Finally, Sunny, Warm Days

We were hoping "Orange at night, sailor's delight!"

Finally the rain gods let up and we left Ft. Pierce. We went outside in the ocean to come in at Lake Worth, which is the West Palm Beach area. As we were coming in the inlet, all of a sudden the GPS on the chart plotter stopped working. It did not show our position. Luckily, we had been in the area before so we knew where to go and got our anchor down off of Peanut Island. Al checked out the equipment and finding nothing wrong he finally gave the antenna a whack, and guess what, it came back. We had a very unusual sunset with the directional clouds in the sky but the orange was a sign of better weather ahead.

Las Olas Bridge construction right next to the mooring field.

 The next morning we were up early to go out the inlet to head to Fort Lauderdale. We had sunny, actually hot weather (I am not complaining) to motor to Las Olas Marina to get a mooring ball. There are only about 8 moorings, but because there was a mild weather window to cross, many boats left to do so and we were able to get one. Or maybe it was because they were working on the Las Olas bridge, jack hammering and using loud compressors until 5PM, who knows but it was beautiful at night once the workers left. It even felt "Christmasy "with the decorated palm trees right off of our stern.  Look at the view from our cockpit.                      

A view of this  private home and boat decked out for the holidays.

We wanted to visit with Al's aunt and cousin, so that is why we passed on the weather window to cross. We could not visit them for two more days so that gave us the opportunity to order a new antenna for the chart plotter because Al lost all confidence in it, especially after he called the company and they did not feel confident that it would last either. We don't want to be out in the middle of the crossing and lose the GPS!

Mega yacht zooms by.

We got to experience Fort Lauderdale for 3 days. Coming in the channel with mega yachts passing us, and numerous ones tied at the docks with beautiful huge homes always amazes me. Where does all that money come from??? 

Have you ever seen a window washer hanging on the side of a boat?

 








One day we hopped on the 50 cent Sun Trolley which took us out to a small shopping center where there is a Publix grocery store, Total Wine and an Ace Hardware which we needed, plus numerous other small shops. Al also wanted to visit “Sailorman,” another new and used boat parts place. It was a long walk but I just kept telling myself, pretend it is my usual exercise walk. Once there, I said it was the type of place they need chairs for the ladies to sit, while the men have their fun!

When we got back, I went to the beach. Fort Lauderdale's beach is beautiful and well maintained. They lost much of the beach last year from hurricane Sandy but it was filled back in and back to normal. They always have a sculpture or something at the end of Las Olas Blvd.

This year it is the sailboats. Last year it was fish all made out of plastic water bottles.






 It is interesting people watching on the beach. Some people were getting ready for Christmas with their Santa hats on!  The seagulls did not seem to care!

Later that day, a single-hander on Second Wind, came over so that Al could educate him about the Miami area so he knew where to go or not to go.

Al helping a new cruiser with information.

A super place to walk!

The next day Al took me ashore to get my several mile walk in while he did the laundry. What a fantastic place to walk. The view is great and the breeze off the ocean was fantastic.

After cleaning ourselves up at the marina, we got picked up by his cousin and aunt to go to lunch. They took us to the 15^th Street Fisheries which was a very nice place to eat at the water's edge. We caught them up on all the Mauger family news. It was good to see them again.

Al, his Aunt BJ and cousin, Leslie.

The antenna came in, so Al had his project for the night, while I just stayed out of the way until he called me to help pull the wires in place. While under the cockpit, he also discovered that the cotter pins for the steering were working their way out. So he dealt with that as well. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise with the antenna, because we would not have wanted to be out in the ocean and lose steerage!

The next day the wind would have been right on our nose to head to Miami, so we moved to the Lake Sylvia anchorage where Al continued to finish up his projects. The next morning we headed out early meeting three ships in the channel. Fort Lauderdale is a busy place and we were glad to be out and heading south with a southeast wind giving us a great sail. If Ft. Lauderdale is busy, Miami is even busier. You can see the numerous cranes that load and unload container ships, then there are the numerous cruise ships, water taxis, tour boats, etcetera!

