Our time at Riviera is coming to an end.

     We have been here at Riviera Beach City Marina for 7 weeks and we have made a number of friends. . . .

The last of the Holiday lights
by Ann and Howie

     Mike and Mandy own the boat next to us.  The come down for long weekends from Georgia to work on the boat.  As you can tell, both are still working.  Mike came down without Mandy over Martin Luther King weekend.  We didn’t get to see him as he came down with the flu and just stayed below.

     I met Cindy while doing laundry.  She is crewing on SV DOLCE VENTE.  She is a very interesting lady, who happens to also be certified marine mechanic.  We met Dorine and John, who own the boat, once they returned from their Christmas back home. We enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before they left the marina, headed south. The mast on their 46-foot Tartan is 65 feet. It caused issues and lots of stress at quite a few bridges.  They lost a lot of time waiting until mid-tide or lower to attempt traversing. We look forward to joining them at Stock Island for the month of February.

This was a full arched rainbow,
The first complete one I have seen!

The rain also decorated my
view of the sunset!

   

     Angela and Chris, SV JUNO, and their two shepherds, have the catamaran just on the outside of our dock.  They recently moved aboard after selling their business up in Hampton, VA.  They are still working on various systems onboard.  Angela is my walking buddy.  She had broken her ankle in October and it is till healing. She needs to walk to increase circulation, but it is still stiff and painful.  Since I was having some discomfort walking fast, our walks helped to slow me down, so I experience no issues.  Unfortunately, they will be having the boat pulled on the day we depart, so they have headed back home for a while.  Hopefully, we keep in touch and will see each other on our way north.

Deb, Mike, Marilyn, Jon, Kathy & Pete

Inside the Waterside Cafe

       Mike and Deb, SV RESOLVE have spent the better part of 2 months on the mooring ball in Vero Beach.  They, along with Jon and Marilyn, SV ESCAPADE, headed our way around the second week in January.  We were able to pick them up by car and head for a delicious lunch at The Waterway Cafe, in Palm Beach Gardens.  Our timing was perfect as they were able to make the jump to the Bahamas the next day, taking advantage of a very small window between fronts.

The cruise ship CELEBRATION
departing for Nassau

    This is the second year we have run into Ruth Ann and Phil, of SV SHOOTING STAR. They come down each year from Cambridge, MD, stay for December, then to head over to the Bahamas after the first of the year. They left the marina on January 2^nd, hoping to catch a window to jump to the Bahamas.  Unfortunately, the winds and cold settled in for the better part of a week.  They must have rocked and rolled for days in the 20+ winds out of the NE, but they too, were able to take advantage of the same window as RESOLVE, ESCAPADE, and a hundred others according to Pete’s phone AIS.

      Last week we saw my cardiologist.  He is pleased, but I need to kick up my exercise a bit. Hopefully, the pacemaker adjustment will eliminate the discomfort as my heart rate increases. It has been 3 days and I seem to be doing much better. Due to the cold and the wind, I exercised on board, but still got the heart rate up with no issues.  Yea!

Las Olas Festival

SCULPTURAL WEAVING
Participant at Las Olas

     One weekend, we took advantage of the many art festivals that make the circuit during "season" in Florida.  The ones here in the south east are very upscale, with lots of high end, primarily high end paintings, sculpture, and jewelry.  Early in the month, we spent a Saturday afternoon walking around Las Olas Boulevard for the 3 blocks containing the festival.  I really enjoyed talking the a weaver, who has taken her craft to an new level.  She make intricate woven wall hangings that are stunning.  I was unable to photograph her booth because I visited too long and the others had moved on.

For a week or more,
a very large dredge worked
on the inlet &the channel outside
our marina and the Port of West Palm

     Kay (one of my co-workers at UD), her husband Frank, Pete and I were able to coordinate our schedules and meet again for dinner.  Their son recommended two restaurants.  Our first choice was an outside venue, but since it was cold for this area of Florida (36 in the at sunrise went up to 58 around 4, with winds out of the NE at 10-18!) we dined-in at Tiramisu, near Jupiter. It was a delicious dinner, one of the best lasagnas we’ve ever eaten in a restaurant. Just before we left, a friend of their son, who manages the restaurant, sent over complementary, made in house, Limoncello. It is one of their specialties, unfortunately, none of us are lovers of Limoncello.  It was a fun evening and hopefully, we will be able to get together on our return trip.

     Speaking of temperatures and winds, since we have been here there have been at least 4 days when temps were in the 40’s or lower. The winds have been remarkable. For days on end, the winds we sustained at 15+. We even had 6 days of 25 mph+, not including the gusts to 40.  I am not complaining. I know, back home on the Chesapeake and most of east coast have had bitter cold, wind, ice and snow since Christmas.

