Week 32 / Week 25 in Ft Pierce

Skinny 

     Sunday, 4/19/23 ~ This morning we did some final prep chores around the boat and then opted to go out to the inlet to chill for a while.

  

My Kalanchoe loves
 Florida weather

  Monday 4/10/23 ~ Pete found a light on once again in the car. He contacted Mercedes and immediately was seen. Pete used the electric scooter to go back and forth as they didn’t have a loaner car. It turns out that the gasket that was installed last visit was deformed and caused the leak.

 
     The winds blew all day, sometimes gusting as much as 30 mph from the southeast. Between a King Tide and the wind direction, the water was so high, it was a challenge to get on and off the boat.

     Tuesday, 4/11/23 ~ Due to those continuing high winds. we had to postpone Taco Tuesday. With us heading to NJ this weekend and hopefully resuming our journey north the following week, it was very difficult to reschedule. We finally are trying for Thursday with fingers crossed.

     Wednesday, 4/12/23 ~ After Pilates, I did a couple of chores and prepared to go out to dinner. We were meeting with Michael Melissa, and two of their friends over to Buoy 12A. We had a great time, the food was phenomenal, and so was the presentation. This is definitely a place we’re going to revisit!

  

~ Rosemary smoked Bacon ~NY Strip Steak ~

 
~ Parmasian Encrusted Grouper ~ Scallops ~

     Thursday, 4/13/23 ~ We finally had our last of the season, Taco Tuesday. Tillie had her final visit with the vet after the surgery and she’s healing beautifully. She also weighs 31.1 pounds! We will see if Pete’s prediction is on target for 32 to 35 pounds or if she’s going be bigger than that. We will see!
     I also spoke with Kristine, who will be watching Tilly on Saturday while we go to the baby shower. She seems lovely and I think she’ll be a great match.

 

 

     Friday, 4/14/23 ~ The alarm went off at 1:30 and we were out of the parking lot by 2:15 am. We’re on the road once again to North Jersey, this time for the for Pete’s niece, Eleni’s baby shower. The ride went smoothly until South Carolina and the highway becomes two-lanes. They were repairing the North bound, 2-lane bridge. We just sat for about 45 minutes. That set back our time schedule for the rest of the day added to the intermittent rain shower that also slowed traffic. We encountered more traffic outside of Richmond and of DC. We opted to take route 50, rather than 95, because traffic is always lighter on 301. 

The Annapolis Mooring Field looked a little strange ~
YUP! That's a submarine amongst the ships!

Our delays made a 17-hour trip into 19 hours. Those last 2 hours are hard. Needless to say, Pete was exhausted after the 19 hours of driving, but the Tillie was perfect. 

     Saturday, 4/15/23 ~ We were up and out by 10:30 am. The 75-minute ride over to The Rum Runner in Sea Bright, NJ was uncomplicated and the five of us found plenty to discuss during the ride. Pete's neice, Eleni, and her husband, Brandon are expecting their first child in May. The whole family is estatic for this new family member.

     The venue that was used was absolutely beautiful and overlooked the ICW. However, seeing the ICW and the homes on the Western shore was hit and miss depending on the sea fog that was mostly present. In typical Effie style, the room was decorated to the hilt. It was a wonderful time with family and friends. We were able to catch up with Jack and Janet, who are Jim’s best friends from high school. Food was delicious. The pictures are going to be outstanding, and, once everything was packed up, we were glad to head home afterwards.

     Tillie had a great time with Katherine and her children. The photos she sent, playing with Tillie in the back yard were great. The kids were very disappointed when we were home before their second visit at 6:30. Tillie was glad to see us and it was a good night to chill.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~     K & P