Busy port of Miami.

We found the Mershons on Sequence anchored off of Di Lido Island at the Venetian Causeway. We anchored and later had a wonderful dinner on their boat and had time to catch up on what they had been doing since we last saw them in Vero Beach.

Antique and farmer's market in South Beach.

Since it was Sunday, I had Al drop me off at the causeway and I walked into South Beach to catch a bus to go to mass. However, I remembered there is a farmer's and antique market in town on Sunday's so I did that also.

Popeye the sailor iguana!

Al met me in town on the way back for which I was glad because my purchases were getting heavy. When we got to the dinghy, their was a visitor sitting on the Mershon's dinghy, a nice size iguana. We have seen them on the walls of the canal and bridges but never on anyone's dinghy.

Towing a stranded fellow cruising couple to their boat.

Coming back from town we helped rescue another cruising couple whose engine conked out on their dinghy.  We got them to their boat safe and sound and continued on to ours.

Later that day we enjoyed drinks on Serenity, with Mike and Mary Jo, whom the Mershons knew from the West End Yacht Club up in Philadelphia.

The men's side of the boat.

The following day we took the boat to a nearby marina and filled up with water and fuel just in case there would be an opening to cross. We listened to the weather but feel we will be here this week, with a possibility to cross on the weekend.

That is a way off, so only time will tell. For now we will enjoy a little more of South Beach and Miami under warm sunny skies.

Home for Turkey Day

Dawn and Ron's lovely waterfront condo.

Our friends, Dawn and Ron Hughes on Dawn Treader, who purchased a condo in Ft. Pierce to permanently move there from the Annapolis area, offered to take us to the airport. 

We flew out of West Palm Beach airport which is a nice easy to get around airport leaving on time. We had one stop in Charlotte with an half an hour to get something to eat to bring on the plan and board again. The plane was loaded and ready to go when the pilot says over the intercom, “We have a little problem of a dent being found on the plane. They must have it precisely measured, logged and then a decision of suitable or not for flying will be made. It should take 35-30 minutes.” That half an hour turned into two hours. We sat on the plane and then finally took off.  We got into BWI at 4:30pm instead of 2:30pm. We picked up the rental car just in time to get into Friday rush hour traffic on Rt.695 around Baltimore. Lucky us! Talk about nerve racking, but after that the rest of the busy week went smoothly.

We had dinner with our friends, Bob and JoAnn Castello at 8PM when we reached Lancaster Friday night. Then Saturday was a get-together with Al's side of the family at his cousin Amy's house. 

Christopher entertains the youngsters.

 We got to see the youngsters of the group who our son Chris seemed to keep entertained with a program called “Photo Booth” on his Ipad. They loved seeing themselves stretched into all funny different shapes and sizes.

No, we are not snorkeling yet.  It is a salt water aquarium.

Amy's husband has a salt water tank aquarium which made me feel like we were in the Bahamas snorkeling. (Hopefully, we will get there soon!) 

 And of course it, it is always good to catch up on everyone's news as Al is doing with his mother.

Al chatting with his mother.

Sunday was a bitter cold day with winds in the 20-25 mph range. We just stayed home with long johns under our jeans, sweaters on and sat under blankets watching football most of the day. Besides dental, nail salon, and haircut appointments we also got to see some friends. Al went to his business club meeting and I enjoyed lunch out with two good friends who were also former family and consumer science (home ec) teachers. 

Enjoying lunch out with my friends Sue and Liz.

 Then it was Turkey Day, so we once again closed up the house and headed to my sister's home in Baltimore (Severn to be exact). My sons Christopher, Nathan and his wife, Lore, ourselves, my niece, Chrissy, a friend of the family, Craig and my sister of course were present. We all helped with the meal, bringing a contribution and helping in the kitchen. As usual, a superb turkey meal was had by all.

Enjoying Thanksgiving with the family at my sister's .

That is some cupcake!

We had pumpkin pie, apple pie and a huge red velvet cupcake that Christopher brought.  He was pretending to sample it! The rest of us could not even look at it, we were so full! 

