Sunday, 3-25-12
Off at 7:15 this morning. Banana Bay has a wonderful tradition that as you leave, everyone gathers round and throws flowers in your wake for a safe trip, and return. We were seen off, and really an almost uneventful day till the end. It was very humid and hot, and we were stalked by rain and storm clouds but they stayed to the east of us luckily. We saw a lot of baby dolphins. I am not sure if dolphins have mating/birthing seasons, but we have never seen so many babies before ! the babies were really playful and doing flips, chasing boats, very joyful. We were getting ready to dock at the Anchorage around 3:15. The winds had really picked up so we were glad to be getting in. Just as we were approaching our slip, Jon yelled to me that the bow thruster was not working. This is just short of disaster in the winds, and the tight space we were in . Luckily Jon was able to back out, spin the boat around a approach again allowing for the wind and no bow thruster and he did a great job. Of course, as son we were docked the bow thruster worked again. We chocked it up to perhaps something had got caught in it, then kicked back out…… Every time we go to the Anchorage, it is always Sunday, and the marina/resort right across from the Anchorage – Gilbert’s, always has a live band, and there is a lot of boat traffic. Jim, and his brother Bob and Kathy picked us up about 5:30, and we headed to Gilbert’s to find out first hand what was going on. As we started to approach Gilbert’s there were cars parked at least a ¼ mile away. Since it was wrapping up , we kept on driving and lucked out with a parking place right at the entrance. They had all kinds of vendors, a live band playing, hundreds of people, and lots of partying going on. Based on the overall condition of folks, I think most of them must have spent eh afternoon there ! We enjoyed the band had come drinks and dinner, then headed back home. There was lots of chatter going on about the big crocodiles in the area, and especially the one that the just grabbed and killed a 60 pound dog. In light of this, there were still los of people swimming in the ICW including small children – really ?! We hope to be off around 7:00 tomorrow, we are heading to Ft Lauderdale.
Off at 7:15 this morning. Banana Bay has a wonderful tradition that as you leave, everyone gathers round and throws flowers in your wake for a safe trip, and return. We were seen off, and really an almost uneventful day till the end. It was very humid and hot, and we were stalked by rain and storm clouds but they stayed to the east of us luckily. We saw a lot of baby dolphins. I am not sure if dolphins have mating/birthing seasons, but we have never seen so many babies before ! the babies were really playful and doing flips, chasing boats, very joyful. We were getting ready to dock at the Anchorage around 3:15. The winds had really picked up so we were glad to be getting in. Just as we were approaching our slip, Jon yelled to me that the bow thruster was not working. This is just short of disaster in the winds, and the tight space we were in . Luckily Jon was able to back out, spin the boat around a approach again allowing for the wind and no bow thruster and he did a great job. Of course, as son we were docked the bow thruster worked again. We chocked it up to perhaps something had got caught in it, then kicked back out…… Every time we go to the Anchorage, it is always Sunday, and the marina/resort right across from the Anchorage – Gilbert’s, always has a live band, and there is a lot of boat traffic. Jim, and his brother Bob and Kathy picked us up about 5:30, and we headed to Gilbert’s to find out first hand what was going on. As we started to approach Gilbert’s there were cars parked at least a ¼ mile away. Since it was wrapping up , we kept on driving and lucked out with a parking place right at the entrance. They had all kinds of vendors, a live band playing, hundreds of people, and lots of partying going on. Based on the overall condition of folks, I think most of them must have spent eh afternoon there ! We enjoyed the band had come drinks and dinner, then headed back home. There was lots of chatter going on about the big crocodiles in the area, and especially the one that the just grabbed and killed a 60 pound dog. In light of this, there were still los of people swimming in the ICW including small children – really ?! We hope to be off around 7:00 tomorrow, we are heading to Ft Lauderdale.
Our last Marathon Sunset for this year
Returning to Sundance on our dinghy after watching the sunset
Nothing says good morning llike a steamy cup of coffee
Molly came to say goodbye to Crew and is blowing him licks...
Pullng our of our slip and just eeking by this sailboat
Beautiful start to the morning but
We were stalked by rain and huge storm clouds to the east of us much of the trip - luckily no rain, just increasing winds
We have always been on the othe side of the ICW and wondered what went on Gilberts - this year we finally checked it out, 100s of people, bands palying, stalls with stuff - quite the production !
Kathy, Bob, Jim and Jon waiting for some bevvies
Kathy improvised her own bar stool
You never know what you sill see on the back of a boat
A view of Sundance and the Anchorage from across the ICW at Gilberts
For those of you who did not beleive me that they have crocodiles here - here's the proof - it was in the news two days ago that a croc here jumped up and pulled got a 60 pound dog off of a seawall and ate it !
