Boat for Brother Ries
Live aboard for Cort
February 2nd, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
We had to leave this Marina at high tide or risk, getting dragged down
and grounded on the bottom. This meant we had to leave at 7:00 AM
. It was a great sunny day and perfect for our crossing to Marathon.
The water here is crystal blue and filled with about a million crab pots.
Each crabber has his own colour of marker balls. I went up on the
fly bridge at one point and saw nothing but a huge wavy line of yellow
balls. Driving through these is shear craziness! We heard an
excellent saying on the VHF Radio today: “If it’s not broken, fix it till
it is”. The anchorage in Marathon is a sight to behold. It
is extremely crowded with approximately 250 or more boats. They are
in various states of repair, from sunk to glimmering in the sun.
Many of these have been anchored here for many years and people live on
them, with very little conveniences, ie. power, water and cooking facilities.
I guess it’s better than being homeless. Our first attempt at anchoring
failed miserably, first because we got yelled at and then because we pulled
up a 6 foot log which had decided to clutch my anchor with a death grip.
After uppping and downing the anchor several times it did fall off.
We successfully anchored a little further down, only to be yelled at again
later on, in the dark by a disgruntled sailboater who was certain
that we had somehow pulled up his anchor. Colin was very polite but
the guy was going to be a problem you could just tell.
February 3rd, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
The next morning we took the dingy into shore to check things our and
see what Marathon had to offer. We tied the dingy at the Dockside
café were I managed to embed half the dock in my thumb. OUCH!
Since we were right there lunch was a good option. We ordered our
drinks and food and then waited........and waited.........and waited.
The people who came around the same time as us got their food and were
eating. And we still waited. An order came out the guy couldn’t
find out who it was for....and we waited. People who arrived 20 minutes
after us got their food and I EXPLODED! Turns out the people next
to us got our food and thought it looked good so they ate it. People!
We sat in that place for over two hours of which about 15 minutes was the
actual eating. We walked around and did a bit of shopping and then
like fools had dinner out. The worst spaghetti I have ever had!
It was just that kind of day.
February 4th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
It was quit warm out today, high 70's low 80's. I spent the better
part of the morning and afternoon preparing and cleaning for our company,
Ed and Frances to arrive. They were flying into Miami and renting
a car and then driving out to Marathon to meet us. Colin picked them
up at about 5:30 at the Municipal Marina. They were tired from their
long day of travelling so we had a dinner of B-B-Q pork chops on board.
Marathon Anchorage
February 5th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
First thing we all pilled into the dingy and headed for shore.
First stop was the IHOP restaurant for huge breakfasts. The guys
had steak and eggs and Frances and I had omelettes. We were all stuffed.
The guys went to buy plywood at the Home Depot to build the doors on the
boat and Frances and I went and did some shopping. We met at the
grocery store and got our supplies for the week. Next we hit the
fish market and then we unloaded the truck so Ed could take it back to
the Rental place. The 3 of us loaded the dingy and took everything
back to the boat. Colin went back and by then Ed was back too.
By this time it was too late in the day to leave so we decided to stay
one more day and leave in the morning.
February 6th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
We got ready to leave and discovered the battery which powers to anchor
winch was dead. This was great! We had to pull up almost 100'
of chain with a hand crank. We did manage to still make a reasonable
get away and found an anchorage just off Lignumvite Key Nation Park.
We put the dingy down to see what was there but everything was closed for
the day.
February 7th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
We did a tour this morning with the park ranger who explained about
the various types of vegetation on the island. It was really quite
interesting learning how the various plants adapt to their salt water
environment. After the tour we left and headed for Key Largo.
Whats for me??
February 8th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
We headed to shore and had breakfast at the Holiday Inn.... Okay.
Next we trekked to the Library and did our internet thing while Ed and
Frances went shopping. On the way back Colin found the Ultimate Crab
trap and I gave him a hard time so he started to sulk. I walked back
about 1/4 of a mile to buy him the darn thing. He was happy then.
Put it in the water as soon as we got back to the boat. We went back
to shore and walked to the John Pennekamp underwater reef park and booked
our tour on the glass bottom boat. (Nobody was really into snorkelling
in the water as it was pretty cold. ) Waiting for the boat ride we walked
on a few of the nature trails and checked out the beach. Back at
the concession stand an over friendly squirrel mistook my leg for a tree
and climbed right up to my hip. The boat trip was neat. We
saw lots of live coral and colourful fish.
\
Checking out Diner
February 9th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
We left this morning but only after Colin and Ed extricated 3 huge
blue crabs our of the trap. Now there was a happy man. We travelled
most of the day and pulled into Gilbert’s Marina for fuel and water later
in the afternoon. This place was a zoo! Loud music, crazy boaters
and nosey people. We went through the lift bridge and anchored just
off of Little Card Key.
