The weather still looked good to head towards Ft. Lauderdale so we hoisted the anchor and left Lake Worth at 6:45am. What a pretty sunrise/moonset this morning. We motor sailed all day to make sure we could get in before 3pm. It was a beautiful day all along the Atlantic Coast, 72 degrees, sunny with a west wind pushing us along – it was just picture perfect. I finished the splice I’d started the evening before, and then made tuna sandwiches for lunch. Normally the moorings fill up between 3-5pm. Between the wind from the west, the engine cruising along at 2000 rpms and the Gulf Stream Countercurrent closer to the coast, at times we were moving along at 8.28 knots – excellent! We arrived at the mooring field at 2:30pm and had drinks aboard Azaya. 

Azaya as we approach the inlet


The dock master came out checking the boats on the moorings & we waved at him so he knew we were over on the next boat. He told Wayne, hey I know you! Funny because I recognized him from the last time we were here. After drinks, we checked in at the marina then went for some much appreciated hot showers! Ahhh, is there anything better - how delicious to luxuriate in soft, hot water! After showers we all decided to take a walk along the Atlantic walk and had dinner at one of the restaurants – Margarita Cantina (fish tacos, Mahi BLTs, and a crab salad). It was nice to get out and walk along, chatting and sharing time with Mary & Axel again. It’s funny how it can seem so long ago that we’d seen them but at the same time like it was only yesterday when we were traveling with them. The night air was cool, but not cold and I thoroughly relished it. It feels more like Florida should feel on a winter’s evening. I’ll take the 50s over the 20s and 30s, mhmmm!

Back at the marina we ran into 4 young people that had been traveling down on a 27 foot Pacific Seacraft – Orion (Arturus). They’d taken a month to come down from North Carolina to head to the Bahamas but needed to be back the middle of January so thought that Miami might be their final point this trip before heading back. It was great to sit and chat with them (Dennis, Jimmy, Ryan and Julie); quite refreshing to see their camaraderie and openness to share some of their life with us and take the time to learn about us too. It sounded like quite the adventure getting down here. Dennis had bought the boat in May and I guess they’d never realized that the boat had never been pumped out (the holding tank). It had decided to erupt under the V-berth and even with all their cleaning; there is a persistent odor. They evidently draw straws to see who sleeps in the V-berth. The only recommendations we had for them (they’d washed and put the cushions out to dry) were to a. replace the cushions, b. sprinkle with baking soda or c. vinegar. Hopefully next year they’ll make it to the Bahamas. I do hope that they continue to explore their world and the people that they’re sure to meet and fascinate them as they journey though life.