Old Port Cove to Riviera Beach ~ 6 Day Stay

Friday, 1/17/20 ~ Dog was walked and anchor up by 7:50. The winds that were predicted, arrive around 4 this morning.  As we leave they are probably 15-18 mph out of the SSW.

Sunrise in Old Port Cove

     Riviera Beach Marina sent an e-mail this morning stating that the dock hands will be available by 8 AM.  Attached was a diagram of the marina with an arrow showing our path through the marina and into slip N 45, our assigned slip.  What a great idea!  We radioed in and the dock hands were waiting to help up dock.  Even with the winds, it was an easier docking as the current was slack. 9:10 AM we are secure in the dock for the next 5 days.

Better to check our the bikinis!

 
     The Marina Office is now located on the fuel dock.  It is a beautiful and modern office and ship's store, but it is also quite a hike all the way around the marina. It is more than a 1/2 mile. The bath house and laundry is still in the same place.

Screen shot from Passage Weather
These are the winds predicted for 7 PM tonight

      Pete arranged for a rental car at 4, so we can head back to Ft. Pierce to shuttle our car down. Until then, he had some work to clean up and I did some reading after a few chores on board.
      Winds have continued to build as predicted.  The boat has actually healed in the dock. Winds are gusting to about 35 mph and will continue through Saturday.
      We were picked up around 4 for the rental. We were up at Fort Pierce by 5:30. As we pulled into the parking lot, we met up with Janet and Robert.  We felt bad that we hadn't had a chance to say good-by when we left on Wednesday.  We will stay in touch and maybe meet up down in the Keys.
      We were back at the boat by 9. Dog was walked and we called it a day.

WIND Today

Saturday, 1/18/20 ~ It was very comfortable sleeping with the hatches open. Well, that was until it started to rain.  It was only a shower, but there might be more.  Around 4 AM the winds must have been steady at 30 with gusts 35-40, but they lessened by 8 and continued to lessen throughout the day.  By 5, the winds had dropped down to 10-15.
     Pete took advantage of the drop in winds to bathe Bailey.  She is now fluffy and sweet smelling, but shedding like crazy!.

1600 Horses!

     We are docked next to a 40 foot open fishing boat, with 4 - 400 hp outboard engines. They came in around 5 PM with 10 sailfish flags flying. Two of the crew were fishing while docking. Within 10 minutes they had another six, large fish to add to the bait box. Two of the lines caught at the same time! This Thursday, Friday and Saturday was the Sailfish Fishing Tournament.  They told Pete that the seas were rough with 14+ ft. seas. At one point they were completely airborne over a wave and slammed down in the trough. They were so lucky none of the 6 crew were tossed overboard as it is a completely open fishing boat.
      
 
     I spent most of the afternoon, writing the blog.  I made great progress.  I hope to be caught up before we leave on Wednesday.  I am getting close!

Sunday, 1/19/20 ~ After breakfast, I scrubbed the bathroom and exercised. After lunch, Pete went to do laundry.
     I spent the rest of the day on the blog.  I am just about caught up.  Tomorrow I will reread what I have written and put in the photos.  Hopefully, all but this entry will be up on the blog tomorrow.
     I was so focused on the blog, I forgot that this afternoon, they have the Farmer's Market and Band Competition.  I heard the music, but assumed it was from the boats over on Peanut Island.  I feel bad that I missed the Market again.  When we were here last time, I went up thinking that it was in the morning.  We left before it got under way in the afternoon.  I will have to be more aware of activities around the marinas.  I will maker sure that I put it in my calendar with a reminder next time we are here on a Sunday!
     After dinner, Pete had a call from George, SV BAYWIND.  George said "Someone here wants to say Hello!"  Pete, with a rather quizzical look on his face, said OK  It turns out that Lisa and Jim from SV SEAFORTH are at the same marina in Canaveral as George and Lisa as well as Debbie and Hugh, SV SIMPLICITY. Lisa and Jim met both couples and only today found that we are also friends.  I think it is cool that our friends are beginning to overlap! We've known Lisa and George for at least 14+ years though our sailing club on the Chesapeake;  Deb and Hugh from Stock Island Marina 2 years ago, Lisa and Jim in River Dunes, Oriental, NC, also 2 years ago.  It was great to catch up with them. Hopefully, we will be crossing paths in the not too distant future.
     Just as we were going to watch the Downton Abby Movie, we heard fireworks.  Just south of here there was a great 25 minute constant, multiple display. Then we watched the movie.  We really enjoyed the final chapter of the PBS Show.

