Lake Park Marina December/ January

     Lake Park is a small municipal marina with a friendly, helpful staff. Mike Pisano, the harbor master, is a great source of info from local shops to marine service providers. It is also easy to get him talking about his newest adventure in being a first-time dad.  When we arrived his son was only 3 weeks old. John, Rich and one other round out the crew and they are all great. The marina primary activity is for diving excursions. We are the only live-boards, who remained for more than a day. We have met 3 other transients, including Semper Fi, who just came in for the night and were gone by first light.

     We had the opportunity to visit with Peter and Anne Wehrle of Toronto.  They just purchased Spice of Life, a Caliber 40, which they picked up in South Carolina.  They were rather disappointed when the discovered that the "enclosure" was only screens and not windows. Anne gave me the thumbs up on our enclosure and assured me that we will continue to enjoy them in the Bahamas as the weather is similar over there.  She also mentioned that they decided to leave the kayaks home as they are very difficult to use with the currents in the Bahamas.

Sandpiper hunting for lunch as
we were hunting for small shells.

     Pekabu needed a really good cleaning from top to bottom. She was coated in salt outside and her insides needes a little bit more than just a quick dusting.  Then we were off to spend the weekend with our friends, Ann and Howie Freedman in Delray Beach for weekend.  We joined them for the famous Seafood Dinner at the Club as well as brunch. The guys were able to get in a number of rounds of golf.  Ann and I were able to do some Christmas shopping and I had my inspiration for making the Christmas ornaments.

Santa's Landing Pad
in the neighborhood with all the lights

 As a result, we were off to beach hunting for small shells and to Michaels for the other items. We also toured an entire neighborhood lit up for the holiday season.  It is amazing, walking around, viewing Christmas lights in 70 degree weather.

This year's ornanaments were
inspired by our trip.

        We took advantage to get some projects done aboard including Christmas cards and the ornaments. 

     We treated ourselves to a couple of dates to the movies. We saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1 and the animated feature Tangled. The Freedman’s joined us for Chronicles of Narnia, Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Bruce and Lin have
treasured memories
of their time on the water.

Yes, we really are here!

     We also had time to catch up with Lin and Bruce Olsen, who have now settled in Fort Pierce.  It was wonderful catching up and taping into their cruising experiences. We shared a wonderful Indian meal after exploring the largest second-hand marine store we have come across: The Marine Connection Liquidators, 2970 North US 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946.    This must be the place where all the boats that were destroyed in the hurricanes eventually wind up. There must be a football field size building of parts and pieces…mind boggling! The Sailor’s Exchange in St. Augustine’s is only about 1/6 as large.

     We also rode over to the beach, witnessed the end of a beach wedding and purchased my Christmas ornament: a wooden dolphin. Then we went over to the Tara Plantation, a law firm which opens its building to the public on certain days in December.  The senior partner decorates the 20 rooms and had the outdoor decorations and lighting

done.  It is quite a production with transportation from a school, greetings by the partners and staff, and light refreshments included for free other than canned donations for the food bank.   Our stay was topped off in the morning with a “Jersey diner style” breakfast.

      We headed home for Christmas on Monday at 4 AM and were home by 9:30 PM. The books on CD make the ride more interesting.  Once home, there were trees to trim, decorations to complete, Greg to pick up from the airport, shopping for food, gifts to wrap and friends to see before Christmas on Saturday.  Company was scheduled for Sunday to Monday, then new company from Monday to Wednesday.  Appointments on Wednesday; then drive back to Florida on Thursday. But there was a slight hiccup!  There was snow on Sunday.  Delaware only had about 4-5 inches, but Jersey and New York City had 16-20+ inches.  NJ was in a state of emergency and Deneen and the girls could not go home on Monday.  The Bruzik’s could not come in from Ohio and the Michko’s could not come down from NJ on Monday. As a result we have a lot of food in our freezer at home and the catered food was shared with couples in our neighborhood.  Add to the craziness of the holidays, Pete will be working while in the Bahamas.  As a result, he spent time investigating cell phone, satellite phones, & amplified Wifi antennas. Heather had a lot of decorating and undecorating to do on the homefront with and without me.  Thanks Heather!

Epcot's
Universe of Energy

Epcot's
Mexican Pavilion

     We celebrated New Years Eve with Freedman’s with a late dinner and watching movies.  During the weekend, the guys enjoyed another round of golf while Ann and I caught the strange movie, Black Swan. Together with Ann and Howie, we also visited Epcot, which we haven’t visited in years. Some things have been updated while others are in need of updating. It was a great day and we enjoyed our dinner at the Tokyo Pavilion. Next time in the area we want to visit Universal Studios and the new Harry Potter area.

      I needed to catch up on some projects, which included finding a public library so I can access my work email…an endeavor that included 5 libraries… an all day project!  I also have been working on the sound blanket for the generator.  Pete hoisted me up the mast so that I could secure another pulley and line. We also had a Raycor dual fuel filter system installed by Wayne Phelps of Phelps Marine Services (recommended by our Harbor Master, Mike). He did a great job and very reasonably.  We had to put it above the engine compartment in the rear cabin, but it is easy access and visibility. Wayne also recommended a refrigeration person, who rechecked our refrig/freezer as it continued to be warm. His diagnosis: 1 oz too much refrigerant, which he adjusted, and the fan needed to be replaced. Pete was able to replace the fan and now working better. Pete also installed a new antenna for the Wifi.

      During our stay here at Lake Park Marina we have seen glimpses of a large male manatee from time to time here in the marina.  However, conditions were perfect yesterday afternoon as he lazily (doubt he does anything in a rush!) drifted past our boat and the boats on this side of the marina.  I was able to get some great pictures of him as the lighting was perfect for pictures.

     Our time here in Lake Park is coming to an end.  Brunelle, Andiamo and Sevilla should be arriving tomorrow afternoon.  The adventures are about to continue.

~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete