May 30, 2012 Aground! to St Augustine

Wednesday May 30, 2012

Last night I had spaghetti on the fold out table within 15 minutes after anchor.  We decided ot anchor at the entrance of the cement factory to get some breeze.  It worked!  This morning we called Dave and Denise Aiken to tell them we were coming into St Augustine today...raised anchor...went aground, all in a matter of 3 minutes. I think that was at 9:30 or so...called Tow Boat US waited.  We like the area anyway!  Quiet and the only thing we could see was a building in the distance, trees and waterway.  It was serene, till we got there, I am sure.  The fun part was when a great big boat was traveling North and I alerted Fred and said, “Do you they could give us a big enough wake to get us off?” Fred radioed them and they were very very happy to give us a wake.  Boy did they give us a wake...it was the "Rogue Wake" of the century, threw me to the other side of the cockpit on my tush, the coffee pot full of freshly made coffee went flying below from the port side to the starboard side along with potatoes, laptops, electronics and anything else that was loose. It took the entire 2 hours to clean it up. We will be picking coffee grounds out of our toenails for the remainder of the adventure. At least it will smell good like, sorta like Starbucks.  All this made us a tiny bit late as we got stuck somewhat! A little further down the waterway we overheated, probably sand from trying to get unstuck.   Stopped again and coasted down the waterway, no sails, no motor, just the current. The anchor was a good idea as from my point of view on the GPS (Fred was below working on the engine) we were going into someone’s back yard.  Finally, the engine cooled and Fred took over and played with it until he got us un-lodged.  I did hear him call Tow Boat US back there (I was at the bow) and I laughed my head off.  He was bragging just earlier that the bill was $1,100.00 for the tow off the shoal (wonder what that would have cost if it was Rod’s man made shoal) He said that paid for the insurance he had with Tow Boat US.  They didn’t hear him hailing though and good thing since he got us off himself.  That would have been a story to tell, Tow Boat US twice in one day.  As Tow boat US passed us another time for a call, we overheated again.  Now we are drifting...again!  Yep, this is fun!  Maybe we should just put up a sail or something and forget the engine.  This is certainly the scenic route! 

Update, Fred put up the sail so we are motor sailing now, making better time.  Fred discovered that the radiator cap is shot so we will need to get a new one in St Augustine.  So far, so good.  I have lost count of engine troubles and running aground but we will never give up!  Pretty soon you all will need to call me Anne Bonnie!  Arrrgh!

I think we need to stay in St Augustine tomorrow to make up for lost time with great friends! This is so much fun!   We just hit a huge thunder storm, how exciting.  The deck is cleaned of coffee grounds!  Blue skies ahead...hopefully a red sunset!

Missed the sunset because we were at this fabulous restaurant with Dave and Denise Aiken.  They came to the St. Augustine Municipal Marina and hopped on for a nickel tour of Casa Mare’ then Fred gave them a ride from the fuel dock to our slip we took for the night.  We ate at Aunt Kate’s restaurant.  I know this is hard to believe but I ate a whole rack of ribs all by myself.  It was fantastic.  Had Johnny Cakes, collard greens, sweet potato casserole several kinds of breads and sweet tea.  It doesn’t much more “Southern” as that.  We all piled into the car and went to their home, which by the way is amazing...and visited them until nearly 11:00.  Tomorrow we plan to stay and see the sites of St. Augustine and visit awhile longer with them before we head North again.  Poor Fred and Dave hardly got a word in edge wise but we allowed them to share once in awhile!  Really!  They had fun too!  It is soooo good to see them.  I loved today, the whole day, even when we got stuck!  I thought after we returned to the US things would be not quite as lively as at sea and on the islands, but I was wrong.  Life is full of adventures at every corner.  God hasn’t run out of surprises yet...I hope he never does!

One bit of sad news, Fred’s computer doesn’t work.  I think that pot of coffee drowned it.  Keep your fingers crossed that it will work tomorrow...Maybe it just need a bit of drying out. 

