Sunday, January 25, 2009
Day two at West End
Well the day started out as a ^%(%^GGLG^%$E. We had not really made concrete plans to exit here and apparently one needs to get through a cut at Indian Rock at high tide.
We were still exhausted from the journey of the past few days and other than the cost factor would rather of stayed at this lovely resort for another day. I ran up to have a shower as that will not be an option soon and Dick went to borrow a hose to fill our tank. When he got back he turned on the hose and the pressure fitting on the end of the hose blew off and fell in the water beside our boat in about 10 feet of water. Dick went to talk to the fellow and I went over to Peter and Heathers boat and asked for a fishnet to try to get it out of the water. Peter kind and helpful soul that he is offered to get his snorkel out and go for a swim. Peter was having difficulty getting deep enough and the cold water was a bit of a shock to his system so he was getting winded. His wife and I kept trying to get him to rest. Dick jury rigged the spinnaker pole by tying a gallon milk jug on it and managed to scoop it out. Bye now it was 11:00 am and Sale Cay is about 50 miles so that would be out of reach for a half day sail. We were into low tide and that was not a good time to head out. We decided to bite the bullet and stay for another day. Heather and I decided we would make the best of the afternoon and agreed to head to the pool and do some chill in.
Peter was a good sport and went to the Tiki Bar and bought us all a drink. Nothing ever goes the way you plan but some how at the end of the day it turns out to be another day in Paradise.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Passage is Over
Wednesday January 21, 2009
The only thing I can remember about Wednesday is sitting in the cockpit having a discussion with my husband hearing another north wind weather report for the next four or five days and wondering how I would survive more disappointment. You take a deep breath and search down deep in your soul and discover no I really would have to revert to laying in bed for a whole day with the cover over my head and that is when your two acquaintances dinghy over and report we are good to go tomorrow, heading out in the morning the window is opening for Friday night and we are two days from Lake Worth the jump off point. The long awaited and anticipated and feared and dreaded moment is arriving in just two day. We have no bread or milk, we need more groceries, I have to mail some birthday cards, get money oh no here we go. We took off to the fuel dock to load up with diesel, gasoline, pump out and fresh water so we would be ready for an early start. When we got back to Radical Jack there was a skippers meeting and not much else was discussed about the trip but a lot of celebrating.
Thursday January 22, 2009
We headed out down the ICW to a place called Peck Lake where we anchored for the night. We were the only ones with our dinghy down so we made a tour of the anchorage. There is another boat by the name of Agapi (George and Georgia Saoulli from Toronto )who want to cross with us on Friday night. We had a brief visit with them on board their boat. Back on Grace C tensions are building for the big event. The engine is a constant concern and the availability of help (outside the US) is diminishing.
Friday January 23, 2009
Not a good start to the day. Captain woke up with a migraine headache complete with throwing up. Our deadline is closing in fast and we need to get to Lake Worth with everyone and get some groceries and then get to the anchorage at the inlet so we are ready to go. The earlier we get there the sooner we can go to sleep so we can stay awake for the crossing. Stress is incredible. Summon some inner reserve of intestinal fortitude and just keep moving forward. Getting to Lake Worth is like passing through seven bridges and having to time them. We feel like we are running out of time so we just head to the inlet. We are exhausted and make a miscalculation on the entrance to anchorage. We hit bottom twice.
Finally figure out the navigation lights and drop anchor. The impeller is not working right and Captain has to drag himself exhausted and sick through yet another engine maze. I tried to lay down but the situation is way out of my control. I keep thinking what are we doing we should just not leave even though that would mean we would be here indefinitely. Then the engine grief starts again. What comfort is there at a time like this. Actually I thought of all the b loggers comments and their prayers for a safe passage. So I deducted “Maybe this is it, maybe this is His timing.” Alright on with the show.
Peace, of God is back. At this point Dick puts the engine door back in and we are good to go.
