Matecumbe Bay, May 27 - 30 at anchor watching the rain come down

Manny with his loving dog at Bob'sand Sherri where we made several dinghy trips for provisionning

 "Niece" Angie at Coral Bay Resort, a heavenly oasis with good friends.

Bob's place has a lot of character

Lots of rain, clouds and a fiery sunset

Making our way to the Keys

Saying Goodbye to Coconut Grove

 A good start in flat water and rainbow in the background

Passing Gilbert's

Anchored in Button Wood sound, watching the Sunset.

And the Moon rising

Fort Lauderdale and Miami. May 22 - 24

Checked in with the always smiling and good spirited Brad Johnson during a quick stop in Fort Lauderdale

  Danny and Charlie ("Charcoal") who loves to go for a swim. Two great friends

Jan and David at Coral Reef YC for some good time sharing Frankie's Pizza

Old Port Cove with Kristina and Atle

After fueling and finding our way under the Dixie Hwy Bridge we headed south on the ICW to meet with our friends Kristina and Atle in Old Port Cove Marina.

But first, a quick stop for lunch in 6 inches of water below keel pulling off the side of the ICW.

Lesson learned: check your depth sounder calibration before heading out on a new boat.

Stuck one day in Old port Cove marina waiting for rain to stop

"Moonstruck" and our Maiden Voyage

After careful research, trial charters and hunting at boat shows, we decided that a PDQ 34 was the boat for us to start this new cruising adventure in our lives. Thanks to Beth, Carole and Dick Tushick of Rhumbline Yacht Sales we set our eyes on Moonstruck, a very fully equiped and very well cared for PDQ which is to become our new home. With Dick's infinite patience we received a crash course in boat systems and boat handling and Diane had no problem working the dual engines. Our maiden voyage with Moonstruck started from Palm City on May 19, 2013 after we decided to cruise south to Miami, to the keys on the inside (Gulf side) and back up North along the Southwest coast to St Petersburg.

First evening aboard and first "Dark and Stormy" on the aft bench