Happy Easter!

Would you believe? The Easter bunny came this morning and left candy for us and a bubbling little fish toy for Louis!

The wind died overnight so hauling anchor was easy about 9:45 AM. We had a long sunny day making our way south to Fort Pierce. Of course, a SE wind freshened as the day progressed, frequently sending water over the bow this afternoon.

At 6:00PM we dropped the hook in our favorite anchorage on the south side of the South Fort Pierce Bridge. Unfortunately it’s fairly exposed to these 15-20 knot SE winds. The night will be, once again, very windy but subsiding by morning. We should be sailors, since we attract so much wind. And…. across the water, the wind has lots of room to build.

Now it’s time to rest and study the charts for our Lake Okeechobee crossing in two days. No going ashore today, either.

Easter Bunny left foot prints and candy.

Birds sitting on rail watching us pass under bridge.

Long Day but Made a Good Way

About 9 AM, we retrieved a sticky, mud covered chain & anchor and used lots of water washing it to keep the muck out of the chain locker. The deck was a mess with muddy streaks. The really important part? The anchor held perfectly all night.

Much of today was spent picking our way through small fishing boats determined to fish the main channel meant for large vessels. Much of the ICW in this area looks large and expansive but most vessels of size are confined to an often narrow, dredged channel. In several areas people were standing in just a few feet of water ridiculously close to the channel.

Tonight we’re anchored at Coco Beach on the Indian River, about 600 feet from shore in 15 knot SE winds. We’ll not go ashore but we did speak with George & Christy, living aboard our sister ship Christina Sea, in their marina slip here in Coco. Next time here we’ll have a good visit. It will be a galloping night with the wind and waves heaving the bow.  Sweet Dreams! (sounds familiar somehow)

Oh, and Louie just had a bath… now we have a wild dog!!!

Tomorrow we venture on to Fort Pierce. 

Old fashion paper charts showing narrow channel and shallow depths.

Man standing in water as Capt. Mike keeps SeaDream in channel.

End to a long day. . ZZZZZ.

Dolphin Sightings and More. . .

What a beautiful day, with a cloudless sky and temperature reaching 68 F! St. Augustine to Daytona is a nice section of the ICW. Areas of swamp and sea grass, without a soul in sight, intersperse with canals leading to big beautiful homes. 

We’re southbound too early to encounter the Spring migration of northbound boats, perhaps because it’s still a little cold; the oncoming boats we do see are mainly Canadian. After Easter, the parade will begin in earnest as boats head north for the summer, some probably beginning the Great Loop. 

Mike and I saw two kinds of dolphins today. I photographed one type and Mike the other. The ICW was full of swimming dolphins today and several, with young ones, followed SeaDream for about a mile, close alongside, as if racing us. They would leap out and “spy” us, amazingly playful.  An unexpected sight was hundreds of palm tree trunks with their tops twisted off… just stumps, we suppose from a windstorm.

We’re anchored just south of Daytona in about 8 feet of calm water for the night. Tomorrow brings the Coco Beach run.

"Wooden dolphins" used to moor very large boats. Photo by Linda

"Swimming dolphins" racing by SeaDream. Photo by Mike

Louis jumping the hoop on the deck of SeaDream in Daytona, FL.

Running with the Big Boys in Jacksonville

We hauled anchor at LaVista Point, south of Jacksonville, about 8:00 AM. Both the chain & anchor came up unexpectedly clean…. hooray! Luck was with us, too, entering downtown Jacksonville…. the low-to-the-water FEC Railroad bascule bridge opened as we were approaching! With the low morning sun shining brightly on the tall buildings, we cruised under the many bridges. Farther on, the Big Boy ships started coming in from the sea, one after another, to unload their cargo of containers at the countless piers lining the St. Johns River at this busy port. Each is escorted by up to four large tugs and we gave them all plenty of room. They’re impressive and huge. Luckily the river is wide…. and deep all over.