Another beautiful end to the day!

     Bailey still has the vasculitis affecting both ears and a few patches on her jaw and leg.  We have been faithful with the mediation, but the sores bloom and wain with no logic.  Thankfully, she is good with the meds and she doesn’t seem too bothered other than periodic head shakes.

      Since we are planning on leaving here next Monday, 1/22, I have some provisioning to do on Friday, for the two weeks before our reservations for Stock Island. Laundry, too, needs to be done and we have a rental car so that we can take the Acura down to Stock Island on Saturday. This is a good marina, great staff and friendly boaters, but it is time to move on.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  K & P

The New Year has arrived!

     As predicted, Christmas was busy, delicious, lovely, chaotic, and messy.  We had stayed at Pete’s mom’s down in Seaford so the 3 of us could be at Chris and Kelli’s by 9 for breakfast.  Unfortunately, Mom did too much shopping and didn’t feel up to the 2-hour trip and the craziness to follow. Greg, Jenn and Heather arrived late on Christmas Eve. We exchanged presents among us then enjoyed breakfast.

Breakfast

It's time to open presents!

             

     The excitement builds & so does the happiness!

              

     After breakfast, Kelli’s family began to arrive. Chris and Kel have Hadi (4 ½ yrs) and Riley (18 mo.). Both of Kelli’s brothers and their wives have two children per family: Kiley (4 yrs) and Carter (20 mo.), and the Twins, Mia and Maverick (20 mo).  That’s a lot of rug rats. They live within 1 mile of each other and do lots of things as a large family.  The kids all get along wonderfully.  I pity the teachers once they head to school as they will all be in the same school! Her Mom, step Dad and Uncle also joined us for the day.  There was tons of food, but my favorite was the turkey, which she brined before roasting. YUM!

Feeding the little ones 1st

It took a lot of prep, now we chill!

And later. . . .
          

   

       

     I had medical appointments on Tuesday and Thursday, but around them, we got to see my Mom, sisters and nieces (NW New Jersey) as well as Pete’s business partner (PA), my friend, Pat and her husband (DE), and spend time with Greg, Jenn and Heather in southern NJ. We even stopped by West Marine in Delaware to pick up our new dinghy engine. Then it was back to Pete’s mom’s (SW Delaware, again) from where we left early Friday morning.

We sat here by the Cotton Gin
before we reached the detour

   We thought we would miss the heavy traffic by leaving at 3:30 in the morning.  Unfortunately, there was a bad accident that closed the road between Norfolk and 95 around 7:30 am.  We sat in one place for an hour until they created a detour.  Then in North and South Carolina, where 95 narrows to 2 lanes of traffic north and south bound, heavy congestion took over.  I monitored the traffic via the phone and we were able to take a couple of detours that added time and miles, but saved us from sitting and traveling at 5 mph.  We parked the car here at the marina around 10 PM. It was a 19- rather than a 17- hour drive, but we were back home, covering over 2500 miles during our travels. We left all but the important stuff in the car for unloading in the morning.

     I guess we were tired because we slept until 10:30 am!  Poor Bailey. She was so good and patient.  Didn’t bother us at all, but was excited once we started to get up.

     Things were unpacked and put away, then stuff was done on the boat: engine mounted, and run according to the manufactures directions.  Pete took advantage of being in the dinghy and scrubbed the hull and did a few more chores onboard.  I had food to prepare for our New Year’s Eve get together with Ann and Howie.  We watched some movies and had heavy hors d’oeuvres all evening. We said our good-bys after ringing in the New Year.  We met the next morning for a delicious brunch at their club.

     Now, to do all that laundry!  The problem is that January 2nd, a strong front is coming though accompanied by winds out of the NE at 15 with gusts of 25 and bands of rain.  It is a ¼ mile walk to the laundry room.  It will have to wait until things calm down.

     May the new year’s promise of a fresh start, bring happiness, good health and the enjoyment of family and friends to all.  Happy 2018!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~  K & P

Sunday, Christmas Eve

     The past 10 days have been very busy, but I had time for some fun with my cell phone camera as I walked. . .

Hylas owner with OCD

The beauty of clear water...
a sea star at 10 feet!

