Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Hello Family, Good Bye Coconut Grove!

We never recognized how busy we were in Coconut Grove until we returned our rental car a week ago. Suddenly, there was time for walks in pretty parts of the city, time to read more, and time to anticipate our return trip home. One could say we officially became Grovites this winter and we have embraced all the greater Miami area has to offer. Just like our former life, we have behaved like foodies, sought out art and culture, and said yes to every opportunity presented.

It has been a very windy winter and we have only been able to sail Biscayne Bay in the last month. We made a mid-week trip to Boca Chita Key and enjoyed the serenity of the Key, evening bugs and all. But this leg of our adventure has come to an end. In the morning, (May 8) we leave our slip, taking our dock lines with us, saying good-bye to Miami and setting out through Miami Harbor Entrance via Fisherman's Channel to the Atlantic. Winds will switch from NW to SW, knocking down the northeast swell we've been watching for a week. That swell would have given us a really bumpy ride. By waiting, we will have light winds, 2-3 foot waves, and gorgeous dry weather for a week. Our first stop looks like Lake Worth in Palm Beach but we have no firm agenda except to clear the Florida-Georgia border by June 1.

The Chesapeake is calling and we miss our families, especially grandchildren, so it will be great to get back to Maryland. Our friends up north are launching for the season, our cruising friends are heading home, and Florida is heating up. It is time to say good bye to Florida and enjoy the journey home. Stay tuned, we have new adventures to share in the months ahead.