Christmas on the beach

Its the day after Christmas and the most severe cold front oof the year is coming in with gale force winds, but yesterday on the beach was nice. Pictures: (1) The birds are alredy preparing for the coming wind. Huddled down and facing the wind as two girls in bikinis walk by. (2) a shot of the beachfacing north. Freezing temps tonight

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Cold Weather/More settleing in

Its been cold here. Below freezing at night and only in the low 50's during the day. This so far is the second coldest December in recorded history for this area and the month is only half over so an all timerecord is on the way; another cold front coming Saturday night. So much for global warming. Pictures: (1) The entrance to the Jungle Health Club which we have joined for the winter. A huge amount of equipment so even at crowed times equipment is available. (2) We have decorated for Christmas. A Christmas tree in the pilot house and (3) a wreath on the bow and lights on the forward rails. I hope we do not have a white Christmas.

Settleing

We had to move the boat to another slip first thing yesterday. The original assigned slip had too short a finger dock so our bowsprit hung over the dock inviting an accident. The rest of the day and most of today way dedicated to settleing in and decorating for Christmas. Some pictures in a day or so. It is nice to have reached our destination for the winter.

In Vero Beach thru Titursville

Its been a long 2 days but we are in Vero Beach at the Loggerhead Marina in Grand Harbor. The trip from Palm Coast to Titusville was a long day as was Titusville to Vero Beach. But here we are. Pictures: (1) The dot you see is the launch of the Space X shot which is the first of the "commercial launches". (2) The wind was blowing so hard that thousands of birds wanted to just sit, in hundreds of shoulds like this.

Still not underway from Palm Coast

We stayed in Hammock Beach Maina because we wanted to see the facilities here at Hammock Beach Resort. The clubhouse is about 2 miles from the marina with 24 hr transportation back and forth. There are 8 pools, hot tub, exercise room, 2 golf courses, 2 restaurants and hundreds of condos. We had lunch at the Atlantic Grill by the ocean. We stayed on Monday because the weather is still bad. Off to Titusville tomorrow. Vero Beach on Wednesday is the plan. Pictures:(1) the marina with the DIXIE IV in the center (2) on the west side of the marina is a large condo complex named Yacht Harbor Village; the picture is only the front entrance.

Another Port in a Storm

There is another cold front coming thru tonight so we ended up in the Hammock Beach Marina which is part of a beautiful resort in Palm Coast about 30 miles south of St Augustine. The weather may be better tomorrow but this is such an impressive place that we will stay another day to explore it. We have come far enough south that the worst of the front may miss us, except for tonight. Some pictures as we passed thru St Augustine: (1) The Castillo de San Marcos, the fort that defended St Augustine for several hundred years (2) A view of the northern anchorage with the city in the background (3) The new Bridge of Lions drawbridge. This was an unsual project. The State wanted to build a high rise but the locals insisted that old bridge be replaced with a modern copy. More on thisresort tomorrow.

Brunswick Landing to Jacksonville

We had an early but, because of adverse tide currents,slow day. We had expected to get to the Pine Island anchorage but we fell 20 miles short and ended up at Beach Marina in Jacksonville. We have stayed here several times but not in this boat. The weather is turning bad again; a new more powerful cold front tomorrow night with possible gale force winds. So shelter is necessary tomorrow night. We will see which of several options we use. Pistures: (1) Repeated efforts to catch the dolphins as they danced didn't work out too well, but at least this one is visible (2) As we passed Kings Point submarine base a sub was returning complete with armed escorts, it may not look like a sub but it is (nuclear). Note the inflated Santa on the deck.

Another Rest Day in Brunswick

We spent another day in Brunswick. A number of factors: A desire for a high tide in Jekyll Channel, a calmer St Andrews Sound, and Chet's cold (or whatever it is). Off to Pine Island anchorage tomorrow. First stop in FL.

A layover day in Brunswick

December 1 , 2010. A day in port at the wind blew hard and the temperature dropped.Chet and Dixie both continue to suffer bad colds or maybe worse.

A Miacle has occured

We got into Brunswick Landing this afternoon and a fantastic diver found that the prop and gear had been literally unscrwed by the mass of line. The diver was able to srrew the prop back in and IT WORKS. Even the diver could not believe it. We will stay here tomorrow because the Noreaster is coming tomorrow. Sometimes things work out.