May 29, 2012 Titusville, Florida

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Monday, Memorial Day, was spent relaxing.  We could see a parade forming at the park on the waters edge in Coco in the early morning. As well as bagpipes practicing their planned marching tunes.  It was nice to hear those, it fit the serene morning, cloudy but bright, as the storm moved it’s way inland, just North of us.  We didn’t feel any effects of it other than about 20 rain drops and a bit of rocking, nothing unusual.  We kept the hatches open all night, allowed the breezes to flow through the cabin which cooled it off considerably.  We were in no hurry to leave, and finally made our way up the intracoastal waterway to Titusville Marina, where we planned to refuel, top off our water and get some bread.  We were unsuccessful with the bread which means I will probably be making bread.  We did pick up a Ben and Jerry’s and ate it on the way back to Casa Mare’ as a dark band of rain was quickly approaching us from the North.  Fred wanted to get the boat away from the dock before it was too late.  The dock hand was more than willing to assist us in the process as he also wanted to get inside the marina before it was too late for him also.  It was a record departure.  He decided to drop anchor and wait out the passing storm.  The hatches were slammed shut, the boat secured and before we knew it, we were getting the first significant amount of moisture that hit us since Beryl formed off the coast.  It was clear it had no plans to move on, more than making up for what moisture we had missed during the weekend.  Exchanging smiles, we were succumbed to a rainy day on the boat, and there’s nothing wrong with that!  It became clear to both of us that we were in no rush to get home making decisions like this easy.  We had already set the trip back 2 days waiting out Beryl so what was another day?  Dinner was steak and macaroni and cheese with onions and broccoli, great comfort food!  We watched a movie we dug up, “Smile”.  Reruns are in the mix of movies since we have seen all on board, we thought.  Not this one though.  It was a good movie and a true story.  The plan was to get an early start but neither of us could sleep so we played Ono.  I knew when he was stirring his cup of coffee before the pot had finished perking and the engine started, he was on a mission.  I closed the ports and made my way back to the galley, poured myself a cup of coffee poked my head out to the pretty overcast but bright skies above.  “Morning” rolled off my lips and I sat down on a wet cushion, a normal wake up call the day after a storm.  I moved to the other side, making a mental note to replace that soggy cushion before any of the others were replaced.  It would be nice to have closed cell cushions in the cockpit but after that, the bank account would have to be closed as that stuff is expensive.  It became clear, to stay dry on a boat, comes with a cost.  Closed cell foam is at the top of the list for costly things.  Hard to find and drains the funds quickly.  I am okay with a get it as you go format, replacing the worse ones first or not doing anything or going with no cushions at all.  Actually, it doesn't matter at all...there, that one is solved.  Life can be simple.

The morning started off comfortable, no humidity, which is a given on the Florida East coast.  The waters are calm and the bird estuaries are a sight to see.  A great photo opt going through the canal but I was too busy putting up the main sail, although the camera was ready.  Next time.  We motor sailed for 20 miles, North West following the narrow path which gives a foot slack on each side.  I took my stand and declared I was not going to be at the helm through this.  Sails, up, current flowing and the engine helping us along, a perfect set up for disaster with me at the helm.  I would be busy gawking around and find a shoal to slow us down, for sure.  I feel like a child on their first adventure, soaking in all that there is to see and more.

May 27, 2012 Coco, Florida

Sunday May 27, 2012

Ah, the elements of being back in the US.  I have suffered with sinus problems since I was a little girl, hence the dark circles under my eyes.  It dawned on me this morning when I woke up with a headache and nasal blockage, I have only had one sinus problem since I have been gone, and this morning is the second.  I call myself the walking barometer.  When a front moves close, my sinuses react, causing pressure so bad in my head my teeth hurt.  This is easily alleviated with Astelin nose spray and a few aspirins although I have to stay on top of it until the front passes.  Other than that bug I picked up in Luperon, I have been completely healthy, which says a lot.  Island hopping on a sailboat is much more healthier, for the body as well as the soul!  I think the daily cleansing by the elements is a healthy way of living.  There is something to that pollution thing going on in the US and other countries!  I am sailing, living, breathing proof of it.  But I am not going there because I think we all have choices and I too have done my fair share of polluting the air and land around myself.  I am a non smoker now, have been for 4 years, a non drinker, have been for 5 years now, I think...I lost count, I am so on top of that clean path...and I stay alert to the nearly pristine seas surrounding me as well as the beaches.  I have grown to appreciate clean air and clean beaches.  My health proves it.  My eyes have seen it.  From pristine islands to completely polluted shores, it’s an eye opener what collects and never goes away.  I am sure this has a lot to do with our clean air also, which is affecting me this morning.  So much for my soap box...I’ll get off now.

