Month: March 2026

Saturday, we got together with Carey’s cousin Pam for lunch at a local Irish Pub. I’m beginning to love those Irish Pubs! After lunch we toured an Art Festival being held in Cocoa Fl and also stopped by Pam’s daughter’s workplace for a visit. She is a Tattoo artist and a true artist she is. Beautiful work. We enjoyed the day and then back to the boat. Sunday was up and greeting new friends on the dock. Talking to boaters from different places and walks of life is an amazing thing we really enjoy. Today it was a couple from Richmond. He is a retired Navy Captain who flew helicopters and commanded the squadron that supplied the Helos for the ship I commanded. Small world. Monday, the 9th, was get moving day and we headed out for our 55-mile trip to New Smyrna Beach. This will be only the second stop in this place. We loved the first visit and are really looking forward to the second. Once stopped we made our way to the local restaurant for dinner, then back to the boat and bed. Tuesday had that long faraway look — we had committed to an 80-mile day to anchor at Pine Island. Daylight savings time gave us daylight until 7:30 PM so off we went. A really long day but we worked together to stay focused, awake, and on track. Safely moored by 7 PM, Carey fixed a grand meal, and we caught up on the local “almost war news.” More traveling tomorrow ….

Up on Thursday the 5th, we continued north on the ICW, covering 55 miles to Eau Gallie—home of one of our favorite stops, the Eau Gallie Yacht Basin. On our last visit we discovered the Cottage Irish Pub, a cozy spot where local Irish musicians gather to sing and play the old songs. We returned as soon as we tied up, and with Peggy alongside we had another wonderful evening of music, laughter, and that unmistakable Irish charm.

Friday was an easy morning. With only 18 miles to travel to Cocoa Village Marina, we took our time with chores, coffee, and catching up on the news. After nearly three weeks together, it was bittersweet to see Peggy head off. Her son Kyle drove over from Orlando to pick her up for a weekend with the grandchildren, and from there she’ll make her way back home—hopefully to a warm Colonial Beach.

We’ll be here a few more days visiting Carey’s cousins who live nearby. Below are a few photos from our night at the Cottage Irish Pub, where the musicians sat in a circle and played their hearts out. A truly great evening.

Crossing Back to the States

On Wednesday the 25th, we left Green Turtle and made the run to Great Sale Cay and anchored in a quiet, isolated spot off the Grand Bahama Island shoreline. Enjoyed a peaceful dinner aboard—just us, calm water, and a wide‑open sky. Next morning we continued on to West End and Old Bahama Bay, our final stop before crossing back to the States and a past retreat for John Travolta and family. We stayed two nights, soaking up those last warm, tropical winter days, and final rounds of Bahamian goombay smashes.

A Tough Start, a Tougher Crossing

At 0700 on Saturday the 28th, we attempted to begin our crossing, but the seas were stacked 3–4 feet, with a 3 second interval and ugly. After a short attempt we turned around and returned to our slip at Old Bahama Bay. By noon the weather had settled just enough to make another try. It still wasn’t the most pleasant, but it was doable, so we pushed on.

The six‑hour run to Lake Worth was a full experience. Weather predictions were for 2 foot or less. Instead the sea rose to steady 3–4 foot seas, plenty of rolling, a nasty thunderstorm near the Florida coast that dropped visibility to zero at times, and a surprise visit from the U.S. Coast Guard. They boarded us for a safety inspection, which we passed without issue. As they departed they rode alongside to give us a photo op … waving as they swept by.

Back in Florida

Once safely anchored in Lake Worth, we treated ourselves to a good meal and a few toasts before calling it a night. Next morning brought more rain and thunder as we got underway for Fort Pierce, where we planned to stay four days. We arrived in the early afternoon just in time for a phone call from dear Diane McKee. “Come join me at the inlet” she said. And we did … for fun and music and some old-fashioned bar hopping! As always, great fun with Diane.

Friends, Family, and a Few Chores

Fort Pierce gave us the chance to reconnect with familiar faces. We visited with Bonnie Scanlin, Ronnie Farmer and Diane McKee, and my cousin Jan. We didn’t have enough time to see Randy and Barbara Semper or Sam and JoAnn Hess, all from Aquia Harbour, and Steve and Kim Donnock, transplanted from Lake Barcroft in Falls Church, but we’ll make up for that when we return in the fall and spend more time in that area.

Between visits, we tackled the usual chores to keep BenjOllie ready for the trip home. As we turned in Wednesday night, we both agreed: next time, we’ll plan for a longer stay in Fort Pierce. A few pictures of people we visited are below.