Off to the islands we go.....

Tuesday April 21, 2015

Departed Jupiter Cove at 12:30 with our Friends Peter and Nancy Colket on Sea Angel. We are going south 20 miles to Lake Worth in the Palm Beach area and anchor out and wait for a weather window to cross over to the Bahamas. Do to limited internet connectivity we will not be posting until our return on June 1. Off to the islands we go!!!

 April17-19, 2015,   Dayton Beach to Jupiter

 

Friday - Departed marina at 0850.  Dropped our keys to a dockhand on the gas dock.  He had a long handled pool skimmer and the boater drops the keys in the extended net as they leave the harbor.   1201 went thru Edgewater FL and went past the Boston Whaler plant.  Went thru the Haulover canal again, at 1345 once again to see manatee and a few fishermen.  Big traffic difference between a weekend and weekday.  Anchored at 1740 just south of Cocoa Bridge.  Comfortable evening on the hook.

Saturday – Anchor up clean at 0753.  Started on the cruise south, anticipating a lot of boating traffic on the weekend.  On 0935 was pasted by Summer Slopes Too, another MTOA member.  Talked to Once Around, another Ocean Alexander, heading to the Bahamas.  Past Vero Beach marina at 1442. Continued on to Cocoa for the first night and anchored. Next we pulled up the anchor and began a long day that ended in Jensen Beach at anchor. It had been a 10 hour day but we were only 3 hours from Jupiter. Pulled into Jupiter Cove at 11:40 to our familiar slip.

Monday April 13, 2015 to Thursday April 16, 2015 – Halifax Harbor

 

MTOA (Marine Trawlers Owners Association) Spring Rendezvous

 

The MTOA is an organization that Tom has belonged to for about 6 years.  This is the second rendezvous we are attending, the first by boat.  MTOA is a social boating group promoting boating fun, education and safety – all the things we like. 

The rendezvous always starts and ends with a general membership meeting to give its members information and up to date them on recent boating issues.  Throughout the three days, educational workshops are offered and fun events planned.  Some of the workshops we attended are boat engine maintenance, boat insurance, women at the helm, women’s hands-on boating, beading for boaters, coast guard safety inspection on Greeks Folly, flares safety and practice, gear and gadgets, and the down east loop presentation.    The classes were all very informative.  Tom was most impressed during the flare practice, when his gun broke and he made the determination that 12 gauge flares are worthless.  Those flares you cannot see – you might as well hit the boat you are trying to signal to get their attention – they are rubbish.  Colletta enjoyed the hands on boating experience and is gaining confidence while handling the boat. 

The rendezvous also includes many social events.  Continental breakfast is offered every morning, of which we were part of the early morning committee, we served lunch on board to another couple, Fred and Edwina Sorenson who also have a 43’Ocean Alexander – another way to meet more people,  open boat visitation in which we opened our boat to other members who wanted to visit our lifestyle, rained out ballgame at the Jackie Robinson Field, wine and whine session which is a boxed lunch and sharing of boating tips,  beer and bullshit for the men, and docktails demo of quick and easy recipes.  The two big evening social events were the Biker Bash (this year’s theme).   Some people looked more biker than boater,   Members dress the part, enjoy dinner together and dance to the 60s-70s band.  The other event was a dinner and awards ceremony at the Halifax Yacht Club.  A nice closing to the rendezvous.

Chuck and Arlene Custer at the Bikers Bash

The blind fold dinghy races.

The baseball game between rain storms

 

Sunday April 12 – Rockhouse Creek to Halifax Harbor, Dayton Beach

 

Pulled up anchor and exited at 0855 with a wonderfully clean anchor. Greeted by a pod of dolphin (about 15) slowly passing thru feeding.  It will be a short traveling day as we only have 12 miles to get to Halifax Harbor Marina.  Arrived at 1051, pulled to fuel dock to get a pump out, ice and 200 gal. of fuel at $3.16 a gal.  The MTOA docking crew, dressed in their bright yellow vests, were waiting at the dock with a welcome crew of 10 additional people.  A lot of people are arriving today.  After settling in, we went to dinner at Blue Grotto with Chuck and Arlene, Bob and Joanne, and Peter and Nancy – all MTOA members.  Just relaxed on boat n the evening with the rain falling outside.   

Saturday April 11, 2015 Titusville to Rockhouse Creek

 

Anchor up at 0945, pleasant surprise – it was clean.  We retrieved the anchor and 75 foot of chain without having to clean it – hooray.  At 1052 we arrived at marker #2, having started at marker #240 in Stuart.  Don’t know how the markers work because it is not the end of our trip.  Marker 75 was next and our trip continues.  Today is nature day.  A dolphin rode our bow wake for over 5 minutes.  Then we saw what we thought was a pink flamingo only to discover it was a roseate spoonbill – very pretty.  As we entered the Haulover Canal we discovered we were entering manatee zone.  On the weekends this is a very popular place.  All sizes of boats, kayaks, canoes, and people fishing from shore.  Manatee swim everywhere in this canal.  We went slowly to avoid the people and the manatee. 

