Northward, HO! ! ! ! !!

SHIP'S LOG:

We ll, I have started the trip northward. Made it all the way to Ft. Lauderdale, a good start of 21 miles with only 11 bridges to deal with. An easy day all told and an enjoyable one as well. I had to do a"pump & dump" so I pulled into Pelican Harbor Marina in North Miami to take care of all. It is a pretty small marina and sort of dumpy but it was on the way and I had used it on the way down so i knew where it was and how to get into it. I would have let it slide as the water around it was very shallow but the track I made in and out the first time was still in the GPS so it really presented no problems.

Truth be told, I was glad to leave Miami. I didn't much care for the attitude which everyone seemed to be sporting ( their personal feces were not oderific) and their boat handling "skills" left a lot to be desired (texting while driving a boat bin the rather slim channel of the ICW can cause one a lot of agnst!) But as I said it was a beautiful day and it was actually good to be "headed home."

Best boat names of the day were "It's Only Money" - but for that boat it was a lot of money!; "O'Fishal Business"; and "Tide The Knot".

Ft. Lauderdale chose this weekend to celebrate both Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day with a Parade and lots of partying. Getting around with Olga & Bob was a bit hectic but we had dinner and I hit the market again. My Meds and the new OAR had arrived so the worries I had on both scores were at an end. My major concern now is how to get ABISHAG out of the slip she is currently in as she backs not well at all. But I am sure that we will work it out.

I also loose an hour of time tonight and I am facing a long haul to Lake worth and a lot of bridges to deal with, 18 to be exact and it will be a long day. Depending on when I roust myself out of the sack tomorrow, I may only take a short drive up the road to the famous Lettuce Lake and anchor early and leave the real push for Monday. This will be the worst stretch for bridges and once it is behind me everything is golden.

It is a very strange feeling going back over the same "ground" since I know what is coming. I have promised myself that I will take more pictures on the way back than I did on the way down. So me of the sights are most remarkable especially the houses. There are some that you would just not believe. . . . . and lots of them are for sale if you are in the market.

After I touch base with the people in Ft. Pierce, Melbourne and St. Augustine, delays will be weather induced only. I can't risk getting chill or being cold. I have become too delicate after all these hot days down here. It is so hard this cruising life!