The Bahama Bank to Stuart and home

Sunrise and Rhumbline

We pulled up the anchor at 6:15 and spent the next nine and a half hours motoring toward Stuart, FL and reached the Sunset Bay Marina at a reasonable hour. We keep a grass mat on the boat for long hauls for Cappy and he really prefers not to use it for its intended purpose. However, he finally couldn't wait and made us proud mid morning while crossing the gulf stream. He got LOTS of treats! We dog parents ALL celebrated when one by one, they gave in and "went" on their mats.  It was a perfect day for crossing as the sea was calm and beautiful.  In years past on the sailboat we would then only have to continue on up to St. Augustine, which was home. But now that we live in SW Florida we have to either cross the state via Lake Okeechobee or around the Keys. This would be the first time for us across the state. The sailboat didn't have this choice due to the tall mast and the deep draft. 

Crazy activity in the St. Lucie inlet

Fabulous Italian dinner

Sharon and me, chilling with the dogs

Another nine hour day through the St. Lucie River and canal to the town bulkhead in Moore Haven on the southwest shoreline of Lake Okeechobee. What a surprise to find that all the other boats there  were from Punta Gorda. One couple, good friends John and Ann Taylor had let us know they were there and we had planned to catch up with them for happy hour that night. We passed through three locks on the way to Moore Haven and two more on the Caloosahatchee River to Fort Myers. The lock system takes you up about 12 feet to Lake Okeechobee, then drops you back down and spits you out into the Caloosahatchee. We spent two nights at the St. Charles Yacht Club relaxing in the pool, strolling the beautiful neighborhood and meeting new friends. We'll definitely revisit there. 

We miss the clear water in the Bahamas!

The next day, June 1st, we were home in five hours. Cappy knew he was back in our canals! Back on terra firma with EXILE back behind the house and ready for a long summer's nap. We'll prep the boat for hurricane season and keep our fingers crossed.

Parting ways with Rhumbline

Cappy is happy!