 There were plenty of leftovers that unfortunately we did not get to share in, due to flying out the next day. We spent the night at my sister's and flew out with no hassles surprisingly on Black Friday!

Dawn cooking up the shrimp.

Ron and Dawn picked us up and were kind enough to take us back to their beautiful condo that overlooks the water and give us a great light meal of shrimp over Caesar salad. It was perfect after such a feast the day before. She also shared with me a recipe for 321 cake made in ramekins in the microwave served with fresh fruit on top. It is so simple, I have to share it with you.

321 Cake

1 Angel food cake mix

1 Lemon (or what ever other flavor you prefer) cake mix

Mix these two dry cake mixes together in a gallon ziploc bag.

Then in the small ramekins or custard cup, put 3 tablespoons of blended cake mix and 2 tablespoons of water. Blend together with a spoon. Microwave 1 min. or if you have several ramekins in the microwave, do a minute at a time until the cakes look set. Eat from the ramekin or use a knife and lift them out. Serve with fresh fruit, yogurt or whatever your heart desires.

Ft. Pierce Farmer's Market

Dawn picked me up the next day to go to the wonderful farmer's market in Ft. Pierce.  It was great because I had to stock the boat again with fresh fruits and veggies.

We are now on the boat in Harbortown Marina where we left it and plan to leave to head south tomorrow. We plan to head out Ft. Pierce inlet and come in at West Palm Beach. Our friends the Mershons are waiting for us in Miami to crossover to the Bahamas.

The temperature is great here in the seventies but it seems the rain gods are blessing us once again!  Well, it gives me time to work on my pine needle basket, maybe I'll get it done soon.

My pine needle basket progress.

Like Old Home Week in Vero Beach

Vero Beach has seemed like a big cruiser's reunion. We have been visiting with friends whom we have met over the past three trips as well as meeting new cruisers. 

Carl and Marilyn in their new condo.

The first day we were here, our friends, Carl and Marilyn, from the boat Discovery picked us up and had lunch at Kelly's pub and then out to see their wonderful new condo that they had purchased this fall. They are just in the beginning process of furnishing it. They plan to cruise this season yet, but then sell their boat and become a CLOD (cruiser living on dirt) in Vero Beach for the winter and Michigan in the summer. 

 

Skip and Harriets new home.

We also visited with Harriet an Skip from Moon Dance who already sold their boat and bought a lovely home here too. It has a pool and a workshop for Skip that had Al drooling!

Al drooling over the workshop!

 

Skip, Harriet and Bailey.

 It is interesting how so many cruisers end up in this area. One highlight is the great Riverside Park with tennis courts, fitness trail, art museum and theater.

Riverside Park with lots of amenities.

 

 

Like a reunion at the marina happy hour.

On Thursday evening at the marina is the standard appetizer and drink get-together at a pavilion there. Many CLODS came as well as the cruisers anchored in the harbor. As you can see, we eat pretty well.

Lots to eat!

Although much was left due to the fact that many cruisers, including ourselves, went to Chef Lin's all you can eat Chinese buffet for lunch. I have never seen such a selection of dishes from sushi, dim sum, and peanut chicken, to steam shrimp, salmon, apple strudel and four kinds of ice cream. I never even saw half the dishes there. All for the low price of $6.95pp. (It is located on Rt.1 and 19^th St. for those in the area.) Needless to say we were not hungry for the appetizers later that day.

Libby the pine basket instructor.

I have been using the “Fitness trail” at the local park to get in my 3-4 mi. walks in, and using the free bus service to get our needed shopping done. I also was lucky to meet Libby Mills on Tarwathie who teaches how to do pine needle baskets. 

I spent one afternoon with her learning how to begin the basket and learning two different stitches. She also taught me how to finish the basket another afternoon on a basket she had made. 

Lovely pine needle baskets.

She showed me some of her baskets and some of her students which were just beautiful. She gave me all the supplies necessary to make one basket. I will be asking Al to stop in the Carolinas to look for the long pine needles on our way home in the spring. I can't wait to try some more! Thank you Libby for sharing your talent. All she asked is that I pass the knowledge on to someone else. Any takers?