Just before reaching the ocean outlet we turned south into the ICW, heading for 450 year-old St. Augustine. The tide was in, so water was high as we cruised the narrow, often shallow “ditch”. After tying to a mooring ball on the north side of Lions Bridge about 4:30 PM, a free water taxi shuttled us ashore for a couple of hours of pleasant leg stretching with Louis. Dinner was back aboard, watching the evening news on TV, like countless people in earthbound homes. Tonight will be slightly warmer night with little wind…. tomorrow brings the Daytona run. SeaDream in running well.

Railroad bascule bridge raised open as we entered Jacksonville.

One of the "Big Boys"

Mike and Louis in St. Augustine with SeaDream in background.

Finally Letting Go of Land

After two months of delays and two unexpected trips home, we re-boarded SeaDream Sunday afternoon and finally untied her docklines this morning, heading toward Jacksonville for the first day of journey to St. Petersburg, FL, where Rachel & Jim are meeting us April 13^th.

Among other delays, severe winds damaged our Nashville home’s roof. Bad weather slowed replacement but the crew worked very carefully and the new roof is much improved and super nice.

The last few days at the dock were very busy, mostly cold and relentlessly windy. The many-miles-long, open fetch of the mile-wide St. John’s River gave us steady 20-25 mph winds across our dock with frequent gusts well over 30….. and biting low temps as well. This is Florida?

Then….. last night our duck bills complained! Quack, quack!! These black rubber duckbills reside in a toilet waste pump. We had spares and Mike installed 4 new ones. Easy access made replacement simple; Clorox disarmed the little bit of mess. The pump now sounds very happy!

Today we arose bright and early, to 34 degrees and a 10-12 NW wind. Yep, this is our Florida. After storing the car and walking Louie, we disconnected shore power, topped off the water tank and warmed the engines, then waved goodbye to friends as wind and current pushed us off the dock at Reynold’s Park Marina for a short trip to our anchorage just south of Jacksonville. This first day we’ve taken it slowly, getting our sea legs and enjoying the boat. The next nine days will be much longer, traveling to Florida’s West Coast by way of Lake Okeechobee, through locks and canals ending at Fort Myers. New cruising territory…. new adventures. Hopefully the weather will co-operate and…… please turn warmer.  

 

 

Rubber duck bill for waste pump.

Louis wanted to show "Pinky's" bill.

New Year Fun but Not Much Sun!

Many boater’s celebrate New Year’s at 9:00PM for an early start on the drinks and bed. We toasted at 9:00PM after a ham, black-eyed peas & greens dinner with Dee, Brook, Brother Neil and Kay but we also managed to stay awake and play Farkle until midnight. Neil, Kay & poodle Joe stayed the night for more visiting and a nice morning walk in the huge field here at the marina. Being with friends and family is so nice! Louis and cousin Joe had great fun and loved racing in the field.

2013’s first few days are whizzing by as we huddle, warm and dry, aboard SeaDream. Now our plans have changed a bit. Tomorrow (Monday) we’re taking a road trip to the Florida panhandle to see the little towns and marinas and visit Randy and Barb aboard Lazy Dolphin in preparation for our voyage to the Florida west coast soon. We’ll also drive from Mobile back to Nashville, as I have doctor’s appointment January 28^th. Mike & Louie will return to SeaDream early for some boat projects, with me flying down to join them at month’s end. Plans change and so may the weather. Perhaps it will be warmer. 

New Years Eve with Neil, Kay, Brook and Dee on boat.

Christmas in the Sun

Who would have thought we would be in the pool on Christmas day?

Mike, Louis and I spent the holiday in Fort Pierce at Crystal and Merwin’s new beach house. Christmas eve we went stocking stuffer shopping for little silly gifts for each other. Stuart was the perfect little town to shop and then we had lunch. In the evening we went to a candle light service at a local church. Merwin shared his traditional Norwegian flat bread with us at Christmas dinner the next day after our present opening and swim. Our last days, Crystal and I shopped while Mike and Merwin went to marine shops and the Navel Museum. What a great time we had and didn’t even miss the snow. Pictures are the best way to share our visit. 

                                          Christmas eve in Stuart with Merwin & Crystal.

                                          Gilligan & Louis looking over presents.

