 |
| Sargassum Seaweed in the marina |
Per Newsweek:
A 5,000-mile-wide blob of seaweed that is slowly creeping toward the Florida coast has been recorded from space by NASA.
Speaking of the news, another weather event is also making not only news, but history! California has been besieged with storm after storm training ashore from the Pacific. Not only record rainfall, but a record-breaking 800+ inches of snow in the mountains. That is an adult standing against 60-something feet of snow! The drought has been eased considerably, but in many cases it was too much, to fast. The flooding was also substancial with each storm.
A 5,000-mile-wide blob of seaweed that is slowly creeping toward the Florida coast has been recorded from space by NASA.
The enormous mat of seaweed is composed of sargassum, floating brown algae that usually blooms in a region called the Sargasso Sea. It spreads across the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa to the Gulf of Mexico in what is known as the "Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt."
Last month marked one of the largest sargassum blooms ever recorded, with the mat of seaweed measuring twice the size of the mainland United States.
Last month marked one of the largest sargassum blooms ever recorded, with the mat of seaweed measuring twice the size of the mainland United States.
And now, as they say, I now return you to our regularly scheduled blog. . . .
Pete evacuated the oil during the engine oil change and was baffled as to find it was only ½ filled! Before we start the engine to leave, he always checks the engine for oil levels. It made no sense. He refilled it with the required 4 quarts, changed all the belts, tightened hose clamps and replaced hose for the bypass. Then he watched the engine while it ran, as he always does, to check is anything appears abnormal. This is the first time he found something. There was smoke/steam coming from the engine’s exhaust manifold. He emailed Pedro requesting they stop by to check.
Dave and Diane, MV ARGONAUT, are spending the last few days prepping the boat for their departure on Tuesday. The boat stays here all year.
Cathy, MV CRAFTY TALES, emailed Pete to say “thanks again, and that they made it home!” It was a tense ride and they are looking forward to their bed. We look forward to getting together with them once back on Kent Island.
Towards evening, all of us here on the dock noticed the strong gasoline smell around our dock. 
Monday, 4/3/23 ~ Pete called the marina office after walking the dog. The gasoline smell is still strong and appears to be coming from the boat behind us here on the dock. Carl came over, unplugged the electrical and called Matt, the owner of MV JUST RIGHT.
We had to once again, move out all the stuff from around the engine so that Pedro Jr would have access. He was here about 9:15, so Tillie and I went for a walk to Riverfront Park. Since it was rather warm and my ankle still uncomfortable, we killed time by sitting on the swing and overlooking the harbor. Walking with Tillie is back to square one on training. Hyper is the best way to describe her antics. Add to that, she used to sleep through the night. She is now back to 2-3 times a night - with barking! UGH!! Unfortunately, she still doesn’t want to climb up the stairs to go out, BUT if one of us is leaving, she is up the stairs in a blink! This too will pass, this too will pass . . . .
Matt worked on his boat all day and was joined by Mike and Dave this evening to help transfer the fuel from the starboard tank into the port. Apparently, there is a crack on that fuel tank. They were finally done by 10 pm and Matt left the boat open to air out for the night.
Tuesday, 4/3/23 ~ This morning Matt was informed that he must remove his boat from the marina. He arranged for TowBoat US to take him over to Riverside so he could work on the problem. No more gasoline fumes
The dredge ship, the extractor and workman
The pilot boat heading out the inlet,
I had my last salon visit with my stylist, Grace. I will miss her. She is young, very talented, but misses her family and friends in Alabama. I gave her my info. Once she sets herself up, I promised to write a review for her. I will be given a new stylist next visit. It might be inconvenient as the salon is an hour north from Ann and Howie’s and an hour 20 minutes from Ft. Pierce. I really like this salon and all the stylists I have had in the past and the products used work wonderfully on my hair. I will continue with them when we are down here.
Friday, 4/7/23 ~ After my class this afternoon, I changed for dinner. We were invited by Marilyn and Jon to join them for dinner at the yacht club. On the outdoor deck, we had drinks at the bar and then dinner. Over the past few years, the club reworked the deck. It is now lovely with white tables and comfortable chairs, a roof that can open like a louvered window, opening when its confortable, closing when the sun or rain beats down, and Phifertex mesh screens that lower to limit sunlight, rain or bugs. And, of course, they open to watch the beautiful anchorage and sunsets. Everything was delicious; from the salads and soup, to the scallops, crab cakes and hamburger. No, Pete was the one who had the crab cakes, not the hamburger!
Saturday, 4/ 8/23 ~ Today is probably our last visit to the Farmers Market. While eating breakfast on one of the benches, we talked to a man from Ohio, spending a couple of months here in Florida. He and his wife adopted a Bernie Doodle, who is now 2 years old. He is primarily black, with just a hint of white on his chin and breast. The dog is well trained and extremely laid back, but also 95 pounds! We hope for the first 2, but NOT the third!
The Farmer's Market and a very unusual street sign outside of the marina parking
Since it was so hot and still, we stayed down below once back. It is too hot to work on the dinghy. Around noon, Pete headed out to do some chores while I worked on the blog. Pete managed to complete the errands he wanted to do, including putting things from the cockpit away. As I write, a small cell has thundered and rained down on us. Typical of Florida, this will only last about 20 minutes.
We have been watching the Star Trek series, Strange New Worlds. It is Captain Pike’s story with the Enterprise. We are enjoying how the past interweaves with the other story lines of the various Star Trek spin offs. All of the recent Star Trek series are well written with great story lines, characters and special effects.
