Hoping to Cross to Bimini Islands, Bahamas, 5 a.m. Tuesday

Hi, all! Sorry I haven't blogged. We've had a stressful few days and I haven't had a chance to get online. Chuck finished installing the transducer cable (what a project THAT was!) and lived to tell the story. It's no fun working in confined spaces, but when you're loaded down, it makes it even more stressful...for both of us!

All is well now. We walked into town this morning and bought two cases of water, mailed a few things off and took the dinghy back to the boat. Then we hooked the dinghy on the mooring ball and took Sheet Music to pump out and fill all the water tanks and jugs. We moved off the mooring ball this morning, back to No Name Harbor. We plan to leave 5 a.m. for Bimini Islands, Bahamas, unless the forecast changes between now and then.

Saturday, Patti and I did laundry. Then we took the shuttle back to our boats. Wayne and Patti picked me up in their dinghy 20 minutes later and we walked a few miles to a pet supermarket to buy a few supplies. Then Patti and I found a CVS and got a few things. We took the taxi shuttle boat back to our boats. It runs all day long.

Sunday, Patti and I treated ourselves to a pedicure with a free manicure at Salon and Spa Renova in Coconut Grove. Orlando, the owner, was wonderful and aimed to please. He served us ice water with lemon and gave us magazines to read. My massage chair was broken...someone had dropped the remote into the water!

At around 4:30 p.m., the guys met up with us at The Ivy in Coconut Grove, a high-end restaurant. The food was very gourmet and was over the top. George and Mo, and her daughter, Carly, came and joined us for dinner. The building looked like something out of New Orleans. Wrought iron balconies and staircases, old brick and stones with lots of stained glass. Photos were not allowed. It looked historic, but Chuck found out that it was built for $11 million in 2006 and then the loan went in default without a payment. Now it's The Ivy. Dinner was fabulous and we enjoyed hearing about Carly's gap year time working on a 188 ft. tall ship.

Chuck tried to strain to see the first half of the Super Bowl. Right after halftime we were finally done dinner and walked a half block to Mr. Moe's sports bar to watch the rest of the game. The others went back to their boats.

Anyway, please keep us in your prayers for a safe, uneventful crossing. I'll post as soon as I can find a "hot spot." No Internet or phone calls. This is going to be interesting!