Key Largo ~ Day 2

View from the breakfast patio. Brunelle is to the left.

     We all met on the hotel deck that overlooks our boats and the harbor for our continental breakfast, which is part of our docking fees.  It was really cool to sit and look over the harbor at such a tropical view.  It really put our trip in perspective. Candi stopped by to remind us that the Flee Market is still running on Sunday mornings, which is only a few block walk from here.  There is also a CVS and Walgreens right next door.  Guess where we ladies headed off to?!

View from the other end of the harbor towards our boats.

     In typical Flee Market fashion there was the glass jewelry that is the current fad, as well as the knock off purses, glasses and clothing.  There was also produce and a variation on the Christmas lights in the bottle, only now there are stickers on the outside of the bottles with some sort of frosting.  There was also the Girl Scout Cookie stand. However, there was no child in sight, so I didn’t feel obligated to purchase.

     Pete had asked me to try to find ratchet straps and o-rings for the hose. As we headed over to CVS, I saw the Napa Auto Parts store.  Since we need the fuel filters, I tried to call him for the part number.  Unfortunately, he didn’t have the phone on him. Four phone calls and a text message later, he called back.  This was a real unusual turn of events for Pete. I am usually the one who forgets to turn the ringer on or forgets my phone.  Pete had changed into work shorts to scrub the boat before doing business work and forgot to grab his phone from his good jeans—hence no phone. I was only 2 blocks away from Napa, so I was able to return for the filters and straps before fully returning to the boat.

     The afternoon was spent going through the pictures editing and deleting.  It is the one bad thing with digital: there is no limit to the amount you can take; hence the ruthless deleting process.   I have been able to take some great pictures of the other boats, I hope someone has some great ones of us. I just need to finish editing and downsizing the pictures for the blog so that I can post them. I currently have the posting for the past 4 days up without pictures.  The decision has been made to stay an additional day here at Kay Largo as there is at 70% chance of rain and storms predicted for tomorrow. I should be all caught up provided that the thunderstorms stay away.

These guys facinate me.

     Martha cooked pork and sauerkraut in the Crockpot for dinner.  I had the shrimp, crab and lobster dip but couldn’t find a cracker on board. Pete finished the last of the crackers when he experienced the sea sickness the other day. All my crackers must have been bought for the holidays back home! Thanks, Martha, for coming to my rescue!  Maureen made a wonderful string bean salad and Betty made the Oreo cookie dessert.  Needless to say, we all had a wonderful time.

~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete 

Here’s Looking at You. . . Miami, Hawk Channel and Key Largo! Mile 1138

     I came out to the cockpit in preparation for lifting anchor shortly before 8 AM and looked around… I was surprised to find another sailboat joined us late last night off to our port. However, when I glanced over to starboard the view above Brunelle and Sevilla was spectacular. The sunlight was streaming through the clouds. I was hoping I had enough time to grab the camera before it changed. I did!

Seville and the clouds.

Andiamo & Miami's skyline

     We headed south to the Biscayne Channel.  The breeze freshened a little so we hoisted the main.  Dan warned us that it might get tricky further out in the channel as the water outside the channel is extremely skinny.  The channel starts east then heads north then northeast through the remains of Stiltsville.  There are only 7 houses remaining from the considerable number houses that used to be here on the Biscayne flats. They were built by folks who didn’t want to pay taxes and thought they could buck the establishment. It kind of worked until the hurricanes came. The current homes are boarded up, with one having a boat tied to it; perhaps someone is trying to start remodeling it or just using it for fishing. 

     Once we cleared the Biscayne Channel we turned south, hoisted the jib and cut the engine. It was amazing to be doing 7 knots in shirt sleeves, in blue/green waters and in January!  We traveled the Hawk Channel as it is considerably deeper on the ocean side rather than the ICW on the inside of the Keys. We did not want to face a few more bridges; some that are fixed and not tall enough for our mast and waters that are not deep enough for our 5 foot plus keels. We all hoped to see a lot of sea life.  Betty saw a sea turtle, we saw a large sunfish on the surface, and Martha saw a few flying fish, but we were all very disappointed in our limited viewing of marine life.  With the water so clear and blue we thought and wished we had seen more.

