We backtracked to Galesville in the West River on Saturday because we had a very important date.

It was only 10 nautical miles south and into a new anchorage; once more, we anchored ourselves next to Sapphire. A phone call later, Mike dinghied ashore for a pickup and before long Nancy and Jim (Solitaire) joined Kathy and Mike, Deb and Davey, Jim and me aboard Sapphire. The Sapphire, Solitaire and Madcap crews spent many happy days together in the Bahamas, one joyful dinner in Fernandina Beach and this would be our last gathering on this trip.

Nancy had a new drink to share - pineapple rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and cranberry juice - very pretty, very refreshing, very reminiscent of the Bahamas. After a couple of hours of breathless conversation and a few dips in the water, we headed ashore to Big Mary's at Pirate's Cove Marina for grouper sandwiches, crab cakes, and assorted other goodies. Too soon, the time came to say our goodbyes as Nancy and Jim headed off by car to their marina - what a change from waving goodbye to a dinghy! WHY didn't I take a picture??

We will miss these people as we continue to make our way north. They taught us things, shared their thoughts and ideas with us, commiserated with us, laughed with us and explored with us. Next season, they will be Bahamas bound once more while we spend a Canadian winter. The year after that though, we may just meet again in some sheltered cove with crystal clear water below us and blue, blue sky above.

One of the great joys of this year has been the friendships we've formed. We've met, exchanged boat cards; and shared food and stories with dozens of fine cruisers. And there are a handful we'll keep close to our hearts for all the years to come.