14 – 21 Feb – We began our journey back northbound through the Abacos in preparation for our eventual return to Florida. From Green Turtle Cay we made our way back to West End arriving on Monique’s birthday. Celebrations were postponed as we readied the boat to cross the Gulfstream once more. With an approaching cold front expected we made an early morning departure and although it was a bumpy crossing, seas were not overly rough & winds were from the aft quarter and we managed a steady 7.5 knots, arriving at Lake Worth, West Palm Beach 9.5 hours after departing.

Our plan from here is to slowly make our way back up the east coast of Fla, visiting some of the places we rushed past on our way south, eventually turning down the St John River to Green Cove Springs where we will lay the boat up for the summer.

03 Mar – Manatee Pocket, Stuart Fla, a quaint little harbour, quiet with all around protection. While here we got in touch with Monique’s aunt & were treated to an excellent home cooked meal ashore, Danke Schurn Tante Helga!!!

06 Mar 2013

So here we sit in Vero Beach Fla, aka “Velcro Beach”, since other boats may raft up to you because of the limited # of moorings, and because it has SO much to offer that people end up staying. For $15 per night on a mooring you receive FREE wifi, showers, pumpout (at your boat, they come to you!), as well as a free bus system that is amazing!

With the approaching cold (yes I said cold!!) we have had nights as low as 4 & 5 degrees C with more to follow in the next few days. So we will pass the time doing some bus tours, shopping & generally taking in the local scene.

Speaking of local scene we were fortunate to take in an AWESOME stage show called Woody Sez, a tribute to Woody Guthrie set to his music, performed by 4 people, with acoustic instruments. seating was limited to 150 people & we were front row center! After the show the cast came out into thew lobby & were joined by several of the audience for a hootenany! What a wonderful Sunday afternoon...

Our 1st Gator sighting....

24 March 2013

So here we sit in "sunny St Augustine", actually warm but blustery, rainy, winds blowing 55 -65 km/hr rain extremely heavy at times, it took us 5 full minutes to bail out Levon!! Waited out the rain at a pub, getting wet inside!

Our plans to lay the boat up have changed, it seems that Green Cove Springs cannot lift us after all. So we have made plans with a great marina in Titusville. Expecting to have boat haule dout in another week or so, then pack up & head home for mid-April. seems like forever since we left home in August.

We will update again before we head home, but for now here are a few photos of Florida, sorry no dolphins, they are very camera shy & without a quick at hand camera snappy photos are not possible.

Beth & Jim S/V Dog Gone in Daytona Beach

Daytona in sunshine!!!