Week 34 / Week 27 in Ft Pierce

Reflections of Clouds

     Sunday, 4/23/23 ~ We were supposed to leave today, but Pedro hasn’t been back to fix the alarm, we are still in a holding pattern. We put up the enclosure, which I knew was going to be a challenge. What I didn’t expect is that we are about 10 inches short on each side to meet with the dodger. I called Georgia and asked if she could come and take a peek. She might be able to offer a solution. I think if put in a panel on each side will fit. I could have done it quickly, IF I had the canvas and sewing machine onboard (and all that extra weight.)

     I was able to post a lot more to the blog and of course fill in with the photos that I somehow skipped. Another productive weekend but, still we’re not on the move. Boo-Hoo!

     Monday, 4/24/23 ~ Pete had to text Pedro twice, but he will be here tomorrow, so we are hoping to get out of here by Wednesday.

 
     Georgia stopped by and took the side panels. Like I though, she’s going to sew an additional panel of canvas with a pocket for the dowel, on the section closest to the dodger. It should do the trick. The rest of the day I spent working on the blog and processing more photos. Damn! I sure take a lot of them! By dinner time, the storms rolled in. We had a lot of rain, thunder, and lightning. That wonderful repair job I did on the side windows leaks. (Of course, we have not had intense, driving, rain like this, with us on board, since the hurricane.) I’m really disappointed, and will go after it tomorrow.

                             These ominous clous rolled in after dinner

 

   Tuesday, 4/25/23 ~ Tillie’s internal alarm clock is driving us crazy. She wakes up about 5:45 and needs to go out. She used to just whimper, now she barks. She also used to come back and go back to sleep. Now she barks because she wants to go out with Pete. He’s a sweetheart and still lets me sleep for another hour and a half or so. For me, that makes a big difference- - for him, well he’s exhausted!

 
     Pedro, Sr joined Jr and another crew, to run the new wire. We are set to go!
     I continued to work on the blog and I am slowly approaching “totally caught up!” I have the blog written through yesterday and most of the photos processed, but I think I need a break. After dinner, I just vegged in front of the TV while Pete made it an early night.
 

A Mangrove Crab
found its way onboard

   Georgia stopped by with the modified enclosure panels. I had to keep Tillie down below so I could see if the modifications worked. We were about to get hit with a substantial thunderstorm, so I let Georgia head back to her boat and I will try fitting them later once it passes. Initially, I had problems, but it was my fault. I mixed up the port and starboard panels, which really screwed up the fitting to the dodger. Once corrected, it works.

     All the stuff that was in the aft cabin is now on the sofa. This cabin is a disaster. Just one more day....

     The storm that rolled in last night was intense.  Winds were remarkable. Some folks in the marina clocked them at 70+.  A couple of the boats had canvas damage by a Choy Lee on C-Dock lost her mast and hard top, while the owners were on board.  The Marina posted photos of prepping the Choy Lee before moving her to a dry dock.

 

Final Sunrise at Ft Pierce  (?)

     Wednesday, 4/26/23 ~ We were up, Tillie walked, the electrical and hose were already coiled, the fender boards removed and put away, the engine running, the nav instruments on, and all, but one line, removed, when the engine alarm sounded. The engine was shut down, another line quickly attached, and our hopes of getting underway today ended. Pete quickly sent an email to Pedro so we will just have to wait and see.

     We once again did the ‘Stuffle Shuffle” so that when they came around 11:30 they had full access.  They need something from the shop so they will be back to repair it. Joy, joy. Another night of stuff all over the boat.

     Thursday, 4/27/23 ~ We were ready by 9, in the hopes that the mechanic would return early. While preparing breakfast, I noticed that Pete was out of cold soda. There is no way to get to sodas that are stored under the sofa, without relocating all the stuff from the back. So once again we need to do the “Stuffle Shuffle!”

     Fort Pierce now has the FreeBee, “A 100% electric, short-distance, transportation service thanks to a partnership between the City and Freebee.” It serves a limited area of downtown and the northern end of Hutchinson Island. Seeing it parked, Pete suggested that since we don’t have a car, if we needed something, we might be able to use them. Thankfully, I am well situated with provisions and should be OK until we get to St. Augustine, where Comachee Cove Marina has 2 loaner vehicles.

 
     Pedro and crew returned around 12:30. The oil sensor switch, which was replaced in Key West, has never worked as it should. The replacement one Pete ordered from Catalina is not the correct one. So. . . Pedro and crew are out searching for one. If they can find the common part at an automotive store, they will be back today. If they have to order it, Pete offered to pay the express shipping. Our departure date from Ft Pierce is now +4. It is really hard to sit and wait when we were ready to leave as of last Friday (of course with the exception of the engine alarm). Well, on the positive side, The Blog is completed through Sunday and posted on the web! I am officially caught up! At least right now.