Fred was contemplating going up to Titusville today if weather permitted but changed his mind.  It is really windy up there and they are expecting worse.  Fred makes some pretty good decisions and I feel this is another good one.  We are in no hurry.  I plan to keep it that way if possible.  It’s an overcast day here in Coco, Florida.  We are having a few gusts here and there but no big deal.  I think we are bound to Casa Mare’ for the day.  Probably a good day for books, games and movies as we stay hunkered in our Sea Cradle.  Internet is really bad here so I feel lucky to be able to post anything before I get kicked off.  No news is good news, I say.

May 26, 2012 Coco, Florida

Saturday May 26, 2012

Well, as luck fate would have it, I could be about to go through my first tropical storm on Casa Mare’ but being the safe Captain Fred is, he has chosen not to move any further North until Southbound tropical storm Beryl turns around and heads North.  Fred says there is no sense in heading towards the storm.  I totally agree, knowing what rough seas can be like when not in a tropical storm as in our earlier adventures.  I have made a mental note to take something for sea sickness since I am prone to get sick in rolling seas.  We won’t get off the boat during the storm.  We would loose our dinghy for sure.  Fred said we would be better off at anchor than in a marina because in a storm, the marina tends to tear up the boat.  I don’t care where we go, I just know wherever he goes, I am right behind him.  I am not nervous.  I actually love storms.  I’ll let you know if I feel the same after this weekend if we actually get hit by this one.  Hopefully, staying South will prevent us from going through anything uncomfortable.

The day is beautiful, blue skies, gentle breeze and great music on Sirus.  One would never know there is havoc brewing ahead of us.  I asked Fred what the “Project of the day is” and he said we could go ashore and see the cute town of Coco and go to the hardware store.  That excites me, as I love stores like that.  Always looking for a gadget to make life easier.  I would rather be in a hardware store than in a clothing store.  Today should be fun.  Last night we were chewed up with mosquitoes and I vowed to light the repellents this evening.  I thought we should get screens for the hatches and he said, we have screens.  I looked about the hanging locker and by gollie, there are screens there!  They are made but no way to attach them so today I am going to figure out how to get Velcro on them and put them up!  I need a small sewing machine on this boat.  There are several times I could have used one.  This is one of those times.  We didn’t need to worry about bugs in the islands.  In Florida, it’s a given.  Probably worse in Georgia since we are going to be going through all those marshlands up the intracoastal.  Yep, screens it is. 

We talked to Rod today who is coming to Wilmington and them making a few other stops to see his sisters in Cary, NC and Illinois.  He has an appointment on Tuesday with the VA and I suggested he hop on a plane and fly to St Augustine and hop aboard instead of paying all that money to fly north.  He is checking on it.  Stasia loves Rod!  They are bunk buddies! 

Fred and I dinked to shore and saw the town of Coco.  He is right, it is a cute little town.  Reminds me a lot of Wilmington, downtown riverfront.  We had Stromboli's at an Irish restaurant and walked around.  It felt good to stretch our legs.  We were going to get our favorite desert, Tiramisu, our favorite desert but they were out so we walked down the street and got an ice cream instead!  Yummmmmm!  They have some unique gift shops and the people here are very friendly.  We were unsuccessful at getting volunteers to come out and get us on the boat if the storm got bad.  Guess they run inland or something!  Looks like the storm stalled which may be good news or bad news.  It either stalled and will fall apart or strengthen.  Internet is very hard and slow here although we do have radio.  I have always said, if you want to know the weather, just look outside.  I think we will, for the time being, do that!  I am so welcoming this breeze in this hot humid weather.  The only thing missing on this Sea Cradle is a hammock to hang from!  Actually it feels like Casa Mare’ is in a hammock.  She is certainly swaying back and forth!  For those of you who asked, my phone is on and it’s local from Wilmington.  Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!  Stay safe and enjoy it!