Beaufort to Walburg Creek

Monday, November29, a fast day of 84 miles from Beaufort to Walburg Creek, 55 miles north of Brunswick. A good travel day ended with a bad accident. While anchoring one of the small lines used to help handle the anchor got sucked into the bow thruster. We managed to break the line and finally anchored but the bow thruster is not operating. We will go to Brunswick boat yard to try to fix the problem.

Charlston to Beaufort

We had a uneventful but windy trip from Charlston to Beaufort. We had hoped to take some day trips outside from here but the weather has turned with a noreaster coming thru and small craft advisories thru next Wednesday. We can travel on the ICW but outside is out of the question.
Continuing south tomorrow, anchoring some place tomorrow night.

Charleston tonight

We left early and made good time to Ashley marina in Charleston. An uneventful trip which is the best kind. Pictures: (1) The Cooper River Bridge with a three masted schooner in the forefront (2) The famous Charleston Battery from the harbor.

Another day in Georgetown

This morning the weather forecast was not good for travel on the ICW; winds and rain. We decided to stay here and it turned out that the four other transit boats made the same decision. A cool and wet afternoon. Hopefully off tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Day in Georgetown

A quiet day in Georgetown. Some catchup on chores and a nice dinner at the only restaurant open today. Off to Charleston tomorrow.

Off to Georgetown

A short trip to Georgetown from the repair marina. We will stay here over Thanksgiving and move on to Charlston on Friday. Pictures:(1) The land entrance to the marina with the most impressive captain you ever saw (delusion) (2) The older the cats get the more attention they want. Sam climbs up on my shoulder when he MUST be petted

An unusual day

Tuesday, November 23, 2010, The day started off badly. While checking the oil level I noticed a bad tranmission fluid leak in the engine drip pan. Investigation showed the transmission in three days had lost a quart of fluid (out of 2 3/4). A call to American Diesel set us toward a solution. It was obvious that the transmission seal was leaking and the advice was don't involve a diesel mechanic but find a Borg Warner technician through the Southeast transmission distributor. A call to Tranmission Marine yielded Hague Marina 12 miles from Barefoot Landing. Hague Marina said to bring it down and it would be repaired today. We were underway by 1015, and by 1245 2 mechanics were working on the problem In one hour the tranmission was out and the seal replaced; in 2 1/2 hrs the job was done. A $500 job, but a mavelous solution to what seemed to be a horrible problem. Sometime things do work out.

The pictures: (1) The transmission disconnected in one hour (2) Beautiful color at this very old marina (we had to hammer some nails in to walk safely on the dock) (3) Ducks all around the boat

Southport to Barefoot Landing

We left Southport expecting a fast trip to Myrtle Beach since we had been told that the new high rise bridge at Sunset Beach was finished and the old pontoon bridge, that is far and away the worst bridge on the ICW, was open and being torn down. To our dismay we arrived at 10:05 and found the bridge still operating. The picture shows the operating high rise and the ICW blocked bythe pontoon bridge. We and a half dozen other boats had to wait an hour. This is an example of government stupidity: Spend millions on a high rise and leave the pontoon bridge in operation "for the convience of the contractors" so they don't have to use the high rise to move dirt.

The sailboat pictured is a classic boat that we have seen several times over thelast few days.

Here we are at Barefoot Landing where we had a birthday dinner at a new restaurant, The Flying Fish. We were joined by Fred and Denise Schubert, Fairfield Harbour residents and Denise is a PEO member in Dixie's chapter. Fred and Denise are working their way south on their boat. A nice evening.

A short day to Southport

Our next destnation stop is Barefoot Landing in N Myrtle Beach but it was to far to go in one day so as we have done in the past we made a short day to Southport and stayed at the South Harbor Village Marina. The tibe on the Cape Fear River was outgoing and we had the fastest run down the river we have ever had. The tidal current was 3 1/2 knots and we were making 12mph over the ground. A short day; we were tied up by 1:45PM. Another short day tomorrow to Myrtle Beach.

A long day to Harbour Village Marina

We got underway early Saturday morning , November 20 antcipating a 80 mile day to Harbour Village Marina 15 miles north of Wrightsville Beach. Normally this would be a long but not particually difficult day. Between runnung into at times very dense fog almost as soon as we got underway and dealing with bridge schedules that are not friendly to boaters it was a long day. In the Winter after DST is converted back to Standard time, the day is always cut short with the early sunset. A boat has to be secure for the day by 5 PM since it is dark by 5:15PM. We lost 1 1/2 hr travel time with the fog and just made the 4PM Surf City bridge opening. That left us very little time to reach the marina. We got there just as it was turning dark rapidly (you do NOT want to be underway on the ICW after dark). Anway we made it but with no time to spare. Normally if time is short you can drop anchor or swith to another marina but in this stretch of the ICW there were no suitable anchorages and alternative marinas. All ended well but it was a hectic day.

