It was a two-day celebration for Doug’s birthday, the first being on the 6th with just the two of us, and the second on the 7th with friends Sharon and Dick, who are in Vero Beach visiting their children (while continuing their years-long exploration of the US and Canada in their RV). Sharon and Doug share the same birthday, so Dick organized a cookout at their campsite. Great food, great friends, and a great day.

Getting back to the 6th, we dinghied over to Mr. Manatee’s Casual Grill for lunch, Mondays being $5 burger day, except we had fish tacos (with the best guacamole, anywhere!). Back across the ICW, Doug dropped me off at the boat then went ashore, so I quickly wrapped his gifts (it’s not easy arranging surprises on a boat). Dinner that night included pulled pork and double-chocolate ganache cake slices (thank-you, Publix).

The two days were made complete by phone calls, cards, and emails from family and friends.

Wednesday morning found us up early in advance of the arrival of Peter, of “Scrubbing Bubbles Marine & Dive Services.” Peter agreed to install our new wind indicator at the top of the mast (our old one had been dismantled by various birds who thought it was a fine perch) as well as diagnose the problem with our masthead light. The solution for the light is pending (Peter will be back on Friday), though the new “Windex” is working fine.

I should also add that we have a rafting neighbor. We were coming back to our boat after being ashore and saw the stern of our new neighbor’s boat, indicating they were from Texas. To our surprise, the boat had been brokered in our marina back in New Bern, and its new owners stayed in NW Creek during Hurricane Florence!! They have since been to the Chesapeake, the Bahamas, and are now heading south to the Keys. We’ve enjoyed our conversations with them and hope to cross paths often as we continue our cruise.