 

Green Heron checking
our dock lines

Rentals at our marina
for those wanting to explore
Peanut Island across the channel

Ficus tree on the marina grounds

Another photo op here at the marina 

     We took a car ride to The Marine Connection Liquidators in Fort Pierce. This is an amazing place where old, abandoned, sunken and hurricane damaged boats are broken down to their salvageable parts.  There are acres of metal: Bimini frames, fishing towers, bow rails, etc.; bins of salvaged canvas; fiberglass Biminis, boxes, etc. There is a warehouse, larger than a football field, full of parts and pieces: toilets, dashboards, wheels, screws, nuts, bolts, metal fittings (hinges, locker locks, handles, cleats,) fishing poles, stoves, sinks cushions, fiberglass tanks (fuel/water) windlasses, wood trim, metal trim, … you name it.  Well, just about everything, but sailboat specific parts! We were hoping to find a 3- or 4-gang block for raising the dinghy with the new, and twice as heavy, engine, but no such luck.  I wish I knew where all the damaged and sunken sailboats from the hurricanes have gone and where their parts and pieces now live.

Rentals here at Riviera Marina Park

View from the beach to the docks

Definitely not a sailboat!
This is Viking's new 93 MY
That will be introduced at the
Miami Boat Show in February

     Last Friday, we had an impromptu happy hour on the patio here at the marina.  Fred and Ruth Ann, SV SHOOTING STAR from Cambridge, MD and Brian and Melanie from SV  SOUTHERN CROSS.  Brian and Melanie left in their home in Columbus, Ohio back in July and made their way across the great lakes, then traveled to 45 degrees North in Canada. They have worked their way down the east coast of both Canada and the US. They had to be towed in today as they have major engine problems.  They are probably looking at a new engine for their 34’ Hunter.  Their dreams of making it to the Bahamas this year have had to be abandoned. 

PEKABU's tree
It essentially, 2-D  &rolls up once the
holiday is done

     The rest of PEKABU’s interior has been thoroughly cleaned and reorganized. Christmas shopping was completed and presents wrapped and packed for their trip north. Laundry done, clothes packed and bag for Bailey’s stay in boarding prepared for our trip home for the holidays.

A view of the lobby

Our view from the mezzanine

Some of the balcony seating

Outside the theater, lit for the holidays

       Pete and I gave each other for Christmas tickets to see SCHOOL OF ROCK performed in the Broward Center for the performing arts. We caught dinner at the great Chinese restaurant, Hunan, in Delray Beach. The theater is a beautiful and BIG; seating 5400!  The play, the kids, and music was great.  I can definitely see Jack Black as the lead character, which he was in the movie.  The play was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber after the movie.  Never knew Webber wrote Rock and Roll!

     We left Riviera Beach 4 am, Friday morning, on December 22nd and arrived in Seaford, DE by 8:45 pm.  Traffic was heavy and slow in spots, but we were fortunate to only add about an hour and a quarter to our normal travel time. Pete’s brother, Jim, and family were already at Mom’s. They had driven down from New Hampshire earlier today.  We spent the next 3 hours catching up.  We didn’t want to be antisocial, but we were pleased to say good-by.  We had been up since 3 am and covered over a 1100 miles today. Thank heaven for a great book on CD! We are listening to Dean Koontz’s THE WHISPERING ROOM. It is an 18-hour story and we have about 90 minutes left to finish. I don’t think it will wait until the return trip. 

Brandon, Eleni, "Nana," Victoria & Sophia

      Saturday, we had to drop off Bailey at Middletown Vet for boarding for the week. We also had to stop by the boat storage to change out some things, then returned back to meet everyone at Mom’s and head out for something to eat.  As it turned out, they had taken Mom shopping down in Salisbury and came home with bags of clothing.  Mom did very well, but they were about an hour late in meeting us.  We decided to head over to Miles River Yacht Club for an early dinner.  That way the New Hampshire side of the Bruzik Family could drive the 7 hours to family in  Auburn, Ohio after dinner. Unfortunately, we were about an hour later in heading over than we had planned, so once dinner was finished they needed to get on the road.  The ride through St Michael’s main street was so pretty. Main street was lit for the holidays and the Inn at Perry Cabin entrance was lined with trees wrapped with white lights; so warm and welcoming!  On the ride back we saw quite a few homes decked out in Christmas lights.

Entrance to the
Inn at Perry Cabin, St. Michael's

A home decorated on Talbot St.

The holiday lights on Talbot St.

A private home in Exton, MD
on our way back to Seaford, DE

      Sunday, after breakfast at IHOP, Pete ran errands for Mom at Walmart. Though it was crowded with last minute shoppers, everyone was wishing everyone else “Merry Christmas.”  The couple ahead of Pete in line had problems with a coupon for 4 of the presents, which delayed things.  When Pete placed his first item o the belt, the cashier’s eyebrows lifted as she asked, “who is getting a Christmas gift of toilet paper?”

     Tomorrow, we celebrate Christmas up at Chris and Kel’s. Greg, Jenn and Heather will also be there along with Kelli’s family.  It should be a wonderful and crazy time.

Wishing everyone a magical holiday, full of family, friends and love!

