I came here in Fort Lauderdale on the 11th of March, to install my AIS transponder and repair the Anchor Windlass.
But both ended up driving me to the edge of depression. Nothing worked right. And it is difficult to get expert help to the boat where I was moored and row from shore.
My moorage in the Fort’s moat. 3rd from Left.
I was handicapped to get around. I have no folding bike yet (Rhon a good sailor friend in Kinsale, Va., is gifting me his) and relied on walking and the bus. But the busses are very infrequent and walking has become painful and slow for me. Thank God for bicycles. This all due to the back injury and surgery in 2017. The grocery and hardware stores are far away from this part of the city. A week after I arrived here it was Spring Break and lots of loud parties on and near the beach. My boat was a block away from the beach. Last week the Tortugas attracted large crowds to the beach with their country music.
In the last couple weeks I have been blessed to reconnect with a sailor family from Seattle who moved here 3 years ago. I met Ken Wickman on a flight from Chicago to Dulles D.C., in 2014. We share the same Faith and passion in marine activities. This picture was taken on March 30 after attending St. Anthony church together.
L.R. McKenna, me, Danette Mrs.W, Gabi, Ken
My April 30 flight to Amsterdam is only 19 days away and I will probably end up storing the boat in Green Cove Spring on the St. John River near Saint Augustine in North Florida. And try still spend a few days with friends and family in Virginia.
I will have my ”InReach” satellite responder show my progress. This will also be the first time that you cannot shut me up while out of internet reach now that I have my Mini Star Link wherever I venture.
The April issue of “Latitude-38” sailing magazine contains a detailed introduction to “Fleetwood IV” and a reflection of my 20 year sailing adventure, wild plans and lots of good pictures.
Tomorrow’s Full Moon
