Plan On!

November 15 - 17, 2013

1 -- Stuart,    2 -- Miami,    3 - Cat Cays     

I am always writing what our plans are and the next post tells how our plans changed.  Well, for once our plan seems to be our actual experience. 

Guy and Gary gave us fishing rods.  Then, Guy
helped us pick out reels and tackle.  We better
catch lots of fish to offset our expenses and to
supplement our pantry. 

We were at Loggerhead Marina in Stuart for 16 days.  Bonnie and Jon arrived on the 6th.  All four of us were busy little beavers as we continued to provision, repair and plan for "The Trip".  Considering that our past travels have never taken us more than 24 hours from a grocery store or marina, this is a big step.  When we leave Florida, we will be gone for six months.  We have vacationed in the Caribbean and Virgin Islands, but always on a charter or at a resort.  We never gave any thought to where we would buy food, find parts or make repairs.  That was someone else's problem!  This time it is our challenge.  The adventure is in the challenge and I have no doubt we will be challenged many times.  In the meantime, we have spent a huge amount of time and, of course, money trying to be prepared with the essentials.  Now, we'll see if we know what is essential!   

This house is sitting on a barge in the middle of the
intracoastal.  Not all of the homes are spectacular.

We left Stuart on Friday the 15th and headed south to Miami.  It was a leisurely trip on the intracoastal  with two short travel days.  Since Gail and John weren't flying into Miami until the 17th from Minnesota, we didn't have to rush.  It just felt good to get moving and quit preparing.  We have traveled this leg several times and never get tired of it.  This is the land of the rich and famous.  Emphasis on RICH!  Mile after mile of spectacular yachts and mansions.

We couldn't see the house -- this is the boat house! 

This is someone's private yacht.  It comes complete
with a 30 foot runabout, an inflatable, a 30+ foot
sailboat, helicopter, several jet skis.  Some people
just don't like to rough it.

Not the biggest of homes, but a pretty one on
a spectacular point of land.

On Sunday night, the 17th, we positioned our boats at an anchorage.  It is a short trip across the Gulf Stream -- only about 50 miles -- but it is recommended that boaters allow two to three days of good weather and calm seas to cross.  Right now, four good days are predicted!  By anchoring we can get an early start.  Positioning beyond the many bridges that would have to be opened for our passage will save us an hour or two.  It is not uncommon for boats to wait days or weeks for a weather window.  The fact that we had no wait is such a huge blessing!  Lets hope that it is the first of many.  

This guy was moving his dock to a new location
while it was attached to the boat……clever!

            



      

Gotta smile -- we're loving the ride!