Groucho or Al?

One day we got up and I took one look at Al and I said, “You're starting to look like Groucho Marx with your uncontrollable hair. So into the marina we went, where I trimmed him up enough until we get home in a week or so he can go to his regular barber.

Mershons caught up with us here in Vero Beach so of course we shared several happy hours and dinner on board Blue Heaven and dinner out one night. We both departed on Sunday but each heading to different locations. We headed into Harbortown Marina in Ft. Pierce. We are leaving the boat here while we fly home to share Thanksgiving with our family. Dave and Toni moved down the intra-coastal. We will meet them in Miami once we return and hopefully get across to the Bahamas.  Harbortown is a very large but nice marina.  

The treasure seeker called Aaaar Booty.

We happened to be put in a slip next to this boat which we were told is a treasure seeking vessel.   They reportedly just found a half a million dollar treasure not far off the coast from Ft. Pierce.  Maybe there luck will rub off on us.

We leave Friday and return Black Friday.  Maybe the flights won't be crowded since they will all be out shopping the sales!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Even Blue Heaven has a Tom Turkey!

Blue Heaven's Tom Turkey

Minor Tribulations Add to the Cruising Life.

Practicing going close to reed beds and up again.

After Cumberland Island we motored to an anchorage north of St. Augustine called Pine Island. We were the only one in there for most of the afternoon which is unusual. We figured most boats were waiting for the November 1^st date to cross into Florida for their insurance requirement. It was Oct. 31st.  We don't have that restriction. While sitting in the cockpit in this remote area, we got to watch someone practicing maneuvers with a helicopter. So much for the peace and quiet!

Laurie and Jim from Kismet at King's Bistro

The next morning we went to the St. Augustine mooring field to stay for a couple of days. On the dock we ran into Laurie and Jim on Kismet and met Mary and Dave on Mona Mie´. We ended up going to to this hidden gem, King's Bistro for lunch which was just as fantastic as the last time we were there. It is one of these places that I would not go into from the outside appearance, but once inside, what a cute 9 table place with interesting and delicious selections. We did not know they are only open Friday to Sunday but we lucked out, it was a Friday! (For those cruisers going to St. Augustine, it is one block past Sailor's Exchange on the left. It is small so look carefully!) Laurie and Jim could not get over how great it was, especially for the price.  

Later in the evening we went into town with Kismet and Mona Mie´ to do the First Friday Art Walk and to splurge on some ice cream which was our dinner as well!

St. Augustine Municipal Marina

Witches, ghosts and goblins were all over this boat!

Saturday dawned with loads of rain. We finally got off the boat later in the day to walk to the closest little grocery store called Stewart's which was across the Bridge of Lions. As an added bonus, we got a good view of the marina from the bridge. The store is great for meat, seafood and produce. Not great for canned goods or paper products. We got the produce I needed and headed back before more rain.  On the docks were several boats really decked out with Halloween decorations.  We were told that Halloween is highly celebrated here with a huge parade and lots going on.

Cathedral of St. Augustine

I attended mass at the Cathedral of St. Augustine the next day. What a beautiful church with loads of history. It is the oldest Catholic church in the USA. 

The main altar.

 The altar was stunning 

The beautiful Spanish influenced ceiling and beams of the cathedral.

and the Spanish influence is evident in the black, gold and red ceiling. 

After church I went shopping while Al was doing laundry and meeting other cruisers in the “cruiser's lounge.” Believe it or not, this is one of the best ways to meet other people. We invited a couple whom Al met at the laundry, Sue and Dave from San Cle´, and Laurie and Jim for happy hour.  We were not sure they would come because it was blowing about 20 knots, but they braved the elements anyway as many sailors would.

Many boats left St. Augustine the same day as us.  The wind was still blowing quite a bit so you can see the boats looked like ducks in a row coming through the waterway.  

And the sailboats just kept on coming!

 We motored sailed to Daytona going into Halifax Marina for fuel, water and a pump out. Then we went out and just anchored off the waterway with several other boats doing the same.   These sculling boats went by with the instructor shouting instructions through a megaphone from his motorized whaler with an interesting dark cloud over them!

