Getting Caught Up

Getting access to WiFi has been a little hit and miss so we have been unable to keep our progress up to date - sorry for those following along.  However, we have made a lot of progress in the last week or so.

To catch everyone up, we had a bit of a slow start for this vacation as I came off a very busy period at the office and a little low on energy resulting in a cold that took the wind out of my sails as I was preparing the boat for our trip. 

With the boat cleaned top to bottom and a few unexpected items dealt with, we were off to Stuart as our first port of call on the Friday last week.  Stuart is a nice little town with restaruants, a boardwalk and a picturesque marina in the heart of town.

Stuart - The New Roosevelt Bridge

Yse it's moving - love a thrill!

Stuart Sailfish Capital of FLA

After some discussion and weather watching we decided to leave the Bahamas for another trip in the future.  We did not want to get caught in the Bahamas without  an easy trip back and with difficulty predicting weather weeks out.  With that decision made, we made the first of a few long runs to head to the Florida Keys.  Our first stop was Lake Boca in Boca Ratan - a quiet little anchorage about 40 KM north of Fort Lauderdale.

The next morning we left early to get through Fort Lauderdale and Miami with Boca Chita as our final destination for the day.  Boca Chita is a little state park we have enjoyed in the past with our niece and nephew, Boo and Kyle. 

Boca Chita Sunset

Revi in Boca Chita

We then headed over to Tavernier Key (in the "middle Keys") where as chance would have it we enjoyed a very small world moment.  After we got settled in, I was working under that dash on the flybridge installing a new radar switch when I heard a little knock on the side of the boat.  It was Al C who was a friend and cruising buddy of the previous owner Cliff P.  Al was full of stories about Revi from years gone by and the fun they had cruising the Great Lakes.  Even more remarkably, one of the little jobs I was hoping to do was replace the air conditioning thermostat in the saloon and he had one in hand.  We chatted and installed the new one first thing Thursday AM.  We're back to 3 operational AC units - good timing too as things are starting to heat up.  Lucky lad am I!!

Wink!

Thomas the Tug in Miami

In our last stop of this catch up post is in Marathon, Boot Key where we did a little relaxing, enjoying the pool and happy hour for the last two days.  In fact happy hour was one of the rare inexpensive treats while boating.  You get them time to time, but not often!  We enjoyed 6 Conc Fritters, 4 Honey Garlic Wings, 6 peel and eat shrimp, a pint of beer and a glass of water for $10, taxes and tip in!

Tomorrow we are off to Key West for a week of touring and fun in a 5 star marina in the heart of the city. 

More to come!!

Cheers!!