It is now 5:30 pm we have time to call our kids and parents and eat something and just relax and try to rest up for the exodus. We have five boats leaving, Radical Jack an hour early and four others. The wind has died down and the sunset is incredible. Wind will be on the east and very light and the waves are only 1-2 feet. Our etd is 9:00 pm at 10 to we hall anchor.
The passage was incredible. The lights on the Florida Shore are brilliant. The Fort Lauderdale/Miami end can be seen all the way across. We had agreed to monitor 72 so every hour or so the airwaves were broken with boater bantering. Then after we were off shore a ways the heavens were aglow with millions and trillions of stars. If that were not enough once in the golf stream we noticed the lights of some creatures off the stern wave. The water has its own lights. The sky was sparking and the waters were glowing. Sometime around 5:30 am I went below to get some sleep and when I woke up the sun was just breaking forth over West End, Grand Bahama Island. The sky was peach colour and the moon was periwinkle (new moon). The sun rise looked like a vat of coral lava. We are here, two years of planning, giving up my house, my car, my job, my cheese grater so we can sail to the Bahamas and here is the moment we all waited for.
So powerful, so enormous, so excited and yes it is worth it.
Saturday January 24, 2009
Back to Reality
Our plan was to clear customs at West End , Grand Bahama and head out to an anchorage for a few days of rest and relaxation. The impeller was not sending water out our exhaust so after we had cleared customs we ended up drifting at the mouth of the harbour just at the time that Peter and Heather were coming in. They were more that helpful at towing us in and offering some support in terms of telling us to get to bed and get some sleep you are making irrational decisions.!!!!!!! After you spend the money and have access it is hard not to want to enjoy the resort. Another Ericson owner came by and offered us some moral support and some extra parts if we need them. Dick spent the afternoon working on the impeller and finally we have water coming out our exhaust again. This of course is a brand new part we had purchase in Palm Coast and now it is already leaking in the seals. Can anybody make anything that works any more?
P. S. Note to Shirley, nice to hear you got the card I sent and send me an email so I can have your email address I cannot respond to you off the blog. :) We just got to the Bahama and will be here for a while then head home in March or April or ???? Just kidding.
The only thing I can remember about Wednesday is sitting in the cockpit having a discussion with my husband hearing another north wind weather report for the next four or five days and wondering how I would survive more disappointment. You take a deep breath and search down deep in your soul and discover no I really would have to revert to laying in bed for a whole day with the cover over my head and that is when your two acquaintances dinghy over and report we are good to go tomorrow, heading out in the morning the window is opening for Friday night and we are two days from Lake Worth the jump off point. The long awaited and anticipated and feared and dreaded moment is arriving in just two day. We have no bread or milk, we need more groceries, I have to mail some birthday cards, get money oh no here we go. We took off to the fuel dock to load up with diesel, gasoline, pump out and fresh water so we would be ready for an early start. When we got back to Radical Jack there was a skippers meeting and not much else was discussed about the trip but a lot of celebrating.
Thursday January 22, 2009
We headed out down the ICW to a place called Peck Lake where we anchored for the night. We were the only ones with our dinghy down so we made a tour of the anchorage. There is another boat by the name of Agapi (George and Georgia Saoulli from Toronto )who want to cross with us on Friday night. We had a brief visit with them on board their boat. Back on Grace C tensions are building for the big event. The engine is a constant concern and the availability of help (outside the US) is diminishing.
Friday January 23, 2009
Not a good start to the day. Captain woke up with a migraine headache complete with throwing up. Our deadline is closing in fast and we need to get to Lake Worth with everyone and get some groceries and then get to the anchorage at the inlet so we are ready to go. The earlier we get there the sooner we can go to sleep so we can stay awake for the crossing. Stress is incredible. Summon some inner reserve of intestinal fortitude and just keep moving forward. Getting to Lake Worth is like passing through seven bridges and having to time them. We feel like we are running out of time so we just head to the inlet. We are exhausted and make a miscalculation on the entrance to anchorage. We hit bottom twice.