                                         Christmas Day in Fort Pierce.

                                          Christmas Feast!

The Big Switch - Land to Boat Living

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After dinner Tuesday evening in Atlanta with Moly, Matt and Will, we stayed the night and had some early Christmas. What fun to see family over the holidays!

The next morning we bypassed most traffic using I-285 and drove seven hours to Green Cove Springs, FL where Sea Dream was waiting, all shiny and clean.

After unpacking the stuffed car, we settled into our water-borne home once again.

At first we’re always a little disoriented, not quite remembering where things are or where they go but soon we even had our little Christmas tree decorated in the salon. Living aboard also requires really economizing on our water & power usage.

Dee and Brook came over to welcome us and we all had dinner at our favorite Mexican Restaurant with the sassy waitress. 

A heavy rain front came through last night and the temperature dropped 20 degrees to the fifties, with howling wind but we still have sunshine today. Louie is enjoying his Frisbee runs with Mike in the big field at Reynolds Park as we settle in, once again, to living on aboard Sea Dream.

                                          Molly, Matt & Louie opening presents.

                                          Clean & shiny Sea Dream.

                                            Decorated for Christmas.

Stuffing the Car for Christmas

What to take and what not to take? Oh well, let’s just take it all!

Packing the car to leave for the boat and the holidays gives Mike a real challenge.

We are leaving for Atlanta to visit Will for a while and spend the night and have a gift exchange with Molly and Matt in the evening. Wednesday morning we will drive to Green Cove Springs, Florida where Sea Dream has been in Holland’s Boat Yard having her bottom cleaned and painted. The shaft seals are being checked and snugged and Sea Dream will start the New Year looking good freshly waxed. Wednesday she will be put in the water and ready to board.

The last time we were all on the boat was in May. We’re ready for more adventure and a lazy cruise over to the West Coast of Florida. 

Back from the Bahamas!

Mike wrote the following email as we left The Bahamas. Our month long visit was full of fun and adventure. My brother Stan and wife Carol from Seattle visited for a week and we met many other boat friends while there. Our last visit was with Merwin and Crystal who arrived in their sail boat at a marina in Green Turtle Cay. This email captured our parting thoughts. We're sorry no Blog posting while there but the internet was very poor or none at all. 

 

EMAIL by Mike:

May 17, 2012 Thursday

I hated leaving Green Turtle Cay on Monday morning and sulked all day long. But, moving on turned out to be a good decision.

We anchored Monday night in Foxtown, Little Abaco Island, and visited with Teresa & husband Neal. The anchorage had scores of large rocks scattered throughout and tricky. Dinghying ashore was mucho confusing, with large rocks and shallows scattered everywhere. Of course the darned winds had come up again, too, and we almost didn't even go ashore. Fortunately, persistence won out. The few hours with Teresa & Neal were great fun and we traded an 18-pack of beer for several pounds of huge, locally-caught crab claws. Very cool !!!

Tuesday, while moving on to the NW Sales Cay anchorage (for better protection from those SE winds), a very large water spout passed less than 3/4 mile behind us. It approached from the port side, with the path very difficult to predict until it got closer (should have used the radar). A sailboat motoring alongside us turned around, realizing only too late they'd turned toward the spout..... we expected to go back and pick up their pieces! Fortunately it barely missed them, with no damage. Waterspouts are incisive, just like tornadoes.

Huge waterspout 3/4 mile behind us

Tuesday night, at Sales Cay, we labored over the WeatherWorx reports from a nearby boat and decided the only good day to return was Wednesday, because strong storms were brewing for early Thursday for the Eastern Florida Coast and expected to persist for a week.

So, we hauled anchor at 3:00 AM Wednesday morning, accompanied by Steve & Linda, aboard Coral Bay. Radar and our deck spotlight helped moving among a dozen or so nearby anchored boats. Most had arrived after us and were closer than I liked in the dark. The trip across was easy, with much rain in sight but little falling on us. The seas were moderately rolly and pretty choppy in a few places but not bad. The last 20 miles became so glassy calm as to be spooky! With the dark skies, we wondered what was coming next. The 118 miles from Sales Cay took 16 hours because I had a lapse and left the Bahama Bank too far North. Next time we'll cross around Memory Rock and let the GulfStream carry us North to Fort Pierce. The same trip going over only took 12.5 hours. Duh!

