entice us to try to raise our sails.  Oh well.  A smooth ride allowed us to arrive in Fort Pierce quicker than we had th...

  A gorgeous sunrise this morning on Peck Lake.   We decided to stay put for another day since my headache was still present.   After a long night with a raging headache, I decided to stop all the medications except the antibiotic.   Obviously, I was having an adverse reaction to either the Claritin or Flonase.   Now, at the end of the day, I am feeling way better with just a slight headache, no throat or ear discomfort.   We actually took the dinghy down early this afternoon and drove to the nearby shore.   The lagoon reminded me of Gilligan's Island!  A short, sandy path to the ocean where w e wandered along the shore briefly (it was hot and thunder was rolling).   There were very few people on the beach but lots of turtle nests roped off.  (Watching the hatchlings is on my bucket list.) By the time we arrived back at the boat I was grateful for the shade and the fans!   Of course, the storm skirted us but we did get some relief...