Finally figure out the navigation lights and drop anchor. The impeller is not working right and Captain has to drag himself exhausted and sick through yet another engine maze. I tried to lay down but the situation is way out of my control. I keep thinking what are we doing we should just not leave even though that would mean we would be here indefinitely. Then the engine grief starts again. What comfort is there at a time like this. Actually I thought of all the b loggers comments and their prayers for a safe passage. So I deducted “Maybe this is it, maybe this is His timing.” Alright on with the show.
Peace, of God is back. At this point Dick puts the engine door back in and we are good to go.
It is now 5:30 pm we have time to call our kids and parents and eat something and just relax and try to rest up for the exodus. We have five boats leaving, Radical Jack an hour early and four others. The wind has died down and the sunset is incredible. Wind will be on the east and very light and the waves are only 1-2 feet. Our etd is 9:00 pm at 10 to we hall anchor.
The passage was incredible. The lights on the Florida Shore are brilliant. The Fort Lauderdale/Miami end can be seen all the way across. We had agreed to monitor 72 so every hour or so the airwaves were broken with boater bantering. Then after we were off shore a ways the heavens were aglow with millions and trillions of stars. If that were not enough once in the golf stream we noticed the lights of some creatures off the stern wave. The water has its own lights. The sky was sparking and the waters were glowing. Sometime around 5:30 am I went below to get some sleep and when I woke up the sun was just breaking forth over West End, Grand Bahama Island. The sky was peach colour and the moon was periwinkle (new moon). The sun rise looked like a vat of coral lava. We are here, two years of planning, giving up my house, my car, my job, my cheese grater so we can sail to the Bahamas and here is the moment we all waited for.
So powerful, so enormous, so excited and yes it is worth it.
Saturday January 24, 2009
Back to Reality
Our plan was to clear customs at West End , Grand Bahama and head out to an anchorage for a few days of rest and relaxation. The impeller was not sending water out our exhaust so after we had cleared customs we ended up drifting at the mouth of the harbour just at the time that Peter and Heather were coming in. They were more that helpful at towing us in and offering some support in terms of telling us to get to bed and get some sleep you are making irrational decisions.!!!!!!! After you spend the money and have access it is hard not to want to enjoy the resort. Another Ericson owner came by and offered us some moral support and some extra parts if we need them. Dick spent the afternoon working on the impeller and finally we have water coming out our exhaust again. This of course is a brand new part we had purchase in Palm Coast and now it is already leaking in the seals. Can anybody make anything that works any more?
P. S. Note to Shirley, nice to hear you got the card I sent and send me an email so I can have your email address I cannot respond to you off the blog. :) We just got to the Bahama and will be here for a while then head home in March or April or ???? Just kidding.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Weather or Whether
Sunday January 18, 2009
The only church within walking distance was a Presbyterian Church in a local school and we had decided we would try it out. How grateful we were that we did. They are a mission church who are in the middle of a building project. The Sermon was the best lesson I have ever heard on the Day of the Lord. The couple that sat beside us gave us there contact information and invited us to call them on our way back and then in Philadelphia when we come through there. We had a brief visit with the minister who preached and hopefully will be here when we come back through on our way home. He told Dick that we are living his dream. Dick offered to change positions with him but he would have to get someone else to preach. The weather was warm and sunny for a change. It was so refreshing to be in shorts and sandals again. We relaxed on board the rest of the day. When we were heading down to the beach in the afternoon another front came in and so we decided to avoid getting rained on we would get back to the boat. When we got back Bob and Peter and Heather were discussing the weather and the changes that would bring to our schedule. There is a front coming in overnight and then Tuesday we are planning to head out for Lake Worth. (yeta yeta yeta) I am taking it with a gain of salt.
Tomorrow the girls are heading into town to check out the mall and I mean not Walmart or West Marine.