We nearly ran over three pygmy sperm whales, known for sitting motionless on the surface in small groups in very deep waters. They dived just as I made a hard starboard turn. What a surprise for all of us. Later we saw a beaked whale... very strange yellow.

Louie has totally gotten over his sensitivity to rough seas and slept or yawned the entire trip. I guess those weeks of rocking at anchor in the relentless Abaco winds did the trick for him.

Anyway, we're here in Fort Pierce anchored, are heading north tomorrow for Cocoa Beach and work our way north over the week. Nashville is in our sights for June 1.

Trip to Lake Worth and Leaving for the Bahamas...& More

TUESDAY- April 10: We encountered many bridges, Florida mansions, mangrove trees and manatees while motoring to Lake Worth. We anchored just south of Peanut Island, next to Dee & Brook, our fellow Great Harbor owners, and Steve & Linda Sampson, aboard Coral Bay. The evening was spent tying down and making final preparations for our start at 3:00 AM.

WEDNESDAY- April 11: We hauled anchor at 3:15AM, following Steve & Linda out the Lake Worth inlet, very close to our anchorage. Once in the open sea, we set course almost due East for the Bahamas. The moon lit our way and the water was smooth with 3 mph South winds. The lights of Fort Worth were still visible 25 miles out. Sunrise was around 7:00AM. The seas were 1 to 2 feet the whole voyage making a smooth Gulf Stream passage. Our day's halfway point was Memory Rock, where the water depth changed dramatically from deep blue 700 feet to aqua blue 25 feet. From there it was a straight line course to Great Sale Cay, Bahamas, a popular rest anchor before continuing on to the Abacos. We arrived at 4:00 PM, making about 108 miles in 12-3/4 hours. Not shabby!

THURSDAY- April 12: Winds picked up overnight to 25 to 30 mph with squalls all around so we decided to stay another night in safely anchored. No going ashore, so we did boat chores and took naps to catch up on our sleep.

FRIDAY- April 13: The winds slackened a little so we hauled anchor at 7:00 AM for Spanish Cay. The waves built 2 to 4 feet as we headed toward Spanish Cay and the wind returned. Rain we encountered actually seemed to beat down the waves, smoothing our ride some. Louis didn't like today's cruise! Spanish Cay assigned us a face dock for a smooth landing in 30 mph winds on the nose! There are very few people there, probably less than 25. The Marina is very nice with a pool, restaurant and store. “Tornado” the dock master, ferry boat captain, overseer, and general “guy around town” was very friendly. The island is owned by a Texan who has built several rental houses, the marina and tennis courts. The island has three trucks, including a fire truck. Golf carts are popular.

We cleared customs at the dock around 3:00 PM, had a delicious grouper sandwiches at the restaurant, and relaxed on wooden rockers on the wrap around porch to enjoy the beautiful view and visit with Steve & Linda. Louis enjoyed meeting “Hurricane” the resident dog, rescued from hurricane Irene last year as a small puppy pulled from the water. He's a Bahamian “pot cake” (mongrel) breed, a Dalmation-sized Jack Russell. Louis schooled him in proper dog manners but Hurricane was still very much a puppy. We took long walks with the dogs running free in the evening: no traffic or people, just ocean & wind sounds. The wind blew hard blew hard while we slept.

SATURDAY- April 14: Left Spanish Cay around 1:00 PM. The 25 mph wind was just slightly to Port of the bow but it was a little harrowing backing down over 200 feet of dock.

We tried an anchorage at the northern end of Manjack Island but the wind were too strong, the rollers too big and the rock shores too close so we headed for a large southern cove near Rat Cay. There we found an excellent anchor spot near the highest shore to partially block this tiresome wind. It howled all night but we felt safe.

