Monday, 5/1/23 ~ I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! IT'S THE FIRST OF MAY!!! WE'RE STILL IN FT. PIERCE! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
Both Pedros and their helper returned this morning. As they retraced the wire, they found a break in the ground. This is the current culprit, but when the alarm was replaced last in Key West, apparently it was improperly installed and hasn’t worked since then. We have traveled over 4000 miles without the safety of the engine alarm. Boy! Have we been lucky. The good news: when they pressure tested the engine it should test between 56 and 60 pounds of pressure. With a 20-year-old boat, with 5300+ running hours, we would expect to see it at the lower 56 pounds. She came in at a full 60 pounds, which is super!!!
We believe we are once again set to leave tomorrow. We said our good-bys to Sue Ann and Ray, Charlie and Elisha, Georgia and Scott, Taura, Joe and Leo, and Dave. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, 5/2/23 ~ Ft. Pierce to Eau Gallie
Today: 51 miles 8.1 hours S/M 965.1
Total: 1051.3 miles 166.0 hours
Total: 1051.3 miles 166.0 hours
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| North Bridge, Ft Pierce 1st bridge north bound |
We spotted a number of dolphins as we traveled. They were mostly near the inlets, but we are as excited with these as we did with our first sighting.
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| There be dolphins! |
Near the Sabastian Inlet, the 200-foot, sand spit that has formed off of one of the spoils islands by G 64 continues to grow into the ICW. It was impressive at the current tidal level. I am not sure if it was high, low or somewhere in between as we passed.
Views along Wabasso Island
Views of Sabastian area of Indian River
Buoys serving double duty as weather stations as well as ATONs
We pulled into Eau Gallie around 3. This is the first time we were assigned the very first slip rather than on the seawall. Once in, Pete went to plug into the pedestal only to find there was no electrical connection at all and there was no way to reach the next pedestal. Thankfully, the harbor master came by. He was also surprised to find it missing. He then headed out to West Marine for an extension. By 5, we had electricity and air consitioning!
I have to make some room in the freezer, so we had left over corned beef and veggies. I have about 12 prepared meals frozen and, when we get to St. Augustine, the plan is to order an extra pizza from Nick’s (our favorite pizza place) and freeze for further up the ICW. I really like having leftovers in the freezer as we cruise. Good variety of meals with little forethought, little prep, no mess, and delicious!
Wednesday, 5/3/23 ~ Eau Gallie to Titusville
Today: 49 miles 6.2 hours S/M 878.0
Total: 1100.3 miles 172.2 hours
We cast off lines around 8 and continued north on the Indian River. The winds built during the day to about 15 from the SSE. Not enough to make way motor sailing until we were approaching Titusville Marina. Of course, with the narrow alleys, and half finger piers, we need to back in. Pete went about 5 boat slips past our assigned dock so that he had control backing down to the slip. My captain once again made the perfect docking maneuver! Our dock hand like to be authoritative, but his directions were not always appropriate. He contradicted Pete a number of times, but we finally were secure around 3:00.
A sailing sail boat, the new and the old Addison Bridge, and Tillie keeping watch
Pete had some work to do so I read for a while. Around 4:00, he and Tillie headed over to the “new to us” dog park, at the north end of the marina. They have 2 huge areas for the dogs. Pete opted for the smaller dogs as one of the large dogs was acting a bit aggressive. He and the other furry parents sat in chairs provided under the trees. The four-legged ones, ran, played and tumbled in utter abandonment. Everyone will remember Tillie as the one who ran till exhausted, but still tried to drink while totally prone against the water bowl. Only the larger dog enclosure had 2 kiddie pools for the dogs. Pete wondered if Tillie would have sought one out to cool down. The good news is that she was exhausted. (and maybe sleep later in the morning?)
Thursday, 5/4/23 ~Titusville to Daytona
Pete had some work to do so I read for a while. Around 4:00, he and Tillie headed over to the “new to us” dog park, at the north end of the marina. They have 2 huge areas for the dogs. Pete opted for the smaller dogs as one of the large dogs was acting a bit aggressive. He and the other furry parents sat in chairs provided under the trees. The four-legged ones, ran, played and tumbled in utter abandonment. Everyone will remember Tillie as the one who ran till exhausted, but still tried to drink while totally prone against the water bowl. Only the larger dog enclosure had 2 kiddie pools for the dogs. Pete wondered if Tillie would have sought one out to cool down. The good news is that she was exhausted. (and maybe sleep later in the morning?)
Thursday, 5/4/23 ~Titusville to Daytona
Today: 51 miles 7.8 hours S/M 829.0
Total: 1151.3 miles 179.0 hours
We were once again moving around 7:30. As we pulled out of our slip we followed an iridescent, Peacock-blue hulled catamaran out into the approach to the marina, through the mooring field. For some reason, he slowed down and just drifted out to the channel. Pete had to throttle back a number of times as there was no apparent reason, (I guess he hadn’t had his hi-test coffee yet!) Thankfully, he headed south as we turned north. Just past the RR bridge, we encountered a large pod of dolphins, in groups of 3 and 4. There were probably about 50 in the group. We also noticed a strong wood-burning smell and the haze was noticeable, but we couldn’t see the source.
Total: 1151.3 miles 179.0 hours
We were once again moving around 7:30. As we pulled out of our slip we followed an iridescent, Peacock-blue hulled catamaran out into the approach to the marina, through the mooring field. For some reason, he slowed down and just drifted out to the channel. Pete had to throttle back a number of times as there was no apparent reason, (I guess he hadn’t had his hi-test coffee yet!) Thankfully, he headed south as we turned north. Just past the RR bridge, we encountered a large pod of dolphins, in groups of 3 and 4. There were probably about 50 in the group. We also noticed a strong wood-burning smell and the haze was noticeable, but we couldn’t see the source.