Monday, 1/20/20 ~ We have been keeping an eye on the weather forecasts.  Wednesday is not looking good for departure. The winds are supposed to increase and be steady between 25 and 30 mph, with higher gusts.  I spoke with the Marina Office and was able to book an extra day.  We will leave on Thursday, when things calm down.
     While Pete was busy with work, I headed over to Publix to finish provisioning.  I just want to make sure that I have everything we need as we will not have access to a grocery store for 10 days. The yogurt, fruit, cold cuts, bread and dog food were my priorities. Once back, I once again used the scientific method of organizing, packing the refrigerator.
     Once done, we headed down to Delray Beach. We are having a final dinner with Ann and Howie. Pete had hoped to stop at the UPS store to return stuff to Amazon before meeting up. Unfortunately, this return required the Return Shipping label, which he did not have on him. Instead, we went over to Walmart to pick up the dog's food. They usually carry the large bags of Blue Buffalo, but all they had were the 25 pound bags. That will definitely keep Bailey fed until we are in Key West.
     We decided to head to Taverna Trela, formerly Zorba's Greek Restaurant. They moved into larger quarters and Chef Robert Irvine, of  the TV show "Restaurant Impossible," helped them turn things around. They just opened 4 days ago.  The staff is still getting into the routine,  Service was slow, but the wait was worth it. All the food was delicious.  From the home made Hummus and Pita bread, to the Greek meatballs, my Gyro, Pete and Ann's Moussaka, and Howie's Kebabs. The Baklava was delicious and not swimming in honey!

Tuesday, 1/21/20 ~ Pete was busy with work this morning.  He was flush and feeling feverish. We checked and he had no fever, but his blood pressure was elevated.  We decided to check it out  Everything was good, except the elevated BP, which had fallen as time when on. It remained elevated just enough to warrant some medication and a followup appointment.
     The winds are continuing to increase and the temperatures are not climbing as usual.  We have stayed in the 60's but with the winds, it seems colder.  Waves are splashing onto the north docks.

Not a good time to be out in the Atlantic and in the Bahamas

Wednesday, 1/22/20 ~ The winds continue, but the temperatures have fallen. It was 42 this morning.  The National Weather Service in Miami had issued an unofficial "Falling Iguana" Warning. Apparently, they are cold-blooded and when the temperatures drop to 40, they go into a form of hibernation. This report actually made the National News.
       I went to the closest LabCorps, which was on the west side of 95 on North Lake Avenue.  As I pulled into the side street, I suddenly realized that this was the same strip mall as Lola's Seaford.  I called Pete after my lab visit to tell him where I was.  Needless to say, we had a delicious Lobster Rolls for lunch.
     After lunch, I continued working on the blog, Pete ran the final errands, UPS, Walgreen's, and his follow-up with the MD Now Urgent Care. I also filled up the water tanks and had the dock hands do the pump out.
    The high today was 59 with winds 20-25 and damp!  The cold definitely chills to the bone. It is cold for this area and for us.  We have become Floridians with thin blood. We might have to put down the enclosure in the morning.  The winds continue to drop, but the temps will still below and rain is a possibility.
     Well, I have finally caught up.  I will complete this entry and post tonight!  Unfortunately, the next time I post will probably be from Stock Island Marina in Key West.
     Good night all!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  P & K