Can you believe that we got away with another night at the Free Dock... It was so nice there. The winds were very strong from east and we were nose into the wind and our slip was on the leeward side, very smooth water, great sleeping. We were up late so I let Carl sleep in while Bella and I went to the bathroom and for a walk. The shopping area just off the dock had just set up for a art show and craft fair so we took a nice little walk through that. As we were approaching the dock that's  when I noticed a boat pulling into the slip next to us. Just as I got to the catwalk by the boat I see the woman fall in the water as she was trying to tie the boat to the dock. I run over  and push the boat off the dock so she doesn't get crushed between her boat and the concrete dock.The wind is howling and her husband can't seem to keep the boat from blowing around everywhere. Just then Carl hears all the noise and comes up as the man hits our dingy. Carl yells at the man when he notices the lady in the water. He jumps off our boat on to the dock and then gets on their swim platform to help pull the woman on the boat.No easy task in the wind!! She is about 75 or 80 years old and she couldn't  get her feet on the steps, as they were broken. Her husband is even older and he couldn't help, cause he hurt his back trying to dock. Carl finally gets her on the boat. I asked if they wanted to dock , and they assured us they were going home. I would too, she was a soaking wet, no change of clothes.Yes , there is adventure everyday. It's time to leave the dock, so we set out to go meet our friend Dustin for a charity advent his company is having on Stuart Beach. We got a late start and are unable to meet him, BUMMER, I really wanted to go. So we headed due north in the ICW Atlantic coast. The winds were very strong coming from the east about 20 knots. Carl put both the main and the head sails and asked me to take the helm. The boat began to heel to far to port and I got very nervous and called for Carl to take it. I guess I'm not that much help to him when it comes to sailing, I wish I was. I am sure by the end of this trip I will be better.Carl decided to drop the main and only sail with the head sail. That was perfect! Our vessel was sailing at 6.7 knots top speed, but averaged about 5.5 knots, pretty good for us. Our haul speed is only 7 knots.
We anchored off Ft. Pierce for the night and will get that pump out this morning before we continue on.." HAPPY MOTHERS DAY" to all you wonderful women who make the world a brighter place!!!