Fort Pierce ~ Week 1~ November 2021

 

     Heavy winds continued while the rain trained through this area all weekend.  Friday, Pete was able to pick up the rental car so we can leave early in the morning for Charleston. It is a 6.5- hour drive without stops. So, if we leave by 7, we should be home by 9 with stops.

     We left Saturday at 7 as planned. Unfortunately, we never anticipated the heavy traffic. It is the weekend before Thanksgiving and traffic was heavy. Of course, there were the required fender-benders and traffic stoppages with no explanations, AND in both directions! We were finally home at midnight! Thankfully, we should be able to sleep in the morning.

     Sunday, when Pete went to walk Bailey, he found a very large spider on the cockpit seat. Well, it wasn’t a spider but a small blue crab, with about a 2-inch body. We have no idea how it wound up on board. He was returned to the water.

     Pete met 2 families who are long term cruisers on our dock. The one family with 3 kids (a 4-, 2-, and 1 -year old aboard a 46-foot sloop. They are just waiting for a window to cross over to the Bahamas. The other family is aboard a 44-foot sailing cat. The 3 kids look to be early teen and pre-teen, active and confident in their lifestyle. There is also the largest motor cat (or sailing cat) I have ever seen.  GATO BLANCO was also on A-Dock last year.  It is 75 feet of very impressive!

   

     I took advantage of the rain: stripped our bed, removed “Christmas’ from the storage area under the bed and remade it. Cleaned then put up the Christmas tree. This is the first time we have ever put up the tree before Thanksgiving.

Pete's new transportation

     There is no slip further from land than our present slip. It’s long walk back and forth for Bailey. Pete measured it and found out it is a ½ mile walk round trip! Then times that by 3 walks a day, and times that by 7 days a week. That’s 10.5 miles a week, 42 miles a month on Pete’s knee that will be replaced in January! We bought Pete an electric scooter. It's so cool! It is just a shame that Bailey doesn't want to ride along with Pete. Thankfully, it can go as slow as Bailey, but it is more fun at faster speeds. After much research, we bought one that can do 18 mph, get 40 miles on a charge, has the bigger wheels for a more comfortable ride, and can fold up to take less room aboard. We know that it will be helpful on our cruises north and south.

    Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving was shared with Ann and Howie. I contributed the Autumn Salad and my Gram’s German Chocolate Long Torte to the Turkey and all the trimmings. Hope you all had a wonderful and delicious Thanksgiving, too!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P

Friday, 11/19/21 ~ Eau Gallie to Ft Pierce, FL ~ Our Home for the Next 5 Months ~

Today:          50.3 miles           7.0 hours          ICW ST Mile: 965.1
Total:         1124.3 miles       260.35 hours

     Bailey had a rough night, and that meant Pete did, too! She needed to go out at 2:30 and 5. Pete never got back to sleep after the 5 wake up call.
     We were pulling away from the dock around 8 am. Temps were low 70’s and breezes were very light and out of the NNE. Between having strong currents pushing us and the wind, which picked up into the 10-15 mph range also helped. We spent a good part of our travels in the 8’s.
 

   The trip was uneventful. The further south we went the more clouds we saw. By the time we entered the Wabasso to Vero area, we could see showers to the east and south of us. We only entered a brief shower just north of Ft Pierce. It was over before we got to the marina. With the 2 cold fronts coming in this weekend, the marina is full. We have been put on the A-dock. We have the furthest slip (also meaning the longest walk) to shore! Since this is the transient slip, hopefully, we will be in a good slip, closer to everything and with a lot less walking for Pete’s bad knee. 

