Still trapped -- but having fun

We're still trapped in Vero Beach. But we've solved the problem of Diane going to California and getting the boat out of Florida by June 1. Diane still goes to California Tuesday and Jim got an extension of a week on the Florida boat insurance. It won't cover us if we're hit by a named storm, but a named storm in Florida the first week of June would be a very unusual event, so we'll take our chances.

After considering all of the options, we decided to stay put in Vero Beach until I get back from California. Boaters call this place "Velcro Beach" because it is so easy to get stuck here. It is almost too convenient to get provisions, meet other boaters, find ways to amuse yourself. Although we will rent a car on Tuesday, because the Jacksonville airport is 223 miles from here, you could easily stay here for ten days, as Jim will do, without needing personal transportation.

While we were organizing the plan to stay put, we noticed a boat next door at the Vero Municipal Marina named Cahoots, with a home port of Oriental, North Carolina. The last time we went sailing (20 years ago) we met a couple from Oriental with a boat named Cahoots, Pat and Almira Dallas. Thinking "No, it couldn't possibly be them", we went over and found out that, indeed, it really was the same couple with a new boat. So we have enjoyed catching up with them and seeing their new boat. We're both going the in same direction, although they probably will leave while I'm in California (assuming the weather eventually gets better) so we won't be traveling together. But they have invited us to stop by and stay at their dock when we go through Oriental. Meeting them again is a great reminder of how small and close knit the boating community really is.

BTW, if you are interested, our first boating trip can be found at Mid Life Cruising Sabbatical.