The CLODS Pull Through

Vero Beach North Mooring Field

The week we spent in Vero Beach went by so very fast.  The first few days were spent shopping for boat needs and groceries for stocking to go to the Bahamas.  Their free bus service makes it cruiser’s paradise for doing just that.  We did pull our folding bikes out of the boat and used them on shore mostly for pleasure riding.  I was hoping to get to the beach and kayaking the creek but it blew 20-25 knots all week so those two activities were not achieved.  As it got closer to Thanksgiving more and more boats were coming in.  We had started the week with just us on a mooring ball but ended with three boats on a mooring.  It was fun to watch who was coming in and catching up with friends we met on the last trip.  As the week progressed, the dinghy dock got fuller and fuller. 

Dinghy dock-two and three deep!

Captain Heron

 Once coming back to the dock, we saw this heron in one of the dinghies which we have never seen before, but as I got closer and closer to take his picture he finally flew away. I could not believe I got a picture of it!

Unexpected Picture

We had several Happy Hours on Blue Heaven and other boats and one big one on shore at the marina so it was a very social week. 

Arleen "The Greeter"

However, the highlight of the week was Thanksgiving!  As I said in my last entry, the CLODS (cruisers living on dirt) brought turkeys and hams and the 150 or so cruisers brought the sides and desserts.  We got there early so I volunteered to be the greeter, to instruct people about their name tags and putting their names in for the door prize drawing.  It was a great way to finally see the faces of the people you often hear on the VHF radio and associate it with a boat name.

 The tables were full of delicious food with all sorts of help from the ladies uncovering for the feast. 

Al chowing down!

Our table was one of the later ones called, but you can see that Al got plenty to eat.

 

Blue Heaven's Galley

I had brought apple pies made on board Blue Heaven.  You can see how small the galley is, so if I can make one on a boat, you can make one at home!  I also took bread stuffing but that was gone before we got to it.  There were plenty of other good things to try.

Door prize drawings

After dinner we had one of the cruiser’s grand-daughters pull the names for the great door prizes that the assistant manager of the marina got collected for our event.  Of course, we won nothing!  The town actually donates the community building for our event.  They do welcome us here, because they know how much money the cruisers leave in Vero Beach! 

 

The day ended with two gents playing their instruments and singing for the crowd.  It was a wonderful Thanksgiving.

We prepared to leave on Saturday, so Al changed the oil and we did some last minute shopping.  It will be hard to leave “Velcro Beach,” (it’s nickname because so many people just stay much longer than they planned.) however, we know we will see many of these friends over in the Bahamas sometime later this winter or spring.