The bushes were scalped
 about a month ago,
but are already filling in

   Thursday, 4/27/23 ~  Pedro Jr was here with his helper. The alarm was inserted and the wire has been replaced. . .But there is still a problem! The “stuff” will remain displaced.

     We spoke with Ann and Howie. Since we are still here, they would like to come up on Saturday and have an early dinner out with us, preferably seafood. I guess we will be heading back to Buoy 12A, Yea!

     Friday, 4/28/23 ~ I took advantage of the day to do the laundry again. Pete spoke with Neil who offered his car to use for the final grocery run if needed. We both found a couple of last-minute chores to be done onboard.
     Pedro will not be able to return until Monday. The “stuff” will be put away again, at least for the weekend.

    

The boys are looking for Barb
 and Michael, but they already
 headed home to the Carolinas

     Saturday, 4/29/23 ~ We enjoyed the extra visit to the Farmer’s Market and enjoyed today’s band. They are one of the better groups we have seen perform. You can tell the season is winding down. Less people mingling among the stands and the stalls are not as well stocked, but the bakery still had all the wonderful munchies!
     Being a mild temperature day with low humidity, I was finally able to get the registration on the dinghy and to finalize the window repair on the port side.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~    K & P

Week 33 / Week 26 in Ft Pierce

     Sunday, 4/16/23 ~ We just kind of hung out today and watch some outstanding documentaries.

     Once Heather arrived, we went over to Jenn’s, and her partner, Amy, studio for the tour. They teach hot yoga and BAR, with some strength training classes as well. She has certified instructors from her former BAR studio and a great Yogi, so she and Amy will now have more free time as they are not teaching all the classes. They did a great job getting the studio up and running. Their contractor was wonderful to work with and knew the strange ways of the town’s building permit department. Greg great did the logo designs for the studio as well as the painting, building of racks, reception desk, bars, and other necessities. It only took nine months, (due to that crazy building permit department) but she finally has her CO and is officially open. They still have quite a following from the old studio with the online classes they ran due to Covid. I know they’re going to do fabulously!   

     Later we headed over to JoJo’s for a great dinner. It was loud, but we still enjoyed each other’s company.

     Monday, 4/17/23 ~ We were up and on the road by about eight. Traffic was light for the whole ride. We stopped in Selma, North Carolina for the night so that we can break up the trip. The La Quinta is pet friendly. Tilly found her double in the mirror, and didn’t know what to do with herself we finally had to close the bifold so that she couldn’t see herself and would stop barking We’re still kind of worn out from Friday’s drive at the hotel so we made it an early night. Tillie spent a restless night with all the noise, hence so did we. She didn’t bark, but she moved around a lot.

  
Springtime and lots of blooming colors!

     Tuesday, 4/18/23 ~ We were back on the road by eight and back at the marina around six. No traffic, no rain and great audio book. It is wonderful to be welcomed back by our dock mates.

 
     Apparently, while we were away, the weather had been rather wild in this part of the state; severe thunderstorms, heavy downpours, a tornado in Sabastian, flooding (2 feet in 12 hours in Fort Lauderdale!) and high winds.

     Wednesday, 4/19/23 ~ Knowing that we are leaving by this weekend, last week we had scheduled my Pilates for today at 1 PM. I really like Carissa, but she constantly floats around her classes depending on peoples schedules to fill the slots for the 4 machine. It was not a problem in the past, but somehow, she forgot that this was my last visit and that I couldn’t make it later than 1 o’clock. I waited a half hour. Carissa arrived at the same time as her client came, who was scheduled for the 1:30 private appointment. I was invited back- for four o’clock class, which I couldn’t make. Perhaps I will be back in the fall. We’ll see.

Photo ops on my walk back from Pilates, Wooden sculptures

 outside of the African Store, the grill of an old car parked at Cobb's and Plumeria 

     Tilly had her appointment for her first, complete haircut. Even though we had notations on specific photos of how we would like her haircut, we were nervous of the outcome. While she was at the spa, we once again headed out to the inlet again and just hung out. Looking at water never gets tiring. It’s one of our favorite spots. We were blown away as to how cute she looked when she came out! She’s now lighter, skinnier, taller, longer in body, and longer in the legs then we thought, but she still a cutie and so soft!

     Thursday, 4/20/23 ~ This morning, Pete tested the engine and found that the engine alarm was not functioning. He was able to replace it, but it is still not functioning. He called Pedro who will stop by tomorrow. The fact that this was the first attempt to get the rocket airborne, made it a success and a learning experience.

