This morning we cleaned our little Chickadee and bade her farewell until Monday as we shoved off for a cross-state ride. Three hours of flat flat flat cattle farms and orange groves, with a hefty portion of lakeside RV parks later, and we arrived in the tidy city of Naples. The contrast of what we’ve now seen of the Gulf Coast to Lake Okeechobee’s perimeter of decaying lake view villages and towns is large, to say the least.
We put our toes in the sand at the town pier, and then found Vanessa’s condo, and more importantly for the girls, her pool house. The rain that started shortly after they jumped in didn’t deter them; giddy girls once again. 
Susan…. You are doing an amazing job of sharing the adventure with us. Your voice comes through in every line!
You definitely aren’t missing a weather window to cross the Gulfstream. Three strong cold fronts descending in close formation will ensure that nothing short of a large cruise ship will make it here this week. As the sun came up today horizontal rain and gusts to 40 mph pummeled the anchorage. While the boats in the harbor sorted themselves out in the shrieking wind, inky black clouds spat bullets of water. The temperature fell fifteen degrees in as many minutes. It’s a chilly 61 at noon. Brrrr….
BTW I think you were very smart to take the time to get the shaft problem worked out,me and what a nifty opportunity to visit Vanesa at her place.
Thanks Sam and Kayda! It’s certainly comforting to have your confirmation on both counts, weather and otherwise. We just hope a window opens soon so that we can come find you!! xo