April 18, 2014 St. Augustine, Rivers Edge Marina

Marineland Marina on the short T dock

There was a stiff east wind blowing off the ocean this morning but that was good since it would blow us off the dock here at Marineland.  Bad though because if I didn't move fast enough the boat would blow away from the dock without me.  Well, not really.  We could have put out  abreast line (line tied to the center of the boat) which would have helped keep it close enough to the dock.  But the complicating factor was a darling elderly couple that arrived a few minutes earlier and tied up almost perpendicular to our bow.  So I decided to just have someone, well the elderly couple actually, stand out in the rain and untie our three lines so I could be sure to be on the boat.  As it turned out the wind did push us off the short dock but also forward towards the elderly couples boat so I had to back down slowly before turning and heading out of the marina.  No problems but as we reached the main ICW channel it began to pour heavily again diminishing our visibility to a few yards beyond the boat.  But it served as a great boat wash!

Running up the San Sebastian River 

It was about 20 miles to the Rivers Edge Marina up the San Sebastian river but we had to make water.  The membranes in the water maker have been somewhat reluctant water producers lately, especially when first starting up.  This had been happening only after we attempted to make water in Boot Key Harbor.  The general diagnosis points to some clogging of the membranes.  But now, they seem to be back to normal, making water immediately and routing it to the water tanks.  However the river here isn't as salty as the ocean and it was raining so I think that may have something to do with the membranes current behavior.

We ran the water maker for about an hour or so and of course as we approached a  25 foot bridges the tanks signaled full.  So we had to scramble around and get the water maker shut down to prevent overfilling the tanks.  And then quickly cruise under the bridge.  We can  normally clear a 23 foot bridge with room to spare but in this case, the water was high, and we were riding higher than normal because our fuel tanks were well below half full.  Less weight makes us float higher.

We ran under the bridge with no problem and as it began to rain again I shutdown the water maker, and Mary back flushed the system.  We went under the highway 312 bridge and turned up the San Sebastian river towards Rivers Edge Marina.

Slip at Rivers Edge Marina

We were originally going to be placed on a T dock but there was a sailboat there with mechanical trouble so we had to go into C dock, and slip number 3.  It was very, very tight.  And worse was the presence of some side currents and wind which made backing in almost impossible.  We were carried past the slip but I was able to turn and back the boat enough to catch one of the poles and  used that to pivot the boat around into the slip.  Whew!  Close call.  Cant wait to drive it out tomorrow in the wind and current too!

Snuggled in a tight slip (3rd on the right)

After settling up with Paul the dock master, Mike from Coomes oil company arrived with his truck and we took on 266 gallons of diesel at the astoundingly cheap price of $3.75/gal.  Most marina's are between 4.15 and 4.50 per gallon.  So I think it was worth the sweating good time we had backing in to this slip to save a goodly sum of money on fuel!




I took my bike down between downpours and made a quick run to the nearby Winn-Dixie for some necessary food items.  After I returned, we went to Hurricane-Patty's which is the restaurant and bar right near us, for some dinner.  Pretty good band playing.  Well, the band was really two guitar players who both sang.  In the old days there wasn't any rhythm section playing MP3 file tracks out of a sound system.  But now ... well, these two guys with the electronic wizardry sounded like a full 5 member band.  And it was really very good!

We returned to the boat and being antsy  I walked into St. Augustine and took a look at the docks and marina approach where we will be heading tomorrow morning.  It's was only a mile or so from Rivers Edge.  It looks as though the Marina is pretty empty.  And it sure doesn't appear to be as difficult to maneuver as this place!

I was up at 7am and luckily the winds were dead calm and the tide had just turned so it was near slack water .  So I rousted Mary out of bed and we took in lines and left a few minute after 8am.  The current was just starting to run but the winds were still calm so maneuvering out of the slip wasn't a breeze, but was sure easier than having to contend with current and wind.  We got out fine and headed down the river to the main ICW channel.   Hung a left at the marker and ran past the mooring field to the Marina which is right next to the Bridge of Lions.

In our slip at St. Augustine Marina

We hailed St. Augustine Municipal Marina on VHF channel 16 and they directed us to slip number 34.  It was ideal. We were able to bow in to a starboard tie up which left the port side free to lower the dinghy.  The boat next to us was smaller so there was plenty of space to do this.  And as it turns out, we knew them.   We first met After Taxes up at Grand River Marina up on the Tennessee River.  Small world.


So here we are, dinghy in the water and all settled in for a good nights rest before The Hagens arrive tomorrow!  And the boat is even pretty clean!

