New Year's Eve in Stuart, FL

A very happy new years to everyone. May it be safe, fun, healthy and prosperous for you and your families.

Well, we jinxed it. The weather turned and we are back in jeans and sweatshirts. Was down to 43 last night and will be colder tonight. Still beats snow and ice, though. So, we won't whine too much.

We celebrated the new year here at the marina. The on-site restaurant and bar, Wahoo's, had a special menu, a band and hats and horns for everyone. We started out about 7:30 PM on September Song for happy hour. Bob and Stephanie invited 5 couples over to get started early with drinks and appetizers which everyone shared. We could have skipped the restaurant because the apps were delicious and plentiful.

New Year's Eve happy hour aboard September Song

Then, we partied at the restaurant. I know you can't see any food,

but really, we did have dinner.

And then.... we partied at the bar

And then. And then......we all kissed and hugged when the ball dropped in Times Square.

Yesterday morning the marina offered a free "customer appreciation" buffet. We ate again after a long 11 hour nap. And then. And then. And then, we detoxed the rest of the day from our food hangovers.

Today, we were back on the treadmill and getting a good start on our resolutions to only party hardy if we exercise.

Christmas in Key Biscayne

This is the second of two new postings since departing Cocoa, FL. Be sure to check out both.

Now, the title of this second post might not mean much to most. But to us it means 80 Degrees, mostly sunny and a slight breeze swaying the palm trees on the very white sandy beaches.

We rented a car and drove down to Key Biscayne to celebrate Christmas with Norm's sister, Joyce. What a blast! We had a great visit which included great "catching up", lots of food and wine and of course wonderful weather. On Christmas Eve, Joyce treated us and her good friends Pal and Mary to a fantastic steak dinner at Morton's. It was Mary's birthday too. Then on Friday Pal treated us to pizza at Archie's--one of our favorites. It was Indian on Saturday and breakfast at the golf club on Sunday. Needless to say we all had a "food hangover". In between the pig-outs, we chatted, laughed and played canasta. Vicki was the overall winner; but, it was nip and tuck all the way. So, a roust, it was not. You know, by the "hair on her chinny, chin, chin"! Oops, I mean no hair. No, there is no hair there.

Joyce had the apartment decorated for Christmas, including the "money tree". It kept growing with dollar bills that will, we're sure, find their way to the church offering. Or, to replenish the wine cellar! Same thing?


We are now on a diet--again!


Joyce lives in a great condo. It is situated right between the ocean and a county park. The grounds are lush, the pool is a comfortable temperature, and the sandy beach is like a fine powder.

View of the grounds.

View of the Ocean.

Iguana's live on the property. Can you find "Waldo" in this tree?

Our Home for a month!

Our most recent route and our new location: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?t=h&ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=102224145462847302635.00047b6b6f0f299ac7cae&ll=27.754038,-80.46936&spn=1.42672,3.337097&z=9

Tide Hiker is now docked at the Harborage Yacht Club and Marina in Stuart Florida. This will be our home for the next month while we visit Norm's sister, Joyce, for Christmas and attend the Stuart Boat Show here in mid-January. After that, we'll join up with September Song, Sea Pearl and Aurora for a cruise over to Florida's West coast via the Okeechobee waterway. More on that later.


We left Cocoa in overcast skies and 46 degrees F. The sun came out later, though, and the flying bridge was toasty. We were going to Vero Beach's mooring field when we heard that the field was full and rafting would be required. That's when more than one boat ties up to one mooring ball--not our cup of tea. And, the marina was full too. We decided that Vero Beach is not a boater-friendly place and just moved on to spend our money in the very boater-friendly Ft Pierce. That made for a long cruise day of 69 miles. But it was worth it. When we arrived we found a free Jazz and Blues concert had begun right on the marina property. So, we naturally migrated to the concert and enjoyed a couple of beers to the sounds of Iko Iko. A first for us, but a very good band that usually plays at the Green Parrot in Key West. We liked them a lot.















The next day we finished the remaining 26 miles to Stuart. We caught up with Bob and Stephanie aboard September Song and Joe Nicola aboard Sea Pearl. Bob and Stephanie welcomed us with a dinner of Bob's Famous Lasagna. You see, Bob heard that Vicki was in the search for the best Lasagna; and, Bob wanted to compete. Vicki brought some apps and desert and Joe brought the wine. Needless to say, a good time was had by all. Most importantly, Vicki says that Bob's La saga was the best she ever tasted. Bob wins the competition. His recipe is a secret. It was a blast even though this picture looks like we just woke up.