Captain & Crew (the water really is that colour)
See!! I can swim
Clean water!!
February 10th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
The left and went to Elliott Key next. On our arrival we did
the nature trail thing and when we got back everyone but me had a swim.
(I’m not big on swimming in salt water)
Miami
Pirates!!
February 11th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
We headed for Miami this morning and found an anchorage within
sight of the port where all the big cruise ships come in. We went
looking right away for a place where Ed and Frances could catch a cab to
the airport. One Marina wanted $15.00US a day just to tie up the dingy......NO.
We found a place right near the Italian Restaurant where we had dinner
on our last night together. With that settled they were ready for
their departure the next morning.
Heading home
Cruise ship heading out
February 12th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
As soon as Colin got back from dropping our friends off, we headed
out to stock up on groceries and find out how close we could get to the
convention centre for the boat show. Before we got part way some
people sent us back for chain and bicycle locks, as dingy theft is big
business around here. One the way back we found the hardware store
that has everything (And I mean everything!) We bought some aircraft
cable to string all our stuff together with. We also found a place
to tie the dingy to a large tree right outside the entrance gates to the
show. Perfect!
February 13th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
We headed our early to start our 2 days at the boat show. It
takes place in 4 different venues. Part is just Sail, part is just
power, part is used boats and part is all the goodies and electronics that
goes on them. We managed not quite half of the show today and were
tired when we left. This all was a really good deal for us because
we got our free trade passes in Ontario and they would have been $25.00
US here. They also provide air conditioned shuttles that run between
the 4 different shows.
On the way home Colin bought me flowers for Valentines Day the next
day.
February 14th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
Off to complete the second day of the show. We stopped and had
Breakfast at a little Cuban Restaurant called the Lincoln Road Café.
$2.95 for 2 eggs, Cuban toast, ham or bacon and this cuban coffee made
with milk. It was really good. We managed to finished the show
just before closing and dragged ourselves home. My feet were screaming!
5 Cities
February 15th 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
We took a walk down Lincoln street this morning right from one side
of the island to the other to the beach on the ocean side. A lot
of expensive stores and nothing too exciting really. When we got
back to the boat we hauled anchor and headed towards Ft. Lauderdale.
We anchored just outside in a small bay off the Intercostal.
February 16th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
We took the dingy up the Inter Coastal (Now that was fun!) Sort
of like riding a dingy in the washing machine! Colin wanted to go
to this boat store to purchase a pump for the hot water system and we had
20% off coupons from the Boat show. We got very close by water.
Going back was not quite so bad as traffic had died down somewhat.
Tonight is the hottest night we have had on our trip this far. And
finally the first rain since we left Tarpon Springs.
Dutch Cruise ship
Money
Too much money
More money
February 17th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
First thing after we left we pulled into a Marina and filled with water.
Ft. Lauderdale is just all huge big boats, more big expensive boats and
of course all the huge and I mean huge houses.
There is just way too much money around here! Got to figure out
how to get me some!
We anchored for the night right near a railway bridge. Bad idea.......the
train came through about every hour and of course blew it’s whistle.
I didn’t hear a thing but Colin said he heard every one.
We did not stay here!!!
February 18th, 2003 (Admiral’s Log)
We put in a good days travelling today and also went through what seemed
like a dozen or more bridges. Most of them are timed to open only
at certain times so it’s kind of tricky not to miss any of have to sit
waiting for them to open.
We ended up anchored off just outside off Stuart.
February 19th, 2003 (Admirals Log)
We headed out this morning to stock up the cupboards, as pickings were
getting a little sparse. For those of you reading this, that know
me well, my obsession with bleach finally did me in. We found a Family
Dollar store, where, I purchased a big jug of bleach. My trolleys
were totally full so I hung the bag over with the bleach over the handle.......bad
idea......crossing the road the bag slipped off and started dragging as
we were crossing the road, I couldn’t stop so by the time I got to the
other side the bag had ripped. I went to pick up the bottle only
to find out that the bottle had also dragged a hole in the bottom......you
got it bleach everywhere! I had no choice bu to leave it at the side
of the road. I smelled like an over zealous pool man!
February 20th, 2003 (Admirals Log)
We spent another day in Stuart. Colin had some engine work to
do, and I did some cleaning. Around 4:00 we went over to the Stuart
Town dock, got a pump out and filled up with fresh water. We left
and made a short run, back to the intercoastal and anchored by the Jensen
Bridge.
Summer cottage??
Finally tied up Jones Fruit Dock ---- What a deal 13 bucks with hydro!!!
February 21st, 2003 (Admirals Log)
We were underway by 7:45 this morning. Everything was going along
nicely till we got passed by 4 idiots in fast boats that came screaming
up on either side of us, sending things in our boat every which way.