And Kathy, thanks for the inquiry as to our status.  We're fine although I've slunk into a lazy spell and haven't updated this blog for a while.   We're just so busy its hard to find time to write.  Honest! ;-)

April 16-17, 2014 Daytona, and then Marineland

Leaving the Titusville mooring field

It was rather calm when we took in out dock lines and left the mooring field around 9.  We followed a sailboat out and into the channel all the way to Haulover Canal.

Haulover Canal and Bridge (from our 2013 trip)

Then through under the bridge and into Mosquito Lagoon for the long trek up to Daytona.  Our previous trip has only a few photo's lending credence to the "boring trip" label.  So no pictures.

Mosquito Lagoon and Northerly headwinds

What began as a rather blustery-less day turned into northerly headwinds which we fought most of the way to Daytona.

Anchored in Daytona  2013.  We were in the same spot 2014 

As we neared Daytona we were able to pass under all the bridges up to Memorial Bridge which lies just north of where we anchor.  Last year we asked for every bridge to open not realizing we could get under a 24 foot bridge with a few feet to spare.  Ahhh, experience is a wonderful thing.

We did anchor very near the same spot we anchored in last year when we came through here.  But this year we were much nearer to the Manatee sign  which serves as sort of a landmark on where to turn into the anchorage area.  It was quite windy until the early morning hours when they began easing off leaving us in almost calm conditions when we woke up at 8:30.

Lying at anchor is wonderful.  Especially when we leave because all we have to do is bring up the anchor.  At a marina we have to disconnect power cables, switch over the electrical system, take in all the lines in a certain sequence dictated by the prevailing winds and currents.  And then maneuver out of a slip and around other boats carefully enough to avoid a costly collision.

We had a little difficulty getting the anchor up this morning because it was buried so deep form the strong winds.  But using the boat to pull it out made it pretty easy.  As we moved back into the main channel there were 3 sailboats about 1/2 miles down the ICW.  When I called the bridge, the kindly bridge tender suggested we amuse ourselves watching some manatees frolic near one of the bridge pilings while waiting for the sailboats to come closer to the bridge so only a single opening would be necessary.  We of course complied.

We repeated the same operation at Seabreeze bridge about a mile beyond Memorial Bridge.  As we made it through the bridges I put the engines at their customary 1200 rpm and after a few minutes was rewarded by being passed by three sailboats. Why the hurry I thought.  Mary, grinding her teeth, is more inclined to try and overtake them by using frightful quantities of fuel.  Luckily I'm usually driving!

We bunched up again at the Knox Memorial Bridge when two of the sailboats made it through the first opening while we and the unlucky third sailboat had to wait a few minutes until traffic cleared before the bridge opened again.  Oh well.  It's not like we were in any hurry...

Over the course of the next few hours we chatted with several boats passing us or passing bye us.  Two of them had just started the loop.  And both were from Michigan.  I think we've met more people from Michigan and Minnesota than all other states combined.

Marineland Marina is located on the Matanzas River.  Its a small but very quaint marina right across from Marineland where they do dolphin research and have some sort of dolphin attraction.

We had actually stropped here on the way to southern Florida about 20 some years ago when the kids were little.  It was unrecognizable now though since a hurricane destroyed many of the original buildings.  We did a new forest hiking trail and then headed for the beach.

Bubbies are every where

The beach was rolling in surf due to the significant winds that have been blowing for 3-4 days now.  And we ran into another Bubbie look-alike scampering on the beach and into the surf.

We got back to the boat around 4:30 and did a few loads of laundry and chatted with a few of the boaters.  We even stumbled on a few who remembered us from previous marinas.

Rough  out there on the ocean 

Tomorrow travel up river to St. Augustine and Rivers Edge Marina to fuel up before leaving for the St. Augustine City Marina which is right in the heart of old St. Augustine and very near the fort.  And on Sunday the Hagens will arrive for 3-4 days.

April 15 Titusville Mooring Field

It's Tax Day!  I already paid my thousands so I'm good.

Our approaching storm

Couldn't see this boat a few minutes before I took this pic

The trip here was another one of those uneventful journeys.  Pretty hot though although today we opened up some of the side curtains on the fly bridge to let in a little more air which eased the 90 degree temps a bit.






We left the Serenity Island Anchorage around 8:30 am and arrived here at the  Titusville mooring field around 2:30 pm.  Picked up a mooring ball relatively easily and then buttoned up the boat just in time for the torrential thunderstorm and winds that blew in for about an hour.  Sure would have been exhilarating to be motoring along in such conditions.  We literally couldn't see beyond the few boats moored within 20 years of us.

