So we load up the bikes, check the water tanks and decide they are ok, wash up the clothes, and secure everything down.
We left GTC on April 22 at about 8 am. We know we have a long day ahead of us and want to get to GSC before dark. We say our goodbyes to all our dock friends--Emma and David, Gerald and Maurice, and Donny. It's been a great three months and we will miss you all. See you next time!
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Our dock crew. 
We haven't even gotten out of our slip and they are already talking about us!
A final wave from Emma.
 OK, leave already! We've got things to do! 
A final look at Donny's. See you next time!
  
We hadn't gone very far and had a farewell escort from the dolphins.
More of the dolphin farewell
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Cooperstown on the north end of Abaco
We anchored at Great Sale Cay about 6 pm. We had traveled almost 59nm in about 10 hours. That's a long day. We averaged 6.0kts. There were about 12 boats in the anchorage when we got there . We talked to several boats about there plans, thinking we might find someone doing the same thing as us. But no one had the same idea as us. The wind is supposed to settle down and be calmer for a day or two. We hope it does. We had a shower about 4 am that gave us the beautiful rainbow later in the morning when things cleared up.
Green Turtle Cay to Great Sale Cay
Our anchorage at Great Sale Cay. We didn't have pictures on the trip over, we anchored and left in the dark.
Beautiful rainbow
Beautiful
Well. you know our plans are always written in sand... After watching the moonrise last night, Shay decided we'd change our plans. We had planned to spend another night here and then leave heading to Fort Pierce. But he decided we'd go to Memory Rock and anchor. We'd sleep there a few hours and give the moon time to rise enough that we'd have it more overhead for the trip.
Captain Shay getting ready to clean the anchor as we leave Great Sale.
So we are leaving here this morning and going to anchor at Memory Rock. Several boats have already left here this morning. One trawler left for a couple of hours and then came back. He said it was too rough for him. He had some engine room problems and was going to try it later after he took care of his problem.
Calm now
The wind and waves calmed down and our trip was ok. We left at 11 am and got to Memory Rock at 6:15 pm. We traveled a little over 7 hours and went about 43nm at about 5.9kts.
This is what the anchorage looks like 360 degrees of nothing.
A look around Memory Rock.
Yes, its called Memory Rock, but we didn't see a rock. Yes, the charts show a light, but we didn't see a light. I guess that's where it gets its name. All that's just a memory.
Great Sale Cay to Memory Rock
Sunset
We had dinner then settled down and to bed early. We got up about 12:45 and got on the way about 1:15 am.
Sunrise
As we were passing the St Lucie Inlet we were surrounded by small fishing boats. There were at least 20-25 sipping around chasing the illusive "big catch". I had just asked Shay about putting out our lines and he said no since we were out of the Gulfstream. Well, these guys thought there was something there! Good luck!
First look at Fort Pierce area.
Fishing near St Lucie Inlet
I think there was a turtle rescue going on here. See the turtle on the left? Well, they usually don't stay up when there are boats around but this one stayed on the surface. A small fast boat came out to this area as we were passing by and went up to the turtle. That's all I could see. Hope its ok.
Well, lucky us. We just heard that there will be a sailboat race in the inlet at Fort Pierce. And its just in time for us to go thru. But we made it without any problems.
This is our first time using the Ft Pierce Inlet. We are usually very busy when we are traveling the ICW in this area and don't even get to glance this way. We had a LOT of boats heading toward us as we came in! We haven't seen this many boats in a long time.
As we were coming in I noticed the left and right sides of the inlet were for two very different purposes. The right side was all about fishing. They were lined up on the jetty with poles in their hands hoping for the big one! I hope they leave today with their coolers full of fish!
Our first look at the inlet. We've not seen this many boats in a long time!
These people are serious fishermen!
...And here are a lot more!
These are the sun/sand/water worshippers!
A last look out the inlet. And there are more boats coming in!
Pretty park along the water
More worshippers. These just travel by boat instead of car.
Big marina
Haven't seen a bridge in a long time either.
Busy, big boatyard
We passed by this boat on our way south last year. It hasn't very far at all.
It was great to see this big beautiful flag again. It let's us know we are very close to the Vero Beach Municipal Marina and the mooring ball we will spend a few days on.
We got to the marina April 24 at 2:30 pm after a 13 hour trip at 7.0kts and traveling 93nm. We didn't get as much gulfstream push as we thought we would, so we had to travel a little faster to get to the inlet at slack tide. If we went in much later, we would have been going against the current as it was going out.
Memory Rock to Ft Pierce
This shows our trip from Green Turtle Cay to Ft Pierce
This shows the trip to and from the Bahamas.
We had a great three months in the Abaco Islands. We saw beautiful white sand beaches, clear turquoise water, big turtles, rays and starfish, and beautiful shells. We met lots of new friends both boaters and islanders. The dock at Donny's holds a special place in our hearts since we spent most of our time there. It was great getting to know Donny and the other boaters at his dock. Of course, we had a ball with FFF! And we were so thankful that Lauren got to spend Spring Break 2016 with us and see all the sights.
In conclusion, the islands were great but it's time to be back in the states where we can talk, text, email, and Facebook all we want! It's time to start slowly north to our home port and then get back to our roots and visit our family and friends back home.
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