The fan fell over and broke, at which point Colin got on the VHF and started
yelling at them. Of course there was no response. Because we
got an early start we pulled in for the afternoon at a little place called
Jones’ Fruit Dock. Mr. Jones does not sell fruit anymore as his grove
was wiped out by Hurricane Irene a few years back. Mr. Jones is 84
years old and would do just about anything for you, he even went to his
house and brought us back 4 oranges from his friend grove. He only
charges $13.00 a night for dockage with water and hydro.
February 22, 2003 (Admirals Log)
We left the Fruit Dock and were underway by 7:00. Colin was driving
and had just commented on the fact that there was a barge coming
and we had not seen one for a very long time. Suddenly he was yelling
swatting and carrying on like a lunatic. I figured, uh-oh this looks
just like when we lost our steering the last time. Next I hear, “I’ve been
bitten....@$%*#! We had a little visit from a wasp who never got to tell
his tale of his short ride on the Maid of Steel. After that I drove
for a while, but the only thing exciting that happened to me was trying
to keep the boat between the markers and oncoming boat traffic. We
anchored for the day just off the shore of Cocoa, where they were celebrating
Mardi Gras. There was live music which we got to hear on the boat
and shortly after dark we were treated to a spectacular light show put
on by mother nature, complete with a torrential down pour. This was
good as Splashes Grass needed watering.
Nasa building Kennedy Space Centre
They say this is a controlled burn in Park
February 23rd, 2003 (Admirals Log)
The weather is much nicer today. I think the storm took a lot
of the humidity out of the air. We decided to go our for breakfast
only to find out that there isn’t a whole lot open in Cocoa on a Sunday
morning. Ah but wait....yes I see it... ”The Main Event” a restaurant
dedicated to the great WWF, World Wrestling Federation. This was
a Bar/Restaurant complete with a life size statue of Hulk Hogan (Oh, why
do I even know who he is???) The walls everywhere were covered with
stapled up packages of wresting action figures of every description.
Breakfast wasn’t too bad, 2 eggs, bacon or sausage with home fries and
toast for $2.99. We left after we got back to the boat and headed
for Titusville. Anchoring just outside of town. We took the dingy
in to check things out. They are very friendly at the Municipal dock
in Titusville.We found a grocery store and bought a few things
February 24th, 2003 (Admirals Log)
We went into town again today to have our propane refilled and
pick up a few more things we could not carry yesterday. When
we got back we were unable to leave as we have quite a long stretch to
the next anchorage. We decided to pull the outdrive up and have a
look at the shifter we had been having trouble with.....uh-oh another
prop missing. @$*#!! Colin not happy.
Beautiful sunset in Titusville.
February 25th, 2003 (Admirals Log)
We didn't do a whole lot today except try to figure our how we were
going to solve our prop problem. Colin is definitely not happy about
this.
Scene of the steak crime.
February 26th, 2003 (Admirals Log)
We made an early start and made our way to St. Augustine with enough
time to go into town and check things out. We got brochures
about Trolley rides and all the other touristy things to do. One
of the Restaurants, “O.C. Whites” , right on the shore had a dinner
special on. 20 oz. Porterhouse for 12.95. We went in and I
decided it was a good deal and whatever I didn't eat could be used for
lunch the next day. OH MY! I ate the whole thing! It
was so good!
Captains Log Miss Piggy really did eat the WHOLE THING!!!
One of many churches in St. Augustine.
The old fort.
Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine.
Flaglar College, St. Augustine.
February 27th, 2003 (Admirals Log)
We bought a walking tour guide of St. Augustine and did 4 of the 5
tours. We had lunch at a little restaurant called Scarlet O’Hara’s.
2 for one drinks.....that was good! When we were done we walked across
the bridge and found a great little fruit and vegetable market with excellent
produce. Tomatoes to die for....they actually did n not taste like
cardboard. It was a long walk but well worth it.
February 28th, 2003 (Admirals Log)
Colin Spent the morning trying to find us a prop and possible arranging
to have us hauled so we could do some other bottom work. All the
yards were just too expensive so we just ordered the props and they can
be put on in the water. We will pick it up in Jacksonville, so we
will have to rent a car. The rental place was suppose to pick us
up in front of the Marina, but after 3/4 of an hour no one had showed yet.
It was cold and damp so we decided to start walking as they were suppose
to call us when they left to pick us up. We were about 3 blocks away
when we got the call that she was at the Marina. She picked us up
about 2 blocks from the rental place. Again, Colin not happy!
We headed for Jacksonville to pick up the propeller. When we
talked to one on the mechanics there he figured they had put an extra part
in that was not required and therefore the propeller could not be tightened
down properly. Ah-Ha. If you want something done right, do
it yourself.