     As we were docking, there were fish jumping, thrashing against the floating docks and boat hulls all around our dock. Amberjack, Spot and a number of other predators, as well as a flock of pelicans were chasing the mullets.
     Pete had a light day of work and once settled he was able to relax and read.
     He was able to pick up the rental car for tomorrow’s trip to Charleston to retrieve our car.
     During the evening, while we were checking Facebook, On BOB 423’s feed, we read that the Coast Guard had to air lift 2 from a sinking sailboat off of Sapelo Sound, while another sailboat rammed into the sandbar and broke apart in the shallows. We suspect they might have left without checking weather before departing. The wind and waves forced the crews to head to what they thought were safer waters, but not for safe entry. The good news was that there were no injuries.

  
Borrowed from Bob 423's Facebook page ~ Scary!

     We will be here in Fort Pierce until April.  Looking forward to catching up with friends, exploring and perhaps a couple more photos.

     Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P

Wednesday, 11/17/21 Titusville to Eau Gallie

Today:           36.7 miles           7.1 hours           ICW ST Mile: 878.1
Total:         1025.3 miles     247.85 hours

Unexpected marina visitor

     Pete was taking Bailey for her walk, when from the dock, a movement in the water caught his eye. He got a picture of an alligator in the marina!
 
 

   Once back, we finished prepping for departure, which included checking the engine. Once again, Pete had to change a broken clamp on the heat exchanger. Now he has a system and was done in less than 5 minutes.
 

 
A beautiful, serene morning departing Titusville

   We left at 8:40 to a mild, still, and beautiful morning. As we traveled, clouds crept up from the south along with the breezes. Winds out of the SSE increased to about 12-15 mph, which enabled a number of boats to sail the ICW. We docked around 2:30 and motor cat MV OZ pulled in behind us. We have been traveling the same destinations for days, but they are faster and pass us at some point during the day.
     It’s Wednesday, so we were invited to the weekly potluck dinner. There is a friendly and close community here. Food, conversation, and friendships abound. We sat with Mike and Lianne, SV M’AISLING, and had a very enjoyable evening.
     The best part of the evening was when Bob and his dog, Mollie, returned. Just before dinner, Mollie was excited to join us for dinner, she jumped off the bow of her boat and was hurt. They were back from the vet and Mollie was walking, just a bit uncoordinated. They will follow up with a neurologist tomorrow.


Thursday, 11/18/21 Eau Gallie ~ Day 2

      A good day to chill. It was mild, drizzly, and unexciting.
     Pete was free to chill, while I did laundry and the blog. He read, then tried fishing off the dock. He only had nibbles on the line. It was a good time to try a new lure that maintains itself at certain depths, and that’s all I know.


~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P

Tuesday, 11/16/21~ Daytona to Titusville

Today:             48.7 miles           5.5 hours           ICW ST Mile: 914.8

Total:           1074.0 miles       253.35 hours

       We left shortly after 7. Since the dockhand wasn’t there yet, we had to put the keys into a zip lock bag and drop it on the fuel dock. Usually there is someone there with a fishing net to reach over to the boat to accept the keys while we are on the move.
     Temps in the high 50’s with not much of a breeze. Saw plenty of dolphin but no manatees, even down by the fishing camps. It was a nice ride. We got into Titusville around 4. Fueled up and pumped out, then on to our slip.

Ponce de Leon Light and a yacht in New Smyrna

The observation deck as we pass under the bridge

Mosquito Lagoon - Plenty of water, just too shallow!

 

     The wind had come up earlier out of the SE and came right down the fairway, making the back up into the slip a little challenging. With only 1/2 finger piers, we need to back in to get Bailey off the boat.

 
An Ahinga ~ sunning and preening

  
     The side-to-side rocking continued until about midnight.


~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P

Monday, 11/15/20 St Augustine to Daytona, FL

Today:           73.8 miles           8.2 hours           ICW ST Mile: 829.4
Total:           976.6 miles       240.75 hours

     Bailey flare up caused her to get sick around 2:30 this morning. Hopefully, she is over the worst of it.

