12 Dec 2012...12/12/12 WOW this is a neat day!! So what has transpired? We departed Beaufort SC, on Thurs 22 Nov for an outside run to Florida, to escape the cold that had been holding onto our stern since Sandy. A rough exit out to the Atlantic but once out a few miles we turned south & rode a following sea & wind overnight to St Augustine. Our original destination was to be Jacksonville but after making good time we pushed on to St Augustine.

An intersting entrance to say the least! We ran 2 miles straight in from the sea bouy with breakers on each side, a little anal pucker factor at this point. Once inside we dropped the hook, took off all our "northern clothes" we were sipping beers in shorts once again!!!

From St Augustine we went to Daytona Beach, then Titusville (just west of cape Canveral) & picked up a mooring ball for a week. Here we planned to provision, travel inland to check out  a possiblelayup location @ Green Cove Springs on recommendations from several boaters. with the rental cart we also ended up spending the night with an on-shore reunion at the home of Jim & Beth from S/V Dog Gone, and also Jeff & Katie from S/V Mezzaluna.
Jim & Beth were excellent hosts, & we were treated to Jim's special shrimp boil yyyuuuummmm. Everyone wore their "team shirts" from our first get together in Rock Hall MD.

We left Jim & Beth after the golf cart tour, thanks guys it was great, and venture to the west coast to visit with Bob's aunt & uncle in Palm Harbour just outside Tamp Bay for a long overdue reunion & time spent with family again. A brief visit as they were heading back to Canada for the Christmas season. Looking forward to a return visit this spring & and a round of golf as well!

02 Dec - Our return to Titusville found us once again in the company of S/V Mezzaluna, as well as S/V Sunkissed. Dinner together onboard & time to catch up on everyone’s travels.  A very pleasant eve to be sure.

04 Dec – departed Titusville & once again we were picking our way down the ICW under motor, finally arriving 3 days later in Lake Worth (West Palm Beach) only to be reunited with Time & Tide!!! Almost 6 months to the day they left Trenton…needless to say this was a very merry celebration.  2 boats, 2 routes, 2 very different stories.

Discussions revolved around the next steps for a crossing to the Bahamas, and the required weather windows for each vessel. Since the weather was not co-operating we picked our way down to Ft Lauderdale, where we now sit awaiting the arrival of my brother Mike & sister-in-law Laureen who just happen to be in ‘Lauderdale for the weekend.

13 Dec 2012 - Waiting for weather, enjoying the festive season WITHOUT snow…Christmas carols do not have the same effect in shorts & tee shirts, but we’ll persevere…

Next post will be soon, more pictures less words!!!!