Well we’re back in warm Florida after several weeks in Maryland visiting with friends and California visiting with Terri’s mom, brother, sister-in-law and niece. I did have to resort to wearing long pants for a brief time, but I’m back in shorts once again. We are situated for a few days in a marina where the boat lived while we were on our holiday excursion. We’re hunkered down here for a while because I (Neal) have been diagnosed with a herniated disc which is pinching a nerve causing great discomfort. Terri has dragged me off to a chiropractor and an acupuncturist for voodoo medicine, which I am reluctant to say is doing some good. I guess the folks at NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) must be on to something. The marina where we stored the boat for our holiday trips is quite a trip in it self. Populated by boats that haven’t moved in years, holding local live aboards. Talk about “stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again”.

Well, we are outta there and ensconced in Vero Beach (N27 39.6249 W080 22.2909), some times call “Velcro beach” for its propensity to hold cruisers here. The city provide a free, that is in no cost, bus service that will haul you around to the movies, food stores, west marine, local malls, the beautiful beach is a short walk away, the list goes on and on. The harbor is a well protected mooring field costing $10 plus tax a day so it is not a bank breaker and the weather is warm (shorts and tee shirts). We will stay the week while Terri conducts some business here then we will move on to Stuart where I hope to get treatment for my pinched nerve.

Life is good here in the cruising world. We are back on our cruising schedule, to bed by 9 and up at dawn, living with the cycles of nature. My old college buddy who retired before me use to tell me that this retirement business was tough, but someone has to do it. We’re doing it Bob.

The pictures are of us and friends at the St. Mary's Thankgiving festivities.