 

The ride to New Smyrna was greatly varied; people camping on islands, trailer parks ( “mess with me, mess with the whole trailer park”)  developments of modular homes,  to expensive waterfront homes, which you would expect on the water in Florida.  The route thru New Smyrna was circuitous, with many weekend boaters and much activity at the many marinas.  We approached our anchorage only discover it is a very popular place for anchoring and also a passageway to a popular beach spot for small boats.  After a short time the beach quickly empty due to rain showers, which made for great boat watching for us.

April 11, 2015 Nature Day at Haulover Canal

Saturday April 11, 2015 Titusville to Rockhouse Creek

 

Anchor up at 0945, pleasant surprise – it was clean.  We retrieved the anchor and 75 foot of chain without having to clean it – hooray.  At 1052 we arrived at marker #2, having started at marker #240 in Stuart.  Don’t know how the markers work because it is not the end of our trip.  Marker 75 was next and our trip continues.  Today is nature day.  A dolphin rode our bow wake for over 5 minutes.  Then we saw what we thought was a pink flamingo only to discover it was a roseate spoonbill – very pretty.  As we entered the Haulover Canal we discovered we were entering manatee zone.  On the weekends this is a very popular place.  All sizes of boats, kayaks, canoes, and people fishing from shore.  Manatee swim everywhere in this canal.  We went slowly to avoid the people and the manatee. 

Entering Haulover Canal taking us to the Banana River

A little shallow outside of the channel

Saturday morning fish'in Florida style

A couple of manatees swimming along

 

 

The ride to New Smyrna was greatly varied; people camping on islands, trailer parks ( “mess with me, mess with the whole trailer park”)  developments of modular homes,  to expensive waterfront homes, which you would expect on the water in Florida.  The route thru New Smyrna was circuitous, with many weekend boaters and much activity at the many marinas.  We approached our anchorage only discover it is a very popular place for anchoring and also a passageway to a popular beach spot for small boats.  After a short time the beach quickly empty due to rain showers, which made for great boat watching for us.

Friday April 10, 2015 – Titusville

 

Switched places this morning as Colletta drove the boat and Tom pulled up the anchor.  We have been encountering mud and gunk at our anchorages – great for holding but very messy.  Having limited water in our tanks, we have been conserving fresh water which is what we use to wash down the anchor and chain.  So today Tom used buckets of water, hauled up over the rail, to wash down the chain and anchor.  It is a great workout hauling up 5 gallon buckets of water; effective but not very efficient.  Finally having anchor as clean as possible, we departed at 1000.  Short ride today, we arrived at Titusville anchorage at 1237.  Have had problems with dinghy motor overheating, so we tried the other smaller motor which also did not want to start.  After much persistence it started and Tom took a ride around the anchorage, taking the oars, just in case.  Meet another MOTA boat, Happy Clamz, also heading to rendezvous.  Dinner consisted of rib eyed steak grilled on the BBQ while listening to music provided by the town of Titusville. (A concert was going on at the water front and we have great listening seats)  The stiff southerly wind calmed as the night went on and we both slept well.

April 9, 2015 – Melbourne to Cocoa

 

We heard voices – at least we thought they were outside the boat.  Peeking out the hatch window we saw two rowing sculls and the chase boat who was talking into the megaphone.  We watched their precision rowing with interest.  Did pre-departures checks and anchor up at 0835 for a short run to Cocoa free dock, arriving at 1102.  The wind was picking up and we were concerned about being pinned against the dock so we decided to anchor out and dinghy into the pier.  The water was shallow, only 2.7 feet below the keel.  We dropped the dinghy in, the motor wouldn’t start, and Tim dropped his dinghy in, our motor started so we both went to shore.  The town of Cocoa is right adjacent to the park.  The guys immediately went to the famous hardware store – T S Travis.  It is 3 floors, 3 buildings and had old, stuff, new stuff, and stuff you never even knew you needed.  The guys loved it. 

Just one aisle of bins in the hardware store

 

 Went for lunch, then a stroll and shopping around the town and headed back to boat before low tide.  Pulled up anchor, went through the bridge, dropped the anchor and settled in for the night.

Moved the boats to calmer waters on the other side of the bridge in Cocoa. Greeat town.

 

 

April 8, 2015 Melbourne, Fl

April 8, 2015 – Vero Beach to Melbourne

 

Had a slow morning.  Did a dinghy tour with Tim and Pam looking thru the mooring field.  At the dinghy dock we went ashore to check out the facilities and purchase some ice.  Returned to boat, had anchor up by 1110 and departed.  It was an uneventful but interesting trip through various residential developments with many large, impressive and expensive homes.  North of Vero, some of the houses were still impressive with their neighbors having trailers or “teardowns.”    There were wide bodies of water with barrier islands and many people were enjoying the sandy beaches and sunshine.  At 1600 we had anchor down off of Canova Beach at a place called Paradise Blvd Anchorage.  Sweetwater anchored about 1 hour later.  We each remained on our own boats for dinner due to the stiff winds.  Tom made his famous balsamic chicken and we enjoyed every bite.  The wind calmed and we slept peacefully.

