Trip Diary for March 2009

Trip Diary for March, 2009

Mar. 1-6; Docked at Ft. Myers Yacht Basin, FL: Following Sunday church services at FUMC, Wayne Skaggs drove the four of us to the Nav-A-Gator Grill near Arcadia for lunch and then on to Boca Grande (Gasparilla Island State Park) to walk the beach and shop. Monday was time for laundry and boat chores; Tuesday consisted of reading, writing letters of recommendation and dinner aboard; Wednesday started with a late breakfast at Bennett's followed by boat projects. Thursday was Lola's last shopping opportunity in Ft. Myers, so we took advantage of that before returning for dinner aboard. The alarm clock rang at 5 AM Friday! By 6:15 AM we were driving 120 mi. N to Seffner, FL (Tampa) to pick up the repaired inverter/charger. Returning to pick up daughter Sandy and her husband, Klaus, from the Ft. Myers airport we encountered a 45 mi. I-75 accident delay which made us about 20 min. late picking them up at 2 PM. We then drove to Sanibel Island to acclimate them to FL weather by walking the beach for 2 hrs. before dinner at the Island Cow.

Saturday, Mar. 7: Finally, it's time to cruise again! After breakfast at Bennett's, Klaus and Larry installed the inverter while Sandy and Lola grocery shopped. We departed at a leisurely 1 PM for the short 16 mi. cruise up the Caloosahatchee River. It was fascinating to see hundreds of white pelicans along the way. They are distinctive both with the white outer feathers and black wing bottoms, but also because they do not dive to catch fish like their cousins. Instead, they submerge their heads as while swimming to catch fish. After the 2 ft. Franklin lockage, we soon reached the unique Rialto Harbor Docks. This small marina can handle only a dozen boats, each with a rather private, landscaped "island pad." The day was topped off by relaxing in the beautifully landscaped, 12 ac. ground before a delicious dinner of grilled pork chops (by Captain Huggins), potatoes, and fresh strawberry shortcake for desert.

Sunday, Mar. 8: This day began much earlier, especially in view of the change to daylight time. Lines were cast-off at 8:30 for a delightful 53 mi. cruise past two locks (10' and 1.5') to Roland and Mary Ann Martin's Marina at Clewiston, FL on the SW shore of Lake Okeechobee. About an hour before our 3:30 PM arrival the auto-pilot quit. Sandy and Lola sacrificed cooking dinner aboard for eating at the on-site Cotty's Tiki Bar. It was really tasty.

Monday, Mar. 9: To allow the lady's to shop in the nice on-site clothing store they had failed to visit yesterday afternoon, we didn't drop lines until 8:45 for the 36 mi. trip across Okeechobee. Conditions were ideal: 70 degrees, 5-10 mph ENE winds with a 6" chop. The Port Mayaca lock on the east shore was completely open, but 3-4 manatee were inside, so we slowed to a coast to pass through. Our 1 PM arrival at Indiantown Marina was perfect to enjoy outstanding pizza at Dee Stefano's. They even provided complementary transportation from the marina (1.5 mi). Returning allowed plenty of time for reading and relaxing before a light meal of baked brie and apricots served with wine.

Tuesday, Mar. 10: Prospects of a 65 mi. move provided sufficient incentive to enable casting-off at the target time of 8 AM. There was only a 5 min. wait for the last Lucie lock, a 13' drop, our largest of the Okeechobee waterway. Back in saltwater! By running slightly harder than usual (9 mph vs. 8), we made Vero Beach Municipal Marina at 3:50. After rinse-down Sandy baked her special chicken-vegetable pie for a delicious dinner aboard. We then walked 1.5 mi. to the Atlantic beach and, with help from the GPS, found an ice cream store before returning.

Wednesday, Mar. 11: With only 55 mi. to cover we slept in an extra 20 min., but by serving breakfast underway we managed an 8:10 departure. We continuously marvel at the many beautiful mansions along the shores. The plan was to spend the evening in Cocoa to watch the scheduled shuttle liftoff at 9:20 PM. The weather continued to be perfect and dolphins were especially plentiful! With the benefit of mostly helpful tide currents we reached the excellent Cocoa Village Marina at 2:35 PM. Upon check-in we received the disappointing news: lift-off had been delayed for 23 hrs. To overcome that disappointment the ladies went shopping in this delightful village. We again enjoyed Sandy's chicken pie for dinner aboard.