SUNDAY- April 15: During a wind lull we launched the dinghy for exploring. A mile north we found Coconut Bay, a small sandy beach just right for Louis to chase his frisbee and practice swimming. He waded out with Mike and soon found himself swimming and liking it while I found coral and shells. The wind was fierce returning to SeaDream. Later in the afternoon we rode to the ocean side of the island in Steve & Linda's dinghy. Conch shells are abundant on the sandy, sometimes rocky beaches. The bottom is sand with sparse grass right up to shore for easy beaching of the dinghy. Back aboard SeaDream we watched the sun set, then had dinner and a movie. The perpetual wind rocked us to sleep.

MONDAY- April 16: Winds and waves continue but they may abate tomorrow. Mike gave wooly Louie a shave today. His fine hair sticks to everything and when it blew off the swim platform/beauty salon it floated for miles behind the boat. Mike did a pretty good grooming job and Louie is much cooler.

I washed windows while Mike and Steve scraped the goatee moss off the SeaDream's water line. Linda and I visited and exchanged boat pictures from our crossing. This evening, we dinghied to Crab Cay to see the wild pigs. Didn't see any but had a wonderful evening ride. Another movie night after supper and a quieter night as the sea breeze diminished.

TUESDAY- April 17: We dinghied about four miles with Steve & Linda to Green Turtle Cay. It's a small island with a few hundred people. Little wooden houses painted pastel colors, side by side in a five block town. There were a few very small stores and one very good, very small bayside restaurant called “The Wrecking Tree”. I don't know where it got it's name. It was nice to go ashore and mingle with humans. The population is about ½ black and ½ white. The original settlers were loyalists to Britain and came here from the original colonies but many didn't stay long because the farming was very poor. Later in the afternoon we took Louie back to Coconut Bay for a beach run and more swimming. He's doing really well and readily swims out to get his frisbee. A huge ray appeared in shallows nearby. Luckily I saw it before we got too close. Back aboard, we enjoyed the sunset then Mike finally got the navigation computer fixed. Windows XP went nuts when he accidentally switched off its power a few days ago.

WEDNESDAY- April 18: Today we departed Manjack Cay and, sadly, Steve & Linda, to head for Marsh Harbor where Stan and Carol fly in tomorrow afternoon. We crossed Whale Cay uneventfully in the wonderful low wind and minimal seas. It was a 4 hour trip and we found plenty of anchoring room in Marsh Harbor. We did a little exploring land side for a grocery store.... there's not much here even though it is the third largest town in the Bahamas. Mike did get us hooked up to the internet and we've been reconnecting with the world and emailing everyone to tell them we're okay. Now I have to clean this boat and get ready for Stan and Carol.

(Sorry no pictures but not good enough connection)

Happy Easter!

SUNDAY:

We'll leave Fort Pierce on Tuesday then leave Lake Worth, for the crossing, on Wednesday; wind and waves should be ideal.

Mike has made several trips forays for last minute supplies. I've been flat on my back for a day and a half nursing a pulled back muscle. Happily, today's better and Mike's glad to have me at least semi-operational again. Louie has been a great help, keeping my back warm with his cuddles and bringing me his stuffed monkey for company. I got ashore today for a long slow walk to loosen up.

Linda and Steve joined us for Easter dinner at the marina restaurant, then we boarded SeaDram to plan our Bahamas approach and compare charts.

We expect to leave Lake Worth at 3:00AM Wednesday morning, approach the Little Bahama Banks north of Grand Bahama Island, round Memory Rock then head straight for Great Sale Cay to anchor. It's a 104 mile trip but a safe anchorage.

Final Preparation Day!

MONDAY:

Why do todo lists always grow with each passing day, even though we've been chipping away. Mike and I made one “last” grocery and West Marine run this morning. He's had the lion's share of the work, as my back is still tender. I'm better but don't want to push my luck. I reviewed most of the trip charting today with Louie supervising the process.

There's a beautiful sunset now in Fort Pierce. We'll leave for Lake Worth around 10:00AM tomorrow. Be sure to click on the big boat picture at the top of our blog and watch our SPOT as we head South then on to the Abacos, Bahamas. After 3:00AM Wednesday we'll be without internet connections until Friday.