Monday January 19, 2009
GIRLS DAY OUT
Myself, Heather, Connie and Karen headed out for a day at the Indian River Mall. What a blast I cannot tell you how good it feels! It is as if some inner balance has been restored. The plan again had been to head out on Tuesday so we were summoned to Meredith for a Skippers Meeting in the evening when we returned. Other than meeting some other boaters, eating some fantastic cheeses and chatting up a storm the continual verdict of staying at Velcro Beach continues. It looks like Wednesday will be our next etd.
Tuesday January 20, 2009
While we were shopping yesterday several of us had wanted to stop at Michael's craft supply store but we ran out of time and knowing that Dick had wanted to pick up some water colours we decided today would be a good day to do it. While we were on the bus heading there we ran into a couple by the name of Alois and Jack who invited us for dinner on their Gulf Star called Adventurous. Alois was making ribs and a couple they were rafted to were bringing desssert. I had planned to make a Cabbage Roll casserole in my pressure cooker so I said I would bring that and do a potato dish. When we were waiting for the bus Dick ran into get tomato paste and we missed our bus. Bye the time we got back I only had an hour to prepare the food and so I took the pressure cooker with me to allow it to cool down. When we got there she was just putting the ribs on so by the time we were ready to eat I undid the lid and the casserole was beautiful warm and ready to serve. The dessert was Key Lime Pie and that was a treat. The temperature predicted for tonight is in the lower 30's.
The only church within walking distance was a Presbyterian Church in a local school and we had decided we would try it out. How grateful we were that we did. They are a mission church who are in the middle of a building project. The Sermon was the best lesson I have ever heard on the Day of the Lord. The couple that sat beside us gave us there contact information and invited us to call them on our way back and then in Philadelphia when we come through there. We had a brief visit with the minister who preached and hopefully will be here when we come back through on our way home. He told Dick that we are living his dream. Dick offered to change positions with him but he would have to get someone else to preach. The weather was warm and sunny for a change. It was so refreshing to be in shorts and sandals again. We relaxed on board the rest of the day. When we were heading down to the beach in the afternoon another front came in and so we decided to avoid getting rained on we would get back to the boat. When we got back Bob and Peter and Heather were discussing the weather and the changes that would bring to our schedule. There is a front coming in overnight and then Tuesday we are planning to head out for Lake Worth. (yeta yeta yeta) I am taking it with a gain of salt.
Tomorrow the girls are heading into town to check out the mall and I mean not Walmart or West Marine.
Monday January 19, 2009
GIRLS DAY OUT
Myself, Heather, Connie and Karen headed out for a day at the Indian River Mall. What a blast I cannot tell you how good it feels! It is as if some inner balance has been restored. The plan again had been to head out on Tuesday so we were summoned to Meredith for a Skippers Meeting in the evening when we returned. Other than meeting some other boaters, eating some fantastic cheeses and chatting up a storm the continual verdict of staying at Velcro Beach continues. It looks like Wednesday will be our next etd.
Tuesday January 20, 2009
While we were shopping yesterday several of us had wanted to stop at Michael's craft supply store but we ran out of time and knowing that Dick had wanted to pick up some water colours we decided today would be a good day to do it. While we were on the bus heading there we ran into a couple by the name of Alois and Jack who invited us for dinner on their Gulf Star called Adventurous. Alois was making ribs and a couple they were rafted to were bringing desssert. I had planned to make a Cabbage Roll casserole in my pressure cooker so I said I would bring that and do a potato dish. When we were waiting for the bus Dick ran into get tomato paste and we missed our bus. Bye the time we got back I only had an hour to prepare the food and so I took the pressure cooker with me to allow it to cool down. When we got there she was just putting the ribs on so by the time we were ready to eat I undid the lid and the casserole was beautiful warm and ready to serve. The dessert was Key Lime Pie and that was a treat. The temperature predicted for tonight is in the lower 30's.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
We've been here a Week
Thursday January 15, 2009
Weather conditions have deteriorated to 40 degrees F at night.
