VERO BEACH
Amazing dolphin encounter!!

Remembering that we had 72 miles to go today, we were up and on the way by 0645.  Once we got all the ropes off the boat, that is...  (inside joke)  We watched 3 episodes of Downton Abbey last night.  The guys are really getting into it!  We're 5 shows into Season One.  I REALLY don't like Ms. O'Brien or Thomas!!
The weather was cloudy most of the day.  Sprinkled a few times.   The picture below is only about half of the column of birds that were congregated on a submerged sandbar. 

 This picture, and the one below were from yesterday and just arrived today.  The Captain was washing the grime off the boat.  We are really anxious to get to a place where we have a couple of days and good weather to really give Maggie a good scrubbing/waxing. 

 This was taken while underway.  Tim is waxing the 'nose' of the boat.

The neatest, most amazing thing happened to us just a little before 3, this afternoon.  We were about 10 miles north of Vero Beach when 3 dolphins came alongside the boat.  I was at the helm, and the guys stood and watched in amazement as the dolphin rode our wake.  I suggested they get a video and Tim said I should get up and watch and let him drive.  I captured about 4 minutes of video and posted it on my Facebook page.  I couldn't get it to load on here, but may try a couple of other things.  After I stopped recording, they stayed with the boat another 4-5 minutes.  It appeared that what we thought was the mother and the calf dropped back and the bigger male (?) stayed with us.  Then another one joined him.  It was truly amazing and probably one of the neatest things we've seen on our adventures so far.
We arrived at Vero Beach about 4.  The guys cut the mounting post for the helm chair down a bit. They also got it leveled.  Ever since it was installed awhile back there was a slight lean to the right that drove some of us (me) crazy.  After the post was hacksawed off, there were lots of little metal clippings laying around.  Joe was inspired and got busy with the vacuum.  Cleaned the whole upper and aft decks!!  Yay!  They also started the installation of the swim platform undermount ladder, but had to stop, needing additional parts.
Tomorrow takes us to Stuart, FL.  About 32 miles.  It's where we take a turn to the west and cut across the state.  It will be all new for us!

That's about all from here.  More tomorrow.....