PEKABU 3 Cruising: Week 30/ Week 23 in Ft. Pierce

Sunday, 3/26/23 ~ We were up before sunrise and on the road by 6:50 am. We have not been to Key West in about 4 years, so we are making it a one-day trip. The traffic was very cooperative until we hit few slower spots and some crawling in the Keys. We were glad to see that a lot of vegetation that was stripped during the hurricane on many of the Keys, was now growing back. There are still thin areas if you know where to look.

Pigeon Key - the pedestrian bridge is now rebuilt and
the artist's colony is once again open

"Fred" the Tree and the Channel on the old 7 Mile Bridge

Molassas Key

Marathon's Welcome and the tree that

is recovering from loosing its lower branches

Big Pine Key was heavilly damaged and the vegitation denuted

2 years later and the greenery is still damaged

Temperatures today reached the mid 80’s with 10-15 winds out of the SSW. It was surprising how deserted Mallory Square was at midday. We sat in the shade and simply enjoyed. Tillie was content to sit on the wall with us. There were maybe 10 other people in the entire area with us. There was a bike tour that came by and used one of the pavillions. everyone had their helmets on their handlebars. The parking lots were busy and so were the eateries. Pete and I enjoyed ice cream cones and shared some with a grateful Tillie.

Yep! We were really there!

The History and Art Museum

The Banyan Trees near Magaritaville

By 3, we were heading back north. Traffic slowed considerably though the towns, but on the open stretches traffic kept moving. A car towing a boat slowed everyone from the bottom of Key Largo to Homestead. Once on the Florida Turnpike, we made good time with no traffic problems.

New developments in Marathon

The old railroad bridge and Sunshine Key Camping Resort

Spanish Harbor Key damage Amazing water colors

As we didn’t get to Ann and Howie’s until 7:45, we opted to go to Jack's so we could eat lighter if we preferred. Pete enjoyed his lasagna, while I could only eat half of my large Greek salad with grilled chicken. It will be a great lunch for tomorrow!

We had to allow Tillie to burn off some of her energy before bed, so we said our good nights and headed to our room, and Tillie played for another hour.

Monday, 3/27/23 ~ Pete took Tillie for a quick walk first thing in the morning, I then tried to do some training and leash work as we went around the block. It was a complete failure. Tillie wasn’t even motivated by the dog treats. She just was too curious about everything, especially the desiccated flattened worms. Once back she was nudgy and demanding. Pete had to take her outside about 6 times, and she was simply acting crazy. He was not able to get any work done, and had very little free time to finish his book.
Ann and I to lunch at Poppies then baby shopping at Buy Buy Baby for Rich and Carol’s newest little girl, Lily.
We all were looking forward to dinner at Hunan. Unfortunately, they were rocked, with long waits, short staffed, and food not up to their usual high standards. As Pete said, had this been our first visit, we probably wouldn’t be back. We know it was just an off day for them. We were back to the house by 8:30 then it was the drive back to the Marina. We were finally home by 10.

Tuesday, 3/28/23 ~ I took Tillie to the dog park. There were lots of larger dogs and she did fine. One was a 75-pound Aussie Shepard. He was beautiful with one ice blue eye and the other hazel, and, definitely, much larger than the breed standard. There was also a 9-month-old, 75-pound German Sheppard added to three other larger mixed dogs. She had a great time.
Taura and Leo had “Book Bingo” at school tonight. Leo being in Kindergarten, it was an important date! Everyone agreed on rescheduling Taco Tuesday for tomorrow instead.

Wednesday 3/29/23 ~ Taco Tuesday as usual was a feast of good food and great friends. Rich, who is on the Island Packet currently in Elisha and Charlie’s slip, and Cathy and Chris, MV Crafty Tales (Swift Cruiser out of Kent Island) also joined us. We might be lucky to get one more Taco Tuesday in before Melissa and Mike, Barb and Michael and we head north for the summer. Diane and Dave head back next Tuesday.

Thursday, 3/30/23 ~ We headed over to the vet at 7:50 am for Tillie’s spaying. Knowing that she will be recuperating here on the boat, the “Cone of Shame” would not work. The inflatable collar would also be a problem as she would still be able to access the incision. Our research led us to purchase a surgisuit. The only other people we knew who had any experience with the surgisuit were Greg and Jenn. When their newest cat joined their family, they had one for her when she was spayed and they were amazed with how well it worked. Since we were unsuccessful in getting her clipped prior to the surgery, when we picked her up, she looked extremely cute with her snug, black surgisuit and her furry head, legs and tail. She also didn’t appear to be affected by the meds and surgery in the excited way she greeted us.

Tillie asking to go out and modeling her surgisuit

Pete was concerned and volunteered to sleep on the sofa cushions placed on the floor just in case she needed something during the night. Tillie was thrilled to have him this close. She spent most of the night either with her back against his stomach, her head next to his face, or her paw in his face. She had a great night. Pete didn’t.

Friday, 3/31/23 ~ We tried to keep her “quiet.” Ha! She does not seem affected by the surgery. She wants to play, barks if we don’t respond quickly, and bounces after a toy tossed in the salon. The only thing she is not allowed to do is climb the stairs and come back down them.

Cathy and Chris are towing their boat, MV CRAFTY TALES, home. He asked for some help getting it on the trailer. Pete, Mike and Dave were on hand. After multiple attempts to get the boat straight onto the trailer, Mike noticed that the blocks/stabilizers on the trailer were folded on the port side. Back into the water went the boat, then the trailer was adjusted and no more problems getting it level.

Saturday, 4/1/23 ~ We left Tillie home and went to the Farmer’s Market for the Jamaican Bowls we missed out on last week. While I went form our juice and smoothie, Pete headed over and bumped into Mike and Melissa also ordering bowls for breakfast. Pete picked up some cider donuts while waiting. There were 2 left for me when he arrived with breakfast. Yum!
For a change of waterfront scenery, we took a ride to Hillsboro Inlet with Tillie. We tried to enjoy the shaded spot, mild temps, great breezes, and the interesting activity at the inlet with an unruly dog who was sightly crazy. Only when she was seated on the bench was she a bit more calm. We had to head back after about 90 minutes. Of course, she was perfect in the car!