The Day in Vero Beach

We got to sleep in today and it was quite nice!  Know what else is nice?!  Waking up to sunshine and warm weather!!  I had my suit on as soon as I could...hint hint, beach, hint hint.  We enjoyed the leisurely morning then the fellas loaded up the bikes and me and to the marina dock we went.  Here was the plan for the day:  Me = Go to the beach...have dinner with Sheila and Mark.  I didn't really care what else happened.

I wish I could explain this but it's related to a very childish joke amongst the crew

The guys rode bikes down to the Oceanside area and I decided to walk.  I found a spot right by the access stairs, set out the good old Celerity blanket (that thing is perfect), put on the ear buds and lounged lounged lounged.  Mark and Jon did exploring on the bikes then found a perfect table right by the beach at Mulligans--margaritas ensued (had very good conch fritters).  They just happened to get the table right across from where the young slim blond European gal was sunbathing and frolicking topless on the beach.  According to Jon, he did not see anything.  hmmmmm.....I find that suspect.  I said at least she had the decency to be a hot chick.  I was busy lounging and watching Mr. Hotshot skim boarder wipe out in the surf for every second wave he caught.

Thanks Celerity!

Had to do the obligatory toes and surf shot

$10 margaritas but $5 daiquiris on Wednesdays

View from the table at Mulligans.  Ms. Topless was just down on the beach to the right. Pity Jon "didn't see" anything.

Couple of studs

He's got the right idea

Always time for Gadino, especially in Vero Beach

I met them up for drinks and some lunch then back to the boat to clean up for dinner with Sheila and Mark.  And that was truly the highlight of the day.  Sheila made us lasagna and let me literally take over her washer and dryer for hours.  Meanwhile, Mark let our Mark and Jon soak up tons and tons of information about crossing to the Bahamas, areas in the Bahamas, fishing, what to catch and not, and so much more!  He was amazingly generous with his time and knowledge.  Sheila also put together an excellent Exumas information summary for us with her inside knowledge.  OMG, it was an awesome night and we had a great time with them! We are so very grateful for all the information they shared without hesitation and their kindness in making us so welcome and for spoiling us with a home cooked meal!  Honestly, I am overwhelmed and just so very humbled by and grateful for them.

We left out of Vero this morning around 0730 bound for St. Lucie where we hoped to connect with Jon's friends Shawn and Renee.  And who do you think we ran into on the ICW?! Mark!  That was wacky and a fun fun surprise.  Super cool good guy!  If you are ever in the Vero/Ft. Pierce area and want an experienced and groovy captain, I'd absolutely go with Captain Mark Yanno!!

Hey!  Look who snuck up on us!

Off to catch some fish!

That tiki has seen better days

Something really big that happened today was that Jon noticed that the boom lift shackle (that holds up the boom--so major important) had the pin coming out of it, like a lot.  Wow, I don't want to think about what would have happened if he did not notice that plus of course he fixed it right away and now we are all good.  Thank you eagle eye Jon!

Jon to the rescue again...this was in addition installing new cheek blocks (like a pulley type guide for the head sail sheet).

We got to north of St. Lucie in Jensen Beach where we anchored in a good spot just on the south side of the Jensen Beach bridge.  Timing was perfect because Shawn and Renee had arrived at the boat ramp/park by the anchorage.  Jon got to spend time with them and their cutie little dogs, Maggie and Dude (who they had just rescued the day before).  Isn't that the coolest coincidence that Jon's pal just happened to be in the area when we were staging perfectly in the same area?!  I love when lives touch like that in the most unexpected ways?!

So awesome to connect with old friends!

Shawn and Jon...well they look innocent enough!

We'll have an easier day tomorrow down to Lake Worth Inlet where we will stage to go out for a long day on the Atlantic.  Whoa!!  I cannot believe that on Saturday we will be in Dania!!  Two+ weeks ahead of schedule and we have not been rushing at all.  Dania is a bit south of Ft. Lauderdale and we will be there for a while having some boat work done.  Plus, it's South Florida for goodness sakes so it will be kick ass and I already plotted my path to the beach!  Jon and Mark are paying a visit to Island Khaya to help take a look at some things Riaan would like to address and for cocktails of course.  I am being a good girl tonight and making sure you get your blog fix in.  In 30 minutes I'll take a sunset shot since you are probably going through withdraw on those by now. LOL!! XO Suzanne

Stray Cat basking in the afternoon sun with Island Khaya

And here is your sunset fix ;-)

PS, You will probably notice that the sunnier and warmer it is, the shorter and farther apart these posts will be but I hope to disgust you with tropical photos and comments about how it was 78 degrees today and is going to be the same tomorrow.  Ah, yes, life is good!