     This morning, the world’ largest rocket launched from a SpaceX facility on Brownsville, Texas, near the Gulf of Mexico. The launch was a success, but the rocket exploded 4 minutes into the flight as separation of the main fuel cells were supposed to unscrew from the rocket. When it began to wobble off course, flight control proceeded with the detonation. People there said that the rumble and sound waves created by the massive engines at liftoff was unbelievable. 

From the SpaceX website:
     Starship Overview – SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket – collectively referred to as Starship- represents a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo into Earth Orbit, the Moon, Mars and beyond. Starship will be the world’s most powerful launched vehicle ever developed, capable of carrying up to 150 metric tonnes of fully reusable and 250 metric tonnes expendable.

Height                     120 m /394 ft
Diameter                 9 m / 29.5 ft
Payload capacity    100-150 t (fully reusable)

     As the most powerful launch system ever developed, Starship will be able to carry up to 100 people on a long duration, interplanetary flights. Starship will also help enable satellite delivery, the development of a Moon bases, and a point-to-point transport here on Earth.
      Starship leverages tanker vehicles (essentially the Starship spacecraft minus the windows) to refill the Starship spacecraft in low-Earth orbit prior to departing for Mars. Refilling on-orbit enables the transport of up to 100 tonnes all the way to Mars and if the tanker ship has high reuse capability, the primary cost is just that of the oxygen and methane, which is extremely low.
     Starbase- Development and manufacturing of Starship take place at Starbase, one of the world’s first commercial spaceports designed for orbital missions.

  
Size comparison chart and the Starship as it sits on the launch pad

Per CNN:
     This test flight was a small step in a grand project. Before Starship can complete its first grand mission or host astronauts, SpaceX has significant technological questions to hash out.
    NASA tapped SpaceX's Starship to serve as a lunar lander, ferrying astronauts from a separate spacecraft down to the lunar surface for the Artemis III mission, which is currently scheduled for as early as 2025. Before that mission can take off, however, SpaceX has to prove that Starship can make it to the moon.

     The sheer mass of the vehicle will force the company to refuel the spacecraft while it's still in Earth's orbit. More than a dozen launches — carrying nothing but propellant — may be required to give a single Starship lunar lander enough fuel to traverse the 238,900-mile (384,500-kilometer) void between the Earth and the Moon.
     Before SpaceX can even hash out that process, it'll also need to learn to put Starship into orbit in the first place. Today's test flight only sought to get to near orbital speeds and make a partial lap of the planet.
     "Starship just experienced what we call a rapid unscheduled disassembly, or a RUD, during ascent," said SpaceX engineer John Insprucker, serving as a launch commentator on the company's webcast.

     Well, today was our final time at Taco Dive Beachside. We did it right with Marilyn, Jon, Connie and Ed. As usual, the food was great and the company even better!

 
     Once home I headed out to do the grocery shopping. I got home around 4:45. While helping bring the provisions on board, Pete told me we were invited to Barb and Mike’s for drinks, we made it by 5:30 with hors d’oeuvres and drinks in hand. We really enjoyed our visit and friendship. Already looking forward to next year!

      Friday, 4/21/23 ~ I got a text last night that Pete’s dry-cleaning is ready. I left this morning to do laundry and pick up his clothes at Surfside Laundry, over on Hutchinson Island.

 
      Pedro, Jr stopped to check out the alarm problem. Not sure why the light is not working so he’s going to do some research and get back to us. We hoped it was going to be today, but it was not. Pete canceled our reservations for the marinas for the 3 marinas as we were supposed to leave on Sunday, so we’ll have to see.

 
     Laundry got put away and we picked up the rental car at 3, got our car washed, and picked up the dowels and painters clips for the enclosure as we headed down to Ann and Howie‘s. We are leaving the car with them until we get back to the Chesapeake. Pete will fly down and drive it back. Howie suggested a ne-to-us restaurant. It has been a while since we had a Greek dinner to we headed over to Galinis Greek Restaurant. Yaya’s Meatballs and the Tzatziki were really good. I tried the shrimp with kalamata olives, feta, and spinach in scampi sauce, served over orzo. Pete really enjoyed the Moussaka. 
The belly dancer for entertainment was interesting. We will be back in July, but tonight, we said our goodbyes for the season.

 
     We then headed home with the rental car. We wouldn’t recommend the Chevy Trax. It is really, really, cheaply made; noisy, and not very comfortable. However, it did take us from A to B and back.

     Saturday, 4/22/23 ~ We had a great breakfast at our last Farmers
Market. Today’s music was really good, but we couldn’t stay to listen very long. I finally had the perfect conditions to put the registration numbers onto the dinghy, so we are just about to head north. Just waiting one the alarm repair.