Linda & Louis studying charts.

Mike working on dinghy on flybridge.

Antenna Delight!

WEDNESDAY:

Another work day. For Bahamas internet access, Mike installed a super sensitive Wifi antenna on the flybridge, and it's working great! Planning the wire runs had been tedious but worked out well. I scrubbed the deck, organized stowed items and made a Walmart run.

THURSDAY:

Mike replaced a faulty shower sump switch first thing this morning with our spare. The 10 year guaranteed sump switch lasted only 3. Then back to getting all systems ready and I made another “final” trip to the grocery store. The frig and cabinets are chock full with two months of stores. Louis had a bath then collected his daily kiss and treat bone from Kim, Whiticar Marine's office manager. He's well known to have “babes” in every port!

Sunday is still our expected “leaving for Lake Worth” day. Our great friends Steve and Linda Samson docked this afternoon in m/v Coral Bay, their 48' Kady-Krogen, to make the Bahamas crossing with us. We're so pleased they decided to make the run. Tonight we'll all go out for shrimp dinners and swap boat stories.

New Wifi antenna on side of flybridge near railing.

Sea Dream at dock in Fort Pierce, Florida. Cloudy day!

Here in Harbortown Marina, Fort Pierce, Florida

TUESDAY:

Mike planned antenna wiring,

I did grocery acquiring.

Not much to say

Another a beautiful day!

We Are Back!

SUNDAY:

What a life! We awoke at the cabin to sun rising in the Blueridge mountains and saw it set in Fort Pierce, Florida, after driving 635 miles.

Louie's full dose of doggie drug barely relieved his riding “anxiety” for about 4 hours. We've tried three others without success. He'll never be a drug addict... they simply don't work on him! Inexplicably, he's anxious only when riding in the car and in rough seas. Wish he could just relax.... rum?

SeaDream looked great.... clean and ready to head for the Bahamas.

MONDAY:

Today was our unpack and organizing day. Where does the time go?

• Sleeping-in to rest from long drive.

• Watching the sunrise with coffee.

• Unpacking clothes and rearranging tee shirts.

• Waiting for carpenter to install a new guest room shelf.

• Lunching at Wendys.

• Retrieving parts packages at the marina office.

• Watching two very large manatees gulping water from our AC cooling water spouts. One at least 8 feet long and the other a little smaller, they rolled around while the spouting water poured into their mouths. They have tiny eyes and no teeth.... very strange gentle giants.

The day is nearly gone and where did it go? Who knows, but we had fun!

This week we'll provision, test and prepare, move 55 miles south to Lake Worth then wait for a fair weather day for the 9 hour Gulf Stream crossing to The Bahamas.

Manatees enjoying AC cooling water spout.

DOUBLE DOCKING in FORT PIERCE!

FRIDAY- The past nine days in Vero Beach have been very pleasant. Besides much fun with Betty and John Rhodes, we've enjoyed meeting other boaters, mild weather and that “beachy” feeling. We've stayed much longer than planned, validating Vero's nickname among boaters, “Velcro” Beach.

This afternoon at Vero's City Marina, we topped off with 413 gallons of diesel and pumped out, our first fuel purchase since Swansboro, NC, last Fall. This evening Larry and Susie MacDonald, of www.frugal-mariner.com fame, friends we met in Elizabeth City, NC, came aboard for drinks, food and fun. We had a great time catching up and discussing mutual interests. For many years they owned a camera store in Pennsylvania and their son is a photopro in California. Their website is a valuable mariner's resource!

SATURDAY- Today was ideal for the Fort Pierce run, with virtually no wind & clear skies, although patchy fog delayed us until 8:30 AM. We docked SeaDream in Fort Pierce about 10:30 where she'll remain while we drive home for three weeks; I'll fly to Seattle to visit my daughter and Mike will be working. We expect to return to Sea Dream the last week of March and prepare for our Bahamas crossing.

