Back in the USA

On the back of our fold-down dining table is a map of the East Coast and Amelia has been using a china marker to update it with our course traveled each passage. This has been a great geography lesson for her and a way for her to participate in our navigation.

We’re now back in Florida and once again are at a mooring in Vero Beach ("Velcro Beach"). Our little marina is very relaxing with easy access to the beach and town. Several boats in the marina stopped on their way south last fall and still haven’t left. Vero Beach does not even show up in the guide books, which is surprising considering it is a pretty large town (population 18,000). Perhaps that is how it maintains its laid back vibe. The town is most famous as the summer home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and also boasts a great art museum and wonderful beaches and later this spring will be a prime location for egg-laying sea turtles.

We had a great time in the Bahamas but needed to cut our visit short since health issues with my parents required me to be accessible by phone and email (no guarantee of either in most parts of the Bahamas) and within reasonable range of an airport. So, another overnight sail from Grand Bahama Island brought us back to Florida, and then I left for a short trip to Canada. Dave and Amelia had a nice time during my absence making many new friends and exploring the area.

Amelia has developed an interest in star gazing and as I write this I can spot her little legs dangling from a hatch as she sits on deck and tries to puzzle out the constellations. She says that she found The Archer (Orion) and it points east. I wonder if she can identify the North Star, since before long we will need to start sailing in that direction, starting a slow return home.