Thursday, Mar. 12: We decided to move only 7.5 mi to Harbortown Marina for two reasons: to be closer for launch and to take advantage of one of the best fuel prices on the Atlantic ICW: $1.71 per gal. for diesel. This enabled sleeping-in for a late 11:40 AM departure with a 12:50 PM arrival (slowed because this remote marina is 3.5 mi. up the Canaveral Barge Canal, a no-wake zone for manatee). We saw alligators swimming in the canal and on its banks. Unfortunately, launch had again been scrubbed until "at least" Sunday! After munchies for lunch, we spotted a manatee within the marina harbor. Then it was time to clean the boat inside and out before taking advantage of the on-site restaurant, Nautical Spirits Grill & Bar, for excellent grouper dinners.

Mar. 13-19; Titusville, FL: We departed Friday at 10 AM for the 20 mi. cruise to the Titusville Municipal Marina. For the 5th straight day we had perfect cruising conditions on Indian River, the huge often 2 mi. wide river that parallels the Atlantic for 250 mi. With binoculars we got a clear view of the shuttle Discovery on her launch pad and of a Delta rocket set for launch Saturday as we cruised to Titusville. Arriving at 1:40 PM, we enjoyed watching manatee in the harbor before picking up our rental from Enterprise. It was hot enough that we turned on the AC for the first time this year. After grocery shopping we enjoyed awesome red and white shrimp dinners at the famous Dixie Crossroads. Returning early to the boat allowed us to watch Australia. Saturday began with breakfast at the local Sunrise Bread Co. before driving 100 mi. to St. Augustine. We arrived too late for the 10 AM tour of Flagler College, so Lola and Sandy immediately began shopping while Larry and Klaus visited historical sites. After a fine pizza lunch at Pizzalley's we took the fabulous 2 PM Flagler College tour. The entry to the former Ponce de Leon hotel, its hundreds of Tiffany glass windows, and the parlor were as impressive as their reputation. Sunday was crew change day. Manatee played near the boat as we left on the 250 mi. drive to Ft. Myers at 9:30 AM. This allowed time for going past Fort Myers Yacht Basin to pick up mail and our car on the way to the airport to get granddaughter Samantha from her 3:30 flight. The five of us then were joined by Robert and Ann Levine (Sandpiper) and Bruce and Bonnie Dailey (Phantom of the Aqua) for an early dinner at Chili's in E. Ft. Myers before we dropped Sandy and Klaus at the airport for their 7:30 flight to Indy and headed back to Titusville with Larry driving the rental and Samantha and Lola the Lincoln. Unfortunately, the 7:43 PM Discovery launch was not postponed this time; we stopped at a rest area 15 mi. south of Tampa to watch. Even from 110 mi. away it was impressive. We returned at 10:30 PM after observing an incredible traffic jam. It stretched for 20 mi. outside Orlando and then completely through the city of Titusville as cars tried to depart after viewing the launch. Fortunately, we were traveling the opposite direction and experienced almost no delay. Everyone slept in Monday till 10! Lola prepared an excellent brunch of blueberry pancakes before showers. We then left to return the rental and drive to Cocoa for shopping before stopping at Dixie Crossroads for shrimp dinners. Tuesday began much earlier with a stop at the Sunrise Bread Co. for scones before spending a delightful day at the Kennedy Space Center. In addition to the neat space exhibits, we observed alligators and eagles among other wildlife. Tired, we enjoyed another visit to Dixie Crossroads to revive ourselves. Another launch disappointment: a Delta rocket with a military payload scheduled for 9:30-10 PM was scrubbed. We departed Wednesday at 6:45 AM for Ft. Myers to get Samantha on a 12:20 PM flight to Memphis. This allowed us to pick up the last of our mail from FMYB before returning to Titusville at 8:30 PM. Thursday was a day for boat work: Lola done the laundry while Larry worked on the defunct rudder indicator and the autopilot (unsuccessfully). Tired by dinner, we enjoyed an excellent Mexican dinners at el Leoncito.

Friday, Mar. 20: With 76 mi. to cover and winds forecast to build, we left FMYB as soon as light warranted: 7:25 AM. For the first time we encountered manatee in the channel. The forecast was accurate; by 4:20 PM when we reached Ginn Hammock Beach Marina in Palm Coast the NE wind was 15-20. Fortunately, the harbor was well protected so docking was not a problem. This marina is a small part of a huge resort complex, with the core locate 2 mi. away. They provide transportation to the main area, so we enjoyed dinner at its windy Atlantic Beach Grill.

Mar. 21-22; St. Augustine, FL: Strong winds were forecast to continue Saturday, but at 9:50 we decided to leave anyway to make St. Augustine for the weekend. NE winds again built to 15-20, but the protected ICW was fine except for a couple long NE stretches when waves reached a modest 2 ft. Again we saw manatee in the channel. We reached the excellent St. Augustine Municipal Marina, only 25 mi. away, at 12:40 PM. Fortunately, we were assigned a slip that allowed straight-in docking during slack tide (tide currents can be a problem at this marina) so docking was surprising easy in this wind exposed marina. Arrival time was perfect to enjoy a late lunch at Pizzalley's. Sunday began with the 11 AM service at First UMC. This was followed by a fine lunch at Columbia House. Bob and Virginia Peart, former Purdue colleagues now retired from the Univ. of FL in Gainesville arrived to board at 4:30 PM. After reminiscing a while, we walked across the street for light dinners at A1A Ale Works before returning to continue those discussions until bedtime.