April 7, 2015 Vero Beach

April 7 – Hogg Cove to Vero Beach anchorage

 

Departed Hogg Cove at 0830 and were slightly delayed by excessive mud on anchor and chain.  Went to St. Lucie marina about 2 miles further up the intercoastal to have R J Marine group replace our autopilot hydraulic pump.  Arrived at 0850 as Kevin, the installer was there to catch our line.  It is wonderful when a plan comes together.  Kevin was wonderful and very nimble as he actually crawled into the dashboard compartment to work on the pump.   Being young and flexible allowed him to do this.  At 1052 the repairs are complete.  Kevin showed Tom how to calibrate the autopilot so he did not do a sea trial with us.  (saved us an hour of labor on the bill).  Also the wind had us pinned against the dock, and we did not want to go out and come back in again in those conditions to drop him off.  With the help of Kevin and another dock hand, we pulled the boat away from the dock to the adjacent slip to give us more room to maneuver given the high winds and narrow shallow channel.   After a few tense moments and lots of muscle power, we left the slip, turned into the wind and gave it the gas.  Made it out safely.  Colletta and I went thru the procedure to calibrate the auto pilot, gyrocompass and true north.  All were completed successfully and for the first time in a long time all the instruments agreed.   We happily retraced our course back thru Stuart to the intercoastal waterway (ICW) and headed north.  It was an uneventful trip – except for one idiot who passed too close.  Arrived at our anchorage in Vero Beach at 1617.  We looked toward the bridge; saw a boat with blue canvas, only to discover the boat belonged to our friends Tim and Pam from Sweetwater.  We dinghied over for a beer and more conversation catch up.  It is fun when cruising paths cross with friends you have met along the way – one of the best things about the Loop.

Tim and Pam Christensen on Sweetwater

 

 

April 6, 2015 Jupiter Cove to Hogg Cove, Stuart, Fl.

April 6 – Jupiter to Hogg Cove, Stuart

 

Spent the morning hauling food, clothes and supplies from the condo down to the boat.  It was amazing how much stuff we took off the boat in two weeks that had to be returned.  Departed Jupiter Cove at 1330, waving to our friends – hope to see them again soon.  Our friends Bill and Connie from Simpatico boated by the condo earlier on their way to Stuart to drop off their two grandsons.  We talked and decided to meet them in Hogg Cove for the evening.  We arrived at 1639, dropped the hook and shortly afterwards Simpatico arrived.  They dropped their dinghy so they came over for cocktails and catch up conversation.  We sure enjoy spending time with them.  Hopefully we will cross paths again in the future.

2 Weeks in Jupiter Cove at the Condo March 21- April 5, 2015

Saturday March 21, 2015 – Sunday April 5, 2015 – Jupiter FL

 

For the past two weeks we have been enjoying our time here in Jupiter both at the condo and on the boat.  It is good to be here and enjoy our many friends who we have missed during this winter season.   Within a very short time, we felt like we were again in our winter home.  We have missed “playing “with our friends John and Lynnie, and Kent and Mary Jane – so we quickly tried to catch up.  The evening dinners hosted by Lynnie and cooked by Johnny and Tom was delicious.  The green egg grill once again has worked its magic on the steaks.  The many salads added the extra touch and the key lime pie and dilly bars finished the meal off perfectly. 

The regular activities included biking to the post office and library, shopping on Tuesday at Bealls, shelling at the beach, hitting the resale shops and doing general maintenance on the condo.   Cocktails on the docks while enjoying the heavy boating traffic, along with the bikinis and loud music once again became an evening and weekend activity. 

Our good friend, Tom Mirus came down for his spring break from school.  The activities which he initiated included a visit to the Palm Beach Boat show, the boating resale shops in Stuart and of course lunch at a few new places – (King Neptune’s will become a regular place because of the fish tacos and ahi tuna.)

The fun part of having the boat in the marina is that we could share it with friends.  One morning, Tom took 6 of the guys from the condo out for a ride on the ICW – nothing fancy, just water, beers and boating.  One evening we hosted an Open Boat dock party for everyone to come peek at the boat and enjoy the company of friends.  Both events were very successful and Tom and I enjoyed every minute of it.

One of the personal things we were looking forward to is going to church at Hope Lutheran in West Palm Beach- our home church.  It was a pleasure to worship there again and we enjoyed the Easter celebration of our risen Lord.

Our Jupiter Lighthouse across US 1 from the condo

Just one of the small local boats passing by our marina

Greek's Folly in  slip B-19 Jupiter Cove Marina

 

 

All the gang in front of the boat for a docktail party