On the Water Again! Boca Raton ICW Mile 1048

Lone mangrove ree finds a holding
on a very small island.

     It was cold this morning, probably in the low 50’s at 7 AM.  We were able to pull in all our lines by 7:40 as planned with the help of Glen.  Pete had an 8 AM conference call, so we had to be sitting out on the ICW by then.  The rest of the boats were planning to join us at 8:30.  I just did the “dance” in the stiff breeze and slowly worked my way up to the next channel markers and back.  My reward was to see a manatee surface and actually bring his tail out of the water twice.

     Sevilla came out, turned around, and went right back to the fuel dock.  Next Andiamo came out to wait. Then Sevilla came out to stay.  By 8:55 Brunelle took the lead and we headed under the only one of the 16 bridges that did not have to open today.

Dan chillin' as we wait for another
bridge opening.

      Speaking of bridges, today we had 16 - - 1 was fixed, 3 were on demand and guess what made the other three?  Yep. . .they are all on a schedule, but not this sailboat’s schedule. Or at least not a lot of sailboat schedules. For about 1/4 of the bridges you need to be able to go about 1 mile more an hour then either Brunelle or Pekabu can go. One of the bridges we might have been able to make, except two power boats, one north bound and one south bound, went through first, followed by us, so we lost 2-3 precious minutes which translates to almost a 30 minute wait at the bridge or just a slower ride to the next bridge.

The gears of the bascule type bridge

The Park at the Atlantic Avenue Bridge
where we have attended art shows
with the Freedmans

     We passed through Delray Beach, Ann and Howie’s neck of the woods.  The Fieshmen's Catch Restaurant on the ICW, where we once had dinner happened to be the center of police activity as we were passing. There were sirens, police cars and even officers running along the boardwalk, but that is all we know. As we were approaching the park by Atlantic Avenue Bridge, the two tour boats were also preparing to leave. We followed them until they turned around before the Palmetto Bridge. We were sure the bridges would open for them. 

My happy guy!

     We passed relatives of Brunelle, who have a condo on the ICW here in Boca Raton.  We waved as we passed and continued on the short way to the anchorage, where there is plenty of space for the 4 boats, deep water, and where Dan and Martha can visit with their family.  By 3:30 we are all anchored in water that is so clear Pete was able to see the anchor settle on the bottom and grab into the sand.  He also saw the shadow of the boat on the bottom. Like in the Marina, the water here is blue green because we are close to an inlet.  However, we cannot use this inlet as it is to be used with “local knowledge” and we do know a local.

Sunset's affect on Boca Raton Lake

     With the north wind and the cooler temps, we are sure glad we have the enclosure today . .  .we are calling it the “sun room.” Pete read while I made some notes and worked on the blog and took some pictures before dinner.

     Update on the systems: Everything seems to be running smoothly and cleanly regarding the fuel and as far as the refrigerator/freezer things there seem back to normal. Keeping fingers and toes crossed!

47 /1265   Total Statute Miles                                ~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete