24 January - Day #52. Today was a real challenge to Nellie's new paint job--in a nutshell the problem was big winds combined with tight spaces: out of one marina and into another; and, in and out of a fuel dock too. Another cold front is blowing through. Winds are a solid 20kts with gusts into the 30s. It was from the south so we beat into it. While underway we were contacted on the 2-meter by KJ4ERJ (Lynn) who'd been following Nellie's trip south via APRS (advanced packet reporting system): http://lnvt.wikidot.com/nelliedlocation/. Lynn invited us to join him and his wife Marta for dinner. We'd orginally planned to anchor out, but with heavy winds, rough seas and a dinner invitation we had no trouble heading for a marina (this marina trend is getting a little worrying however ;-). Lynn and Marta joined us aboard Nellie and then their son Paul, who will graduate with a BS in electrical engineering degree this spring, and his friend Thomas also joined us. Everyone aboard had ham licenses so the conversation may have been a 'little' techie. Lynn's a partner in a company that writes automated warehousing software. As A hobby he's applying his considerable software talent to writing some cool, new APRS applications. His excitement in digital modes of communication was also apparent in Paul and Thomas. They each built and are using custom APRS rigs. Marta's parents are from Central America and she lived for awhile in the Canal Zone. All in all it was a delightful evening with new friends and all thanks to ham radio. Today's picture is of a little 'fixer-upper' just off the ICW. At the dock in Telemar Bay Marina, Eau Gallie, FL. 22nm today and 1265nm total.
