Monday, April 29, 2013

Brunswick

Finally.
We have finally arrived in Brunswick, and none too soon. We reached the dock about 1 pm, and within a hour the sky darkened and there was a thunderstorm. Whew! I do hate to be out on the water in a storm.
The storms had been predicted so yesterday, we ran almost 50 miles to reach Cumberland Island. We knew that Brunswick would only be 6 hours away. We had a very peaceful night at anchor in Cumberland, got up at 6 this morning, made coffee and pulled the anchor to head here. We were able to use the sails for a good portion of the trip today. As we headed up Jekyll sound, we had the current and the wind with us and were surfing the waves at over 9 knots! Wow! What ride!
Now we are safe and sound on the dock and getting ready for our road trip. We need to put the boat to bed for a few months, pack the car and hit the road. NY, MA & CA look out! Here we come!


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Sunday, April 28, 2013

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Saturday, April 27, 2013

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Friday, April 26, 2013

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Thursday, April 25, 2013

Manatees!

Whew! What an interesting day.
We slipped our mooring at Titusville about 7:20 this morning and headed out through a dead calm toward Mosquito Lagoon. After we passed the bridge at Haulover Canal and entered the lagoon, there were manatees everywhere. Dozens! Maybe more. Hundreds? Didn't think there were that many left.
Bev took the helm while I stood on the bow to watch for the graceful, but slow moving critters. You could almost walk from shore to shore on their backs and not get your feet wet. Well, OK, that's hyperbole, but I saw more manatees today than in the last 7 years combined.
We also saw a pair of bald eagles, butterflies, dragonflies, racoons and even a mother dolphin and her young calf.
And people wonder why we live on a boat.
We usually stay in the marina when we're in New Smyrna Beach, but after spending way too much money in Ft. Pierce, we opted for the anchorage at Rockhouse Creek. So far, two other boats have joined us here. Lots of current, but the winds should be light tonight.


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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

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Friday, April 19, 2013

Wind!

So we wake up this morning to a "wind advisory." NOAA was saying that winds were expected to run about 25 knots this afternoon. Of course NOAA was wrong. The wind was running about 30 most of the day.
As a result we pulled anchor and checked into the city marina at Ft. Pierce. Thinking about being at anchor in 30 knot winds doesn't seem like fun.
We will stay here at least through tomorrow so the cold front can pass.
We made use of the stop by getting laundry done and checking out happy hour at Cobb's Landing. Great beer - Iniquity Black Ale - and great munchies - blackened shrimp & bacon flat bread - but way too much money.
Tomorrow, there's a great farmer's market, so we'll stock up on bread, veggies & meat for the rest of the voyage.
So now that we're 4 or 5 days behind schedule, we'll have to hustle to get to Brunswick before the month is out.
More tomorrow.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Ft. Pierce

Finally rolling up some miles. 44 nm today.
After getting a late start while waiting for a pumpout at Old Port Cove in Palm Beach, we got underway and made it to Faber Cove, just outside Ft. Pierce. It's a very well protected, but small cove about a mile east of the ICW. There are 4 other boats in here and not much room to swing on the anchor. I set the scope a little shorter than I like, but the wind is supposed to ease overnight. I set the anchor alarm just in case.
When we set the anchor, we got a radio call from "Second Wind," a boat we had seen in Marathon. During the day today, we travelled with 4 other boats, among them "Autumn Bourne," another boat we knew from Boot Key Harbor. Small world.
Last evening at Old Port Cove, we stopped by the newly refurbished restaurant/bar to sample their happy hour. The beer was nothing to brag about, but the blackened chicken alfredo flatbread was wonderful. The folks at OPC have really turned the place into a world class marina, but they haven't raised their rates. Good job, OPC!
The next few days will be interesting. Not many bridges, but a "weak" cold front is expected with showers and T-storms. Yuck!
For a good part of the day today we were able to motor-sail by rolling out the genoa part way. We peaked out at 7.8 knots! Whoo hoo!


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Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

18 bridges!

Whew!
Finally getting some miles under the keel. Today we made it to the Lantana anchorage, about 38 miles from.Hollywood. It's not the miles that take the time, it's the draw bridges. Most of them open only on a schedule that no sailboat can meet. So, you end up waiting at the bridges for an opening. It took us 9 and a half hours to do 38 miles, but - that is the most bridges we'll see in one day for the whole trip. Tomorrow we'll see only 4 and each day after that only 1 or 2.
We are planning a short day tomorrow. We'll go to Lake Worth, stop for a pumpout and some provisions and maybe meet up with our friends on "Paradigm."
If the weather holds, we"l be back on schedule in another day or so.

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Monday, April 15, 2013

Julia Tuttle Bridge & more storms

We finally worked up the courage to attempt the JT bridge.
More storms were predicted for today, so we decided to stay inside and try the bridge. After some emailed suggestions from others, we waited until low tide this morning, 7:10 AM. We worked our way to the bridge dead slow and entered the span just east of the main channel. The overhead beams are about 1 foot thinner there, allowing just a bit more clearance. Upon emerging from the other side, having heard no sickening cruch, we both felt like tossing breakfast. As the adrenaline left our bloodstreams, we both sighed in relief. Whew! We did it.
But that still left us with the prediction of strong to severe T-storms in the afternoon. A look at radar and sky confirmed something was headed our way. Out came the guide books for a frantic search for a marina that wouldn't bankrupt us. Hollywood city marina it is.
About a mile before the Hollywood bridge, the deluge came. Water everywhere, visibility zip. We called the bridge tender and he said he'd open for us even if we were up to 3 minutes late. We made it just as the rain started to ease. Just as we got tied up, the sun came out! Figures. But, there is still that prediction...
So we'll sit here tonight and head out in the morning. The next 4 or 5 days are supposed to be more "settled" according to NOAA.
By the way, that story about frigate birds bringing good luck? Believe it. We've seen two every day we had good travels, didn't see any the days we stayed put.

