2025 February in Fort Pierce

     February ushered in better weather. Temps climbed and the winds shifted to the south and east. That meant that we could shed our jeans, sweaters, sweatshirts and that bad 4- letter word, “coats!” Shorts’ weather is returning! Of course, the beautiful sunsets continue regardless of the temps.

     Saturday, 2/1/25 ~ A beautiful day for the Farmer’s Market and breakfast at Reggie Bowl. There were lots of people dancing to the Latin band that was playing this morning.

 

 

 

   
     It was too pretty to stay on board. We took a ride south on Indian Trail and returned north on Hutchinson Island to hang by the jetty for a while.

     Monday, 2/3/25 ~ We woke to heavy fog this morning.  It turned out to be a beautiful photo op.  

 

 

 

 

 

A fog rainbow!

     Tuesday, 2/4/25 - It was a perfect day. It started off with a wonderful walk with Barb and Chrissy. We did 2.5 miles.

 

  

 

 

     The day continued to be beautiful with mild temps and gentle breezes. It made for a great Taco Tuesday. Diana & John of SV PHEONIX, were able to join us. They had been in the slip next to DESTINY and were moved to the T-head on J-Dock recently.  Randy and his girlfriend, Mary Ellen, also joined in the fun. Randy recently bought the Hunter on H-dock, so hopefully, he will be joining us for more Taco Tuesdays.

 

 

     We all enjoyed seeing the launch that coincided with tonight’s dinner. Launches are particularly spectacular when they coincide with sunrise or sunset. The angle highlights the vapor cone (also know as the "jellyfish") behind the rocket. As we were enjoying the site, our son, Greg, sent a picture explaining that he saw the launch form his ship while exiting the Cape Fear River, NC, 450 miles away. Moments later our son, Chris, responded with a photo from their backyard in SE Pennsylvania from 800+ miles away! As Chris explained, “Shared moment! We didn’t even know!”

     

Fort Pierce, FL                            Cape Fear, NC                                   West Grove, PA

     After the cleanup was completed, we joined Melissa, Mike, Elisha and Charlie over at Cobb’s to enjoy another evening of great music courtesy of Dave Goodman and Paddy King.

     Due to our travels north in December and Jon’s continuing PT, our lunch dates with Marilyn and Jon had been on hold. We finally were able to enjoy a beautiful day, good food and their great company for lunch at Island Beach Bar & Restaurant. They are part of the restaurant group that also owns The 2nd Street Bistro.

     For most of the month, we have experienced super low tides! In fact, one night as I went out to walk Tillie, we had to STEP UP about 15 inches onto the dock. What was even more astonishing was that in the creek adjacent to the marina, there were now islands emerging in the middle of the creek. I thought I saw a log grounded on one of the islands, but then it started to move. There was a mom and baby trying to leave the creek and had to undulate like seals over the islands. Thankfully, the shallows and islands were not that big. Tillie and I listened to the suction sounds of skin against mud for about 2-3 minutes until they were back swimming towards the river.

                     
AUGANAUT and PEKSBU at low tide.         The white toe rail is 15 inches below the dock 

(The blue line is a reflection on the step ladder which is sitting on the dock.)

 

Boats sitting very low on the water & The creek showing some of her bottom (the islands)

     Saturday, 2/8/25 ~ We took Tillie to Vero’s Dog Park. She had a great time making new friends, both 2- and 4- legged. Boy, did she need a bath once home!

 

     One evening, Tillie and I walked around River Walk Park and the Manatee Center before dinner. Found some great photo ops.

 Parts and pieces of the Fort Pierce Sign

 

 
Nature ~ egret, Tillie and a manatee!

     Sunday, 2/9/25 ~ Ray’s memorial was held here at the marina. We gathered for good food, wonderful friends, shared memories, and saluted his memory with a Bud.

