Day 37, December 14, 2009

Another glorious morning greeted us. More sunshine and warm temps are expected today. We take the time to have a full breakfast so we can ride the incoming tide on the run to the St. Lucie Inlet. Hey, how else are you going to get rid of that can of Spam we opened last night. And what a breakfast it was, fired potato cakes, fried eggs and fried Spam. My cardiologist will love me for that.

Underway at 0845, we ride the incoming current southward toward Jensen Beach. It was a really pleasant day. Being a Monday, there was a lot less local traffic than yesterday. The other nice thing was the distance to travel today was short.

We arrived at the St Lucie Crossroads and turned up the river. Now we were fighting the outgoing current and our speed dropped. It took us another hour and a half to make it to the last opening bridge of this journey. The bridge tender was prompt with the opening and we never even slowed down as we passed through.

Just on the other side of the bridge was our destination, Sunset Bay Marina and Anchorage. We called the marina on the radio, spoke with our old friend Buzz Billue and requested a mooring at the south end where we stayed in 2007/08. We were assigned mooring #66 and proceeded to tie on to the ball. Buddy came on deck as soon as the engine was shut down. He seemed to recognize the place and proceeded to make himself at home on top of the bimini.

We lowered the dinghy, attached the motor and headed in to register and take showers. On the way in our friend Maggie called and informed us we were dining with her and Walter that evening and she would pick us up at 1715. Wow, we haven’t even set foot on shore and activities are starting.

We had a lovely evening with Maggie, Walter and Mickey (their new dog). Wine, dinner and good friends, you can’t beat that.

Back at the boat, we both crashed and went to bed. It was a nice peaceful sleep knowing that we have arrived and tomorrow will be our first full day here in Stuart.

Location: Sunset Bay Marina, Stuart, FL MM 995
Started: 0845 Stopped: 1350
Distance Traveled: 31.3 mi, Avg Spd: 5.7 Max Spd: 8.1
Odometer Reading: 1038.3 (Total distance traveled Portsmouth, VA to Stuart, FL)