Ft Lauderdale

After leaving Halifax Marina in Daytona it was a quick day trip to Titusville, FL where we docked at Titusville  City Marina.

Quaint community that time and NASA funding has forgotten.   Biked around town and located the local  bakery and parts store.  

Titusville  is reminiscent of late 60s or early 70s.  Had dinner with Dan & Sitome Russell and their boys.  Enjoyed Rock Shrimp and hush puppies, yummy.   

 We were in great position at the marina to watch the Atlas V rocket launch.   This was the first time for us to see a launch up close and it was magical.

After leaving Titusville we returned to what we enjoy most about boating, the quietness of anchoring and beautiful sunsets.  Our favorite anchorage was near Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge where the rhythmic sounds of the ocean waves lulled us to sleep. 

 Some areas were so shallow  fly fishermen stood on the edge of the channel.

 As we transited further south the bridges became more frequent.  Our  last full day in the ICW to Ft Lauderdale required timing 24 bridge openings.  Arrived after sunset  in Ft Lauderdale and anchored at Lake Sylvia until we could make arrangements for parts delivery.  With the parts lined up we moved to the Las Olas Marina Mooring Field and took the dinghy to shore.  

A lot of mega mansions and yachts in Ft Lauderdale.  We were docked near the Barnes & Noble yacht named BookEnds and we hear Steven Speilburg’s yacht Seven Seas is for sale.  If anyone is interested we have been told it is a good deal at $200 million.

Our son, Troy took a break from the snowstorm to come and visit us for a quick visit in 80 degree temperatures.    We all enjoyed the beach but we think Simon had the most fun with the wind on his nose.  Simon has also made a few new friends.

Biking  and walking has allowed us to see several of the fun spots in the area.  Ft Lauderdale has a temporary fish sculpture to welcome visitors in an effort to raise eco awareness.  The sculpture is made of  Styrofoam and used water bottles.

Friends who live in Ft Lauderdale were a big help in assisting us in locating  the correct parts and having the modifications made without utilizing a boat yard.   Thank you Dave, Don and Natalie!!  The shaft seems to be running more true and we await a weather window.    Hopefully will be crossing the Gulf Stream by end of month.  

St Augustine to Daytona Beach

Left Conch House Marina January 4^th in the midst of fog.  As we left Salt Run and entered the main channel the fog thickened and we had to drop anchor and wait for visibility to improve.  As the fog lingered we ate bananas and joked about the superstitions/bad luck that supposedly accompanies bananas on a boat.  Didn't think much of it until  our electric windlass used to lift the anchor failed to operate.  Steve got a work out lifting the chain and 50lb anchor off the bottom.   Maybe no more bananas on the boat.

 

We arrived  at St Augustine Boat Yard and the process of removing the old bottom paint and applying new paint began.

Steve completed a few additional boat projects, fixing the windlass and cleaning the transom coping.

In our free time we decided to take in some of the local sights.  Climbed the St Augustine Lighthouse and went to the Gator Park to zip line.

Enjoyed many nice sunsets.

Simon had time to meet new friends and play too.

 

We will miss St Augustine and all the lovely people  and plan to make a  return trip.

Arrived at Halifax Marina in Daytona and enjoyed the warm sunny weather along with a lovely dinner with family (son in law’s parents).   Stayed an extra day awaiting the local nut and bolt shop to open. While in transit from St Augustine to Daytona we discovered three of the four flange bolts on our starboard prop shaft had sheared off.    The nuts/bolts are now replaced and we have returned to having bananas on the boat.

Side note:  if anyone has recommendations on how to apply google earth plug-in to blogspot, please let me know.

Christmas

We hope all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, 2013.  St Augustine is an enchanting place to visit during the Night of Lights.  Simon and one of Santa’s Elves became fast friends.

We traveled to Huntsville, Alabama to celebrate Christmas with our parents and son.  Since we don’t have any small children in the house, the small dog became the center of attention. 

 After returning to St Augustine and prior to initiating any new boat projects we made a quick visit to Orlando enjoying a surprise Birthday party for our Daughter’s 30^th.

 After the fun celebrating we returned to Panasea and completed several boat projects:  shelves, refrigerator insulation/ gaskets. anchor chain/locker cleaning,  carpet placement, as well as fuel tank replacement and building a fuel polishing system.  Who knew retirement could be so relaxing?

 

         

St Augustine

After leaving Fernandina Beach we made good time to St Augustine and Conch House Marina.

The pictures below are a  visual of high and low tide waters at Conch House Marina.

In between working on boat projects we have taken the time to explore some of the surrounding landmarks and culinary delights.  Simon even met a few new friends along the way.  Seems like he is getting a new female dog friend in every port. Here he is with Yorkie Lola and Golden Retriever Sailor.

As Rosanne Rosanna Danna would say: “there is always something”.  One of two fuel tanks has been removed, bilge thoroughly cleaned, bikes repaired, hot water line replaced, Christmas lights strung, etc, etc. 



We still found time to enjoy  a birthday celebration.  Steve surprised me with a gathering at the local Conch Marina spot with several of our dock mates who shared wishes for another fun and exciting trip around the sun.