Looking east towards Brunelle
while exiting the Biscayne Channel

     The 36 ocean miles took us 6 hours.  We were not in a rush as we wanted to make sure we arrived at high tide. The entrance to the Port Largo Harbor has a shallow spot so it can be tricky at low tide. We were the test boat going in. It is a rather amazing place.  The canals are very narrow, probably only 50 foot wide as we head north to “Crash Corner.” Pete calls out a “Security. Pekabu approaching Crash corner inbound!” as we boat approach the corner because there is not room for two and there is no visibility around the corner!  After making the 90 degree turn to the left we continued another ¼ mile and made another 30 degree turn to the left where our docks at Marina Del Mar were located, but the canal makes another 90 degree turn to the right, where the tour and dive boats are docked.  This entire area must have 6 or 7 canals off of the main canal. The canals have been carved out of the coral and limestone. This place could never be created today with all the environmental concerns!     Candi is our dock master.  She was here when Brunelle was here 2 years ago and definitely makes a point of trying to remember everyone who comes to visit.

     We all went to dinner down at Sharkey’s Bar and watched the end of the quarterfinals for the NFL where Pittsburg defeated the Ravens in the last few moments. The intent was to have a hamburger, but we all had everything but. . .instead it was lobster tails, seafood platters, ribs, and fish.  Even with a mix-up with the itemized charges per couple everyone had a loud and smoky, good time. Smoking is still permitted in open air bars.

     We all returned back to our boats still amazed we are docked in this little bit of paradise.

56 /1361 Total Statute Miles                                ~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete 

Graduation Day – ICW (for us) is Completed & On to Miami ICW Mile 1092

     Departure this morning was at 7:30 so that we could catch the 10 bridges.  As we were departing the anchorage at Boca Raton Lake I needed to take evasive maneuvers to avoid a manatee, which came up about 10 feet in front of the boat for air. Thankfully I saw his nostrils and whiskers.  We also had to be careful at the 14^th Street Bridge.  Our Bridge Tender warned us and we also saw the manatees surfacing right under the bridge as she was opening it for us. Glen had one next to his boat while he was coming down one of the canals.

Please note the little white roof of the original 2000 sq. foot
home of the next door neighbor to the right.

     The real estate we have seen along the ICW for the past 200 or so miles has had some of the most unbelievable homes. . . . The variety, the size, the boats that sometimes obstruct the view, the lawn sculptures, the original homes that sometimes sit right next store and share the same water view and the astonishing number of “for sale” signs. . . are mind boggling.  We passed one home with one of the signs that took up three lots across a “block” of the water way.  We joked that we four couples could chip-in and buy the place, live there and never see each other!

     We had much better luck with the bridges today as all were perfectly timed! Fort Lauderdale is our last stop on the ICW for this group of travelers.  From here out will be traveling “outside” in the Straights of Florida.

Chris & Greg ~ Dad said you would
want to see this!

     Just before the final bridge Brunelle, Sevilla and we took advantage and filled up with diesel. Sevilla hit the jackpot as dock hands had a problem with the pump and it did not charge Sevilla for the full amount of their fill-up.  Sevilla’s delay made them miss the bridge opening.  Thankfully, they did not need it to open as they had sufficient clearance with it closed.  They caught up to us just as we were clearing the inlet.

Andiamo

Seville

    We did a short jump this time in the ocean; a total of 21 miles over 2 ½ hours. The ocean was fairly calm with a 3-4 foot sea, but it was quartering from the port aft, which makes it a very gallop ride.  Brunelle and Andiamo pulled out their jib to even out the ride a bit.  I was not able pull out the sail as Pete had a 2 hour conference call and was in the forward cabin.  I was trying to surf the waves, but couldn’t do a great job of it. Pete finally had to complete the conference in the cockpit because he was getting seasick down below, even with the port hole open.  He has never experienced that particular malady before.  I explained that it is very similar to morning sickness.  I think it put a whole new light on things. He did put out the main and increased our speed until we made the Miami Inlet.

     With Pete at the helm, I was able to take some pictures as we were coming into Miami.  The color of the water is an unbelievable shade of blue.  I don’t know if the camera can capture the exact shade, but we will see.  We passed Fisher Island and its ferries. We needed to head south of Dodge Island, where all the cruise ships are located for security reasons, but that was OK as we were heading south to the anchorage below the Rickenbacker Causeway next to Key Biscayne. 