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P

Riviera - Take 3

     Christmas cards were mailed and the ornaments are completed.  It took a couple to trips to Michael’s to make sure I had everything we needed.   Ann was a great help in getting them completed. I am still searching for a few more presents for people, but we are getting there slowly. 

Boat damaged at the dock by IRMA

Found on my walk after the rains ~
part of a palm tree

     Pete received a call from West Marine, Delaware, that our new outboard motor is in.  We will pick it up when we visit for Christmas. Pete offered the old dinghy motor for free on Active Captain. He received his first request within 20 minutes.  Three additional ones were received by the evening.  It was picked up by 2 pm the next day.

     The windows were sealed again, but the rain highlighted another leak.  I put out the plastic drape cloths just in case, which once again kept the cushions dry. Pete hopes to remove all four windows and re-bed them with the new butyl tape. With the cold front that came through last weekend, we will need to wait for warmer and drier weather so that it seals correctly. That cold front dropped temperatures from 79 degrees at 11 am to 63 degrees by 12:30 pm.  It continued downward much more slowly until it bottomed out at 41 degrees by 7 am.  We are not complaining, but a lot of Floridians are wearing winter coats and hats. Back home, our kids are dealing with low 20’s.

     The same time as the temperatures fell, I developed my first cold in 4-5 years.  As I write this, I am 3 days into it and not very happy, (the post nasal drip kept me awake almost all Sunday night.)  Needless to say, I crashed and burned on Monday night.  I got up for breakfast Tuesday, and crawled back into bed to sleep until 1:30 pm!  The sleep really helped, and I know I will be on the uptick soon.

A memorable sunset here at the marina!

     We hope that as you read this, you are well and enjoying the preparations to the holidays.

~~~ /) ~~ K & P

Riviera - Take 2

     The past week and a half have flown by. 

Lola's Seafood - YUM!

     Ann helped me find the makings of my Christmas ornaments. The days of shopping and the assembly did require nourishment, so we enjoyed our lunches at Poppies and the Club.  Pete and Howie joined us for dinners at Jack’s Italian Restaurant and Lola’s Seafood.  Between lasagna and lobster rolls how could we go wrong!

     Pete was able to scrub the boat thoroughly and finally remove a month worth of salt off the hull. Unfortunately, washing also confirmed that our side windows in the salon are sill leaking. The enclosure has been rolled so that we can enjoy the beautiful, warm weather and great breezes. Bailey also had a bath!

    As Pete enjoyed the relaxation after all those projects, he discovered that when he slipped on one of the sail handling lines, he strained his back.  The spasms were still there 2 days later, when Howie and Pete were supposed to play a round of golf.  In stead we enjoyed the visit and the original movie, “Jumanji.”

    On Saturday,12/2, we were up and out by 4:30 am.  We did a one day run up and back to Charleston to retrieve the Acura. We missed the traffic and were back at Riviera Marina by 9 pm.

     Of course, regular chores, cleaning, laundry and food shopping are done as needed, but we also wrote and mailed Christmas cards and have begun the holiday shopping.

Fish be a-jump'in!

     One morning, as I started my walk, there was strange splashing from the beach area by the dock entrance.  Apparently is was breakfast time for the Jacks (fish).  They had pushed the mullets into the shallow waters at the shore line and as a group, attack schools of fish that attempted to find deeper water. It would be quiet for a few minutes, then the splashing and fish jumping would start.  I stood mesmerized for over a half hour.

PEKABU in her dock for
the next 2 months

     Speaking of walking, I try to get my 2 miles in by crisscrossing all the access roads, park and all the docks here at the marina. The heat and humidity are not my friends, but I am managing.  In the process, I usually say “hi” to a number of folks, but there are time I have actually stood and chatted.  One of the most interesting ladies I met, was aboard a 45’ catamaran, THE DAWN TRADER.  She, her husband, three children and the dog became liveaboards about the same time as we did.  They sold everything in Arizona, she left as a newscaster and her husband left his medical practice.  They have been here in Riviera for 7 months. Dad is working with a few medical practices in the area, two of the three kids are attending the local schools and the oldest is doing school online.  They plan to set sail for the Bahamas soon, then head over to Puerto Rico for a while to help with the recovery efforts. I hope to follow their progress via the web.

Our view of the marina at twilight

     The blog has been written, but the photos need processing and the internet needs to be optimal.  The times I have attempted to post, each photo takes 5+ minutes to load.  It is a bit frustrating.  I will have to do this during the week, when fewer people are using the internet.

     When I put it down on paper, it doesn’t seem like a lot, but I have been constantly busy no time for reading.  I hope to update about every week while we are here.

     Hope your plans for the holidays are on schedule!

 ~~~ /) ~~ K & P