After the storm passed

The NASA assembly building

We cruised by the Cape Kennedy launch complex, always an exciting event.  The satellite launch that was scheduled for yesterday was re-scheduled for today then promptly postponed until Friday.  We'll be too far away to really see anything in Daytona, but from the mooring field here it would be quite a sight.  Maybe next time.




Tomorrow we'll be battering against Northerly winds to Daytona where we plan to anchor in the same little anchorage we found last year going up this way.  I think we'll take the dinghy down and do a little exploring around Daytona if the winds aren't too bad.

This front has left us in a pool of very cool and drying air, perfect sleeping weather.  Since we only have 45 miles to go tomorrow I think we'll sleep in until 9!

April 14, 2014 Serenity Island

Leaving Loggerhead Marina in Stuart.   Again.

We left Loggerhead at a surprising 8:10 am.  I had intended on taking the dinghy over to the fuel dock and then bringing the big boat over there as well so we could fuel and get the dinghy back up on the swim platform.

Not to be.  A few boats had come in over night and took up all the room on the fuel dock.  So I tied up the dinghy on the T of the fuel pier and brought the big boat over there.  We hauled up the dinghy and then just took off,  postponing a fueling stop for further north.  Its not like we "have" to take on fuel.  We still have 450 gallons but I like to keep the tanks relatively  full to keep the moisture content down in the tanks.

About the only interesting boat traffic we saw

So off we went along the same path on the St. Lucie River we've taken about a dozen times before.  And then turned onto the ICW.

The ICW didn't have a lot of  traffic the whole trip today.  Guess being Monday and all everyone was working?  So it was a pretty easy 9 hours.  Boring 9 hours for the most part, but still pretty.

We had a few anchorages selected.  The first one, Wabasso had a boat in already there and since it was only 2pm we decided to press on to the next anchorage at Sebastian near ICW near day mark G55. 

As it turns out that anchorages was wide open in the Indian river and with the winds blowing a good 20 knots it didn't seem very appetizing so we went further north towards Serenity island which is really several small spoil islands off the main channel.  We figured they could afford some wind protection.  

Our little island providing some wind protection

We had never been here at Serenity, but it was an easy entry right off the ICW.  We anchored in 6 feet of water behind one of the spoil islands with three other sailboats.  

We're bouncing around a little, but far less severe than being out in the main body of the river.  Looking forward to being rocked to sleep!  And we'll sleep well because I have the A/C cooling the aft cabin down and we put out the anchor snubber so the anchor is stuck really well.  

Along with an almost full moon, and a red sky (red sky at night, sailors delight), its will be a pleasant night!

Tomorrow, Titusville and possibly meeting up with some old cruising friends on Priorities.

April 13, 2014 Stuart FL

All the maintenance has been completed.  I changed the oil in all three engines, we have all new filters, a repaired dinghy with a new trim pump, cylinder, seals and edge tape and a waxed boat.  Nyla took care of some gaps in the fly bridge enclosure and is bringing some screening for our rear stateroom windows and salon door tomorrow morning before we leave.  So its on to the next list now: lightening project, bottom paint, belt tensioner, stove and ice maker.

The last few days though we spent in poking around Stuart.  In the downtown area of Stuart there is a  frozen yogurt place which we frequent.  And,  they have a Chicago-style got dog place!

 Over the weekend there was a flea market which took a whole downtown streets.  And of course the usual Sunday band in conjunction with the farmers market all down by the water front.  And all these festivities are about a mile walk from the marina so Sunday.

It's been pretty windy for the last few days, but since we have the dinghy back we took it up the north branch of the river and then tried to head back into the Stuart docks near the band shell.  Couldn't find a safe spot to tie up though since the winds were so strong and the swells were bouncing boats all over the place.   So we just headed back to the marina ... a really wet ride with waves breaking over the bow.  Luckily it was pretty warm out.


This weather is disappointing.  We are pretty much locked in the slip here with the wind pinning us next to the dock.  And before we can leave we have to take the boat over to the fuel dock so we can haul the dinghy back up on the sundeck roof.  But the fuel dock presents the same problem, The strong 20 knot  winds pinning us to the dock.

We are intending on leaving tomorrow (Monday) for St. Augustine.  But if there is no break in the wind pattern tomorrow we'll be stuck here another day.  At least they have a heated pool.  And a bar.

 

April 8, 2014 Back in Stuart

Aww, come on.  Is it really that cold?

After uneventful doctor appointments and a visit to Amanda to get haircuts (I was able to get away with split end removal which still baffles me but seems to please everyone else) we headed up to Fish Creek the next day to purchase olive oil and basically to see Door County.  We bought 8 bottles of Olive oil and took a few minutes to immerse ourselves in the brisk chill of Door County before turning around and eagerly heading south.  Sheez, how did we endure all those years in this climate.