Our assigned slip here at HarborTown Marina has a short, single finger and tall pilings for the lines, an unfamiliar setup for us. With all docklines ready, we entered bow first, slowly and well, then sighed with relief. But . . . the finger dock for exiting SeaDream was six feet too short and useless and, egress over the bow was nearly impossible plus dangerous! I wasn't ready to re-dock but, considering our dilemma, we simply had to leave and re-enter backwards (stern to). With two seasoned Dutch sailors from a neighboring boat (3 Atlantic crossings) on board to help with lines, we left the safety of our slip and spun her around in the narrow fairway. The wind was still light but building; Mike slowly and smoothly made a good stern-to docking so SeaDream's aft gate meets the finger dock, for easy access. With relief and thanks to our impromptu crew for their great help, we relaxed and napped. The evening brought a delicious BBQ pot luck and music for everyone. Our emotional scale had been fully exercised today. Captain Mike always says, “This will be fun!” and, against all odds, it sometimes, usually, always is.

SUNDAY- Today Susie and Larry brought our car down from Vero Beach and lunched with us. This evening our new Dutch friends, Adrienne, Gerard, Dede and Tony came over for drinks, snacks and absolutely enthralling conversation. They're so much fun and their custom designed 53' aluminum sloop is beautiful! They've truly traveled the world, with three Atlantic crossings, Caribbean and North Sea experience.

MONDAY- Mike was engrossed in “admin” work all day, organizing for the Bahamas as well as home. I repacked cupboards and closets, reorganizing too. SeaDream is a continual reorganization project! We also had another delightful evening with the Dutchmen. Their family fishing and chandelier businesses are very traditional. We'd love to visit Holland someday. The next few days will be busy, preparing to leave.

Plans for docking.

Linda drives dinghy.

Sea Dream docked at Fort Pierce.

A Simple Trip to the Grocery Store?

TUESDAY- How can getting groceries be such an all-day adventure?? Christy offered us her car for shopping so about 1:30PM we dinghied into Cocoa Village Marina. The city marina would have been closer to her car but not as secure. Sea Dream was anchored on the bridge's south side, protected from the brisk northerlies. After passing under the bridge the waves drenched us in the dinghy. We tied up behind Christy's boat and wrung ourselves out as best we could for our two mile walk to her home office and the car. Louis & Boozer played there while we shopped. At Publix we got a few staples then stopped at West Marine (of course!). Christy returned us to the marina just as a squall arrived. After it passed, we and the groceries dinghied back to Sea Dream, boarding just before dark. Each bag of groceries was passed up to the deck and down into the galley. It was dusk by the time we finished a simple trip to the grocery for “a few things” but we had another adventure!

Leaving Cocoa Village, on to Vero

WEDNESDAY- Left Cocoa Village in the morning and cruised to Vero Beach, catching a mooring ball about 4:45PM at Vero Beach Marina. The wind was gusting to 25mph but I caught the ball on the first try. Hoorah! In the evening John and Betty Rhodes, good friends from Atlanta, invited us over to their condo for John's fresh caught fish dinner. It was absolutely delicious so we may have to learn to fish. They have a lovely place and Louis really enjoyed meeting their Westie, Chloe. We visited until late and then back to the boat.

THURSDAY- Betty and John arrived just before noon for the “boat tour”. The weather was sunny and very pleasant so we sat on the deck and lunched in the galley. Later we had a delicious Italian dinner in quaint Vero Beach. There's a lot to see and do so we plan to stay for several days.

Boozer & Louis in motion.

Mike in Cocoa Beach famous Travis Hardware Store.

Playing in park fountain.

Not Leaving

FRIDAY- Our only motion is swinging on the hook near Seabeeze Bridge in Daytona, Florida. Luckily there's civilization nearby..... the navigation computer's hard drive has crashed! Even in small town Daytona though, a google search located a repair shop close ashore. The helpful young techy confirmed the drive is completely dead so Mike bought & installed a new one. Connecting it's a snap but the arduous process of installing & configuring windows and all the other navigational software & devices takes many hours so we're doing what cruisers always do..... staying another day! If the hard drive had been readable, cloning it to a new one would have saved many hours. I bet we'll clone this new one!

