Home Again

So Happy Together

Yes, it’s been a while since I sat down to blogspot.com. We’re in Miami today, having arrived yesterday afternoon after an early start, transiting 29 bridges, 26 of which required a draw. While we had beautiful weather to travel, it was an intense day, calculating speeds required to make timed openings, sometimes treading water waiting for a bridge tender to stop traffic and sometimes needing to giddyup. We’re pleased with what we’ve seen of our new marina and the 10+ acres surrounding it, but more about that later.

The trip back home to Carry On from Sun Valley was a long one—a car, three buses, three planes and then the ride home the next morning from the cat sitter’s with a very vocal and unhappy beastie. Once back on board, Bubba was fine, but stayed pretty close to me for a couple of days!

We really enjoyed our stay in the Palm Beach area and it’s definitely on the agenda for next year. Thinking about the appeal beyond the weather and the golf that so many enjoy there, we loved the beautiful beaches and paths for long walks, the availability of good and reasonable restaurants, the shopping-- for marine supplies and everything else—a good fish store, the citrus stand, the stone crab truck on the highway, and of course the Sunday morning Farmers Market in Palm Beach Gardens. 

Pickles Anyone?

Operating from October to May, the market ranged beyond the usual array of produce to the family run pickle stand, the olive stand, Mr. Mycelium and the Mushrooms, a couple of olive oil vendors, a woman selling custom painted pointy toed shoes and high heeled sandals, orchid specialists, “Sisters in the Pot”-- two large ladies selling Bahamian conch specialties, barbeque and Jamaican jerk stands, a burrito and empanada stand, even huge funky flowers made from recycled plastic. I’m sure I’ve missed a few. As interesting as the vendors is the people watching—especially with a cup of coffee and a treat from Mr. Bread!

There were so many other things that we didn’t quite have time to do this year, but key to our happiness and well-being are the friends in the area, both old and some new. 

Paul's Favorite Stop

I never thought much about palms before our extended stays in Florida, but I’ve become an aficionado-- so many varieties and while I have my favorite species, I know the names of few. The Palm Beach area is beautifully landscaped for the most part, accented with tropical plants that we struggle to grow indoors in New England and colorful plants and flowers. The hibiscus have been in bloom and sun tolerant impatiens are abundant, and the banyan trees provide lovely shade. It all feels very tropical and exotic, and a very nice way to spend the winter months. A little scary to these two confirmed New Englanders!

More technical difficulties with the “SPOT” so you won’t be able to see our location for a few more days. The problem will be solved with 3 new lithium batteries from Amazon.com—we’ve discovered leaving it on while running all day goes through battery life quickly! 

Banyan Tree Near marina