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Saturday, April 13, 2013

So here we sit

And glad of it.
This morning, after checking the forecast and calling BOAT/US to get sea conditions, we decided to stay put another day.
Last night a T-storm hit about 3:30 am. NOAA said this morning 80% chance of more today and for once they were right. An intense line of storms hit the coast between here and Lauderdale. If we'd gone, we'd have been on the ocean when they hit. Whew! Dodged a bullet.
I hate to lose a day, but I'd hate to lose Bev or the boat more.
So here we sit.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Miami

What a day!
Your captain was nervous because of the possible T-storms predicted, but your admiral said "what else is new?" So, we left Gilberts around 7:40 this morning and had an absolutely great sail up the length of Biscayne Bay. The wind was SE at 10 to 15. We roled out the jib alone and averaged 5 knots all the way. A really nice relaxing, quiet 37 miles.
Except - your captain forgot to take the slack out of the roller-furling line. This caused A) a huge jam in the line when we tried to take the sail in or B)Morgan learning some new "salty" words or C) all of the above. You're right C.
Hats off to "Calypso" and "Seminole," two trawler crews who actually understand Rule 13. You might guess, this is rare in Florida.
So now we are anchored at Marine Stadium in Miami, planning tomorrow's run outside to Ft. Lauderdale.


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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Gilberts

After 3 days of motoring directly into a 20 knot headwind, we decided to treat ourselves to a night at the dock and a meal ashore. We stopped at Gilberts, spent way too much on dockage, rinsed the salt off ourselves and the boat and enjoyed Gilberts famous German burgers. If you've not had a German burger here you're missing a real treat.
Tomorrow, if the weather cooperates, we finaly get to hang some dacron and sail across Biscayne Bay to Miami Marine Stadium anchorage. There is a chance of T-storms so we have keep an eye on the weather. Wish us luck.
If we make Miami tomorrow, it's out on the ocean Saturday to Ft. Lauderdale. After that, it's a pretty clean shot north - except for bridges. Ugh.

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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Sunset Islamorada.

Our 2nd night at anchor. Jealous?


Crabs!

Don't get me started on crabbers who set their pots inside the navigation channel! Think Banner's saying about "Please don't make me angry..."
Yesterday, we made a short trip around Vaca Key just to get the 7 Mile Bridge out of the way. We watched a great sunset from off Crane Point and had an uneventful night. Uneventful is a good thing at anchor.
Today we motored 29.4 nm, against a 15 knot wind right on the nose. We pulled into the anchorage at Islamorada, got the hook set and then Bev says "What's that line trailing out behind the boat?"
Well, after tugging, pulling and trying to cut the crab pot float line free, your captain suited up, grabbed mask, snorkle and fins and went for a little dive. Thank goodness the #$%^&* thing was only twisted around one blade of the prop. It came free easily once I could see it. We're not really sure when or where we caught it, but the area north of Channel Five was a mine field of pots. Lobster season is over so they must be crab
Damned if I'll ever eat crab. 

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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

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Monday, April 8, 2013

Tomorrow?

Well, we're full on fuel, water, food, beer wine and all the essentials. The boat is as ready as we can get it. The oil leak is fixed, the windlass is fixed, the manual bilge pump is fixed (along with the two electrics) and the boat is as sound as we can make it. If the weather cooperates, we'll let go the mooring lines tomorrow morning and start on the trek back to Brunswick.
Thank you Marathon for another great season.
Bev got a new work opportunity at Dr. Smith's office filling in for someone on medical leave and now they want her back in the fall. So if the hospital doesn't give her hours, she should be able to work with the doctor.
I did a small show at the theater. It was a "reading" called "Looking." A very cute play about 4 middle aged people on blind dates. It was very funny and had a short rehearsal schedule. I also tried out for next season's "A Few Good Men." That will be interesting.
So, here we are trying to relax and get a good night's sleep so we can start out rested. Watch for our SPOT updates here and on Facebook.
Wish us luck. Our next post will be from an anchorage.
Watch out Tispy McSway's, here we come!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Getting ready

After a good season in Marathon, we're getting ready to head back to Georgia. The first good sailing day after this Friday and we will be setting out. The bottom's been cleaned, the engine oil leak fixed, cooling system leak fixed. The electric winch is operational and the anchor windlass has been repaired. We just need to fuel up and provision and we'll be on our way.
I just tested the link between Blogger and our SPOT messenger and it seems to be working. You will be able to follow our travels either by Facebook or by this Blog.
On an different note, we have discovered that our little Monk Parrot, Morgan, has high cholesterol and will have to go on medication. We have an appointment with the vet on Wednesday to learn how to administer the meds to the little guy. This all started when he had a weird reaction to having his talons trimmed. His feet curled up, he had trouble keeping his balance and seemed disoriented. The vet did some tests and found the cholesterol problem. We'll see how this develops.
I tried out for another play for next season at the Marathon Community Theater. It will be a challenge if I get the part - it's "A Few Good Men." Yeah, me in a uniform, strange, huh? Hey, that's why they call it "acting!"
It should take us about two weeks to get to Brunswick, weather permitting. Then we will hit the road in our minivan on a long road trip. Matt, Bev's son, is getting married in MA in May, then it's off to California for Chandra's High School graduation, Fourth of July with Ben, Sara and Daniel. After that we plan on taking our time getting back to Georgia by way of a few National Parks. This is all assuming that the minivan holds up.
In the mean time, look for our SPOT posts. Each of these SPOT posts will include a link to Google Maps which will show you where we are anchored. Clink the link to see just where in the world we are.

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