When we were having Breakfast this morning and checking our email a couple we had meet at Sassafras River in the Chesapeake ding hied up to say hi. I had been thinking about them that morning as they were the first people we meet who had hulled out their boat and left it ashore for two years while her husband went to work in Trinidad. A possible solution when our engine was draining our resources. I had thought I wish I could tell her that we had made it as far as Vero Beach. Not more than a half an hour later there they were. They mentioned they had seen other boats from Port but had never connected with us again until now. Today was the first day I attempted to bake a cake in my pressure cooker. I shut the thing off to quick but started it up again and it finished in the box time. I guess the two thirds rule does not apply to alcohol stoves which cook so cool.
In the afternoon we walked down to the beach to mail some post cards and checked out the shops.
Evening comes quickly and when we got back to the Common Room there was a news report about the plane that had landed in the Hudson River which we watched with extreme interest. What a miracle that there were no lives lost. We said a secret prayer for Mr. Asher who would have to wait for his ferry to get back home that night.
Friday January 16, 2009
Dick mentioned the satellite is scheduled again to go up on Saturday January 17, 2009 at 7:30 pm I think I will plan a gathering.
The weather is sunny but cold and windy. The VHF weather reports the waves in the Gulf Stream are 15 feet high. I told Dick I wanted to go down to the beach and check out what that horizon would look like. On board it is very rocky so I find it difficult to do anything but sit and read. The wind was gaining through the day so I got out some sewing and Dick ran the generator for me so I could put together a border for the quilt I started in the Chesapeake. The day passed rather quickly without many distractions and I found it very stimulating to be sewing again.
Weather conditions have deteriorated to 40 degrees F at night.
When we were having Breakfast this morning and checking our email a couple we had meet at Sassafras River in the Chesapeake ding hied up to say hi. I had been thinking about them that morning as they were the first people we meet who had hulled out their boat and left it ashore for two years while her husband went to work in Trinidad. A possible solution when our engine was draining our resources. I had thought I wish I could tell her that we had made it as far as Vero Beach. Not more than a half an hour later there they were. They mentioned they had seen other boats from Port but had never connected with us again until now. Today was the first day I attempted to bake a cake in my pressure cooker. I shut the thing off to quick but started it up again and it finished in the box time. I guess the two thirds rule does not apply to alcohol stoves which cook so cool.
In the afternoon we walked down to the beach to mail some post cards and checked out the shops.
Evening comes quickly and when we got back to the Common Room there was a news report about the plane that had landed in the Hudson River which we watched with extreme interest. What a miracle that there were no lives lost. We said a secret prayer for Mr. Asher who would have to wait for his ferry to get back home that night.
Friday January 16, 2009
Dick mentioned the satellite is scheduled again to go up on Saturday January 17, 2009 at 7:30 pm I think I will plan a gathering.
The weather is sunny but cold and windy. The VHF weather reports the waves in the Gulf Stream are 15 feet high. I told Dick I wanted to go down to the beach and check out what that horizon would look like. On board it is very rocky so I find it difficult to do anything but sit and read. The wind was gaining through the day so I got out some sewing and Dick ran the generator for me so I could put together a border for the quilt I started in the Chesapeake. The day passed rather quickly without many distractions and I found it very stimulating to be sewing again.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
More news from Vero Beach
Monday January 12, 2009
Went to town on the bus. Stopped at Dollar store, Good will Store where I had a flash back to work days. They provide many of the services that Hutton House provides. We found a TV Cable and bought an adapter to hook to our VHF. When we got back and tried to put it together we discovered we had better reception with the rabbit ears.