SATURDAY- Mike got up late after working on the computer until 4:00 AM. Louis & I followed each other around, doing chores and not disturbing him while he continued the configuration. Progress is solid but slow. No shore time today but it's sunny and 72 degrees, a great day for sitting on deck. Tonight will be a movie night, gently swinging on the hook.

SUNDAY- Yay! We left this morning. All systems were go, with great weather. Hauled anchor at 9:00AM and anchored again at 6:00PM in Coca Beach, just south of Cape Canaveral. These I.C.W. waters are all very, very shallow except in the marked channels. Many places people are standing knee deep just outside the day markers. There must be plenty of sea life, though, because there are so many fisherman, birds, and a multitude of dolphins in these 2 to 4 foot deep waters.

Tonight we watched Downton Abbey on PBS! Tomorrow we'll go ashore and explore the little town of Cocoa Beach. “Christina Sea” GH 47 number 4 (we're hull 6), owned by George and Christy Comrie is docked here. We'll visit Christy (George is away) and catch up on their news. We may stay in Cocoa Beach a couple of days.

Old Kress building in Daytona Beach

Mike loading software on the computer.

Sunny Warm and Beautiful St. Augustine

TUESDAY- The best time to visit Florida is this warm winter; few tourists or bugs and moderate weather. We “set sail” in early darkness and passed through downtown Jacksonville and the RR bridge at dawn, before it closed for the day. The I.C.W. south of Jacksonville has houses to port and swamp to starboard. There were narrows but no traffic. After a beautiful day, often accompanied by dolphins, we picked up a mooring ball next to Lion's Bridge, in the heart of St. Augustine, at 1:30PM. New mooring tackle, plenty of swing room, gentle breeze and a gorgeous location, all for only $21.00! The newly refurbished, “old” Lion Bridge crowns the harbor. Ashore, Louis, Mike & I enjoyed walking around the 16^th century Spanish fort and all through America's oldest town. Tonight, little white lights twinkle from most downtown buildings, an especially festive sight from the water.

WEDNESDAY- This morning I enjoyed the pink, glowing sunrise over Lion's bridge. Such a beautiful old city so we stayed another day and walked then re-walked the brick streets and old neighborhoods. Before dark Louie got in a good run around the old fort, wearing himself out.

THURSDAY- We left St. Augustine about 11:30 AM after replacing the dinghy davit brake, emptying the trash and walking Louie ashore. It was very scenic but we had to watch the depths (shallows) very carefully. At 6:00PM in downtown Daytona Beach, we found a tight but adequate anchoring spot. It is a squeeze near a big bridge but a good hold. No shore time tonight. Left over chili waits!

Fort Castillo De San Marcos

St.Augustine Lion Bridge namesake with Sea Dream.

Sunrise over Lion Bridge

Events while docked in Green Cove Springs

SUNDAY- I'm tempted to deny or even forget two events from the past few days. 1.) Baron, at Holland Marine, repaired the fiberglas ding on SeaDream's bow in only three hours. When it happened at the Dismal Swamp Canal, we felt awful and couldn't speak of it for a day. Even though 35 mph wind was the main reason we bumped the lock wall, we should have been more better prepared to move. Now the blemish is gone my horror is fading as well. It's like nothing ever happened. 2.) The other event was my 65^th birthday on Friday! The number has a scary sound even though I enjoyed the special day with all the calls and well wishes. Sister-in-law Carol suggested I simply deny it and claim the age I want to be. Why not! Great idea! So. . . turning 65 is an event I might forget.

Otherwise, we've had tremendous fun visiting with Dee & Brook Williams aboard GH47 East Passage, dining on BBQ from the local Elk's lodge, Mexican with live music at our favorite spot and endless story sharing.

We'll leave in the early afternoon Monday after UPS delivery for an anchorage just South of Jacksonville. We plan to cruise south to the Lake Okeechobee canal and cross over to Florida’s west coast by the end of February.

Nothing ever happened to the bow.

I turn "55".