Miami AT LAST!

Well, finally got to warm weather! We got in Friday and the temperatures are consistently in the 70's with sunny to partly cloudy skies, shorts are out and sweats are packed away. Bernie hasn't started work yet but probably will soon. Scupper has even been more active, she's been out on deck a lot. We think she still misses Gilligan. Up until now all she's done is eat and sleep a lot, hope the warmer weather will get her more active. We're anchored in our usual spot near the Venetian Causeway on the west side of Miami Beach. We have met up with our friend, Anna Marie who has the kayak shop. She's doing well and has a new dog, a rescue, since we last saw her. Everyone's health is doing well, Bernie is back to normal, Scupper's blood sugar is still good (could stand to lose a little weight though) and Carol's BP is better. The warm weather will do us all good.

We met with some friends along the way from Isle of Palms. We visited with Robin and Donna while in Vero Beach and saw their new house, it's very nice, and we rafted with our friend, George, just north of Lake Worth inlet. From Vero Beach to Lake Worth we did the ICW due to rough weather off-shore. From Lake Worth to Miami we went off-shore, a little rough but better than dealing with all those bridges.

Wish we could export some of this warm weather, we saw the pictures of the the ugly white stuff the north got recently. Best wishes to all.

Looking for warmth

After a long delay we are once again underway. Bernie was cleared medically just before Christmas, but still needed a bit of stamina building. Christmas, New Year and Bernie's Birthday were celebrated in style with friends, Arlene and Sue. Then it was a matter of waiting out the record cold spell hitting the entire east coast.

We departed Isle-of-Palms thursday (14 Jan 10), making good distance by going outside the first 2 days. After deciding that the alternator was no longer charging batteries we sat out at anchor saturday afternoon and sunday for replacement. The weather was not very nice so Bernie had a good excuse for watching football both days. Today was a day for playing the tides on the ICW and have now anchored for the night in Brunswick, GA. We will press on in the morning, probably off-shore again to avoid shallow spots. The weather has been slowly warming but the generator has been getting quite a work-out to keep us warm. During the day the alcohol heater has been going most of the time so we are comfortable. Scupper seems to be back in her routine of traveling and doing well.

We hope to be in Miami before long.


Bernie, Carol & Scupper