Visiting Friends and Shopping in Walmart in Stuart, Florida

It takes about two hours by car from Fort Lauderdale to Stuart. Going by sailboat with no wind, it took two days. We motored one day to West Palm Beach and another day to Stuart. Stuart is quiet and easy-going place without heavy traffic. We have friends to meet in Stuart. We were excited to see them again after many years. Sharing time with friends is like enjoying my favorite chocolates. Sweet memories!

Our original plan in Stuart, was to anchor in Manatee Pocket Anchorage or in front of our friend’s water-front house. However, the channel to Manatee Pocket was not deep enough when we tried to pass between the high and the low tide. We hit the bottom twice and were grounded hard. It was unexpected because we didn’t have this problem when we were there 18 months ago. If we had waited for the maximum high tide schedule, we might have been okay.

When we were stuck on the bottom, we asked other passing boats to make wakes for our boat to float again. With many attempts, we finally were able to float, we turned around and anchored near the inlet entrance. This anchorage was rolly and rocky but it was also nice to have the whole bay to ourselves.

Days later, during the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, because of heavy boat traffic, we moved our boat to the quiet Peck Lake Anchorage on the intercoastal waterway, about three miles south of the St. Lucie Inlet. Peck Lake anchorage is peaceful and tranquil right next to St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park. This park is naturally preserved without any condo buildings or stores. The park is only accessible by boat though. There are many places to kayak and an endless long beach to walk in the park. The dinghy dock to the city is available at the public boat ramp in Jimmy Graham Park, by the Indian River, about a mile south from the Peck Lake Anchorage.