There were so many cars at Gilberts they offered tiki hut limo service !
A view of Gilbert's from back on our boat
Monday, 3-26-12
We were off at 7:10. Perfect morning light winds, calm seas so we decided kind of last minute to head out to the ocean. We found a cut, Broad Creek, that had some low water, but we were hopeful we could get through. We proceeded at very low speed, and spotted our way through with no problems. Sundance loved being on the open water and performed like a champ ! She has not been on the ocean since our trip down from Cape Cod. We had north winds on our nose, but the seas were calm and it was a beautiful day out, until about 2:00. Good golly – what happened ? Once we were off the port of Miami, the seas turned to a washing machine with no rhyme or reason. We had still had to go to Port of Everglades in Ft Lauderdale about another 22 miles. It was a rough haul. Just to ensure we did not relax, we hit the port about 5:00. Let me tell you, Boston rush hour does not hold a candle to Port of Everglades rush hour. We actually had a naval submarine, a cargo ship, three cruise ships, and everyone else in the world returning after a day at sea – uggghhhhh……… We finally arrived at the marina – Bahia Mar, and as every year in the past, the promised dock and never came, so off I leaped. It was fun opening up on the sea, but we only had two bridges to go through so it would have been a piece of cake on the ICW. Tomorrow is official bridge day, but the weather is predicted to bring on the winds and waves, so we will stay on the water high way. It was a long day – 10 hours on the water. Off to lake Park tomorrow where we will be meeting our first Harwich Mariner – RJ, for dinner !
We were off at 7:10. Perfect morning light winds, calm seas so we decided kind of last minute to head out to the ocean. We found a cut, Broad Creek, that had some low water, but we were hopeful we could get through. We proceeded at very low speed, and spotted our way through with no problems. Sundance loved being on the open water and performed like a champ ! She has not been on the ocean since our trip down from Cape Cod. We had north winds on our nose, but the seas were calm and it was a beautiful day out, until about 2:00. Good golly – what happened ? Once we were off the port of Miami, the seas turned to a washing machine with no rhyme or reason. We had still had to go to Port of Everglades in Ft Lauderdale about another 22 miles. It was a rough haul. Just to ensure we did not relax, we hit the port about 5:00. Let me tell you, Boston rush hour does not hold a candle to Port of Everglades rush hour. We actually had a naval submarine, a cargo ship, three cruise ships, and everyone else in the world returning after a day at sea – uggghhhhh……… We finally arrived at the marina – Bahia Mar, and as every year in the past, the promised dock and never came, so off I leaped. It was fun opening up on the sea, but we only had two bridges to go through so it would have been a piece of cake on the ICW. Tomorrow is official bridge day, but the weather is predicted to bring on the winds and waves, so we will stay on the water high way. It was a long day – 10 hours on the water. Off to lake Park tomorrow where we will be meeting our first Harwich Mariner – RJ, for dinner !
Crew loves watching a good sunrise
and he was not disappointed !
I love all of the different hues of blue in the water
I would like to bottle this color of blue....
View of Miami Beach from the ocean
Once we passed the Port of Miami, the seas got confused and were really rolly, Crew took cover and his nose is all he would stick out till we reached Fort Lauderdale !
Some of boat traffic today included a submarine
Submarine on right with two cargo ships
And not only one cruise ship leaving Port of Everglades at the 5:00 rush hour,
But two cruise ships,
Evryone on second cruise ship came out ot see us !
And once we got through the entrance to the port with lotsof other fishing boats and crazy seas....
was cruise ship #3 ! 5:00 must be the departure hour of cruise ships !
Finally , a relaxed Jon at dinner at the waterfront Bahia Cabana restaurant
As night falls, already thinking about getting up and doing it all again tomorrow !
Tues. 3-27-12
We were up early, and so was the rain. The weather forecast was for partly sunny and 20 % chance of rain. Not only did rain it Fort Lauderdale, we hit rain again in Delray beach. I think with those odds I should have played the lottery. We had a great run today. It was breezy, but we hit all of our bridges which made for a nice day. We have had a huge water bill in PC and have determined we have a water leak. The guys that come out with the equipment to find the leak are not available until Monday so we will not any water when we get home. We arrived at Lake Park, cleaned up and then RJ came over about 5:30. RJ was just wrapping up spring training in Jupiter which was only about ten miles away. We went to dinner at the Brass Ring. Two years we walked to the Brass Ring and were pulled over by the police on our way home. The officer told it was not safe to be walking at night in that area. It was nice to be in a car this year. After dinner, RJ took us to the grocery store, then dropped us off back at the boat. Tomorrow is a long day – off to Vero !