     The breezes today day are stronger than predicted. Many cruisers on Facebook have posted that they are staying put due to the winds.
Early afternoon, we headed over to The Oyster Festival by the River Walk. Our dock mates, Melissa and Mike have a booth. I’ve looked at

Isn't it Beautiful?!

their website for Chesapeake Jewelers,   https://chesapeakejewelers.com/ and the photos don’t do justice to their beautiful jewelry! Charms, necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets are different and beautiful. Mike and melissa makes their own designs and molds. There was a silver bracelet with three turtles made out of opal that caught my eye. It was stunning. Surprise, surprise! My loving hubby bought it for me! Because Pete’s left knee is giving him problems, we came right back. We’re going to have to make an appointment 
with the orthopedist when we’re down here in July.

     I took a break from posting to the blog to go back to the Oyster Festival to take some photos, because I completely forgot when we were there early, On the way back, I met two ladies and we were discussing manatees. They had just seen 
one. I walked over to the side to take pictures of the mural and I got a chance to also see the Manatee.

     Once back posted more to the blog, and finally broke for dinner and relaxed. Got to catch up on some more Star Trek’s Strange New Worlds. These characters are allowed to portray much more rounded characters. I particularly like that the captain often cooks dinner for invited crew. There are 
jibes, laughter, and some tongue and cheek responses.


~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~     K & P

Week 32 / Week 25 in Ft Pierce

Skinny 

     Sunday, 4/19/23 ~ This morning we did some final prep chores around the boat and then opted to go out to the inlet to chill for a while.

  

My Kalanchoe loves
 Florida weather

  Monday 4/10/23 ~ Pete found a light on once again in the car. He contacted Mercedes and immediately was seen. Pete used the electric scooter to go back and forth as they didn’t have a loaner car. It turns out that the gasket that was installed last visit was deformed and caused the leak.

 
     The winds blew all day, sometimes gusting as much as 30 mph from the southeast. Between a King Tide and the wind direction, the water was so high, it was a challenge to get on and off the boat.

     Tuesday, 4/11/23 ~ Due to those continuing high winds. we had to postpone Taco Tuesday. With us heading to NJ this weekend and hopefully resuming our journey north the following week, it was very difficult to reschedule. We finally are trying for Thursday with fingers crossed.

     Wednesday, 4/12/23 ~ After Pilates, I did a couple of chores and prepared to go out to dinner. We were meeting with Michael Melissa, and two of their friends over to Buoy 12A. We had a great time, the food was phenomenal, and so was the presentation. This is definitely a place we’re going to revisit!

  

~ Rosemary smoked Bacon ~NY Strip Steak ~

 
~ Parmasian Encrusted Grouper ~ Scallops ~

     Thursday, 4/13/23 ~ We finally had our last of the season, Taco Tuesday. Tillie had her final visit with the vet after the surgery and she’s healing beautifully. She also weighs 31.1 pounds! We will see if Pete’s prediction is on target for 32 to 35 pounds or if she’s going be bigger than that. We will see!
     I also spoke with Kristine, who will be watching Tilly on Saturday while we go to the baby shower. She seems lovely and I think she’ll be a great match.

 

 

     Friday, 4/14/23 ~ The alarm went off at 1:30 and we were out of the parking lot by 2:15 am. We’re on the road once again to North Jersey, this time for the for Pete’s niece, Eleni’s baby shower. The ride went smoothly until South Carolina and the highway becomes two-lanes. They were repairing the North bound, 2-lane bridge. We just sat for about 45 minutes. That set back our time schedule for the rest of the day added to the intermittent rain shower that also slowed traffic. We encountered more traffic outside of Richmond and of DC. We opted to take route 50, rather than 95, because traffic is always lighter on 301. 

The Annapolis Mooring Field looked a little strange ~
YUP! That's a submarine amongst the ships!

Our delays made a 17-hour trip into 19 hours. Those last 2 hours are hard. Needless to say, Pete was exhausted after the 19 hours of driving, but the Tillie was perfect. 

     Saturday, 4/15/23 ~ We were up and out by 10:30 am. The 75-minute ride over to The Rum Runner in Sea Bright, NJ was uncomplicated and the five of us found plenty to discuss during the ride. Pete's neice, Eleni, and her husband, Brandon are expecting their first child in May. The whole family is estatic for this new family member.

     The venue that was used was absolutely beautiful and overlooked the ICW. However, seeing the ICW and the homes on the Western shore was hit and miss depending on the sea fog that was mostly present. In typical Effie style, the room was decorated to the hilt. It was a wonderful time with family and friends. We were able to catch up with Jack and Janet, who are Jim’s best friends from high school. Food was delicious. The pictures are going to be outstanding, and, once everything was packed up, we were glad to head home afterwards.

     Tillie had a great time with Katherine and her children. The photos she sent, playing with Tillie in the back yard were great. The kids were very disappointed when we were home before their second visit at 6:30. Tillie was glad to see us and it was a good night to chill.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~     K & P