 
 

Eagle Fans

   Today was also Super-Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs played against the Philadelphia Eagles for a second Super Bowl in 3 years. KC won the original match-up. This time it was the Eagles who dominated the game with a 40-20 win. GO EAGLES!!
     The pre-show showed love and support for those affected by the recent NOLA massacre as well as the survivors still suffering from Hurricane Helene’s devastation in NC.
     As usual, there were some memorable Super Bowl ads: Budweiser had the “First Delivery” by a young Clydesdale that delivers the keg that fell off the delivery wagon. Michelob’s “The Ultra Hustle,” was where William Dafoe & Catherine O’Hara are pickleball hustlers, Hellmann’s “When Sally Met Hellmann’s” had Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan united for the famous Katz’s Deli scene and Doritos' “Abduction” where aliens attempt to steal a computer geek’s Doritos making the geek be bounced around the room while attempting to hold onto the bag.

Overnight guest in marina 

     Saturday, 2/22/25 ~ Pete, Tillie and I had breakfast at the Farmers Market. My strawberry cheese croissant was delicious, but came with sticker shock of $8.00! Pete’s Beef Empanadas were delicious and reasonable, but unfortunately, they are too spicy for me.
     We waited along with a couple of thousand others for the annual Cracker Boys Parade. They were a bit late in arriving and came south on Indian River Drive due to freight train slowing down to enter the switching station. Traffic on Avenue A came to a complete stop for the train and then the parade. When the parade circled around and attempted to head west on Ave A, it too, came to a complete stop. It probably took a good 10 minutes for the train to pass and traffic to move out of the way. This year there were quite a few more horse-drawn wagons, about 100 riders of all ages, as well as the riders and walkers cracking their whips.

 
The train caused the backup on Avenue A ~ including the riders

 

   

 

 

   

SV ELAN

     Mike and Barb’s SV ELAN had sea trials this morning. She will shortly have a new owner. After 7 boats, uncountable miles, places and memories, almost 50 years of boating Barb, and Mike’s boating adventures are coming to a bittersweet end.

     Monday, 2/24/25 ~ I drove down to Ann’s for lunch at Poppie’s and to support her with the lawyers. Needless to say it was a busy day.

     Tuesday, 2/25/25 ~ Once again it was time for Taco Tuesday, Rick and Gail, Melissa and Mike, Diane and Dave, plus Pete and I joined Diana and John here on I dock. As usual, we all had a good time. As the sun was setting, so were the temps, so we started cleaning up around 6:30.
     As people started leaving the dock, Buddy, the dog aboard Sue Ann’s boat began barking furiously. We later learned that Sue Ann had passed. It was a rough night for all.

     Wednesday, 2/26/25 ~ “CCYC South” had a great lunch at Ocean Grill with Sue and Jim, SV QUEBECOIS, visiting from the Cape with Marilyn and Jon, plus Connie, Ed, Pete and I. Once again delicious food, special memories and great friends.

MV BOLD RASCAL
heading for sea trials 

     Thursday, 2/27/25 ~ It’s official, and bittersweet. MV BOLD RASCAL is sold. Melissa and Mike will be heading back home by the 2nd weekend in March.

     Friday, 2/28/25 ~ The ladies of I-Dock met for lunch at Cobb’s. Melissa, Diane, Elisha, Nan, Bambi and I had our own memorial for Sue Ann. These are such special ladies, and I am so thankful they are my friends.

 
Nan, Bambi, Diane, Melissa, Kathy & Elisha

 

MV GADABOUT

    Barb has been so stressed with the boat sale and finding lodging for a month, we haven’t had time to walk and de-stress. We had a brief time to say our goodbyes in-between her runs to unload at the rental. Mike and the new owner will head out tomorrow to take the boat up to Eau Gallie for a final familiarization, where Barb will pick up Mike and then head over to their rental only a few blocks away.
    Sue and Ann arrived last night and left early this morning to begin their Great Loop adventure aboard MV GADABOUT. I was so glad I had a chance to wish them well, say goodbye and forward a photo taken by Pete of them leaving this morning.

     Everyone is excited to watch the heavens. Today, 7 of the 9 planets will be visible shortly after sunset.  No we can't see all of them with the naked eye, but it is great to see 5 of them and the moon.

  

from Facebook

 

     They say, “change is inevitable,” but no one could have predicted all that has changed this season on I-Dock.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  K & P