Time to Start Our Cruise Back North ~ Fort Pierce to Daytona

    Saturday & Sunday 5/1 & 2/21~ We had our final breakfast at the Farmer's Market. Once back Pete did a final engine check, while I cleaned the boat. The birds have done a number on the canvas, with their substantial deposits. Of course, I had to pick the warmest day of our stay. The temps were in the mid-90's while the humidity hovered around 80%. I made sure I took lots of breaks and water. There was a large anniversary celebration taking place over in the park across the creek.  Lots of live music to listen to as well as lots of small boats being launched and retrieved on the boat ramps. We filled water tank, did a final organization inside and final run for a couple of last minute food items. Follow up with eye doc and cleared for heading home.  

 

   

     Monday, 5/3/21 ~ I had my follow-up with the eye doctor. After another thorough examination after dilatation of the eye, he gave me clearance to head out. I check back with him once we are back in the fall.
     Ann and Howie came up to enjoy a dinner together. We introduced them to Taco Dive. Dinner was delicious as always, however, due to the high winds, eating was more of challenge. With winds gusting over 30, my taco salad liked to take flight! So did the napkins, taco chips, and straws. I had to eat real close to the bowl so that the lettuce and taco chips stayed on my fork. We said our good-byes with plans to see them in July.
      It is an early night as we have to leave at slack tide which is at 7:30 am. So. . . Good night Fort Pierce!

Tuesday, 5/4/21 ~ 

Fort Pierce to Eau Gallie, FL
Today:         55 miles      10.0 hours                  ICW ST Mile: 915

Total:       1209 miles    175.3 hours

     Drifted from dock at 7:40, fueled up and was under way by 8:20. It was already 84 degrees, with high humidity and barely any breeze.  By midday, near the Sabastian Inlet, temps sprang to 97 and the breeze kicked up to 15 from our aft starboard which challenged the auto pilot especially in the narrow and shifting channel.

 

Taking the trash
to the mainland

The Launch

     We saw 6 dolphins today.  This never gets old!

    As we were approaching Melbourne, we saw the Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral about 30 miles away.  We were near one of the bridges that links North Hutchinson Island to the main land. Traffic continued blissfully as the rocket climbed with its thrusting flames glowing bright. I guess it is more commonplace for this area as there have been so many launches recently. for us, this too, will never get old!

  We pulled up to Eau Galle Marina. We tried hailing the harbormaster on the radio. When that didn't work, we called the office, but with no answer and the voice mail full, we couldn't leave a message.  As we were circling, someone on the docks told us to dock between two other boats on a long dock.  With his help we did. We secured, hooked up the electricity, and started the AC.  About 30 minutes later there was an emphatic knock on our hull.  It was the harbormaster asking us if we had reservations.  Pete showed him the confirmation on Dockwa, which he had told us to use to reserve a slip last week,  It turns out the harbormaster forgot to log our reservation.
     Pete had a project to finish up while I made dinner. Tomorrow, we will be on the move again!

 

Wednesday, 5/5/21 ~  

Eau Gallie to Titusville, FL

Today:          38 miles        5.8 hours       ICW ST Mile: 878

Total:       1247 miles    186.1 hours

     We left around 7 am. It was cooler and breeze out of the WSW, which made for a comfortable ride.

 

 

Departing Eau Gallie

 

     The docked in Titusville around 1:30. The temperature had climbed to 97 degrees. Thankfully the AC works wonderfully. With this warmer weather I have to change our gallon jug of ice from the fridge to the freezer more frequently. Since the cold plate stopped working when the boat was returned to the water after being on the hard for the 5 weeks, changing the bottled water/ice between the original onboard freezer and the fridge happens every 3 days. Now with the heat, I have to change it every other day. It is a very small hardship compared to not having refrigeration!
     Not only did we see 5 dolphins today, but we also saw a 3-ft cownose ray.
     The bathrooms have been remodeled since our last visit here. The marina did a great job and facilities look great.   Our early afternoon arrival allowed Pete to prep for his conference. What was supposed to be a 30-45 minute call turned into a 2 hours conference, between 5-7pm Pete walked the dog just before we got hit with a severe TS. In fact, it was several bands of storms that continued until 9:30; just in time to take Bailey for her last walk of the day.

