True to form this year is flying by already! We had decided to try to leave Stuart today and head down to the keys, but an approaching cold front put the kibosh on those plans. We would be able to get as far as Ft. Lauderdale on the inside but by the looks of the long term forecast we might get stuck there for a while. We love Lauderdale but it’s pretty pricey to stay there for any length of time. There is no guarantee of getting a mooring ball and the natives can be quite nasty about anchoring. The city marina is in the process of being sold and the property redeveloped. We hear that the offices of what’s left have moved to a trailer. We’re not sure what the status is on showers and laundry there. It’s a big loss to us boaters to lose this facility. So we decided it was best to stay put in Stuart a while longer.
We did take the car down to the condo and put it to bed in anticipation of leaving. Not having a car isn’t a terrible inconvenience here as most everything you could want is within walking, biking or bussing distance. The marina has a bus that runs twice a week with stops at Wal-Mart, Publix, West Marine etc. And they also have a fleet of loaner bikes which we can use. I just wish the traffic wasn’t so horrific, which tends to make me a nervous Nelly on the bike.
We’ve been prepping the boat in anticipation of moving. Scott has loaded fuel on both in the jerry cans and the tank. That led to a project of freeing up the vent on the diesel tank. As in most boat projects it required disassembling parts and Scott becoming a contortionist laid out over the galley stove with his feet in the sink and his head in the cupboard over the fridge to reach the darn thing. That took up a good part of a day.
I packed the ditch bag and we pulled the life raft to a position where it can be easily reached. The single side band has been exercised and the VHF hand helds charged. We also provisioned in anticipation of a trip that could take a week or more, packing on extra water and some additional dry goods. There is always laundry to do that doesn’t change if your moving or mooring!
We continue to enjoy Stuart, this weekend was the Stuart boat show. We went on Friday and perused the show. It’s no where near the size of the big city shows but we enjoyed walking the docks and perusing the tents. Wednesday Terry of Lee Sea Ann II came for a visit. It was great seeing him again. We had a good visit over a nice meal.
The Marina has had a few events as well. Last night was an appetizer Pot Luck which was very well attended. Today was a Sunday brunch furnished by the marina which was again crowded. The marina is pretty much full and all the moorings are occupied.
So for right now we are in Stuart and pondering if we go or stay until after the family wedding we will attend in Gainesville in February. In the meantime we continue to hear folks talking of going to the Bahamas which makes me itch. Who knows where our plans will take us.
The picture is one that Jan (Aria III) took of us in the cockpit. We continue to enjoy their company.