We met some brother and sister in-laws and even a niece, Danielle whom we haven't seen for a few years, at the Water Street Brewery in Cederburg.  Wonderful to see everyone again!

After leaving there we made it to Ixonia and went right to sleep.  Next morning we slept through all the morning commotion with everyone departing to jobs and school.  When we finally did stumble out of bed we did some laundry and I started sorting through all our tax stuff.  And I was able to take a nice long walk around Ixonia.  

On Thursday we met Dan and Judy for lunch and a planning session our future destinations.  They're interested in visiting us along with Gordy and Joanne somewhere on the east coast.  Hopefully that will all work out.

After lunch we head over to the Lutheran home to visit with my mother.  Kathy and Dave Boyd were already with my sister.  I even had a chance to talk on the phone with my cousin Judy. 

After the Lutheran Home we headed back to Ixonia for more tax fun but before that we stopped off to see Laura and our grandson Sean.   He's riding a bike now in a style reminiscent of a formula 1 race car driver.   After returning to Ixonia we had dinner and took Jack out for ice cream.  

Then on Friday, Greg brought Sean back over to Jen and Dave's house for dinner.  By then I had most of our tax work completed and we were organized to pack for Saturday when we'd be leaving.   And leaving early.  8am ... ish.  

And bearing in mind our journey up here, I went and made a reservation at a Hampton Inn in Clarksville TN.  And of course the place was hardly even occupied.  But we were well rested and able to head out at 8 again the next morning and made the 800 mile drive to Stuart in pretty good time.  We arrived back a the boat a little before 11pm and just left everything in the car and went to bed.  The boat was, thankfully, still floating.

Next day we unpacked, and Mary made arrangements for a diver and talked with Nyla who is really good at sewing Sunbrella.  I called a boat detailer and a dinghy repair place.  The diver will be cleaning the hull since it has an impressive amount of growth from the time we spent sitting in Marathon. 

 The boat detailer is going to end up stripping off all the poly-glow (a kind of boat wax), washing and re-waxing the whole boat.   It will transform a dingy old tub into a shiny old tub.  It would have taken us a month to do what these guys (5 of them no less) do in 2 1/2 days.   Like I could even talk Mary into helping wax the hull.

Legally able to park in a senior spot now!

We did a late afternoon shopping run while we still have the car and ended up selecting a new salon carpet and runner.  Why we did this is beyond me but we did actually buy some groceries.  

New (soft) carpet!

I might add, it was my color choice.  What Mary picked out was hideous which is exactly what she thought of the one we kept.  But once we got it in the boat it looked fine. 

Hard to tell but it really is shiny!

So today, Wednesday, the boat shines, the dinghy is off at a boat yard and taxes are completed.  All I have to take care of now is some fuel filter replacements and investigating a squeaky idler pulley (I think) on the port engine.  Oh yeah, and figure out a route to St. Augustine.  Luckily we have last years log notes as to where to anchor etc.  But we aren't leaving until Monday.   If the dinghy is ready and my new lap top arrives.  At least that's the plan anyway.  

This morning I drove the car back to Hertz around 8:30.  Long line at the counter, but luckily there was a Hertz guy just coming into work and he took my "gold" membership thing I signed up for and promptly forgot about.  So all I did was leave him the keys and walked back to the boat.  

Another Cleo?   And this one is 13 years old!

I met up with a Basenji owner who we met last year as I got back to the marina .  His dog sure looks like Cleo.

And I arrived just in time to meet the Imperial Boat works guy who was there to pick up the dinghy.  So we all hauled lines, and pushed and pulled the big boat over towards the other boat in the slip to our starboard.  I went up and winched the dinghy down with inches to spare.  Then 4 or 5 of us pushed and pulled the dinghy through the small opening between our boat and the dock.  Whew!  Close one.

And luckily enough I was able to get the engine down low enough so it was able to pump water otherwise we would have had to tow over to the launch ramp where their dinghy trailer  was located.

Johnny, from 5 Star Boat Detailing came over and he gave me some boat waxing and cleaning product names to try.  I  paid him just as Nyla came on board to take down some of the fly bridge side curtains so she could sew some additional flaps on the corners to keep water from entering the boat from rain.  These side curtains dont fit real well and its far, far cheaper to have these flaps sewn in rather than re-doing the whole enclosure.  

They work!   

After all this activity it was only 2:30.  Mary was off showering and doing laundry.  And I got bored so replaced the last florescent light above the stove with two LED lights.

The rain storm which lingered into the early morning is now gone and we have nice sunny skies.   Should be a nice cool night, perfect for a leisurely cocktail or two.