Time to move out, actually behind schedule. Really behind schedule so the stormy weather is with us. But always hard to leave Mom and our friends…..This post is really 3 days of week ending 5/26/18 and week ending 6/2/18-our first complete week out.

Thursday, 5/24/18. Headed out….departed marina (ICW Mile Marker 1075), about 9:15. Seen off by our friends, the crews from Seahorse and Curacoa, our dear friend George. Will miss all these guys plus folks that have already left for the summer…Then , our friend Carol and world famous companion, Jersey the wonder dog. They all contribute to making our stay here delightful.

We traveled to Lake Worth (MM 1014) and anchored for the evening around 7PM. Lizzie looked a little green around the gills….her world had not rocked so much in over 5 months….she spent most of the day under the covers in our bed.

Friday, 5/25/18. anchor up by 7:15. We had a nice night last night. Great to feel the breeze down the forward hatch. This only (or mostly) happens at anchor because the boat is facing into the wind (exceptions: current stronger than wind or at a marina when not facing into the wind). Today, partly cloudy, few sprinkles. We outran most of the rain according to the radar on my weather app. Arrived in Vero Beach Suntex Marina (MM 949). Will sit for a couple of days to see what tropical storm Alberto has in mind. Supposed to be just rain for us. Lovely orange sunset….

Saturday, 5/26/18.Last night got attacked by no seeums… closed everything up and put on the air conditioner. That means closing the top half of our Dutch door to the head. Of course I forgot and walked into it-good lump on my forehead. Today, we walked to Davila (Good pizza and Italian) for lunch. Got a few provisions at Publix and walked back…in drizzle. Phone shows walk to be 2.1 miles, but felt shorter….Then the rain began-we timed this walk perfectly…..

Sunday, 5/27/18. Vero, rain, some wind, rumbles of thunder. On board all day. I made some throw pillows to add a fresh pop of color. At 7 PM, the sun came out-very dramatic against the dark clouds…. Larry went to the Captains’ Lounge to watch the Celtic’s 7th game playoff-they lost…

Monday, 5/28/18: Stayed for another day…..walked to Publix again and breakfast at a newly remodeled MacDonald’s, with automated ordering and a cafe feel…..food the same. Larry saved the life of a turtle on our walk. It was struggling to cross a street…he picked it up and walked to a pond. (see pics below)

Tuesday, 5/29/18: Let lines go around 8:15….beautiful morning-dolphins, a mom and baby. By 3:35, paralleling a storm-time to stop. Lightning in front of us. A sign to stop. Anchored off Cocoa by 4:05 (MM 898). Then, rain lightning, thunder…..most of the boats that passed us today were already anchored here….

Wednesday, 5/30/18: Anchor up at 7:40. Nice cool breeze. Mostly cloudy, few glimpses of sun. We crossed Haulover Cut, near Titusville. Not as much activity this season, fewer birds, fewer manatees….did see some manatees frolicking. Then thunder, lightning….rain…a storm. Now near New Smyrna. We dropped anchor for about 1/2 hour and by 3:30, we were on the move again. Then, lightning right in front of us…a sign. Time to anchor. Now in Daytona. Anchor down at MM 832. Life still goes on while cruising….ordered Mom’s groceries online,followed up on her blood work, and conferenced in to the condo board meeting. Hint: avoid condo boards-once on-tough to get off.

Thursday, 5/31/18: Beautiful morning, best we have had since we left Hollywood. Anchor up and moving by 8:00. Bridge under construction in Daytona-arches being built-interesting angle (see pics below). Arrived at Marineland Marina at 2:00 (MM 797). Hot, little rain-I had time to paint then made a stir-fry for dinner. Afterwards, we took a walk to River To Sea Preserve. It’s a great beach with coquina rock formations. (pic below).

Friday, 6/01/18: Got up to manatees “ frolicking “ in the marina basin. I do love my morning coffee in the back porch on Panda Bear. Departed by 8:30…Went by St. Augustine-a favorite, but no time to stop. Rain and thunderstorms by 3:25. Nasty, ended up tying up to a dock at Sister’s Creek (Jacksonville area) (MM 739). Lightning came way too close today-we could barely see in the rain. At least we had a lull in the rain to tie up. South of us, hail and 60 MPH winds-thank goodness we made it by there earlier…. By 7:30, sun showers and distant thunder. Yep, Larry was right, we left Hollywood too late this year….

Saturday, 6/02/18: Left Sister’s Creek by 8:55. Clear morning, marsh had that spring green hue. Anchor down at 1:20, at Cumberland Island,GA. (MM 711). We needed to be out of Florida by June 1 st…. Then the severe weather kicked in again. Nasty storm, alerts going off constantly on my phone. 2 lightning strikes, one 0.00 north of us then one 0.00 south…(or vise versa)…. too darn close. This lightning thing is really getting to me!!!! By 7:30-all gone. So ends the first official entry for the 2018 northbound trip…..