The Castillo

     We overslept and had to rush to make the 7:30 opening of the Bridge of Lyons. Even though the temperature was 50, without a breeze, it wasn’t too cold. However, once underway, the NW breeze kicked up and we closed the enclosure. Today was another day of “push & pulls.” It was so nice to cruise above 8, but a bit frustrating when cruising at 4.4 mph. We had 4 bridge openings, but only the first, Bridge of Lyons, was on a schedule. We love the on-demand bridges. When we call, we are told to maintain speed and the bridge tenders have traffic stopped and the bridge open by the time we get there.

Eagle on the Dock

The City Marina Mooring Field

SV ROWAN moored in St Augustine

 

    It was such a beautiful ride under a brilliant blue, cloudless sky. Pete was able to work most of the day while I was at the helm. All in all, it was a beautiful, uneventful ride.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P

10/13/21 ~ Fernandina Beach, FL to St. Augustine, FL

Today:           39.8 miles           9.0 hours           ICW ST Mile: 755.6

Total:           902.8 miles      232.55 hours

Amelia Island RR Bridge
The last of the sunlight for
 the morning

     Overcast, high humidity and cool. It was 56 degrees when we left at 7:20. Initially, the current was against us, but after 45 minutes or so we started cruising in the mid 7s to mid 8s! We did hit some ebb currents, but we cruised a nice speed for a good part of the day.
 

The net fisherman

   Prior to entering “Roscoe Row,” we were passed by a couple of those strange fishing boats - the ones that have a steering console in the bow. It appeared that about 8 of these boats were all within about 600 yards of each other, net fishing near private piers. I saw one net being pulled in with 5 or 6 12-inch fish. All the fishermen were looking under the piers and boat houses, looking for more schools.

 

 

Old sailboat abandoned and on the hard.

Bailey needs to be close as possible to Pete~ Even if it is under the steering wheel

Red 4 has a gold ICW sticker, so it is on the wrong side (away from the mainland) in the channel

 
     The skies remained overcast with a shower coming through about 1pm. After that the skies cleared and the rest of our ride was pretty.
     We were docked around 4:30. Pete washed the salt off the boat and then filled the water tanks while I took care of Bailey and the bill. I was able to reserve the loaner car for tonight so I could do the food shopping. We will not have the opportunity to do it again until after we pick up our car and settle in at Ft Pierce.
     We of course ordered pizzas from Nick’s NY Style Pizza just outside the marina. It is definitely our favorite pizza! Now we have plenty of leftovers in the freezer!
 

Unusual lighting on Catamaran

   After dinner, I drove over to Publix. While I was out, Pete had a FaceTime call from our friends in CCYC. Today was the meeting, wine tasting and lunch at The Effingham Manor Winery. Pete said everyone was in a mellow mood. I am sooo sorry I missed our friends!
     We heard from Amy. She got into St Augustine’s north mooring field around 10 pm. I admire her skill and confidence to make the trip ( and days-at-sea jumps) only with Bella (her sweet pooch) as company!

Sunday, 11/14/21 St Augustine ~ Day 2

     Bailey jump started our day by heaving as we were getting out of bead. Pete quickly took her for a walk while I cleaned up.
     After breakfast we puttered around and made sure she was ok. She had no problem eating and she was fine when she went for another walk.
     Around 12:30 we tried to get an UBER, but there were none to be found. The marina didn’t mind lending us the car again. We were able to get to West Marine for extra hose clamps and TP. Then we headed into town for lunch and some walking around the historic district. “Lunch” was actually deserts at Le Macaron. We shared Crème Boule Cheesecake, a Napoleon, a Triple Chocolate Mouse Cake and sampled 3 Macarons: Raspberry, Salted Caramel and Black Vanilla. A decadent and delicious lunch! We then walked around, did some people watching while listening to a Blue Grass Band and was back in time to return the loaner.

Sights around St Augustine  . . . .