Miami from our "front window" as come come in though the inlet.

The best way to show the color of the water was to show
it against a contrasting color.

Seville entering Miami Inlet
Fisher Island in background

Brunelle with Government Cut in background
and all the cruise ships and security patrol boats

Here is some of the variety of transportation we saw for on the water.

     By 3:30 we were all settled at anchor.  We called Pete’s mom to see how she is making out today.  She had the metal knee and rod replaced in her left leg 10 days ago and ordered flowers sent to the rehab. We checked in with the kids. I took advantage of the clouds and the lighting to take a few more photos, and Dan and Martha stopped by while made the rounds with the dinghy. 

Another great ending to a great day!

40 /1305 Total Statute Miles                                ~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete 

On the Water Again! Boca Raton ICW Mile 1048

Lone mangrove ree finds a holding
on a very small island.

     It was cold this morning, probably in the low 50’s at 7 AM.  We were able to pull in all our lines by 7:40 as planned with the help of Glen.  Pete had an 8 AM conference call, so we had to be sitting out on the ICW by then.  The rest of the boats were planning to join us at 8:30.  I just did the “dance” in the stiff breeze and slowly worked my way up to the next channel markers and back.  My reward was to see a manatee surface and actually bring his tail out of the water twice.

     Sevilla came out, turned around, and went right back to the fuel dock.  Next Andiamo came out to wait. Then Sevilla came out to stay.  By 8:55 Brunelle took the lead and we headed under the only one of the 16 bridges that did not have to open today.

Dan chillin' as we wait for another
bridge opening.

      Speaking of bridges, today we had 16 - - 1 was fixed, 3 were on demand and guess what made the other three?  Yep. . .they are all on a schedule, but not this sailboat’s schedule. Or at least not a lot of sailboat schedules. For about 1/4 of the bridges you need to be able to go about 1 mile more an hour then either Brunelle or Pekabu can go. One of the bridges we might have been able to make, except two power boats, one north bound and one south bound, went through first, followed by us, so we lost 2-3 precious minutes which translates to almost a 30 minute wait at the bridge or just a slower ride to the next bridge.

The gears of the bascule type bridge

The Park at the Atlantic Avenue Bridge
where we have attended art shows
with the Freedmans

     We passed through Delray Beach, Ann and Howie’s neck of the woods.  The Fieshmen's Catch Restaurant on the ICW, where we once had dinner happened to be the center of police activity as we were passing. There were sirens, police cars and even officers running along the boardwalk, but that is all we know. As we were approaching the park by Atlantic Avenue Bridge, the two tour boats were also preparing to leave. We followed them until they turned around before the Palmetto Bridge. We were sure the bridges would open for them. 

My happy guy!

     We passed relatives of Brunelle, who have a condo on the ICW here in Boca Raton.  We waved as we passed and continued on the short way to the anchorage, where there is plenty of space for the 4 boats, deep water, and where Dan and Martha can visit with their family.  By 3:30 we are all anchored in water that is so clear Pete was able to see the anchor settle on the bottom and grab into the sand.  He also saw the shadow of the boat on the bottom. Like in the Marina, the water here is blue green because we are close to an inlet.  However, we cannot use this inlet as it is to be used with “local knowledge” and we do know a local.

Sunset's affect on Boca Raton Lake

     With the north wind and the cooler temps, we are sure glad we have the enclosure today . .  .we are calling it the “sun room.” Pete read while I made some notes and worked on the blog and took some pictures before dinner.

     Update on the systems: Everything seems to be running smoothly and cleanly regarding the fuel and as far as the refrigerator/freezer things there seem back to normal. Keeping fingers and toes crossed!

47 /1265   Total Statute Miles                                ~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete 

Shopping & Manatees ~ An Unusual Combination

     Weather has been playing havoc all over.  Back home they had 5 inches of snow on Tuesday while we had 76 degrees and sun! However, that cold front has made her way south.  It was in the mid 60’s at 7 this morning, but the temperatures will slowly drop and the winds will increase as the day progresses.  The next couple of days will be on the cool side.

While waiting around the marina today, the manatees were enjoying the sun
and warmer waters of the marina.

     The guys hit the he-man shops for engine parts (West Marine and hydraulics supply store). Maureen and Betty did laundry and checked out the manatees, who like to sleep here in the marina. I defrosted the refrigerator and I did a little work on some of my pictures and the blog.

