Looks like tomorrow morning we will say “bye-bye” to Stuart Florida and Sunset Bay Marina. After a successful open-heart surgery, a new aortic valve, six weeks of R and R, lots of drugs, a diet of “twigs and sprouts” and no docktails, the doctors say Michael is “good to go”!  His last IV was taken this morning and awesome nurse Suzanne came by to take out the annoying, but much needed, PICC line. Free to go at last. Wahoo!!!

What was supposed to be a short two day stop turned into our home for the past two months. It’s a wonderful town and we feel very fortunate to have stopped here. The Cleveland medical facility, medical professionals and care given have been absolutely fabulous. The staff at Sunset Bay Marina has also been great. Everyone here has gone out of their way to help us.

We also want to send a huge Thank You to all of you who emailed, texted and called to offer your support, prayers and positive thoughts. It was a scary time and we can’t begin to express how much we appreciated all of you. Thank you – Thank you – Thank you – and big Hugs!

So, now it’s time to start moving again. Tomorrow, Wednesday (6/12), we plan to start our engine, unhook our lines, stick our nose out into the St. Lucie River and head north. We aren’t in a big hurry, but we are aware that hurricane season is upon us and we will need to keep moving so that we will be north of St. Mary’s Georgia by July 1^st. We like travel days that are about 50 miles per day, or less, or about six hours for us. So, our “loosey-goosey” plan is to stop in Fort. Pierce tomorrow then on to Melbourne – Titusville – New Smyrna – Palm Coast – St. Augustine – Jacksonville and Amelia Island (the last Florida stop). That’s eight stops or eight days. We will probably spend a couple of days in a few of those places so that should get us out of Florida in plenty of time – barring any unforeseen weather, mechanical or health issues.

Sunday was a day for Old friends and New friends……

A blast from the past – a dear “old” friend, Jim, who we have known for over 40 years but literally haven’t seen in 32 years, stopped by the boat. He and his family now live in Boca Raton. He was attending his 50^th high school reunion in Daytona and made a quick detour to come by to see us. We had lunch and great conversation – it felt like no time at all had passed. It was awesome. We did make a promise not to let another 32 years pass by before getting together again.

Then in the evening we had docktails with some “new” friends. In anticipation of our leaving on Wednesday we had a little get-together aboard Scout.  Linda and Harry (Sophie) from Iowa, Danielle and James (Les Volgure) from Canada, and Cathy and Mike (Wanderlust) from New Orleans stopped by for a little celebration. We had a great time sharing drinks, snacks, stories and plans. Will miss them and hope to see them again sometime soon. But for now Bye Bye Stuart, Florida and Sunset Bay Marina……