America's Great Loop With our boat "Little Bit More"

Sunday A bike ride on Daytona Beach and docktails with fellow Loopers We used the Brompton bikes and joined our friends to explore Daytona Beach. The boardwalk is being renovated in areas but has a long way to go. You can still drive a car on the beach and we tried to ride the bikes without much success! We joined several loopers for docktails and was treated to Diane from "Wilma Mae" blowing the sunset conch shell.  We all cheered when we heard someone answer in the distance! We toasted our friendship with the 'Looper's' toast and 'tiny beers' made with the Spanish liquor 43 with cream floating on top of shot glasses.  There are good ships and there are wood ships And there are ships that sail the seas But the best ships are friendships And may they always be! The rest of the week! We had a  trouble with the starboard engine on our way to Halifax Marina in Daytona.  Monday morning when we prepared to leave it would not start.  Scott was able to find a mec

Sunday, April 16, 2023 - Lake Peck and another storm Lake Peck was an early stop for us.  This anchorage is known for the beach which is easily accessible with a dinghy.  We launched the dinghy and motored over to the beach. A short walk through the mangroves to a beautiful beach.  Unfortunately, it was extremely windy so we settled for a long walk. The clouds were already gathering and we began to see lightning strikes in the distance.  Before it was over we were in for another all-out storm, torrential rain, 3 ft. waves, and lightning strikes. We were definitely on high alert for about 2 hours while the storm passed. Monday - Vero Beach Marina After last night we decided to get a reservation at Vero Beach Marina. This marina is on the east side of the Indian River.  After a very long day of an east wind, we were tired and ready to stop rocking and rolling.  Tuesday - Satellite Beach Jill and Steve Mickey Our friends from our Colorado neighborhood, Homestead relocated to Satellite Bea

Sunday - Happy Easter! The day began with a lot of sunshine and a beautiful Easter Service at Downtown Harbor Church. DHC holds services at the Museum of Science and Nature in the IMAX theatre.  The pastor delivered a message packed with scripture all beautifully delivered with the central theme being that, the fact that our savior rose from the dead and that  changes everything! We took a leisurely walk back to the boat and then it started to rain and rain and rain.  Monday and Tuesday A visit to Sailorman and West Marine If you own a boat and are in the Ft. Lauderdale area don't miss Sailorman. https://www.sailorman.com/ Part consignment, partly used boat parts, and a lot of new products are all packed into a huge warehouse.  We scored some cleats, flags, and other odds and ends.  If you can't find it at Sailorman, the biggest West Marine we've ever been in is two blocks away. We scored a new Rocna 22 lb anchor, I'm calling it boat jewelry! Oh, and Happy Birthday to m

Sunday, April 2, 2023 ~ Palm Sunday Last night at Blackfin Marina Marathon FL It's bittersweet saying goodbye to the wonderful people and friends we've made here. It is a real community with lots of history for many that return year after year. On this last night, we celebrated Linda's birthday from boat named New Horizons. We enjoyed a fish boil hosted by the resort managers Ruthie and Chris. There were toasts and tears and tiny beers. Monday, April 3, 2023 Beautiful cruise to Tarpon Basin Key Largo Leaving Blackfin with our friends on their boat "Shoreline Traveler" and saying goodbye. We had an easy cruising day to a quiet anchorage in Key Largo. Renee and Pierre dropped their dinghy and motored over for a glass of wine and a bit of planning for tomorrow's cruise. Tuesday, April 4, 2023 Key Largo to Oleta State Park We were watching the weather closely as our plan is to cross Biscayne Bay today.  This body of water is exposed to the Atlantic without any bar

  Blackfin Marina, Marathon Florida A Month in Paradise aka The Keys There are so many things we love about this place it's difficult to know where to begin.  From the community of boaters that come here year after year, the amazing marina managers, Ruth and Chris, and of course the water and weather. We fell into an easy rhythm from the very first day.  Wake up late and decide if it's a pool day or a beach day!  Evenings we grill and enjoy sunset docktails with our neighbors. There are several fantastic restaurants and live music all within walking or biking. Some we enjoyed are Steak & Lobster, Dockside, Overseas Pub, and The Ale House, The Tiki House, and Barnacle Barneys to name a few. The bike paths run parallel to Overseas Highway both north and southbound. We carry foldable bicycles on the boat and they have come in really handy. Key West  We've also taken advantage of the Florida Keys Transit Bus to Key West. For only a dollar we took the hour and forty-minute r