As Martha said," there is nothing handsome about these large, bulbus,
barnicle and fungus covered strange creatures,"
but they still manage to capture your curiosity and sympathy. 

     Since we still have the car until tonight I offered to drive the girls anywhere they might need.  They didn’t need anything in particular, but "there is a Costco’s not too far from here . . .” and we bought items we didn’t know we needed before we left the boats  AND we stopped at the Publix to finish with the rest of the stuff we forgot on the list of things we didn’t know we needed before we left the boat. Truthfully, it is easier to provision for our crossing when we have a car available then when we do not. So it was a good day. . .  until I had to put it all away. . . which I did very successfully!  Poor Pete, that water line just keeps getting lower and lower in the water!

     The final thing we needed to do is drive down to our friends in Delray Beach to leave our car and pick up the decals we need to reenter once we leave for the Bahamas.  Ann drove us back to the marina.

     Lake Park Harbor Marina has been Pekabu’s home for 5 weeks. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The facilities are modern, clean and guarded at night. The area is nice, providing one goes north and not south. Boats that are kept here are primarily for day cruisers, fishermen and divers. Only a few long cruisers stop for a night. It has been great, but we are looking forward to moving on.

~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete 

They're Coming! They're Coming!

     Our Fleet is scheduled to arrive today, but the day did not start out as planned.  Our first communication was at 7:28 am from Brunelle: “WE’RE STUCK and low tide is at 9:30. . . .  “ They needed to winch themselves out of their slip at the Marriott Hotel &  Marina in Port St. Lucie. Brunelle continue to fight through the mud in the fairways until almost noon! Andiamo had spend the night at the gas dock as they were unable to make it into the slip due to the “skinny waters” and waited patiently as Dan and Martha probably invented some new words as they worked to free Brunelle.  While all this drama is being played out in the muck, Glen and Maureen of Sevilla are slowly making their way south hoping the others will catch up before long.

     Since we will probably be underway tomorrow, we use today to finish up the laundry and complete a few projects.  Pete was able to install the Wifi antenna, but needed me to get down into the sugar spoon to help secure it.  Unfortunately the 5 minutes turned into 45 minutes, which usually is not a problem except we were doing dinner for the eight of us and needed to shop before I cooked. They arrived just after the marina office closed so we helped everyone secure and get settled.  Dinner was nothing fancy, but it was great to be together again.

     Since some engine maintenance needs to be done on all boats, another day will be spent here at Lake Park Harbor Marina.  It will also give Maureen another day to recuperate.  She is under the weather with a really bad cold or flu.

~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete 

Lake Park Marina December/ January

     Lake Park is a small municipal marina with a friendly, helpful staff. Mike Pisano, the harbor master, is a great source of info from local shops to marine service providers. It is also easy to get him talking about his newest adventure in being a first-time dad.  When we arrived his son was only 3 weeks old. John, Rich and one other round out the crew and they are all great. The marina primary activity is for diving excursions. We are the only live-boards, who remained for more than a day. We have met 3 other transients, including Semper Fi, who just came in for the night and were gone by first light.

     We had the opportunity to visit with Peter and Anne Wehrle of Toronto.  They just purchased Spice of Life, a Caliber 40, which they picked up in South Carolina.  They were rather disappointed when the discovered that the "enclosure" was only screens and not windows. Anne gave me the thumbs up on our enclosure and assured me that we will continue to enjoy them in the Bahamas as the weather is similar over there.  She also mentioned that they decided to leave the kayaks home as they are very difficult to use with the currents in the Bahamas.

Sandpiper hunting for lunch as
we were hunting for small shells.

     Pekabu needed a really good cleaning from top to bottom. She was coated in salt outside and her insides needes a little bit more than just a quick dusting.  Then we were off to spend the weekend with our friends, Ann and Howie Freedman in Delray Beach for weekend.  We joined them for the famous Seafood Dinner at the Club as well as brunch. The guys were able to get in a number of rounds of golf.  Ann and I were able to do some Christmas shopping and I had my inspiration for making the Christmas ornaments.

Santa's Landing Pad
in the neighborhood with all the lights

 As a result, we were off to beach hunting for small shells and to Michaels for the other items. We also toured an entire neighborhood lit up for the holiday season.  It is amazing, walking around, viewing Christmas lights in 70 degree weather.

