Our last few days in Paradise

Look at the size of this boat!  Now they've got room!

The gang at Bernie's Tiki Bar 'n Grill

Red Beard's - a great local hangout in Port Lucaya

Uh, I think the tide went out!

Another neat lighthouse

Chillin' at the beach on a Saturday afternoon!

Just entering the USA - West Palm
This is just about where we saw marlin jumping right in front of us!

Happy Birthday, Mikey!

Key Lime Cafe - Stuart
Great fish tacos!

I'm a little late in my posts – oops!

This is from our last few days stay at Ocean Reef in Port Lucaya. We left the Bahamas on June 30 heading to West Palm FL. However there were several things that I wanted to mention that had happened since my last post.

We rode our bikes to the marketplace one last time. Of course, this time we got caught in the rain! It showered on us on the way there but not bad. BUT coming home we got drenched! We looked like a couple of drowned rats when we pulled in to the parking lot! We had a good time shopping and having Bahama Mamas while there though. The Marketplace is full of shops and restaurants next to a marina where there are lots of charter fishing boats. There is always music and lots of things going on there.

We saw our first octopus! It was swimming around the rock wall near the back of our boat. Now that's cool! Sorry, I didn't get a picture. He moved too fast! Oh, and Mike caught a huge barracuda – close to 5 feet long! Had to get it off his line before the sharks got it. I think he was a little excited at the time! After all, the dinghy is only 10 feet long! This fish was longer than our dinghy is wide.

Several of us took a dinghy ride over to Bernie's Tiki Bar for dinner one night. Now when I say tiki bar – I mean just that. These guys have some picnic tables, umbrellas and a huge grill on the beach. They cook up fresh fish and lobster on the grill and make up a mean Bahama Mama! We had fresh lobster with grilled veggies for dinner. Wow!! Bernie is such a cutie and so much fun to talk to.

After we had pretty much readied out boat for the home voyage – we rode our bikes to Coral Beach for one last Bahamian meal. It's sad to think about leaving but it will be good to get back to the USA.
We've met a lot of good people here and made some good friends. There are four boats including us that will leave together. However, the other three are sailboats so we won't be traveling with them for long. We made the rounds and said all our goodbyes. We know that if there is any way possible we can come back here we will. Hope it's in the cards.

Saturday, June 30 at about 7:30 a.m. we were on our way. It turned out to be a great day for cruising. It was a long day but with no problems. That's the way we like it! We made it to the USA at about 5:00 p.m. We went into Lake Worth around Peanut Island. It was a busy Saturday. Lots of boats and people enjoying the beaches. It probably had something to do with the upcoming July 4 holiday! We went on north until we found a nice great anchorage – free! We spent the night and enjoyed the fact that we had made it back to USA safe and sound. It was a long day!

Sunday found us already missing island life. We were up early but couldn't decide what to do so we headed up the ICW toward Stuart about 10:00 a.m. For the first 10 miles or so up the ICW, we had to travel slowly – no wake zone because of all the magnificent homes along the way. Beautiful homes with manicured lawns and huge boats sitting in the back. Lots of money here. Lots of them were gated waterways. Must be some important people around here – movie stars, etc – didn't see any of them though. In fact, didn't see anyone enjoying these homes. They seemed to be "not at home". Too bad. It was also slow due to the no wake manatee zones. We passed the Jupiter Inlet – wow was it busy! It really shoals there so most don't go in or out here – just those with local knowledge. However, there were boats buzzing by us everywhere.

When we reached the St Lucie Inlet, it was the same way. Not very busy along the ICW but busy at the inlets. About 3:00 p.m. we finally reached the marina here at Stuart. We found our spot and relaxed. Still having a hard time believing we are no longer in the Bahamas. What am I saying! We're having a hard time even believing we were in the Bahamas! This trip is a dream way beyond expectations.

We spent the next few days checking out the town of Stuart.  The marina is near the downtown area or what is called "old Stuart".  It has lots of shops and restaurants and is just a short walk or bike ride away.  Even the Publix is close!  We found a couple of really neat hangouts.

For Mike's birthday we went to dinner at Key Lime Cafe.  It's sounds a little foofoo but it's not.  It was a really neat place with great tacos.  It has an outside bar and great music.  We will definitely come back here when we get back from Joplin. 

There was a celebration and fireworks for the Fourth of July at the park.  We walked over to the park and checked out the vendors.  Not a whole lot of vendors like we expected but it was fun.  The band was great - they were older and played "car show" songs.  Great dance music and we did our share!
We walked back to the boat to watch the fireworks.  It was great!  Right in the comfort of our own sundeck!

What a trip!  Last July 4 we were in Sylvan Beach NY with our buddies Jim and Dale (Sweet Pea).  Since then we've traveled all the way down to the Keys, over to the Bahamas, and are still going strong! 

We will be going home for a visit after the Fourth of July. Can't wait to see everyone!

Till next time!

Admiral "C"