Sculling team practicing.

We had rain showers and gray skies all day going to the Daytona area as well as the next day when we motored to Titusville. 

                                                               

At this point we thought they might hit the bridge!

 Before reaching Titusville, we had to pass through the Haulover Canal which was having trouble with their draw bridge. They could not get both spans to go up, and there was a huge tug and barge trying to go through in front of us. They finally got both spans to go up, and it was interesting to watch the tugs, one in front and one in back, trying to get this barge with a crane on it through the narrow opening. It was hardly moving so it was a very slow go through the canal. Once outside the canal we finally were able to pass it.

 

This is what we followed through the canal.

We took a mooring ball at Titusville and were able to go in for a walk and a chance to do a load of laundry. We signed up for the free shuttle to Publix grocery for 9am the next day. The local merchants pay for this van and it runs every two hours. You can even go to the Space Center for $30 a van round trip. If you have others going with you in the van, you all share the cost. That is a great deal! 

Al in the Titusville cruiser's lounge, a screened in porch.

We got our restocking of food done and several phone calls that needed to be done without possible loss of connection which can happen in the waterway. After lunch, Al wanted to enjoy a cigar, so that meant I was going for a walk in town, far, far away. I was surprised to find several interesting sights in this small town.  

Space Walk Hall of Fame

 I came upon Space View Park which was an excellent spot for watching the launches, and the Space Walk Hall of Fame with all the men and women's names involved with the space walks.

Veteran's Memorial Park

I also saw Veteran's Memorial Park with it's great view of the Titusville bridge and waterfront and the Brevard County Museum with its menageries of items from clothing, household items, military uniforms and even the control panel of the old Max Brewer Bridge that used to be in Titusville. I must say, I had never seen a bridge control panel before!

Old bridge control panel.

Beautiful sunset at Titusville.

After another beautiful sunset, we went to bed in quiet conditions and awoke about 5am to howling wind and bouncing on the mooring ball with the northeast wind. The front had come through earlier than we expected. We still had the motor on the dinghy and had to remove it before continuing on. That was a real challenge with 20-25 knot winds but was accomplished but not without Al getting “a saltwater shower.” We could not wait to get motoring to get off the bronco busting mooring.

Accident on the bridge holds us up!

We got to the first and only drawbridge of the day, Addison Point bridge, and we saw flashing lights and a fire engine on the bridge. This did not look good!  There had been a car accident on the bridge and so we motored around for an hour and fifteen minutes waiting for them to clear it, and clear the traffic on the bridge before finally opening the bridge for us. There were only three sailboats, so that was probably why they did not push much faster to open the bridge. Our luck with bridges in this area has been terrible. At least we did not have to wait four hours like the one year! Luckily we were not traveling that far. 

 

Cocoa's waterfront park.

We went into Cocoa and found the conditions much better for anchoring because the winds were blocked more here. I had a good afternoon visiting the many small shops while Al enjoyed the various park benches around town. We decided to have an early dinner of pizza at Ryan's Village Pizza and we were not disappointed.

We got out to our boat about four hours later to find Blue Heaven just about 15 ft. away from a moored boat. She had dragged her anchor which we have never done with the Rocna anchor. When Al brought the anchor up, there was a plastic bag caught on the plow tip, but we can't believe that would have caused it. Needless to say, we quickly re-anchored and had no problems through the night and were just thankful no damage was done.

We were up early and sailed almost the entire way to Vero Beach. The wind was 14 to 20 knots on our beam which made for great sailing. It was probably one of the best sails of the trip so far. We are in the mooring field here for about a week. This is where we meet old friends and make new ones. We have two friends who recently bought homes here and plan to visit with them and just plan to hang out and enjoy the luxuries of the states before crossing over to the Bahamas in early December. We are heading home on the 22^nd of November for one week to see family and friends and have a welcomed turkey dinner! At least we won't have to have roasted pelican. 

JUST KIDDING!  OOH, I bet they would be fishy!!!!