Ah, the Florida we've been looking for!

Hello winter-weary friends,

We are happy to say that we left Pahokee on Friday, after 4 days and nights of tossing and rolling. (We did get to attend the Ash Wednesday service at the Pahokee UMC... )The lake had calmed down, and the Okeechobee waters were great for the 12 miles before we entered the canal again at Port Mayaca, where we had much less wind and ---WONDERFUL news---warmer temps. We spent Friday night in Indiantown, and then on Saturday came to Stuart, at the Sunset Bay Marina and Anchorage, which is only 8 miles from where we pick up the ATLANTIC Intracoastal Waterway! Can you believe it? Tennessee to the Atlantic!! A great milestone of the trip.
Pahokee was a real frustration for us. (see pict of jack and the cats; also the picts of the ruined bumpers. We ruined nearly all our bumpers and wore through several of our ropes.)In other picts,, you'll see some of the 'dolphins' or pilings as we entered the the St. Lucie Lock which took us down 13'. Surprisingly we have not seen any alligators, although there are signs warning us everywhere. Neither have we seen manatees, although again there are many signs. The cold has kept the temps too low for them, and they are sticking close to warm water supplies. What we do continue to see are dolphins(real ones) , and saw two diving around the boats just this morning. (wish we could have gotten picts of them.) We've been surprised to have seen so little wildlife.
Here at the Sunset Bay marina and anchorage, we've experienced mooring balls for the first time. You choose one, attach your boat, and then check in and give the office the number of the ball. The advantages to the mooring ball are that we don't have to worry about getting a firm anchor-hold, we can sleep with confidence, and we have access to the marina's dinghy dock, showers, ship's store, and gatherings. Last night we joined the group of boaters for potluck supper. (Tues, Thurs, Sats) and met many others. They fall into two categories: cruisers and Loopers. Loopers like us are actually doing the Loop with the intention to complete it, although some folks do only a portion of it a year, unlike us who are doing it continuously. Cruisers come here in their boats and spend the cold weather here either actually at a marina or a mooring ball. Several we met intend to be here 3-4 months, and are enthusiastic about Stuart. We're meeting people from everywhere, especially many Canadians. Everyone has great stories to tell, and favorite locations as well as 'war stories.'
You'll see picts of the marina, the dinghys, and the area.
This morning we worshipped at Trinity UMC in Jensen Beach. Good organ music, singing, and even handbells!! Plus a good message. What a blessing. And although we had to take a taxi to get there, a couple brought us back to the marina. A blessing there too.
Realizing that all plans are soft, we think we'll stay here several days, then make that momentous left turn northward on the ICW, hoping this new week of warmer weather becomes a fixed pattern and goes with us up the coast.
AS you look at the moon over you at night, know that it's shining on us here too.
May you have warm blessings and calm breezes.
nan and jack