We have been busy since leaving Daytona.  Our first night heading South was in a rocky anchorage off the Titusville bridge.  The next morning we found that the TV antenna had taken a dive into the water.  It is still under repair (disconnected wires).
On to Vero Beach, a slow go with many slow areas for the protected manatees.  We got our slip assignment, our neighbors on a Nauticat are from Mobjack Bay, VA.  We renewed our acquaintance with Dave and Beth on board Elizabeth and then went for a walk to stretch our legs.
Monday of course was laundry day and then the bikes came out and we rode to the ACE Hardware and the beach.  We explored the high priced shops and checked lunch prices and rode back to the boat.  Next a dinghy exploration of the waterfront. The bikes came out again and we explored the back streets and the Florida foliage in the neighborhood.  We got back before the downpour.  A good night for dinner in and a DVD.
Tuesday dawned sunny and we took the free bus across the bridge to the McKee Botanical Garden and marveled at the variety of native fauna.  The exhibit or the Frabel glass was magnificant.  Google www. mckeegarden.org and www.frabel.com for more information.  The wind was now blowing about 25 mph and no more sun.  The bus took us to Publics and of course West Marine.  that evening we met Dave and Beth provided cocktails and took us to a Southern Comfort restaurant and then to a blue grass jam.  a fun evening.
It is Wednesday (58 degrees and sunny, but windy again) and at breakfast we got a call from the marina office, the slip holders had returned and wanted back in the slip by noon.  Pack up...there was time to meet some fun folks on an Express Cruiser.  Penny and Mike it was fun to go down the river with you.  Don thanks for the help getting out of the slip this AM.A note of interest to other cruisers,  Active Captain's DeFever was in the Vero Harbor.  1 to 2 foot waves behind us most of the day.
In a place called the Manatee Pocket (Stuart, FL) we fueled and headed up the St Lucie River toward Lake Okeecobee.  No problems in the lock with one other boat and arrived at Terry and Lisa Locatis dock ar 4 PM.  They came by and had us join their Sunset Cocktail group, thanks everyone, the local knowledge is appreciated and so is the power for our heater Terry.

Halifax River, Theresa Nilles waving from her porch

Abstract Frabel  butterfly

Blue Calla Flare, each flare is worth $6,500

Mixed foliage in McKee Botanical Garden

Now that is not a bad dinghy!

Exit of the 1st lock

Tomorrow we head across the lake.