Happy Holidays
21 December 2011 | Stuart
Nancy
Here we are in Stuart, where we are enjoying access to all kinds of services and hospitality of the Sunset Bay Marina. They certainly go out of their way to make cruisers feel welcome and help you in any way they can! We have enjoyed Meet and Greets, Sunday Potlucks, Thanksgiving dinners, biweekly transports to WalMart, Harbor Freight, Publix and of course, West Marine, use of bikes, a Cruisers' Lounge, reasonable washers and dryers, mail service, and the great long-running hot showers! What more could a cruiser wish for? Well, we would like to move on, go south along the east coast and end up in Marathon for part of the winter months.
It has been helpful to be here in Stuart so that we can work on some important issues before we head south in a week or so. During this time we had discovered that we thought we might have a fuel leak, which we found must have been an overflow, but which involved taking the table out and checking into the bilge and checking over the engine. We also had some worries because the boat had not been in the water for a year and a half, so we wanted to make sure we didn't have any leaks in the through-hull fittings. Also we broke the head which needed a part and it makes you realize how important it is! Several other things have needed fixing but first we had to find the parts. The macerator pump needed overhauling, the outboard motor needed work and the running lights have quit suddenly! These are some of the challenges of the cruising life!
The other part of cruising, the fun part, is meeting all kinds of nice cruising friends. We have met some old cruising friends, and made some new. Sharing meals, happy hours and trips to the stores have all been fun.
We do not expect a white Christmas since we are expecting 80 degrees and sunny! It has been windy quite a bit but being on a mooring ball is pretty safe and mostly comfortable. One night we had between 8-10 inches of rain and when Dick went out to take us to shore he had to bail the dinghy with a gallon bucket! It was full to the top and overflowing with the gas tank floating!
We also have been in contact with Nancy's Mom, who is doing really well so far this winter. Our sons are busy with their lives and probably won't be visiting this winter. We have had a visitor from home and hope for more
We wish you Happy Holidays!