Snacks? Check.
Beverages? Check.
Prime position from which to cheer the decorated boats? Check.
Friends? DOUBLE CHECK!

To prevent those subscribed to “follow” us from receiving numerous emails and deciding they actually no longer even like us, I took the site back to “Coming Soon” last week and then spent a ridiculous number of hours adding posts about the past year. Todd jumped in and together we wrapped up most of the historical insights and finally relaunched the site this morning. Teamwork!

Now that the website is no longer “paused,” it sure would be nice to un-pause the journey. There’s good news on that front, too. Regarding those long-delayed part orders, UPS Santa brought the new turbo and replacement water maker yesterday. Ready for installation! Since the boat is once again torn apart in multiple projects mode, and we’ll still have to wait on weather once it is back together, we probably won’t make “Christmas in the Caribbean” (so much better when you sing it), but New Year’s will be totally awesome!

Since we got to Florida, we’ve seen the ripples caused by manatees, and even seen the backs and/or tails of a few from a distance. Today, as I was standing at the galley sink, I saw the complete tale of a manatee slowly dip into the water right beside the boat. I ran out onto the side deck walkaround to peer down, but the manatee reappeared a bit of a distance away near the mangroves. In case he or she wasn’t traveling alone, I waited. Sure enough, a few minutes later, a large manatee snout, followed by the rest of his/her head and neck gently arose from the water and peered up at me. WOW! That’s COOL! Of course, no picture. I have got to get better at this.

PS – Those sea cows do not at all resemble mermaids. Any sailor who claims that has been at sea too long or had too much grog.