Land Time in Stuart, Florida

For over two months, we have been sitting still at a marina in the midst of commerce.  A highway bridge stretches high across the St. Lucie River; heavily used railroad tracks sit low to the water right next to that high bridge; another low roadway carrying cars across a drawbridge is next in line.  All of these are a few hundred yards from where we float next to the dock at Sunset Bay Marina.  The marina itself is beautifully constructed, offers clean and spacious amenities, and provides a social life like none other we have experienced.  But - it's noisy!!

Over the last couple of months, we've shared good holidays with daughter and son-in-law, Courtney and Paolo.  We've shared good and fun times with many friends.  New friends Jim and Cristine onboard ULLR, and Tommy onboard Sailin' Shoes have both been moored here and we have shared drinks, meals, and fun nights out.  Jim plays a five-string bass and has hit every open mic night around town - we've heard him a few times and are impressed by his talent.  Tommy treated us to a fun night in Jupiter where JPSoars and the Red Hots played amazing blues.  We've shared good times with Marilyn and Bob who are presently enjoying their Vero Beach home.  We've shared good times with Jim and Cynthia onboard Neverland as they transited the area.  We've shared good times with Beth and Ronnie who are enjoying their Palm Beach Gardens home.  We've shared good times with John and Grace who are enjoying their Vero Beach home.  We've shared good times with Bob who added a weekend with us to his already planned Florida business trip.  We checked out the Manatee Center in Fort Pierce, we enjoyed the Fort Pierce Farmer's Market, we've seen Darkest Hour and The Post, we've visited McKee Botanical Garden, we climbed the Jupiter Lighthouse, we've seen a lot of Patriots and Eagles football, and we've ridden our bicycles exploring Stuart and Vero Beach. We've taken full advantage of this land time!

Jim performing at "The Bowl"

Cristine, Sharon and Greg

Greg, Sharon and Bob (marina building in the background)

Jim, Bob, Marilyn, Sharon, Greg and Cynthia

Greg, Sharon, Ronnie and Beth at the top of the Jupiter Lighthouse

All of this has been accomplished through the convenience of our car.  It feels like we are living on land, even though our home still floats.

Many times Sharon has said to herself - there are Hayden and Radeen having fun in the Caribbean, even after all the angst Hurricane Maria has caused them - there is Flying Fish, just beginning a multi-ocean transit - there go Jim and Cristine, crossing the ocean to Europe - there are Maris and Linda hanging out in Rio Dulce and sailing to Belize.

We have made the decision to stay stateside while Greg continues to work and stash money.  We often question this decision as we see other sailors heading to distant islands.  Sometimes it feels like we are playing at cruising.  Oftentimes, we find ourselves justifying our path to others who are sailing the high seas.

Yet, we are so fortunate to be living this life.

We may not be sailing the high seas or traveling to exotic islands - but we are living a dream that we planned for years.  Though we seem to be traveling a similar path Spring and Fall, we still see sights that would never be seen while living in a house or traveling on land.  We meet people from faraway places.  We experience something new almost every day.  It is truly a wonder.

A Great Blue Heron, ambling over to the
fisherman on the pier hoping for a hand-out

Little Blue Heron, fishing on his own

You know how hard it is to keep all these white birds straight?
This one is a Snowy Egret  - identified by his yellow feet!

We love the curled pink beaks of the Ibis.
All of these were taken on Sharon's
walk along the river the other day

Our time here is almost at an end.  We thought we'd stick around to see the Super Bowl.  As most of you know, we are Patriot's fans, although Sharon grew up in Eagle's territory.  She has a lot of family and friends who are Eagle's fans.  Some of them cheer for the Patriot's throughout the season since they are in a different conference from the Eagles; others hate the Patriot's no matter who they are playing.  Super Bowl LII should be a fun matchup!  GO PATS!

By early February, we will head down the river and either make our way along the ICW or head for open ocean for a couple short hops South to Miami, then the Keys. Our destination is Sarasota, FL on the west coast.  We will poke around there for awhile and let you know how it goes.

'Til next time -