Both clearing and hazy areas of Haulover Canal
Hope this works ~Video of the manatees "frolicking" in Haulover's boat basin
Once in the Haulover Canal, we were amazed at the number of manatees. They were everywhere, in groups either resting in the shallows near shore, or “frolicking” in the deeper water of the canal and boat launch area. There were easily about 75 or more in the approximately 2000-foot-long canal. There weren’t as many people fishing as we have seen on weekends, but those who were there, either on shore or in boats, were watching the manatees. What an experience!
The closer we got to Smyrna Beach, the more smoke we saw to the west. As the breezes were only 5-10 from the west, so we thought it might be a controlled burn. While watching the evening news, 2 wild fires were reported, the one near Smyrna Beach, and another a couple of miles north. Thankfully they were not in populated areas.
Views along Ponce Inlet, pretty homes and the unusual site of a dredge barge being towed by
2-Sea Tow boats. Apparently the pushig boat had engine problems.
An inlet is not the place to have engine problems!
It is still remarkable to see the amount of sunk and grounded boats between Smyrna and Daytona. There seems to be more than we saw on our trip south. (Now that I think about it, the damage may have come from hurricane back in November.) With the light breezes scheduled for tonight, we entered the anchorage in Daytona, south of Hallifax Harbor. Tillie has done very well with us on the move the past 3 days, so we are trying to see how she does while we are at anchor. We anchored at the southern part of the anchorage as we found the shallows further into the anchorage lasts time we dropped anchor here.
2 of the 15 sunken boats we saw today
We sat up in the cockpit and enjoyed the breezes, scenery, and our books. When we herd the “puf” sounds nearing the boat, we all looked out to see a large pod of dolphins approaching our boat from the north. Tillie was intrigued and curious, but not fearful. Once again, they were in groups of 2, 3, and 4’s and so were their “pufs.”
We read for a while, then had dinner. After dinner, Pete hooked up the Honda generator so we could top off the batteries for the night. It also allowed us to catch Young Sheldon and Ghosts before shutting down. Though the breezes lightened for a while, they quickly resumed to 5-10 from the east. The full moon rose and it was beautiful. It was a great night for sleeping.
Full Moon over Daytona
Friday, 5/5/23 ~ Daytona to St. Augustine
Today: 56 miles 8.5 hours S/M 775.6
Total: 1151.3 miles 179.0 hours
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| Getting up early takes it toll! |
The new Daytona Bridge and beautiful condos by Smiths Creek
Fort Matanza and The Bridge of Lyons
New Smyrna Beach St Augustine
Unusual clouds to the west
St. Augustine Inlet ~
The Lighthouse, the buoys, the current, the people, and parking on the inlet beach!
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| Nope! Not PEKABU |
Pizza, for Vinney's NY Style Pizza, was delicious as remembered and I have enough for 2 more meals. YEA!
Pete spoke to the owners of the boat behind us on the dock. It is a 59-foot Marques, MV BELLO. They started in Illinois and worked there way here. They are doing the ¾ loop. Unfortunately, they are waiting for the diver to install the 6th prop of their trip. They keep finding the shallows! He just found BOB423 and has finally downloaded the tracks. The boat will summer in Hilton Head while they head home. They will bring it south in the fall and hopefully, make it to The Bahamas next winter.
Saturday, 5/6/23 ~ Day 2 in St. Augustine ~ Since Beau retired a year ago, Justin Mc Nabb and his dad have taken over the First Mate Boat Mechanics here at the marina. He was here at 8:20. The “stuff” was already moved and he had access. He was done in about 90 minutes. Once the fuel pump was installed and the engine running, he and Pete inspected the engine. That chirp that we heard intermittently while traveling on Friday was coming from the engine’s water pump which currently has a fairly steady leak. This is new and if it hadn’t been found now, we might have been in big trouble. It is dripping because the first bearing seal is compromised. If the second bearing seal went, the engine would be toast. Once again, we were very lucky!
While Justin was on board, Tillie and I went to sit in the picnic area overlooking the marina. Between the high 60 temp, the dampness and the 20-25 mph winds coming from the east (straight at us) it was too cold, even once I had my jacket on. We tried to find a place out of the wind. The seat across the street that faced west, overlooked the marsh area. I spotted a 3-foot alligator in the reeds close to shore. It was still too windy and cold, so I found a lea area among the marina offices breezeway (properly named, I assure you.)
Thankfully, Justin was done in about 90 minutes. This is when Pete informed me about the engine water pump and our extended stay through Thursday. The part will be ordered on Monday, hopefully delivered on Tuesday, and installed on Wednesday.
We were supposed to have the car at 2. Somehow a cruiser borrowed it this morning and hasn’t returned.. . And his info wasn’t captured so the current crew has no idea of who has it! They will call when it’s returned. At 4, we got the call and Pete headed to Publix for NiteQuil for my cold and the Half-and-Half so I can make the Red Lobster Cheddar Biscuits to accompany the Tuscan Ham and Bean soup for dinner (Another leftover!)
Once he was back, I pre-heated the oven, The pilot was lit, but the burner took a long time to ignite, but it finally did. I mixed up the biscuits and placed them in the oven as the soup reheated. The timer went off but the biscuits were still cool. We are out of propane! So, it was soup and buttered bread.
After dinner we watched a movie on a disc. The internet and cell coverage for this marina is terrible. Hunter Killer, a military story of a US sub and the brink of war with Russia was really good!
~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P
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