Thursday, 5/6/21 ~  

Titusville to Daytona, FL   (Five Days)

Today:          48 miles         7.6 hours             ICW ST Mile: 803.6

Total:       1295 miles     193.7 hours

     We were up and out by 7:20 am. Skies were clear, winds 0, temps around 73 and humidity 90%. 

We were fortunate that we didn’t have to wait for the Haul Over Canal and George Munson Bridges. However we had to increase speed to make the noon opening of Munson. 

 

     Sunrise was tranquil and beautiful. The sights along our travels today were interesting. A boat hard aground as well as a wake boarder.  We also saw dolphins, a manatee and then there was the weather . . 

 

 

     We watched the skies for predicted storms beginning midday so we prepped and put up the enclosure as we turned north from Ponce Inlet.  Fifteen minutes later the rains came.  It lasted a good 90 + minutes. We decided to wait the final 30 minutes for the storms to pass before we called and entered Halifax Marina.

     Friday, 5/7/21 ~  Pete had a very busy work day and with the complicated territory mapping, it was best to stay put as planned.

  

  

      I walked up to the Post Office to mail a card. Once back I updated my daily cruise notes on my phone. I find it much easier to jot down notes as we travel and then send the notes to myself in a e-mail to cut and paste into the blog.  I have found it is the easiest  and stress less way to keep up with the blog.  I still find it a bit frustrating that I can't depend on the marina WiFi to update the post and more importantly, download the photos from the iCloud.

     Saturday, 5/8/21 ~ I washed my hair in the galley sink and styled it while Pete went to pick up rental car. He was able to bet the car for 3 days. We have heard a lot of people complaining that it is very hard to rent a car these days.  During the epidemic, the rental agencies sold off inventory rather than having cars just sit and depreciate.  Now the orders are in for new cars, BUT there is now a sever shortage of computer chips used in the cars.  As a result new cars are difficult to get.  In fact, there was just an article of stadiums and their parking lots, full of new cars and trucks awaiting the chips. 

     We drove the 2 hours to Ft Pierce. Picked up package with the rear view mirror for the boat. We made due with a facial mirror, but not very well. We also checked the docks and caught up with Paul. He is seriously considering selling KYA ANNE. A broker in Fort Lauderdale offered him what he paid for KYA ANNE 4 years ago and that is without having to paint the bottom!  

     We were back around 5. Walked and fed Bailey.  I also made reservations via the app, DISH, for Annie’s Italian Restaurant. The reviews and the menu were great, but when we arrived they could not honor them. Apparently Annie's only accept reservations via phone since they are so short handed. DISH was informed previously, but never remove the restaurant from making online reservations. So plan B was to grab a bite at Corrabba’s, but we found Bonefish and got seats at the bar; Yummy Bang Bang Shrimp, lobster and shrimp gnocchi, crab covered sole and raspberry cheese cake for desert. Pete also had a very good citrus & pineapple rum punch. a great way to celebrate Mom’s Day as we will be on the road all day tomorrow.

    Since we were in the area, we visited  The Bass Pro Shop.  It really is a cathedral to the wilderness.

 

   Once back, caught some tv the headed to bed early. Lots of driving tomorrow.

     Sunday, 5/9/21 ~ We were up early and on the road at 8 am heading to St. John's, just south of Charleston to drop off our car. It is 5 hours each way, so yea, a long day. We didn't get back until 9:00 pm after stopping to pick up sandwiches from Famous Mike's,

     Monday, 5/10/21~ This morning, while Pete was working, I did some onboard chores. In the afternoon, Pete ran a few errands and picked up some provisions while I did the laundry. 

     Tomorrow it's back to our homeward cruise.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P