I’ve now worked nine shifts in a row and only have three more to go. Monday, we’ll drive back to Orlando to board our flight back into Treasure Cay by way of Nassau. We can’t wait to return to the beautiful Bahamas. Since being back in Lakeland, our only significant interaction with nature has been a few 3-mile walks around Lake Hollingsworth, a Lakeland gem which is always bustling with walkers, runners, bikers, and skaters. The natural beauty and variety of waterfowl which frequent the lake is wonderful. If we time our walk correctly,we also get to hear the bells of the Presbyterian church ringing out hymns as we make our way past. The only downside is that there is a lot of traffic around the lake, which makes for considerable noise pollution. Following are several photos from our walks around the lake:

The Anhinga sits majestically atop the tree

The not-so-beautiful Wood Stork

Blue Heron and Great Egret on a dock

Blue Heron

Blue Heron in flight

Limpkin

Mallards

The face of the Blue Heron

Moscovy Ducks

White Ibis

Gallinule

Turtle

Anhinga (left); Blue Heron, a.k.a., anhinga want-to-be (right)

We have reached another milestone in our journey of downsizing and cruising on a sailboat: I’ve given my notice of resignation at the hospital at which I work in Lakeland. Back in August, when we first left our home port of Bradenton, I cut back from 17 shifts/month in the E.D. to around 9 shifts/month. This number of shifts has still necessitated my monthly return to Lakeland for work, which tends to cramp our cruising style. As of April 10, I will no longer work at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, my place of employment for the past twelve years. Since finances will not allow me to fully retire at this time, I’ve signed up with a locums tenens group which will give me significantly more flexibility with my work schedule. Locums tenens is a Latin phrase which means “to hold the place of.” What I’ll be doing is filling in for emergency departments around the country (and maybe internationally) which are understaffed and need coverage. Besides paying me for their services, they will also cover my airfare, car rental, and housing (which I have been paying for in Lakeland). I’ll likely do 9-10 shifts every 2 or 3 months for now, and decrease this as our cruising budget allows. All in all, it seems like the right move at the right time.

Treasure Cay Marina, where Beatitude awaits our return (photo from website)

The next update will be from Treasure Cay!