We had a busy morning. I needed to defrost the fridge. I wanted to have it mostly done before Pete started the engine work. I had the fridge back together by the time he had picked up the few items he still needed, organized his tools and supplies, and prepped the area.
Pete evacuated the oil during the engine oil change and was baffled as to find it was only ½ filled! Before we start the engine to leave, he always checks the engine for oil levels. It made no sense. He refilled it with the required 4 quarts, changed all the belts, tightened hose clamps and replaced hose for the bypass. Then he watched the engine while it ran, as he always does, to check is anything appears abnormal. This is the first time he found something. There was smoke/steam coming from the engine’s exhaust manifold. He emailed Pedro requesting they stop by to check.
Dave and Diane, MV ARGONAUT, are spending the last few days prepping the boat for their departure on Tuesday. The boat stays here all year.
Cathy, MV CRAFTY TALES, emailed Pete to say “thanks again, and that they made it home!” It was a tense ride and they are looking forward to their bed. We look forward to getting together with them once back on Kent Island.
Towards evening, all of us here on the dock noticed the strong gasoline smell around our dock.
We had to once again, move out all the stuff from around the engine so that Pedro Jr would have access. He was here about 9:15, so Tillie and I went for a walk to Riverfront Park. Since it was rather warm and my ankle still uncomfortable, we killed time by sitting on the swing and overlooking the harbor. Walking with Tillie is back to square one on training. Hyper is the best way to describe her antics. Add to that, she used to sleep through the night. She is now back to 2-3 times a night - with barking! UGH!! Unfortunately, she still doesn’t want to climb up the stairs to go out, BUT if one of us is leaving, she is up the stairs in a blink! This too will pass, this too will pass . . . .
The Manatee Center, Tillie on the swing, and River Walk in the morning light
Around 11:30, Pete called to say we could come back. Pedro left and will be back tomorrow with a pressure tester. Pete priced a new exhaust manifold, which would be about $800 plus installation.
Matt worked on his boat all day and was joined by Mike and Dave this evening to help transfer the fuel from the starboard tank into the port. Apparently, there is a crack on that fuel tank. They were finally done by 10 pm and Matt left the boat open to air out for the night.
 |
| MV JUST RIGHT |
We prepped the boat again for Pedro. He was delayed but came around 10:30. Tillie and I vacated the boat so he could work. I was shocked when I could come back within the hour. Pedro was done and gone. We dodged a bullet. We had an engine cap that was bad and a hose clamp that just needed tightening. Apparently, it was missed in the hose clamp check on Sunday. WHEW!!! We celebrated by heading over to Taco Dive for dinner and to walk around (and take photos!)
The dredge ship, the extractor and workman
preparing to seperate the extractor while the ship heads out to sea
The pilot boat heading out the inlet,
2 of the many tiled bench art around Ft. Pierce, and the tug
Florida has no autumn, but leave sometimes change color.
Florida has no autumn, but leave sometimes change color.
peaking of color, I love the yellow mooring for the tug against the ocean blue.
Cool and different tire patterns in the sand
Silliouttes from the inlet
Thursday, 4/6/23 ~ Tillie had her checkup this morning. The vet office was very busy. One gentleman and his cat waited over 90 minutes to be seen. Apparently, there was an emergency. I kept Tillie on the bench, hugged to my side so she behaved well for the 40 minutes we waited. She was checked by one of the vet techs and she is healing beautifully, no the meds are not making her hyper, no dog park for another week and no baths. Thankfully, we have her appointment for bath and cut in 2 weeks! She will be sporting a short cut, since it will be warm on the journey north.
Tillie is still as goofy and playful as ever.
With her favorite toy and, um, some assembly required?
I had my last salon visit with my stylist, Grace. I will miss her. She is young, very talented, but misses her family and friends in Alabama. I gave her my info. Once she sets herself up, I promised to write a review for her. I will be given a new stylist next visit. It might be inconvenient as the salon is an hour north from Ann and Howie’s and an hour 20 minutes from Ft. Pierce. I really like this salon and all the stylists I have had in the past and the products used work wonderfully on my hair. I will continue with them when we are down here.
Friday, 4/7/23 ~ After my class this afternoon, I changed for dinner. We were invited by Marilyn and Jon to join them for dinner at the yacht club. On the outdoor deck, we had drinks at the bar and then dinner. Over the past few years, the club reworked the deck. It is now lovely with white tables and comfortable chairs, a roof that can open like a louvered window, opening when its confortable, closing when the sun or rain beats down, and Phifertex mesh screens that lower to limit sunlight, rain or bugs. And, of course, they open to watch the beautiful anchorage and sunsets. Everything was delicious; from the salads and soup, to the scallops, crab cakes and hamburger. No, Pete was the one who had the crab cakes, not the hamburger!
Saturday, 4/ 8/23 ~ Today is probably our last visit to the Farmers Market. While eating breakfast on one of the benches, we talked to a man from Ohio, spending a couple of months here in Florida. He and his wife adopted a Bernie Doodle, who is now 2 years old. He is primarily black, with just a hint of white on his chin and breast. The dog is well trained and extremely laid back, but also 95 pounds! We hope for the first 2, but NOT the third!
The Farmer's Market and a very unusual street sign outside of the marina parking
Thank heavens it is NOT true!
We have been watching the Star Trek series, Strange New Worlds. It is Captain Pike’s story with the Enterprise. We are enjoying how the past interweaves with the other story lines of the various Star Trek spin offs. All of the recent Star Trek series are well written with great story lines, characters and special effects.
~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P
