March 2014 Endcap

Dates: Mar 1-31, 2014

Berry Islands, Bahamas - Vero Beach Florida – Florida – Georgia – South Carolina – North Carolina to Cedar Creek, ICW 130.

Sailing: 1 hr

Motoring: 227 1/2 hrs (includes motor-sailing)

Mileage: 922 Nm (Nautical Miles)

Budget Amount:      $1590.00 US (All budgeting is in US funds)

Charts/Books:          $      0.00     

Boat Parts:               $     92.00     

Marinas:                   $  154.00

Diesel:                      $  311.00

Beer:                        $   242.00

Grocery:                   $  327.00

Entertainment:         $   108.00

Fees/Services:          $    97.00     (pump-outs, laundry, wifi, taxis, etc...)

Clothing/Shopping   $    20.00

Misc:                        $   125.00     (Propane, hobbies, etc...)

Total:                      $1476.00

Debit/Credit:           $  114.00

Under budget for the 3^rd month in a row. Boo yah…. Okay, not that impressive considering that we did a big load up in Nassau the month before, which by the way, we still have most of. And, of course we have been travelling like our hair was on fire. The high beer bill accounts for the fact that it is so cheap here, and we found it on sale for $12.99 a two-four. That means that we have enough to get to Canada, probably. The diesel bill was high, but look at the mileage! To the non-boaty Canucks, that’s pretty close to 1750 kms, in a boat that does 7.5 km/hr. We are going to need to have our heads examined when we get home, but we are actually having a blast. Who knew we were the ones that people talk about.

So the plan for the month of March, was to make some miles toward home. And make miles we did, as evidence above. We discovered a new thing about ourselves in the process. Serena is goal oriented, and I am all about the mission. Good news is, when there is a mission, we are both pushing to see it done. Bad news is that sitting around drinking margaritas is only a casual pastime, instead of a retirement goal.

As disenchanted as we were with the ICW on the way down, we are appreciating it on the way back up. Quiet and comfortable every night, a sharp contrast from the Bahamas. Services only a few miles away, if we were willing to stop and use them. And nice friendly people. We have even had good luck with customs this time around, not one agent has been a pain in the ass, and that is probably a record of some sort. In fact, some of the customs agents have been extremely wonderful to deal with. Could be the beer talking! Oh, and of course wifi, everywhere!

On a sad note, we are so jealous of our friends that are still travelling down through the Caribbean. We miss the Bahamas already, and are feverishly planning the next trip with to-do and to-visit lists. The Place is magical, and although we left rather abruptly, most days we wish we had of stayed. On the upside, we know that next time we head to the Bahamas, we need way more time, way, way more time. We will probably leave Vita in Florida and drive home that year. Then go back down the following winter and do the Florida Keys, the pan handle, maybe even Texas, who knows. The sky is the limit!

The great thing is that this month we are seeing our future with a much better clarity than we have in the past. Our dreams have become more reasonable, and more attainable, but no less exciting. Finally, we are figuring out what we want from retirement, but we might need a vacation from ourselves if we keep pushing toward the next goal all the time.

That's it for this month. Next month I will try and do this again. The format may change a little as I go. If anyone reading the blog would like to see anything in particular, let me know, I may be able to squeeze it in, especially if it seems like good info to pass on.

Now back to your regular blogging........