Moving Reunions

Well, we're out of Fort Lauderdale!  We tied up loose ends on the 26th and waited for Rob's college buddy (another Rob, aka Cloos) and his wife, Lidia, to arrive in Lauderdale for a visit.  We had waited around a bit as their arrival had been delayed by a week but we did connect that evening and had a great reunion at the Bahia Cabana bar and grill just off our anchorage.

That afternoon, before connecting with Cloos, we noticed a boat in the anchorage we thought we recognized.  It was Rich and Anna aboard Snow Goose who we met in Marathon last year.  This sailing community give the "small world" concept new meaning.   We made up for lost time sharing a sundowner toast before heading to the restaurant for our meet up.

It's so fun to have visitors during this adventure.  Finding ways to connect in strange locations makes for even more excitement when it actually works.   Rob and Lidia live in India so this required even more planning and maneuvering than normal.  And then in the midst of it all, you have chance reunions completely by surprise.

Early the next morning we left the anchorage with Rick on Nautilus, our traveling partner of late and Snow Goose after they decided to join us in No Name harbor as a next stop.  We had a nice run of it offshore without a lot of wind but without discomfort as well.  5 hours after our departure, we were happily anchored in No Name Harbor with the sun shining.

Justin from Fort Lauderdale met us there as well and surprised us with having his mother and companion onboard as well.  After 3 years of enjoying Justin's company, it was fun meeting his family.  Also in the anchorage were Jim and Irene aboard Escapaid who we sailed from West Palm with and spent time with in Fort Lauderdale.  So now we had five boats we new in one anchorage - almost entirely unplanned!


The biggest surprise was yet to come, however.  We dinghied over to Justin's boat to meet the family and realized the boat tied up just next to him we had met in Boca Chita last year on our way home!  We were all standing there getting reacquainted when Kelly Hood and family from Charleston appeared!  I wrote about Jeff and Kelly bringing their kids aboard last week before grabbing a charter with their kids for the holiday.  You can imagine how surprised I was when they showed up on the dock!

So in the little harbor of No Name, we knew just about everyone there before the power boats started arriving for the sunset.  Jeff and Kelly had to head out as their flight back to Charleston was the next morning in Miami but the rest of us planned an impromptu pot luck and made a celebration out of the evening, comparing notes of everyone's cruising plans for the season.

After great food (cruisers are really great at sharing food!) and even better company, we once again marveled at how unique this experience continues to be.   The next morning Escapaid made their crossing to the Bahamas, Justin and family headed back north to Lauderdale and Snow Goose, Nautilus and us moved across the bay to Coconut Grove.

The change of atmosphere and attitude in Coconut Grove is so refreshing.  After the negativity extended to cruisers in Fort Lauderdale, the community here is totally welcoming.  We're having a great time with Rob and Lidia who have come here for a few days as well as our fellow cruisers as we get ready to cross to the Bahamas in the next few days.

Keep your eyes open, the big crossing is due to happen on the 1st or 2nd as we join 3 or 4 other boats across the stream to Bimini.   The big moment is close at hand!