Leaving Boca Chita Key

It is much quieter this morning as many of the boats in the harbor
have left. We have really enjoyed the past few days here and with
some sadness we too pull away from the harbor and head over to
Homestead Bayside Marina where we have a slip reserved for the next 10
days. Tomorrow we fly back to RDU for some home and family time. We
will resume our travels (and the blog) when we return to the keys on
June 8.

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Memorial Day. Our heartfelt thanks
to those who have served and continue to serve our country.

Sent from my iPhone

Another beautiful sunset

And another sunny day, only marred by two accidents requiring an
airlift from the island. See below.

Rescue from the water

About 2:00 several blue light equipped boats came into the harbor
followed by this Fire and Rescue boat. On board was a woman who was
having a heart attack caused by jellyfish stings. Moments later a
helicopter appeared and quickly landed in a nearby opening. I have
had to send the pictures one at a time using the iPhone.

From boat to helicopter

Into the helicopter

Note the film crew from one of the reality shows (?)

Ready for takeoff

Second patient of the day being transferred from boat to helicopter

Hit by another boat and had to be pulled from the water by a diver.
Not good. One of the rescue boat crew said this was the 6th to be
airlifted from the bay so far this weekend.

Rescue diver being interviewed

The diver that pulled the man from the water being interviewed by the
film crew.

Rescue boat crew

Another spectacular sunset

There have been some thunderstorms off in the distance but none Have
been close by.

Full harbor

Lots of fun during the holiday weekend. Later in the afternoon we
took the dingy out again and found a quiet swimming hole.

Memorial weekend on Boca Chita Key

Yesterday morning we were the only boat in the harbor. Today the
boats are lined up on the dock two and three deep in places. There is
considerable partying going on, mostly in Spanish. We have made some
new friends and are having a good time. Reminds me a lot of the
camping at Camp Crazy HaHa.

Boca Chita Key - day 2

Today we took the dingy out and explored the keys next to us. Both
are undeveloped and we found a secluded sandy spot to swim for a
while. Got back to the boat on time for the usuals, then grilled a
pork loin. Another beautiful day.

The Keys Attitude

O.K., I am really trying to relax here.

Sunset on Boca Chita Key

Words can not do it justice.

Boca Chita Key National Park

The park has no water or power but the harbor is nice and the price is
right - $20 per day. There was only one other small boat.

Boca Chita Key

We stopped for fuel at Dinner Key Marina in Coconut Grove and took on
307 gallons. We decided to press on south about another 17 miles to
Boca Chita Key, a national park on the Biscayne Bay. This is the
entrance to the harbor.

Conch shell performer

Dauna, this one is for you.

Miami Harbor

About 65 miles south of Palm Beach we enter the Miami Harbor.

Chased by Goodyear blimp

After checking the latest marine forecast, we decide to run outside in
the ocean after all. NOAA was predicting 3-5 foot seas yesterday but
now it was 2-4 foot seas.

Actually there was about a 3 foot gentle swell from the north and the
wind was from the northwest. As we passed Fort Lauderdale we noticed
the blimp running along with us.

West Palm Beach - day 2

Another beautiful sunny day in south Florida.  West Palm Beach has created a wonderful waterfront park area close to downtown and next to our marina.

The park features lots of open space and several ampitheatres.

and fountains...

One of our favorite restaurants, E.R. Bradley's is one block south on the waterfront.  http://www.erbradleys.com/brads.html

Evidently Mr. Bradley was quite a character - he owned and operated one of the largest casino's in the country in a state where casino's were illegal.  He was an American steel mill laborer, gold miner, businessman and philanthropist. As well as a race track proprietor, he was the preeminent owner and breeder of Thoroughbred racehorses in the Southern United States during the first three decades of the 20th Century.  More info at : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_R._Bradley

So we opt for a late lunch / early dinner.

There is a large marine hardware store, Hopkins - Carter Marine Specialists, and I decide to see if I can find an anchor for the boat.  The current anchor is rusting somewhat and I have wanted to step up one size larger to increase the holding power.  It's always nice to wake up in the vicinity of where you went to sleep.

The old anchor.  You can see that the fluke on the right is missing a chunk that fell off when I took it off the pulpit.

Although the store was only a block away, they agreed to bring the new anchor (weighs 45 pounds) down in their van and the dock guys loaded it into a golf cart and brought it out to the boat.  How's that for lazy.

In any event the new anchor fit fairly well, I will need to adjust the blocks that it rests up against when in the stored position.  Another trip to the hardware store (my third trip of the day) to get some starboard.  I'll cut and fit it later.

Tomorrow we were hoping to be able to run outside (in the ocean) down to Miami, but the forecast is for 3-5 foot seas and that may be a little uncomfortable (for some of the crew who shall remain unnamed - they are still a little surly from the reduced rum rations). 