May 25, 2012 Coco, Florida

Friday, May 25, 2012

Fred came in and said, good morning, I am going to start moving and you just sleep.  It was 7:00.  I suppose he said that knowing the night before I didn’t sleep a wink and probably thought I needed it since I went to bed last night and was asleep in a matter of minutes, out for the night, never to wake up once.  I was tired, that is true but felt a commitment to help Fred, which I didn’t or at least be there in case he needed me, which I did.  Although the sun had already risen, it was a pretty morning as we motored up the intracoastal, watching the morning activities in progress, early fishermen, cars scooting over bridges, birds singing as the fish were jumping, both looking for their breakfast.  I could already tell this was going to be a great day!  By 10:00 the alarms went off.  We both knew what it was, as I went below to move the ladder out of the companion way and uncovered the engine.  Fred dropped the anchor as we were drifting, in the middle of the waterway.  No traffic in there anyway.  Seems that no one had taken Friday to get an early start on their long holiday Memorial Day weekend.  Overheated again.  We both looked at each other, knowing the radiator hose had just been replaced so Fred grabbed the flashlight and checked the engine over.  He finally got the cap off and it was dry again.  It was clear that there again, was no water in it although it was too hot to add water and needed to cool off.  Fred took a nap, I cleaned the cockpit and the litter box, lack of things to do, and waited for him to put water in the radiator.  In 20 minutes we were under way again.  “I guess we need to add water to it every day until we get home”  I said.  “Yes, I guess we do” as he set the auto pilot and we were once again, enjoying the morning.  The day was lazy and relaxing.  We took turns at the helm, Fred taking a 3 hour nap and I was enjoying everything around me.  I saw a manatee, first one on this trip, and a pod of about 5 dolphins, swimming South.  The clouds surrounded us but never were over us the entire trip, giving us plenty of sunshine, even though it called for thunderstorms.  Never saw a drop of rain.  We are anchored in Coco, had Wiener schnitzel for dinner and plan to relax for the evening, hoping to get another early start.  We may be in St. Augustine by Monday.  We are in no hurry, just enjoying the ride and moving as we feel like it.  We went 60 miles today.

Yesterday I saw people scurrying around, letting life hurriedly pass them by, not taking time to seize the moment and gift themselves with the beauty of life, bypassing the moment of opportunity to breath and enjoy the life in front of them.  Oh how they are missing chances to relax and fulfill their dreams.  I see people who are retirement age, still working, not knowing why, just giving it one more year still dreaming about their retirement as time slips away, making their retirement years shorter and shorter.  Thinking...I am so glad I am doing this.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to choose to stay home and work or just go for it.  My world may have stopped at my home for six months, but the world moved on, even though I didn't make a difference there, and it’s okay.  I may have on my journey and that too is okay.   Everything in life waits for us, and I am glad I seized the opportunity and learned how to take a different road with someone as special as Fred.  We compliment each other, and live in harmony.  Life is so good.

May 24, 2012 Fort Pierce, Florida

Thursday May 24, 2012

The alarm went off, Fred’s phone was ringing and then mine was ringing.  Guess it was time to get up and do something about all three.  It was Rod, making sure we didn’t oversleep I guess.  As we stuck our heads out of the companion way, there was already a party going on at the crossroads of our finger dock.  Barb, Jen, Rod, and Stuarts girlfriend Maggie were sitting there waiting for us to get up.  They had come to bid us farewell and help us cut the ladies lines!  I offered coffee to all, Rod took us up on a cup and we joined them, welcoming the beautiful day ahead of us.  It was Stuart’s birthday, so I suggested we all go to his boat and sing “Happy Birthday” to him.  We did and then came back to the boat and cast off.  Fred took the helm most of the trip and then gave it to me.  “Red to the left and Green to the right going North on the intracoastal.  It’s very narrow so make sure you pay attention” is all I needed to hear to come to full attention of where I was going.  The auto pilot was trying to drift off course  as the tide was with us but strong and I kept resetting, one degree at a time.  Fred was below so I made the decision to steer it myself without the autopilot.  My nerves calmed down a bit, remembering as we were leaving for our adventure he put me at the helm, and I hit something (a sunken vessel we think) in the middle of the intracoastal along Jupiter, Florida.  Scared the bejeebers out of me and I didn’t want that to happen again.  You never know what’s in that water and not marked.  I can tell you of one, that’s enough for me!  It was at the 203 mile marker I saw the most fantastic site all day.  A Spotted Eagle Ray jumped about 4-5 feet out of the water, making a spectacular opportunity to see one close up and airborne.  I have seen plenty of flying fish out of the water but not a ray.  This was amazing.  I was glad I could identify it as I had seen my first one at the beginning of the trip coming out of Norman’s Cay I believe.  They are a site to see, enormous.  I asked Fred what would make a giant ray like that jump out of the water, thinking they were big as it was, hard to believe anything could send them airborne.  He said, “Sailboats”  Go figure.  We had to motor all the way as there was no wind to even put a sail up although we averaged over 6 knots.  We arrived at Fort Pierce about 1:00 and dropped anchor in front of the Tiki Bar at Fort Pierce City Marina.  I made lunch, sandwich and raw veggies before we set out for the day.  As Fred was lowering the dinghy, I heard some voices asking Fred to move.  It seems they were uncomfortable with us there so close to the barges moving huge rocks.  We moved, closer to the bridge, got in the dinghy and went to meet Tut at his boat in the marina.  Tut let us use his car and we went to a marine salvage warehouse looking for some Lexan but didn’t find any to suit our needs.  We did buy a dinghy ladder though.  We found when snorkeling, it’s not so easy to get back into the dink at our age.  I believe this will help us on our next trip to the islands.  We picked up a few groceries and met Tut and Dawn at their place and spent the afternoon with them.  Tonight Fred grilled steaks and we ate out in the cockpit watching the sunset and egrets stalking the shores for their dinner also.  It is quiet here.  We welcome the breeze blowing thru the boat as it has been a humid still day.  Tomorrow we will be heading for South of Melborne, Florida.  Fred brought up a moment of cherished memories when he said, “well, I guess we won’t be seeing any more green flashes.”  “Maybe we will”  I explained, “They say it is possible to see them at sunrise but you have to know exactly where to look because when you see the sun, it’s too late”.  We begin our voyage home, up the intracoastal waterway reflecting beautiful memories of our Winter.  I have learned to pause, reflect and be grateful. 

