Day 101

And we are off… where did the time go?
 After a full week in Vero Beach — or as cruisers lovingly call it, Velcro Beach — we’re finally headed toward Cocoa Beach.

Vero Beach Marina truly lives up to its reputation. The staff is welcoming, friendly, and always ready to help. It didn’t hurt that we arrived to find familiar faces too: Tom and Mary, who we met in the Bahamas, and Scott and Jessica from Blackbeard Sailing Club. Yeah!!!

Friday, March 27 — Sleep, and Recovery

After our all‑nighter crossing, we finally hit the pillow at around 2pm. We just zombied around until nighttime when we could rest again.

Saturday, March 28 — Wheels!

Feeling human again, we started planning our week. Priority one: a rental car.
 A bus ride, an hour‑long wait despite having a reservation, and finally… freedom.

Driving felt amazing — boats are wonderful, but cars get you places so much faster. I dropped Steve at the marina and spent the entire day happily bouncing from store to store. I love shopping solo; it keeps everyone else sane.

Sunday, March 29 — Beach Day & Boat Fails

Beach time with Tom and Mary! The first thing we noticed: the beach here is nothing like the Bahamas. The water isn’t as clear, and there’s more debris washed ashore. Still beautiful, just different.

That evening, Scott and Jessica scooped us up by dinghy for dinner. Lots of laughs, lots of stories — including one about me being in charge of filling the boat’s water tank… only to discover later the gauge was still basically empty. So many valves… I’m still replaying that one.

Monday, March 30 — Sanibel Island

Off to Sanibel Island for a “shopping” day… but not my usual kind. More on that another time.

Tuesday, March 31 — Mom Turns 91and Off the Ft. Laughterdale not Lauderdale

Off to Ft Laughterdale for more of that different kind of “shopping”.

Happy birthday, Mom! She turned 91 and is going strong. 

I had the best chat with her and my sister — so much laughter!! Reliving a few memories that were much funnier for my sister and I.  Honestly, it’s a miracle she survived raising us. (Mostly me, if we’re being truthful.)

.Wednesday, April 1 —April Fools & Launch Day





We drove to Cocoa Beach to watch the Artemis II launch. We were streaming it online when I suddenly yelled, “Steve, look!” Sure enough — there it was.

And of course, April Fools antics.
 I got Steve good first thing in the morning by telling him a water bug crawled up his shorts. He jumped a mile. I laughed so hard my sides hurt. I am still laughing as I write this because if you know Steve ( pretty even tempered even in a crisis situation) ⛵0so to see his move so quickly … I will burst out laughing every time I think of it. 

But payback always comes.
 Around 8 p.m., he yelled that a water bug was on my leg. I screamed, my heart stopped, and I remembered — too late — what day it was. I hate those bugs.

Thursday, April 2 — Fort Pierce “Shopping”- That different kind of shopping again.

Friday, April 3 — Kennedy Space Center



Apollo 11 Capsule

A

First space Suit

A highlight for Steve — and honestly, for me too. The complexity, the history, the sheer scale of it all. With Steve’s pilot license and lifelong love of flying, he was in heaven.

Saturday- the ICW is buzzing today. Another entry into the books ⛵

Comments

  1. Scott and JessicaApril 8, 2026 at 9:02 AM

    So glad you guys were able to go to Kennedy Space Center. I love the pictures. Can’t wait to hear more about your other kind of shopping 😊

    ReplyDelete

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