Underway

As planned we got underway Friday, November 19, after a concentrated two week effort to get the boat ready. We left 2 weeks later than planned because we had to wait for Dixie's orthopedic doctor to be satisfied that her right knee had healed from the surgury to "clean it up". We are planning on spending the winter at Loggerhead Marina in Vero Beach, FL. This was short day since we left at 1 PM. We anchored in Cedar Creek just inside the ICW from Palico Sound.

Home Again

We got home about 10:00 AM yesterday. The wind was howling but we arrived safely. The challenge now is to get the boat unloaded, stripped and into the boatyard for fuel tank repair. This will be the last blog entry until we start another cruise next fall.

96 Miles to Cedar Creek

A almost record run today; 96 miles vs the 99 mile record. From Wrightsville Beach to Cedar Creek; 20 miles from home. Home by 10:30 tomorrow. Some pictures: (1) Strange lawn decorations; this is one of many unsual "decorations" (2) The hideous house (although they obviously think its beautiful) that when we see we know we are close to home (3) More eagles nesting for this years family

Wrightsville Beach Tonight

The weather started off more than terrible but improved during the day. The 10 miles up the Cape Fear River was slow but non eventful. The weather service as usual was 100% wrong about everything. Made good time here and docked about 4:00 PM. Not bad for 75 miles. The plan is at least Morehead City tomorrow and home by noon on Wednesday. On we go.

Boat plans are written in sand at low tide

The weather has caught up with us. A cold front yesterday afternoon and another due tonight will create almost gale force conditions Sunday and Sunday night making it impossible to cross the Cape Fear River on Sunday. We have moved up to Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach and will sit this out until Monday morning. The revised plan is Wrightsville Beach on Monday, Swansboro on Tuesday and home on Wednesday. Some pictures (1) The spring osprey breeding season is in full swing. Here is one of many nests with residents sitting in it (2) The Barefoot Landing swing bridge pictured here is the swing bridge that was on the Neuse River in New Bern before the high rise bridge was built. It was disassembled and shipped down here and put back in service.

Wacca Wachee Marina in Waccamaw River

Anther position report. We are where we expected to be, in Myrtle Beach (as opposed to North Myrtle Beach)at the Wacca Wachee Marina. Tomorrows target is Southport. Marching on.

Past Charleston to Isle of Palms

No Pictures tonight; a position report. We reached Isle of Palms Marina, 13 miles north of Charleston this afternoon, earlier than we expected after a 80 miles day. The weather is turning bad but we will be inside so there should not be any problem. The target tomorrow is Wacca Wachee Marina about 80 miles from here. Julie will remember stopping there when she helped us bring the boat back after my leg injury. Moving on.

Outside to Beaufort, SC

Anther successful outside shortcut; from Walburg Creek to Beaufort, SC. Again this could not be done in one day on the ICW. The sea was like a mill pond; no wind and no waves. Some pictures: (1) the sunrise as we left Walburg Creek (2) The busy location is the Savannah River. Here a large gas carrier is just entering the channel (3) Others have to wait. This ship anchored outside the entance to await his turn. In contrast the Beaufort channel is 22 miles long and carefully maintained. In 15 years we have NEVER seen a ship enter Port Royal Harbor. A waste of money. Off to Charleston tomorrow.

Successful Outside trip to Walburg Creek

The inside ICW trip to Walburg Creek cannot be done in one day. Its over 95 miles in Georgia swamp with numerous spots that at low tide are impassable thanks to the Corps of Engineers who refuse to spend any money on the ICW, at least in Georgia. We went outside at Fernandia Beach and anchored in Walburg Creek at 5PM. Tomorrow the plan is to go outside again to Beaufort, again impossible inside on the ICW in one day at least for this boat. Hopefully news tomorrow from Beaufort (SC).

Fernandia Beach in a Unforecasted Gale

The objective was to make a short day, refuel at Fernandia Beach, spend the night at the marina in preparation for going outside tomorrow to Walburg Creek and the next day to Beaufort, SC. We did all that with with an unexpected and unforecasted (always unforecasted, the weatherman is still paid) gale from the west. The wind started howling an hour or so before we reached Fernandia and has continued to this moment. The latest weather forecasts, of course, say nothing about this. Anyway the forecst is still favorable for leaving tomorrow; we'll see. Meanwile some pictures (1) The railroad station in downtown (2) Brett's Waterfront Cafe at the marina. An excellent restaurant which Spencer may remember. He was 4 months old when we all attended Chris and Christy's wedding here. The restaurant is still excellent. At 2 PM there was a 20 minute wait on a Monday.