  

Blue Vine Flower and the oldest school house in Florida
   

                                                                 Sign in church parking lot

 

Glass flower sculpture with a cool close up

 
     Once back, Pete scrubbed to cockpit while I downloaded photos and uploaded some of the blog.
Tomorrow, on to Daytona.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P

11/11/21 ~ Jekyll Island GA to Fernandina, FL

Today:           30.8 miles             6.3 hours           ICW ST Mile: 716.8
Total:           863.0 miles        223.55 hours

Bailey Chillin'

     It was cool in the high 50’s, still and cloudy. No rain in the area.
     We were preparing to leave when we met John from MY JOY, a beautiful 65 Fleming from Annapolis. Who knows, we might meet up with them on Friday for dinner at The Salty Pelican.
     Heading out into St Andrews Sound, we were 1 of 5 sailboats and 3 power boats heading south. This is the first time in a long time that we were part of a convoy.
     Once again, the current gods look upon us with favor. At least half of our journey was with the current. Coming down the Cumberland River, however, we were not very lucky. We only did 4.4 to 5 mph depending on the width of the waterway.

   We saw a large sub being worked on at St Mary’s Naval Base. I tried for a photo with my phone, but is wasn’t good. Pete was on a conference call and tried to get one also. His was much better!

 
MY ARRIVA

      At Fernandina, we were directed to slip in behind MY ARRIVA for fuel. She is a magnificent motor yacht reminiscent of the yachts of the 1930s and 40s. When we looked her up and this is what we found:

  

Glad this isn't our fill up!

 Beautiful and distinguished, 48m/156ft motor yacht ARRIVA (formerly: AMPHITRITE) from Turkish shipyard Turquoise Yachts was previously owned by film star Johnny Depp and currently belongs to J.K. Rowling. Built from steel and aluminum in 2001 and refitted in 2008, luxury yacht ARRIVA has exterior styling completed by Taka Yachts and the Turkish themed interiors are the work of LM Pagano Design. The accommodation sleeps up to 10 guests over five sumptuous cabins. Comes with a crew of 9. 2-480 Hp CAT engines gives her a maximum speed of 13.5 knots or cruising speed of 12.5 knots.

     Checked with NORTH STAR. They are on their way to New Smyrna Beach. They will definitely beat us to Ft Pierce.
 

PEKABU at the dock

   Pete worked while I cleaned up. He can’t order the pipe clamps from Amazon and receive them in time. He also cannot confirm that they are made in America. He is beginning to think that the clamps were made in China, hence the short life. We will borrow the car at Comachee for a run for groceries and clamps. We’ll wait to rent a car to transfer our car to Ft. Pierce.
     I sat above, wrote todays blog and enjoyed the people walking by to admire ARRIVA (Spanish for COME).
     Pete suggested we head over to Brett’s Waterfront Café for dinner for a salad. Prior to the huge Chicken Caesar Salad, we had delicious soup. He had the Loaded Potato while I had the Shrimp Bisque. YUM! We were too full to have desert.

 

  

Tonight's sunset clouds

Friday, 11/12/21 Fernandina ~ Day 2
 

   Full day work for Pete after he replaced the impeller on the engine water pump. I did chores then walked around town. Fernandina is such a cute and picturesque town. took lots of photos .

MY ARRIVA heading south & to new owners

City Hall clock tower, the Post Office and a side street view

Bret's Waterfront Café and RR Historical Placard

 
Information Center and view of Centre Street / Fernandina's main street

Butterflies ~ NOT pealing paint! AND Bank Vault's inner workings

  

Darling Mailbox and more interesting jewelry

 

Views of Centre Street
 

Artistry of Mother Nature . . .                                 

  

                                              . . .and the Blue Door Artists Gallery

 
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. . . .

 

 
Tonight's Sunset

     After a beautiful sunset, we headed over to The Salty Pelican. Great crab dip, fish & chips as well burger. The country singer who entertained us was pretty good too. We weren’t able to catch up with MV JOY, but still had an enjoyable night

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  K & P