We had made the decision to arrive at Heart Harbor a little earlier than we had originally planned as we kept hearing reports of nasty winds and we did not need or want that to interfere with our already exciting entrance.  So we have some time on our hands as we count the days to Christmas. I have cleaned and scrubbed the top deck and dinghy, polished all the stainless and waxed the top of the dinghy.  That was a fun day.  There is something rewarding when you can see your accomplishments and you are pleased with the results.  Greg has been working on our electrical needs for when we return home.  This summer we had a list of projects, some were completed but because of a small hiccup the one we put on hold were solar panels.  Well it turns out that is the one thing we wish we had of done.  Now we have to run the generator to charge the battery bank and sometimes that slight hum gets to be so much a part of the day that you can forget it is running. ...

We are heading to Heart Harbor….aka Tavernier.  We pulled the anchor up early and pictured in our minds the number of boats that must be prepping to go to Bimini in the Bahamas this morning as this is a usual jumping off point for a lot of folks.  We turn south and head a little further down the keys to our home away from home at Heart Harbor.  The water is gorgeous and as pretty as you will see actually in the Bahamas. We have a nice leisurely pace as we await high tide at 1:50pm.  Our water depth is close to 6 feet so we will need the high tide to make the entrance into Heart Harbor.  The captain is just a tiny bit nervous at the narrow entrance to the harbor and makes sure I have fenders deployed in case we have any issues.  But ….like a champ he maneuvers the tight entrance and turns like he has been doing this forever. With our last turn we know we are “home”.  Heart Harbor is just as we remembered it and there lies the bulk head with Ed and Mari-...

Waking to a blanket wrapped warm and cozy around you is one thing but to wake up early for what you know will be a long day on “the road” to a blanket of fog is no fun.  We watch as the moments flee away from us and try to decide if we hang here in West Palm and leave in the afternoon with an overnight to Key Largo or give it a few more moments.  I watch Marine Traffic and see that boats are leaving the harbor but they are much closer to the inlet (escaping from the marinas) than we.  Some calculating of mileage and sunset, tide and currents and we make the decision to make a run for No Name.   It took a while for the fog to clear but thankfully with the help of radar we could navigate when out on the open ocean.  After lunch we are headed for the mouth of the Miami Shipping Channel and low and behold there is only one ship and we happen to be on a course that will take us too close for comfort.  Thank goodness there is no fog now as this would have scared ...

 Well it was a pause about the paws to be exact.  This is the day the “boys” have been so worked up over.  They get to go on a nice dinghy ride north of our anchorage to North Palm Beach where they will meet up with their soon to be friends, Charlie and Pepper.  The Captain is navigating but I am sure these two are keeping him in check. With a noon arrival our friend, Bill Hipple, meets us at the dock and helps to escort the boys along the green grass to where his truck awaits to take us to his home.  Pepper and Charlie are Bichon/Shitz Shu pups.  Actually the oldest is Charlie who reminds us of Jaxon…..pretty laid back….nothing much disturbs him except maybe his younger sibling.  Yes…..then there is Pepper……aka the younger feistier one….yes the one Cooper would be most drawn towards.  Boy were they a hoot.  Poor Pepper had to defend her territory as Cooper thinks every moment of everyone’s day is ALL ABOUT HIM.  The boys loved the oppor...

The weather has been perfect but we have been under an overcast sky today.  The clouds would break just as Greg and I head into town in the dinghy to watch the Eagles game.  Oh ….. the boat needs a good washing and the fresh water rinse is perfect.  Greg and I walk into the sports bar soaking wet but quickly lose the jackets and warm up to the festive atmosphere of sports enthusiasts awaiting their team to appear on one of the 30 or better televisions lining the walls.  We have a plan to pace our libations and food so that we can sit for the next three hours and not feel guilty.  Actually as I write this I have to laugh because I purchased a large Pelligrino water is I think is a liter or 33.8 fluid ounces and by half time I ordered a second.  I wash trying to flush out any of the “fried” or salty foods I would be getting at the bar.  And boy was I swimming.  Anyhow….the Eagles won which was great.  John and Joanne joined us for the second ha...