Tuesday January 14, 2009
There is a predicted cold front coming into day so we headed into town to take the bus. We had a few items and some groceries to pick up. When we got to shore one of the couples we usually ran into from North Carolina were telling us they were heading out that day. We wished them well and hoped we would see them in the Bahamas. We headed to the bus and checked out the library to get a proper Internet connection so we could see the long range forecast weather map on www.passageweather.com
There is a front from the north anticipated for this afternoon and no real window available for the long range (72 hour forecast). Oh well. What else is new. True to its predictions the heavens opened and we had about 5 torrential out burst. They afforded no problem when you are shopping at any mall you decide on. You just go back in the store and another bus will be by in an hour. I finally picked up a bread recipe and some things to make bread in my pressure cooker. With temperatures going down in the 40's I will wait until I get a warmer day as the yeast has to rise. When we got on the bus again in the middle of a huge storm we were delighted to see the couple from North Carolina. They had decided after they talked to me that they would wait until tomorrow and they were warm and safe on board the bus. Oh the joys of cruising around meeting new people. While here we are also able to get one TV station which is ABC so it is wonderful to watch a program with no remote flicking.
Wednesday January 15, 2009
Today we took the bus down to the Beach and when we got there I actually got to see the Elephants and Giraffe on the horizon. That means the waves on the Gulf Stream had to be huge. I have never see a body of water horizon that is not flat a a pancake. The waves were not that high coming into the beach but there was a line of water that did resemble elephants and giraffe. These are a result of the North winds we have been having.
Went to town on the bus. Stopped at Dollar store, Good will Store where I had a flash back to work days. They provide many of the services that Hutton House provides. We found a TV Cable and bought an adapter to hook to our VHF. When we got back and tried to put it together we discovered we had better reception with the rabbit ears.
Tuesday January 14, 2009
There is a predicted cold front coming into day so we headed into town to take the bus. We had a few items and some groceries to pick up. When we got to shore one of the couples we usually ran into from North Carolina were telling us they were heading out that day. We wished them well and hoped we would see them in the Bahamas. We headed to the bus and checked out the library to get a proper Internet connection so we could see the long range forecast weather map on www.passageweather.com
There is a front from the north anticipated for this afternoon and no real window available for the long range (72 hour forecast). Oh well. What else is new. True to its predictions the heavens opened and we had about 5 torrential out burst. They afforded no problem when you are shopping at any mall you decide on. You just go back in the store and another bus will be by in an hour. I finally picked up a bread recipe and some things to make bread in my pressure cooker. With temperatures going down in the 40's I will wait until I get a warmer day as the yeast has to rise. When we got on the bus again in the middle of a huge storm we were delighted to see the couple from North Carolina. They had decided after they talked to me that they would wait until tomorrow and they were warm and safe on board the bus. Oh the joys of cruising around meeting new people. While here we are also able to get one TV station which is ABC so it is wonderful to watch a program with no remote flicking.
Wednesday January 15, 2009
Today we took the bus down to the Beach and when we got there I actually got to see the Elephants and Giraffe on the horizon. That means the waves on the Gulf Stream had to be huge. I have never see a body of water horizon that is not flat a a pancake. The waves were not that high coming into the beach but there was a line of water that did resemble elephants and giraffe. These are a result of the North winds we have been having.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Missed one Post
More about Friday
Vero Beach is an oasis of transient boaters stocking up and waiting for weather to head out on the rest of the journey. Most people you meet are going to the Florida Keys or Bahamas. The weather and availability of resources make it a catch all for transients. It is laughingly referred to as Velcro Beach. When we arrive on Friday our assignment was to be rafted off a boat by the name of Jasmine. There was no one aboard when we arrived and I felt very awkward boarding his boat without permission.
When we arrived at the registration desk they asked how many days are you staying and we said a couple and they said you can tell us when you leave they never believe that you are only going to stay a couple. One thing that makes it so attractive to boaters is the free bus service allover the whole City.
The bus does not run on Sundays but the rest of the week it is available to take you to the beach, malls, West Marine etc.