Running inside, we may only get as far as Fort Lauderdale, about 45 miles, as there are numerous bridges, many of which we have to wait to open (most will only open on the half-hour).  But a leasurely journey is part of the boating adventure.  Yes?

West Palm Beach

Under light winds and sunny skies, we pull away from the Harbortown Marina in Fort Pierce.  At the ICW we turn southward and continue our journey.  There are a lot of boats heading north, very few heading south.  The ICW looks very tropical at this point, the banks are lined with mangrove and there are many casuarina trees and palms.  Here is a typical ICW scene through our "high-definition" windscreen.

We see lots of dolphins and a few manatees, although it has been impossible to get a good picture of either.

Just south of Fort Pierce, I see an airplane falling from the sky trailing smoke.  I hope he or she is practicing for an air show.

The zoomed out view...

For several miles we pass through the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Preserve, a 1,035 acre refuge established in 1969 on Jupiter Island to protect the Loggerhead and Green Sea turtles.

He did catch his lunch.

Further south, it was "summer cottage" time again for several miles..

And golf courses... we must be nearing Palm Beach.

We pass a Palm Beach Yacht in it's native habitat.

This one has a "garage" built into the side for it's toys.

Got an extra $250K or so to charter for a week?

Finally we wait for the opening of the Flagler Memorial Bridge (14 foot clearance) and pull into the Palm Harbor Marina.

This is by far the nicest marina we have seen and their summer rate is only $1.25 per foot per day.  So we decide to stay here an extra day as it is only a few blocks away from a great park, restaurants and City Place.  More pictures tomorrow.

Fort Pierce

Today was another beautiful, sunny day.  Although the forecast indicated scattered afternoon thunder showers, we saw none.  The passage south from New Smyrna Beach to Fort Pierce includes the city of Vero Beach, a clearly upscale community.  Here are a couple of the hundreds of "summer homes" we passed.

Although there were fewer boats on the water than over the weekend, much of the waterway through here is designated manatee zones, so the trip was leasurely.

We only had about 50 miles to cover anyway and pulled into Fort Pierce about 3:00.   Had time to rinse down the boat, have a nap and the "usuals" and stroll over to the marina restaurant for dinner.  After dinner we walked over to a Publix supermarket about 4 blocks away for some fresh lettuce.  This is the first provisioning we have needed as Katy did a great job planning and stocking the boat.

Tomorrow we move further south to West Palm Beach, another of our favorite stops.

Sunset over the Indian River

Steak on the grill and a glass of good wine. My soulmate is baking
potatoes. Filled with happiness.

Indian Harbor anchorage

Anchored for night. It was another warm sunny day. We saw several
manatees but were unable to get a good picture. There have always
been manatees in the haul-over canal when we have come by. Last time
one swam over to our boat. But this time there were so many boats in
there that we didn't stay very long.

New Smyrna Beach

Another beautiful sunny day as we pull away from the St Augustine
Municipal Marina and continue our journey south along the ICW. Since
today is Saturday, there are a lot of small boats out and we must move
fairly slowly.

We pass a couple who are undoubtably contemplating the value of good coastal navigation.

They didn't wave.

There are not any good anchorages in this stretch so About 5:00 we
pull up to a face dock at the Riverview Grill and Inn at New Smyrna
Beach.  We are very close to the Ponce de Leon inlet so the current is swift
and we need to set our lines securely.

After dinner we walk the short distance over to the ocean side. This
is one of the few beaches that still allows cars to drive onto the
beach.

Leaving the dock, we encounter a floating snack bar.

Of course, I wanted to tow it behind us.

And, a sailboat with really colorful sails - appeared to be a quiltwork of flags.

St Augustine - day 2

Today we had time to walk the old town area here in the historical district.  The town was settled in 1565 making it the oldest town in the US.  Along the way we passed a convent and gardens. (click on any picture to enlarge)

The Old "government house"...

The town square...

The cathedral...

And Flagler College...

King George Street is the main drag in "old towne"

A grape arbor covers the entrance to this alleyway.

We stop at a beer and wine bar to have lunch and listen to a really good singer.

Continuing down King George Street we come to the village grain mill.

And finally to the original town gates and wall.

Just beyond the gates is the fortress, Castillo de San Marcos, built by the spanish in 1672.

Looking out past the fortress at the Ponce de Leon inlet.

No, they would not let me fire the cannon.  Yes, they did ask me to leave.

Maaaybee it was the shirt.

Just below the fortress is the Bridge of Lions, another historic landmark.  Just on the other side of the bridge is our marina.

A monument to Ponce de Leon, the explorer in search of the Fountain of Youth.

In my opinion he was wrong from the start - we have enough Youth, what we need is a Fountain of Smart.