Wednesday, April 15, 2015 and Thursday April 16, 2015

We left our anchorage at Great Sale Cay around 7:30 am. Heading towards West End, and then across the stream tonight.

There a several boats heading the same course.

We raise the main and the jib, but winds are very light-- less than 5 knots, so we motor sail .

Robert passes the time "rubbing" some Flitz on the fiberglass, and polishing it up. He always says he wants to spend his retirement rubbin' on his boat--- guess he's practicing his technique!!!

I do a little sunbathing--- about 30 minutes. !! I'm no longer the sun worshipper I was in my youth. Damn wrinkles!!!! I de-fur the cockpit as best I can. It's gonna take me a month to clean when we get home!!

Maggie spends the morning sleeping, what she does best.

Lunch is leftover chicken, pasta salad (with lots of tiny carrots, Brian), and boiled eggs. Toothpicks optional!!! (Inside joke)!!!!

We ready SeaQuell for our overnight crossing---- Jack lines, harnesses, offshore life jackets, ditch bag, etc. Secure all items down below. Let's go!!!

We reach West End around 5:00 pm. The seas are only about 2 feet, but have a very short period, so it's a little lumpy. Certainly tolerable, though.

We motorsail all night, as the wind is super light. We enjoy a lovely "light show" above the clouds-- looks like someone may be getting a storm-- thank God, not us this time!!
We spend the night reminiscing about our wonderful trip, voyages past, and crazy "crew"/ friends stories. It's so much fun to recap all the highlights!!

We see several HUGE ships-- cruise lines, cargo ships as long as 900 ft. Everyone played nice, and we had no close encounters.

We arrive at St. Lucie inlet around 5:00 am. Out of nowhere, a small center cockpit boat with no lights on approaches--- scared the puddin out of us both. It just "creeps" along just off our port stern. Robert grabs the spotlight and shines it on them---- it's the FWC (?) . There are two uniformed men on board, but no identifying markers the boat.

Shortly after Robert "highlighted" them, they turn on their bright lights and come closer to SeaQuell. Robert steps out of the cockpit and says to them-- "can I help you guys with something??" They never identify themselves, just asked him a few questions. 1) Where are you coming FROM?? 2) How many people on board? 3) Home Port ? and 4) Where are you checking in AT??? -they obviously missed grammar 101. Robert answers the questions, but they continue to just hang out. After about 5 minutes, Robert asks-- ANYTHING ELSE????? They reply-- "no, have a safe trip", and speed off .

We continue along through the inlet; carefully watching for unlit markers. We arrive at the Marriott Marina at Hutchinson Island at 6:30 am. We are filling up with fuel before we head back to Nettles Island.

The fuel dock opens at 7:00 am, so I make coffee, Robert takes Maggie for a much needed walk, and we wait. SeaQuell takes on only 52 gallons and she's full.

We're back at Nettles Island around 8:30. Our slip is empty, but there's a big-ass monohull in the slip just in front of us. Good ol' Capt. Robert parallel parks our girl with only a couple of feet to spare. He's a drivin' fool!!!!!!

As we're getting settled , we enjoy visits from our boat neighbors; welcoming us "home". We enjoy the fellowship . We are blessed with many wonderful people in our lives!!

I get us cleared with US customs per phone, a relatively painless process. Local boater option and having a float plan on file helped to speed things along.

We both enjoy a nice hot shower, a quick early lunch, and a brief nap.

What a wonderful vacation this has been. We plan to enjoy the next few days--- Robert returns to work on the 20th. We've been "home" just a few hours, and we already have dinner plans for two nights with wonderful friends. We are very thankful for our crazy, busy, wonderful life!!