July 14, 2008 Gloucester,MA home by this coming weekend

Greetings from the States!As you may have guessed, we crossed over to the US ( Fort Pierce) April 11th after a rolly evening anchored on the Banks near Mantanilla Shoals/ Great Sand Ridge. It was such a weird experience being anchored in the middle of the ocean, 50 miles from land. We were delighted by visits from playful spotted dolphins, and by sparkling phosphoresence in the water at our 3 am departure. It was less frightening crossing back to the US, as we could see the lights of Florida at night from across the sea. It would be hard to miss!

We crossed with Sucia to complete the circle of traveling together in the Bahamas, and remained together until parting to visit friends and relatives back where our travels together had started, at Vero Beach. How enriching it was to travel with great friends and have someone to share experiences with!

Fort Pierce was a cool place to walk around by the riverfront, listening to music. We were delighted by a farmers market Saturday morning with an amazing array of fresh vegetables and fruit that we had been craving, and had been so hard and expensive to obtain in the Bahamas. I was so excited to buy a head of lettuce for just over a dollar!! No more 4 dollar tomatoes either! We did miss our coconuts, though!

After a great visit with Andy's Dad, visiting Cool Fort Mantanzas, and seeing Jim and Judy Piggot in St Augustine, we had a wonderful time at Cumberland Island, Georgia, seeing wild horses ( and colts), armadillos, and gorgeous old trees draped in Spanish Moss. We met another " sailing family" on Terrapin, a home-made boat with red sails. Rheannon, is 14 and her brother,Nicholas is 11. We spent a great few days together and hope to meet up with them again.

We are now working our way slowly up the ICW and our several attempts to travel " outside" have been thwarted by either weather or other circumstances. In Charleston, after visiting again with the Solomans,our anchor caught on some material at the bottom, and we had to get a diver to break free. ( Thankfully, Boat US picked up the tab). By the time we were done, it was too late to go outside. Another incident just yesterday, our anchor chain wrapped around a huge log, and Andy had to chop it free with a machete! Never dull. ( We all still have fingers and toes, thankfully)Although the marshes and now the Cypress swamps are beautiful, the days are long and we often cannot get off the boat. It looks like now we will not get home until July. We met some wonderful folks at Dawtaw Marina and celebrated Rachel's birthday there. We had a little party and folks we had just met came and celebrated with us, bringing gifts and food. Her response to making a wish was " what should I wish for-- I already have everything I need".

One of my friends asked me if this trip was what I had expected and I had to answer " better" . I expected to see beautiful places, but could never have anticipated all the wonderful people, and all the kindnesses we would find along the way, from both old friends and new. That, truly, has been one of the highlights of our trip.

 It has also taught us all, especially the children, to appreciate the small things and conveniences in our lives in the US. We surely have come to appreciate fresh clean water to drink and in which to bathe. The kids have also come to develop a sense of accomplishment,and responsibility which is a true gift for us as parents. We are really fortunate to have taken this trip. Though there are many times where it is difficult, and being together in a small space 24/7 is certainly an art, we are truly grateful.. All for now as our time at the library is up. Hope all are well and enjoying spring back at home..  the Admiral