Cocoa Beach to Ft. Pierce Mile 965

Thursday February 6th, we traveled 66 miles down the ICW to Cocoa Village, an amazing little town with a lot of charm.  This stop could not have been better with free dockage in a quiet waterfront park and an excellent Thai restaurant nearby.  The last few days the weather has been cloudy with north winds 10 - 15 knots and temps in the 60's.  The next day with strong north winds from behind, we motor sailed with our main and jib on a broad reach down the Indian River.



It was a long day finally arriving at Ft Pierce by sunset.  There weren't many good anchorages so we made a great choice to stay at the Ft Pierce City Marina.  Arriving on one of their Friday night festivals, we were welcomed with live music from all directions.   Fishermans Wharf was celebrating Cajunfest, and the city dock was rocking with vendors and music.  We were told that every Saturday one of the largest farmers markets in the country comes to Ft Pierce.  So we decided to stay an extra day to take it all in.  Dinner at 12A Buoy on Friday, fresh produce at the farmers market, a Manatee and sea turtle visit in the marina, and lunch at Cobb Landing Tiki Bar.

                                

Manatees Basking in the Sun

                          

It was here where fate played a major role!!  To our surprise our friends Dawn and Freddie appeared!!!  Great friends who we met in Italy on our VBT bike tour in 2010!!!   This was the highlight of our day!! We all had lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon together.  We still can't believe we saw them and could not have planned it better- it's a small world:)