May 23, 2012 Stuart, Florida

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Errands have been run and preps to depart tomorrow are in process.  We are anxious to move north.  All of Fred’s hoses came in so we are good on that, we got most of the boat things we needed like broken stern lights, gaskets, and little things we couldn’t find in the islands.  Fred and Rod had been working on the dinghy, the damage much worse than it first appeared.  It seems there is an inner lining which also took a hit and the process is taking days to complete.  At this point I am wondering if a new dinghy or a dinghy repair company should have been considered.  I am not giving up hope though.  Worse things have happened.  Fred seems to be going from one thing to the other, trying to keep up with the problems each is causing him, including the sea strainer.  He asked me over dinner last night to laugh at him if he ever said a project was easy.  I promised him I would, I love to laugh  Blessings are in order when both of these projects are complete.  I have total faith that his deadline will be met although I had to strongly suggest last night that he walk away from the sea strainer and call it a day on that one.  He did.  Fred has often said that being on Casa Mare’ is working on a boat in exotic places.  His words are proving to be true as each day passes.  I think Fred needs a vacation!  I see a spark in his eyes as he anticipates a visit with his friend Tut in Fort Pierce who had lived in Wilmington, NC years ago.  Although it has been awhile since they both were together, they stay in contact through phone calls, always bringing a smile to Fred’s face when they do talk.  I love that!

Now that we have had a week to adjust to fast living, we are ready to move forward and up to Wilmington.  I am glad we are going via the “Slow Boat to Carolina”.  There seems to be some kind of cobweb cleaner in process as we are moving in the boat.  The bond between us, Casa Mare’ and the water beneath us ignites life on the seas again, the wind blowing on our faces, the water streaming past us as we leave memories behind to start a new journey, a new life together.  We grab the opportunity by the wheel and help guide the day along, allowing the wind to supply the power and direction ahead of us.

Boating life is fun.  It is not for everyone, I can tell you that.  There are times it was not for me either, but I didn’t have a choice.  It was either jump off and swim or put my big girl panties on and  suck it in.  I chose the latter.  I can only tread water for so long.  I do love this simple life though!

Today Barb moved her boat, and she did it like  it was nothing.  I think it is a 42 foot and she single hands it.  Quite a lady!  We helped some.  Fred did all the patching he could do on the dink.  It still leaks but it will keep us floating from here to there...if Fred goes back to doing the dinghy dance.  We attached the cavitation plate on the outboard so we will not look like we are taking off when moving in the dink.  Got things done for departure, turned the car in and did some repair work on the hatches.  We are probably leaving about 8:00 tomorrow morning.  Ft. Pierce is our next destination, and it should take us about 16 days to get to Wilmington, if everything goes well.  Never make plans on a sail boat.

This has been a busy, uneventful week, except for repairs.  Looking forward to moving on.  Good Bye Stuart...and all the great people at the docks!  The great thing about coming to a yacht club marina, everyone has one thing in common...cruising!  Life is good!