Saturday January10, 2009
Richard our mooring neighbor was up and making preparations to leave. He had car and wondered if we wanted to go with him to Home Depot to get any supplies. Since he was alone and it was difficult to stop and refuel our Captain decided to give him our fresh water from our tanks and we can replenish when we refuel. Richard had to go into town to get a propane hose and he laughingly announced don't worry I shut it off. He offered to reset the mooring when he returned which left us on board and at his mercy. As so often happens fleeting decisions play out in consequences. When he finally came back and we were sole owners of our mooring we headed into the marina to take the bus to get some groceries. When we got aboard the bus the driver said that the buses run until 3:00 pm. Today so we would need to be on our last transfer by 2:15 pm which meant we had about 1 hour left in the day to accomplish what we needed to. Our driver appeared to have a special event planned for his life that day and reiterated that several times our need to be punctual. I was amazed and somewhat saddened to hear that when we got back to our transfer the bus that went to the marina would be late as the driver had been in a slight accident. While we were waiting at the stop the fire trucks and ambulance pulled up and a came to pick up an older gentleman that had nearly collapsed. We sat down with the sailors we had meet on the bus and were delighted to speak with a couple we had meet in the Chesapeake. In very short order a paratranist bus came by to pick up only the people going to the marina. The rest of the poor bus patrons were left standing on the side walk wondering what had happened. They were assured that another bus was coming to get them. As we caught a glimpse of Grace C coming over the bridge
she was resting on her mooring. By the time we ding hied back to the boat Peter and Heather had arrive and tied up beside us. We had a quiet reunion and enjoyed the warmth of a grand Florida night. Dick called Wayne to see if they were back in the US and they are in Canada leaving for Florida tomorrow and their boat is in Fort Pierce which is only 10 miles up the road. We decide we would take this opportunity to see them one more time before we headed to Bahamas.
Vero Beach is an oasis of transient boaters stocking up and waiting for weather to head out on the rest of the journey. Most people you meet are going to the Florida Keys or Bahamas. The weather and availability of resources make it a catch all for transients. It is laughingly referred to as Velcro Beach. When we arrive on Friday our assignment was to be rafted off a boat by the name of Jasmine. There was no one aboard when we arrived and I felt very awkward boarding his boat without permission.
When we arrived at the registration desk they asked how many days are you staying and we said a couple and they said you can tell us when you leave they never believe that you are only going to stay a couple. One thing that makes it so attractive to boaters is the free bus service allover the whole City.
The bus does not run on Sundays but the rest of the week it is available to take you to the beach, malls, West Marine etc.
Saturday January10, 2009
Richard our mooring neighbor was up and making preparations to leave. He had car and wondered if we wanted to go with him to Home Depot to get any supplies. Since he was alone and it was difficult to stop and refuel our Captain decided to give him our fresh water from our tanks and we can replenish when we refuel. Richard had to go into town to get a propane hose and he laughingly announced don't worry I shut it off. He offered to reset the mooring when he returned which left us on board and at his mercy. As so often happens fleeting decisions play out in consequences. When he finally came back and we were sole owners of our mooring we headed into the marina to take the bus to get some groceries. When we got aboard the bus the driver said that the buses run until 3:00 pm. Today so we would need to be on our last transfer by 2:15 pm which meant we had about 1 hour left in the day to accomplish what we needed to. Our driver appeared to have a special event planned for his life that day and reiterated that several times our need to be punctual. I was amazed and somewhat saddened to hear that when we got back to our transfer the bus that went to the marina would be late as the driver had been in a slight accident. While we were waiting at the stop the fire trucks and ambulance pulled up and a came to pick up an older gentleman that had nearly collapsed. We sat down with the sailors we had meet on the bus and were delighted to speak with a couple we had meet in the Chesapeake. In very short order a paratranist bus came by to pick up only the people going to the marina. The rest of the poor bus patrons were left standing on the side walk wondering what had happened. They were assured that another bus was coming to get them. As we caught a glimpse of Grace C coming over the bridge
she was resting on her mooring. By the time we ding hied back to the boat Peter and Heather had arrive and tied up beside us. We had a quiet reunion and enjoyed the warmth of a grand Florida night. Dick called Wayne to see if they were back in the US and they are in Canada leaving for Florida tomorrow and their boat is in Fort Pierce which is only 10 miles up the road. We decide we would take this opportunity to see them one more time before we headed to Bahamas.
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