This year's ornanaments were
inspired by our trip.

        We took advantage to get some projects done aboard including Christmas cards and the ornaments. 

     We treated ourselves to a couple of dates to the movies. We saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1 and the animated feature Tangled. The Freedman’s joined us for Chronicles of Narnia, Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Bruce and Lin have
treasured memories
of their time on the water.

Yes, we really are here!

     We also had time to catch up with Lin and Bruce Olsen, who have now settled in Fort Pierce.  It was wonderful catching up and taping into their cruising experiences. We shared a wonderful Indian meal after exploring the largest second-hand marine store we have come across: The Marine Connection Liquidators, 2970 North US 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946.    This must be the place where all the boats that were destroyed in the hurricanes eventually wind up. There must be a football field size building of parts and pieces…mind boggling! The Sailor’s Exchange in St. Augustine’s is only about 1/6 as large.

     We also rode over to the beach, witnessed the end of a beach wedding and purchased my Christmas ornament: a wooden dolphin. Then we went over to the Tara Plantation, a law firm which opens its building to the public on certain days in December.  The senior partner decorates the 20 rooms and had the outdoor decorations and lighting

done.  It is quite a production with transportation from a school, greetings by the partners and staff, and light refreshments included for free other than canned donations for the food bank.   Our stay was topped off in the morning with a “Jersey diner style” breakfast.

      We headed home for Christmas on Monday at 4 AM and were home by 9:30 PM. The books on CD make the ride more interesting.  Once home, there were trees to trim, decorations to complete, Greg to pick up from the airport, shopping for food, gifts to wrap and friends to see before Christmas on Saturday.  Company was scheduled for Sunday to Monday, then new company from Monday to Wednesday.  Appointments on Wednesday; then drive back to Florida on Thursday. But there was a slight hiccup!  There was snow on Sunday.  Delaware only had about 4-5 inches, but Jersey and New York City had 16-20+ inches.  NJ was in a state of emergency and Deneen and the girls could not go home on Monday.  The Bruzik’s could not come in from Ohio and the Michko’s could not come down from NJ on Monday. As a result we have a lot of food in our freezer at home and the catered food was shared with couples in our neighborhood.  Add to the craziness of the holidays, Pete will be working while in the Bahamas.  As a result, he spent time investigating cell phone, satellite phones, & amplified Wifi antennas. Heather had a lot of decorating and undecorating to do on the homefront with and without me.  Thanks Heather!

Epcot's
Universe of Energy

Epcot's
Mexican Pavilion

     We celebrated New Years Eve with Freedman’s with a late dinner and watching movies.  During the weekend, the guys enjoyed another round of golf while Ann and I caught the strange movie, Black Swan. Together with Ann and Howie, we also visited Epcot, which we haven’t visited in years. Some things have been updated while others are in need of updating. It was a great day and we enjoyed our dinner at the Tokyo Pavilion. Next time in the area we want to visit Universal Studios and the new Harry Potter area.

      I needed to catch up on some projects, which included finding a public library so I can access my work email…an endeavor that included 5 libraries… an all day project!  I also have been working on the sound blanket for the generator.  Pete hoisted me up the mast so that I could secure another pulley and line. We also had a Raycor dual fuel filter system installed by Wayne Phelps of Phelps Marine Services (recommended by our Harbor Master, Mike). He did a great job and very reasonably.  We had to put it above the engine compartment in the rear cabin, but it is easy access and visibility. Wayne also recommended a refrigeration person, who rechecked our refrig/freezer as it continued to be warm. His diagnosis: 1 oz too much refrigerant, which he adjusted, and the fan needed to be replaced. Pete was able to replace the fan and now working better. Pete also installed a new antenna for the Wifi.

      During our stay here at Lake Park Marina we have seen glimpses of a large male manatee from time to time here in the marina.  However, conditions were perfect yesterday afternoon as he lazily (doubt he does anything in a rush!) drifted past our boat and the boats on this side of the marina.  I was able to get some great pictures of him as the lighting was perfect for pictures.

     Our time here in Lake Park is coming to an end.  Brunelle, Andiamo and Sevilla should be arriving tomorrow afternoon.  The adventures are about to continue.

~  ~ (\_~ ~ ~     Kathy and Pete