Day 14 - By Vicki

AM UPDATE

Looks like it will be a nice night on the boat, no east winds and no rain. We are not overheating, not stranded at sea, not sinking, and we have air conditioning. Today is a very good day!! North winds around 10 knots becoming southeast 5 to 10 knots after midnight. Seas 2 feet or less. Bay and inland waters a light chop.

Over the past two weeks a lot has gone wrong.  We have been getting a lot of support and are very thankful for that.  Every night I call my parents and give them an update.   Friends drive to the boat to help out.  Strangers have helped, asking nothing in return.  Mechanics have worked at night and on weekends for us.  There is a Facebook Group called “Live Aboard Boats” which is a group of people around the world who live on their boats.  They have provided me so much advice, support, and direction. 

I can think of only one boating adventure more exciting than mine and they made a movie out of it-  Cape Fear.  Have you ever watched Naked and Afraid?  Lucky for me, I have watched every episode, so if I had to I would know how to do everything naked with only a dull knife and some flint.  I think they should make a new reality show called Naked And Boating.  Yesterday was a pretty rough day, and Aaron wanted to tap out.  I just feel that we have been through too much to give up now.

I'm glad we are doing the blog.  It was my dad's idea.  I though it would be filled with beautiful sunsets and pictures of us doing amazing things in the city.  That's not what this blog is about though.  Regardless, the blog is therapeutic, like couples therapy.  We do our posts every night and get to know exactly what the other is thinking.  It's been quite a trip!

PM UPDATE

I went to the pool this afternoon and  swam twenty laps because I needed to burn off some energy, get a little sun, and relax.  When I went to change into my swimsuit, I found a very expensive ring by one of the sinks.  It was a very large sapphire surrounded by diamonds on a gold wrap around base.   I thought to myself some woman will be broken hearted when she finds out she lost this and immediately turned it into security.  I truly hope it finds it's way back to it's rightful finger.  I believe it was somebody's wedding ring.  I do hope this brings us at least a little bit of good Karma. 

We didn't have wifi the first couple of days we docked in St Pete.  Everyone, including the Dockmaster, thought it was broken.  Apparently the hotel has spent over $10,000 so far trying to make wifi work at the marina.  We are pretty computer savvy were determined to figure out how to get some internet.  Today I  made simple step by step directions, with screenshots, explaining to the Dockmaster how to get onto the marina's wifi.  I don't think he believed it would work.  He later thanked Aaron for what I had done.  I'm trying to pay it forward as much as I can, I've always believed in paying it forward, but this trip has made me pay even more attention to anyone who needs a helping hand.  We sure have had a lot of people help us out in the past two weeks.  I don't know what we would have done without all the kindness from friends and many strangers.

Tonight, after it cooled down some, Aaron and I went for a walk around town.  Besides the bars, everything was closed,  but I liked the peacefulness of the night.  This is really a beautiful area, and such a safe, walkable city.

Sculpture outside of the Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts

The boat has been calm today, day and night.   I'm enjoying the gentle sway.  It looks like this weather pattern will continue for at least the next few days. 

Peaceful Night For The Boat- Beautiful View Of The City