Homeward bound

Saturday, May 7^th, 2016

Departure from the dock at Twin Dolphin Marina, Bradenton, was early and easy.  The Manatee River was calm and we made the decision to go down the Gulf.  We carefully took the Passage Key Inlet around Anna Maria Island.  The wind was now from the North and we had 3 to 4 foot swells pushing us.  This was a different feeling than when we experienced this wave action on our sailboat.  Coming down off a crest we picked up 3 to 4 MPH.  The water is so beautiful; however, the motion was in all directions.  We came off the Gulf at Charlotte Harbor Inlet.  That was a bit nail biting for both of us. The   rocking and rolling during our passage and in the marina has messed up my equilibrium.  

Docking with the North wind at the Ft Myers City Marina was extremely difficult and we finally had to be walked around to the inside where we spent the night.    Our passage was 105 miles, but we covered in one day what would have taken us two days in the ICW.  Showers and dinner at the Standard, a British-style pub, began my Mother’s Day early.  Ft Myers is a happening place; bands in the street on Saturday and Friday there had been an Art Walk.  The evening was cool and temperatures overnight dropped the temp in the boat to 68 degrees.

Mother’s Day

Off to Clewiston, located on the South rim, part way across Lake Okeechobee.  We had three locks getting into the lake, the first one took us up 14 feet, the second we went up 8 feet and last one 2 feet.  Along the way we got to see a deer swimming across the canal, 3 alligators and lots of birds.  Some of the birds were as common as red wing black birds and heron, osprey, egrets and I think a king fisher but that is questionable.  We arrived in Clewiston at 3 PM.  They make a good Bahama Mama at the bar and we got to keep the glass.  Adrienne called and Brad and the children face timed to wish me a Happy Mother’s Day.

Monday

We treated ourselves to breakfast out before heading across the lake.  We spoke to one captains on a BIG power yacht and asked how much fuel he burned.  He proudly announced, “ 25 gallons and hour.”  We got to see several of the boats we had docked withas we waited for and transited the lock.   The first of the two locks was open.  At one area we had to wait for an AMTRACK train to cross.   It must have been late, as usual, we waited almost 45 minutes.  At the last lock at Port St Lucie before Stuart we came back down 14 feet.

We motored through Stuart and turned North on the ICW.  The day marks are now red on the port and green on the starboard, a sure sign that we are headed North and Home.  We arrived at the Fort Pierce City Marina early afternoon.  We were in a different part of Ft Pierce this time.   On other occasion we have stopped by car to go to the marine surplus warehouse.  There was always something Dave needed for the boat refurbishing.  This marina has large sport fishing boats and other large boats.   This is the first marina that charged us for the length of the swim platform and dinghy on the davits.  Instead of a 28 foot boat we became a 34 foot boat.  When you are charged by the foot it becomes a bigger chunk of change.  We still felt like a tender to the other boats around us.

Tuesday

Dave got our bikes out and we toured the downtown area, which also included a trip to ACE Hardware.  There is lots of history here and we did not get to see any of the historical homes.  The architecture is very Spanish. The parks are lovely and I went to the Manatee Center while Dave worked on the hydraulics for the trim tabs.  When I walked into the center they asked where I was visiting from.  When I told them North Myrtle Beach the docent got all excited and told me she was meeting her family there for a vacation and wanted to get some local knowledge.  After a relaxing afternoon and showers we went to Cobb’s Landing with our 20% off coupon and enjoyed an early dinner.

Wednesday

We were off the dock by 8 AM and the water was flat.   How could we be that lucky?  Our original plan was to anchor at Addison Point, south of Titusville.  The conditions were so good we decided to proceed on to Daytona.  It was a long day, the longest one on this trip, 135 miles.  We did not encounter anything exciting along but the occasional dolphin sightings.  (See picture) the way. It was nice to be docked and have a refreshing shower.  The day was special because it was our granddaughter, Alyse’s 9^th birthday.  We got to face time with her on her way home from swim practice. 

Thursday

Dave put the bikes together and we headed off to the Winn Dixie, about a mile and a half.  We rode part way on the beach.   The water was calm but cooler than the Gulf of Mexico.  Along the way we also checked out UV protective clothing for me.   I couldn’t try it on because I was wearing  sun screen.  When we got back to the boat we did some searches on the net and order a UV protective shirt for me.  We had it shipped to our friend Joan’s in St Augustine so I will have it to wear on the trip home.

Back at the boat, exhausted and hot, I got things put away and laid down with the AC running.  Dave has more stamina in the heat than I do.  He washed down the boat, which again was full of salt spray.  We relaxed and read in the cockpit.   There was a good breeze in the cockpit and the screens help a lot to block the sun.

We learned too late that there are $4 burgers and $1 drafts at the Irish Tavern on Beech Street every Thursday night.  There was also a minor baseball game at Jackie Robison Field.  Both are just a few blocks from the marina.  FYI on summer Saturday nights there is fireworks at the field.  All was not lost, we got to watch our grandson Nathan shoot hoops on face time.   Good job buddy!

Friday

The morning started out with 90% humidity and bright sun.  Dave and I did some cleaning in the saloon and the cockpit.  The Nilles are stopping by around 5 PM to see the boat upgrades.  Next we will go to their house for happy hour and then to dinner at Zappy’s Italian Restaurant on Beech Street.

Dave put the dinghy in the water to take the porta-potty across the marina to the dump out.  It gave him an opportunity to clean the transom and run the outboard.  A wine run was next, CVS has a fairly good selection and good prices.  Dave also picked up a set of sweat bands.  That is not something we thought of when we packed in late February.

Tomorrow morning we are off to St Augustine and a visit with our good friends Joan and Jim Dorsey and help them celebrate their recent birthdays.  They offered to have us stay the night.  A real bed and bathroom will be a luxury. 

 We should be back in North Myrtle Beach by next weekend.  I am looking forward to real AC and a bit more space, but not the unpacking.

I still have not solved the problem of the pictures repositioning.  Sorry!