Monday, Mar. 23: Lines dropped at 7:55 AM for the 61 mi. cruise to Fernandina Harbor Marina at Fernandina Beach. A light rain fell all morning, totaling only .3 in. Arriving at 3 PM provided time for the ladies to shop this delightful village before we enjoyed dinners at the Crab Trap. Returning to the boat we played bridge; the ladies dominated.

Tuesday, Mar. 24: Having to make only 42 mi. to the excellent Morningstar Marina (formerly Golden Isles Marina) at St. Simons Island, GA, we departed at a more leisurely 9:30 AM, stopping first at nearby FL Petroleum to fuel. Almost immediately we left Florida waters. While the day's cruise was entirely within the ICW, waters included several big sounds and many miles of wide rivers. We arrived at 2:40 PM, early enough to schedule the courtesy car for 5 PM dinners at one of our favorite restaurants, Gnat's Landing. After dinner we resumed bridge, but this evening cards were with the men.

Mar. 25-30; St. Simons Island, GA: After a delayed pick-up by Enterprise, we departed at 10:30 Wednesday to drop Bob and Virginia at St. Augustine before continuing to Titusville for our car. We arrived there about 3:15, in time for an early dinner at Dixie Crossroads. We returned both cars, arriving at Morningstar at 7:30 PM; 430 mi. after departure and rather tired. SSE winds picked up through the night to 15 mph. The combination of gentle 1 ft. waves and wind blowing us from the dock caused lines to strain and squeak most of the night making sleep difficult. By 4 AM Thursday they began subsiding, so we slept in before Larry left to return the rental while Lola started laundry. Two more looper boats arrived mid-afternoon: C-Life with Bob and Kay Creech and Bella Luna with Louis and Diane Wade. Winds again picked up to 15 mph on a cloudy day. The six of us took our car to Gnat's Landing for dinner. Friday began with fine omelets at our favorite island breakfast haunt, Cafe Frederica, before grocery shopping. The afternoon was devoted to household business. Last night's six-looper dinner group was joined by Fred and Sharon Clarkson of Perfect Remedy for excellent dinners at the on-site Coastal Kitchen. Saturday morning was spent making travel/docking plans for a mid-April return to IN. After a late lunch at McDonalds, we became tourists on the island. In addition to viewing many homes with beautiful life oak trees and azaleas, three places were particularly enjoyable: the beautiful Christ Episcopal Church with its dozens of moss covered live oaks, its azaleas and wisteria grounds, and its stained glass windows; the huge, beautiful tabby (a SE building grey material composed of sand, oyster shells and cement) Wesley United Methodist Church; and a visit to historic Fort Frederica. Rain storms moved in about 7 PM and by 8:15 electricity went off for 16 hours. Of course, batteries provided limited power aboard. Rains continued until about 3 AM with 2" falling and even more to our west. This was the first significant rain we've had since entering FL in December; it was much appreciated by locals. Sunday dawned clear and beautiful with west winds that built through the day to 20 mph. We enjoyed a delightful 10:45 service at Wesley UMC. Returning to the boat, we changed to relaxed clothing for a drive to Brunswick for excellent, economical pork BBQ sandwiches at Georgia Pig, a 30-yr. old establishment that Hoyle Puckett, a GA native and former Univ. of IL colleague, declares has the best barbeque in GA. In addition to outstanding food, it has a unique rugged ambience. Monday morning was clear in the low 50's, but the cool N wind was only 5-10 mph. The day was devoted to laundry, ironing and boat projects. To celebrate our last evening at St. Simons, we enjoyed Baskets of Shrimp at Gnat's Landing.

Tuesday, Mar. 31: Facing an 87 mi. cruise to Isle of Hope Marina in Savannah, GA, we left dock at first light: 6:45 AM. Weather was cloudy and cool (high was 66), but East winds were only 5-10 mph. By running slightly harder than usual we arrived at 4 PM, happy to have completed this longest leg toward the AGLCA rendezvous in Charleston. This allowed time to rinse salt from the boat and settle in before using a 6:30 courtesy car reservation to enjoy dinner at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants, Jalapenos. We're back in sand fly country! Tired from the early departure and long day, we retired early as rain began to fall.

Water miles traveled to date: 2,880; this month: 563

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