We were up early, and so was the rain. The weather forecast was for partly sunny and 20 % chance of rain. Not only did rain it Fort Lauderdale, we hit rain again in Delray beach. I think with those odds I should have played the lottery. We had a great run today. It was breezy, but we hit all of our bridges which made for a nice day. We have had a huge water bill in PC and have determined we have a water leak. The guys that come out with the equipment to find the leak are not available until Monday so we will not any water when we get home. We arrived at Lake Park, cleaned up and then RJ came over about 5:30. RJ was just wrapping up spring training in Jupiter which was only about ten miles away. We went to dinner at the Brass Ring. Two years we walked to the Brass Ring and were pulled over by the police on our way home. The officer told it was not safe to be walking at night in that area. It was nice to be in a car this year. After dinner, RJ took us to the grocery store, then dropped us off back at the boat. Tomorrow is a long day – off to Vero !
What partly sunny skies and 20 % chance of rain looks like...
Finally the rain cleared and we were ready to take off
Crew looking at all of the big boats thinking about how great he would look on one of them !
We think the boat on the right must have had auto pilot on or was chatting on cell phone because he was on the wrong side of the channel and had near miss with the oncoing boat !l
Crabbing boat - washing off the crab traps
Susan and RJ - squinting with the sun !
RJ and Jon at the Brass Ring
Susan and RJ
Wed. 3-28-12
Vero Beach
Up and off just before sunrise. It was pretty windy all day, about 15 form the east North east, but we had current favoring us all day and we averaged over 7 knots an hour – for us- that is amazing ! When we pulled in to the marina at Vero, we saw the catamaran “Wild Horses” from Kansas. It belongs to Roger and Adele, and we had dinner on board with them two years ago in Marathon. After we cleaned up, I noted their dinghy was gone, so we walked over to the dinghy dock, and sure enough ran into Roger and had fun catching up. We took Crew to the dog park so he could run off his energy, then we ate dinner at the Riverside Café. It was an uneventful day of cruising – the best kind !!
Vero Beach
Up and off just before sunrise. It was pretty windy all day, about 15 form the east North east, but we had current favoring us all day and we averaged over 7 knots an hour – for us- that is amazing ! When we pulled in to the marina at Vero, we saw the catamaran “Wild Horses” from Kansas. It belongs to Roger and Adele, and we had dinner on board with them two years ago in Marathon. After we cleaned up, I noted their dinghy was gone, so we walked over to the dinghy dock, and sure enough ran into Roger and had fun catching up. We took Crew to the dog park so he could run off his energy, then we ate dinner at the Riverside Café. It was an uneventful day of cruising – the best kind !!
Mooring ball field at Vero Marina
Jon wearing his best Carmen Miranda hat
Fun place - the Riverside Cafe, next to Vero Marina
Sun setting under Vero Bridge
Not Crew - this was an adorable 8 month old Golden Doodle
Thurs. 3-29-12
Titusville
Up and off before sunrise again. It was a long but perfect day – 72 miles. Home tomorrow,. End of story !
Titusville
Up and off before sunrise again. It was a long but perfect day – 72 miles. Home tomorrow,. End of story !
Leaving Vero
Crew's favorite morning past time
Pelican landing
Manatee at Titusville marina getting a drink - we saw about 20 manatess from Titusville back to Palm coast !
Still drinking when a friend arrives
New manatee weht right to the bilge water pouring out of the boat, you can see him back just guzzling the water down !
Good night Titusville !
Fri. 3-30-12
Palm Coast
I did not want to jinx us by saying earlier how wonderful the trip home was. Other than blurp with the bow thruster the first day, no problems, perfect weather, and for the first time we made the trip with no delays or layovers. We have a trip planned in a couple of weeks to see Barre, David and Blake in Raleigh – and finally get to meet our new grandson Cade – you can bet I will be posting lots of new grandbaby pics ! Till then we remain – convivially yours!
Palm Coast
I did not want to jinx us by saying earlier how wonderful the trip home was. Other than blurp with the bow thruster the first day, no problems, perfect weather, and for the first time we made the trip with no delays or layovers. We have a trip planned in a couple of weeks to see Barre, David and Blake in Raleigh – and finally get to meet our new grandson Cade – you can bet I will be posting lots of new grandbaby pics ! Till then we remain – convivially yours!
Up and going early
Space shuttle at Cape Canaveral - sun still not up
Railroad bridge to Cape Canaveral
Sun peaking out
Sun rising but rose into the clouds
Sun in the clouds
Sun hiding in clouds
Finally up !
Crew and mom hanging out on the deck
Two pink spoon bills flying by
Haulover canal - blue heron
Now that's a boat full of fishermen !
Another blue heron on bank
Life is a carnival !
Huge Bald eagle hanging out on a sandbar