Many of you that follow our blog have been wondering about our one week of silence! The plan was to be hauled out Monday, April 22 and fly out the next day.
It was all going to plan until last Tuesday. Susan was complaining of being tired, and having some shortness of breath. As temperatures have been rising into the 90s, we both have been feeling more tied than usual because of the heat.
She figured that Wednesday, she would go to a local clinic. Much to her surprise, her blood pressure was very high and pulse low. She was shipped directly from clinic to hospital, and with further tests, informed that a pacemaker was required.
I had contacted our health care insurance provider when she went to the doctor, and kept them informed as the scenario unfolded. BCAA, and Global Health were excellent during this event. The US doctors talked with the Global Health team, and approved the procedure the next day. She had the pacemaker installed Thursday, and was discharged Friday. Amazing how quickly they can turn you around now. She now has to wait a week for a follow up appointment before being permitted to fly.
So for now, haul out postponed, we are on our boat at Moorehaven, and waiting for a check up to fly home.
Susan is now feeling great, pulse back to normal, just is not allowed to raise her left arm above chest height, while the wires in her heart seal up, and incision heals.

Well, after a night at anchor, and the wind calming down, the bridge opened for us at 0700, and we continued on our way to Clewiston.
This is a fun little stop, as the town has 4 different hardware stores, the big one being Harbour Freight. For Canadians, it is sort of like Princess Auto, and then there is Tractor Supply, which is similar to our Canadian Tire. Fortunately, being at the end of the cruise, I did not need much. Susan has a couple of stores she likes cruising through, and did find a couple of items to take home.
We stayed two nights and then moved 15 miles to Moorehaven. This town is home to mostly farm workers working in the Sugar Cane fields. Indeed, Clewiston is also mostly Sugar Cane field workers. Primarily Mexican, or South American, they seem to be paid well, as many have homes, and of course, the standard jacked up 4x4 pickup trucks!
Along the river, there is a river walk, and many of the workers come down in the evening with their family's to have a picnic and fish for Bass. The city has built shelters with 12 person picnic tables, and a fishing dock every 200 metres through town. It is great to see the families out, and kids catching tomorrows dinner!

Frisky day cruising today. Winds constant at 20 mph gusting to 30. As I stated a few days ago, in the canals, you can cruise these conditions. Unfortunately, we were supposed to go across Lake Okachobee, a 40 mile wide lake, so not a good idea. We opted to circumnavigate the lake, most of it protected by a canal, so no waves. We did have 1 1/2 hours with 2 foot waves on the bow, and wind blowing straight at us. That made the apparent wind on the bridge 28 mph, all the time! Straightens the curls out! Lots of spray on the deck.
Once in the canal, waves went away and we cruised to Torrey Island bridge. This is the only manually operated bridge in Florida. I wrote about it in February. When we called for an opening, we found out they do not operate in winds above 20 mph. That is not mentioned in any books, or charts. Oh well, found a protected cove, and down goes the anchor. Nice spaghetti dinner for supper. C'est la vie. Tomorrow, hopefully we shall proceed at 0700.

Left our comfortable mooring ball for some new adventure today. I did another 20 minute ride on my “ favourite” sidewalks/ bike lanes to the marine store. I will be doing oil samples when I change the oil next week, and need the special kits for that.
When I returned, we slipped the ball for a quick stop at the fuel dock for water, pump out and loading the bicycles on the boat. Then head west up the St. Lucie Canal. The wind is blowing about 15 mph, but from this point on, does not really matter. In the narrow confines of the canal, there are no waves. Just a leisurely cruising day. Went into the St. Lucie Lock, and surprisingly, it was a 14 foot rise this trip. Then another few miles, and waited for a train to cross a bridge, so they could open for us.
We then went alongside at Indian Town marina. Normally would not stop here, but our Quebec friends, Dennis and Lucy are working on their boat, so dropped in. We cruised with them for a month in the Bahamas, and U S, last year. Good to catch up on the stories. He is an ex army radio operator that retired after 25 years. He now works with veterans, particularly First Nations vets. Great guy, giving back to the troops!

Not my photo. This is from a local newspaper.

l taught today, and Susan did a bit of touring in the morning, and came back to the boat at 1:00. I had purchased some of the goofy eclipse glasses so we could have a look. It was pretty cloudy, but indeed, we did see about 60% of the sun blocked by the moon. Cool to see, but would not travel for the event! New York, Niagara Falls and Toronto were packed with tourists for this 1-2 hour event. Oh well, been there, done that, just have to buy the T Shirt! Not!

We both really like the city and Marina at Stuart. However, there is two small quirks that bother us. First, the bike lanes. They have these nice bike lanes painted on the sides of the main roads. I am sure no one from the city has ever ridden a bike on them. They go for 1/2 mile, or so, and then either turn into a vehicle right turn lane, or a planter. Really. They put a big planter in the bike lane, and then the lane disappears! Very strange. You have to dismount, then lift your bike 6 to 10 inches up on a sidewalk to continue.
Ahh, the sidewalks. About 4 feet wide they should be great for riding. Therefore, they put a power pole right smack dab in the middle of the sidewalk! Also, they are now on a program to put ripple tiles on each sidewalk/ street interface for blind people. They have been at this for over a year, as many sidewalks that were closed last year, are still closed. Makes for a very interesting ride around Stuart!
Still a nice place to visit.
Just received news that a good riding friend of my brother and I has passed away from COPD. He was a millwright at the pulp mill. Lots of noxious dust in that trade. Rest In Peace, Barry Pelter!