We heard today that the Fort Lauderdale area has more boats, including power(est. 95%) and sail(est. 5%) than anywhere else in the world. Based on our run back to Stuart we think that is true. Navigating some areas on the weekend on a sailboat can be a challenge as too many power boaters and sport fishermen in Florida are cludless on etiquette. This was true as we navigated through the "Crossroads" channel on the way up the St. Lucie River to Stuart. Fortunately we were at high tide so the fast boats did not slam either Sylestial Star or Gatsby onto the bottom or onto the shoals.

It does feel good to be back at our southern staging area in Stuart where we arrived on Saturday. We have been introducing Gary and Kathy to the area and they seem to like it as we do.

Sylvia is now visiting her Mother in Fort Myers, on the Gulf side of the state and will return in a week after which we will depart to begin our long journey northwards to the Chesapeake. I am taking advantage of the time to work on soime boat projects and reading. Today's projects were an apparently malfunctioning macerator, tightening down our hatches which have become loose due to vibrations and have begun to seep water, measuring and cutting pvc pipe to extend the outboard tiller and several smaller projects. A diver cleaned Sylestial Star's bottom today and I was pleasantly surprised when he reported a good zinc and few barnacles.

Well, its time to go up to the porch(cockpit) and enjoy another sunset.