Anchored at Pine Island Sunday Night

We are anchored at Pine Island, about 12 miles north of St Augustine. It was a short day. The objective was to get through the reportedly heavily shouled Matanzas Pass (never saw less than 10 feet of water) and the Bridge of Lions which closes its channel Monday night for 5 days as they take down the temporary bridge that has been up while the Bridge of Lions was renovated.
Off to Fernadia Beach tomorrow, hopefully outside the next day to avoid most of the Georgia swamp. Beginning a countdown: tonight 45% of the way home.

Saturday Night in Palm Coast

From Titusville to Palm Coast Marina on Saturday. The original plan was to anchor in Daytona but the boat taffic and boat wakes was so heavy we moved on to Palm Coast. The management at this marina has changed for the better, The transiant price is down 40 % and the staff is competent and friendly. A cold front is coming through today so we will just see how far we get today.

Anchored in Titusville

We made it to Titusville. We will anchor here tonight and move on to Daytona tomorrow. Should be able to get through St Augustine on Sunday so we can move on without concern for the channel closure at the Bridge of Lions. Now if the wind would just die down to the predicted 5 knots rather than the existing 15-20 knots. A weatherman's job is ideal. They always get paid but are never expected to be correct.

Vero Beach Day

Vero Beach is one of the best stops on the ICW. There is atraditional dock marina and two large mooring fields. Some pictures:(1) The front of Vero Beach City Marina (2) The north mooring field (3) One of the free buses. There is a comprehensive transit system that operates without charging fares. Takes you anywhere in the city.(4) The entrance to Vincent's Restaurant which serves the best pizza in Florida.

In Vero Beach for two nights

Made good time to Vero Beach City Marina. We will stay here for two nights, We cannot stay longer because the channel for the Bridge of Lions in St Augustine will close next Monday night for the rest of the week. With a new cold front arriving we cannot go outside so we must move on. No pictures today.

Lake Worth in good time

We got to Lake Worth (Palm Beach) in good time today. We left Boca Chica Key at 7:15 this morning and anchored in Lake Worth at 6:00 PM. We avoided all the bridges between Ft Lauderdale and Palm Beach by taking advantage of a weather break and going outside from Ft Lauderdale to Lake Worth. Saved several hours and much aggravation. Tomorrow we are off to Vero Beach for several nights. Some pictures:(1)The Miami skyline as we approached this morning (2)The birds seemed to be waiting for a ride as we passed the marker.

Underway

We left Marathon this morning. We are anchored tonight just north of Elliot Key, about 15 miles from Miami. We expect to get to West Palm tomorrow. We will have go inside since the wind continues to blow from the northwest. Off we go.

John & Bonnie left with our car

Johna and Bonnie left Sunday and took our car to Ft lauderdale to keep until we get home and I can fly down to pick it up. This help on their part saves a least a day in getting back home.

John & Bonnie's visit

John & Bonnie joined us for the 34th Marathon Seafood Festival. Some pictures:(1) Dixie and Bonnie at the entrance wearing their new collaspable hats (2) the entertainment stage and stands (3) John and Bonnie in front of a chainsaw carving exhibit. We finished off the day with a visit to the Sunset Saloon and pizza on the boat. a good day.

A Rare Manatee Sighting

There have been very few manatee sightings this year. The cold weather has made them sluggish or ill, or worse. Many manatee have died this year from the cold. Here are some pictures of one wandering around the boats today.

Key Colony Beach Craft Show

There was a well attended craft show at Key Colony Beach today. Some interesting exhibits and Dixie made several purchases. Some pictures:(1) One side of the square exhibit area (2) A throwback to yesterday at the Flea Market. Dixie bought this interesting air plant which gets a spray a day. This joins Dixie's other two plants: basil and rosemary.

Another Trip to the Flea Market

This will be the last trip to the Big Pine Flea Market this year. We went with John & Judy, boating friends who house sat and took care of the cats while we were in Europe several years ago. We had lunch at the new Sunset Grille in Marathon. Some pictures: (1) The entrance to the Flea Market (2) The new restaurant sign (3) John & Judy at the restaurant entrance. A nice day.