On the Road...

After five days at home, Anna Marie and I hit the road at 0900 this morning. We're heading to Texas to be with Mom while she recuperates in the rehab center.

We had a nice, quiet Thanksgiving with Shelley, Sandi, Matt and all the kids at Sandi's home. Anna Marie managed a Black Friday outing with Sandi and Shelley. They left the house at 0300 to get to the stores when they opened at 0400! apparently they got some good bargains.

We enjoyed leftovers at Sandi's yesterday, spent the night and left for Texas after breakfast. Traffic wasn't to bad until we reached interstate 81. We did about 100 miles in stop and go traffic before throwing in the towel. The critical factor in our decision to stop at 1800 hours was a reported accident about five miles in front of us. Traffic was grinding to a standstill.

Along the way, we received a call from my sister, Marjorie, telling us that Mom had just been sent to the hospital. She is now suffering from congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

We hope to put in a long day tomorrow so we can get to Texas ASAP, so we can help Mom and kep her spirit up. But we still have about 1300 miles and 17 hours to go. I used to be able to drive that far only stopping for gas and food, but I can't do that anymore.

With luck, we hope to get to Houston by mid day on Tuesday.

From Florida to Texas to NJ...

AirTran... I've flown with them four times (Orlando to Atlanta to Houston and Houston to Atlanta to Atlantic City). The airline offers decent ticket prices, has a fleet Boeing 717s that slightly more comfortable than the Airbus and competent flight crews. Unfortunately, three of the four flights were late. The flight from Atlanta to Houston was horrible, until we took off. But that's a story for another time. I arrived home last night.

Mom was released from the hospital on the day I arrived. She was very weak so a rehab facility was her next stop. She remains in rehab, trying to recover her strength and stamina. She'll probably be there for three weeks.

Anna Marie and I wil probably drive to Houston next week.

Mom's Doing Better!

Mom has been moved to a regular room. So far, tests have found no major problems. She's feeling better and hopes to be home by Thursday.

I'm flying to Texas tomorrow and Anna Marie is flying home to NJ on Sunday. If all is OK in Texas, I'll fly home to NJ on Monday. We'll spend Thanksgiving with the kids and Christmas too. We'll get back to the boat in early January if everything is still OK.

Mom is in the Hospital

A couple of days ago, I got a call from my sister telling me that Mom had to go to the hospital. She has internal bleeding and was put in intensive care until they find out what's going on.

We made arrangements to dock the boat in Nettles Island. Anna Marie will stay with the boat while I go off to Texas. I expect to be gone for a week.

When I return, we may fly home to be with the kids for the Thanksgiving and CHristmas before returning in January.

We Have Arrived in Vero Beach

M/V Joshie passed us today

From: Dragon Point Anchorage in the Banana River, FL MM 914.2

To: Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Mooring Ball 49, Vero Beach, FL MM 951.7

L/L: 27 39.75N 80 22.37W

Distance Traveled: 40.9

Hours Motoring: 6.1

Average Speed: 6.7 mph

Weather: Partly cloudy to sunny; temp range: 70 - 81 degrees; ESE @ 20 - 25 knots; rough on the waterway

Comment: The weather prediction for today (and the next five days) is for lots of wind. In an attempt to mitigate the effects of the wind on our travel, we opted for an early departure from Dragon Point. We were underway at 0630. The wind was already at 15 knots out of the east. Once under the bridge, we unrolled some jib and were scooting along at 7.5 mph. We traveled a stretch of about twenty -seven miles of open water in building wind and seas. On two occasions, when the AICW turned to a more eastwardly course, we had to roll in the jib to prevent it from flogging as we motored along. Needles to say, our speed dropped dramatically on these occasions.

Once in the protected waters of the mangroves, we rolled up the jib and navigated the twisty course through the mangroves to the Vero Beach Municipal Marina. After refueling and taking on water and getting the holding tank pumped out, we motored to our assigned mooring.

Once secured to the mooring ball and after getting situated, we launched the dingy, checked out the cruiser’s lounge, took a walk and made it back to the boat by 2000 hours.

Tomorrow, we’ll probably take a beach walk and check out the beachside community. We’ll hold off our boat chores until Monday.

One for the Books

Motor Yachts and the Haulover Canal Bascule Bridge

From: New Symyrna Beach City Marina, FL MM 846.0

To: Dragon Point Anchorage in the Banana River, FL MM 914.2

L/L: 28 08.58N 80 36.18W

Distance Traveled: 68.7 miles

Hours Motoring: 10.2

Average Speed: 6.7

Weather: Partly sunny; east wind 15 - 20 knots with gusts to 25; temp range 68 - 84 degrees

Comment: We were flying today! We spent several hours making about 8 mph. Our average speed was 6.7 mph.

The intracoastal waterway was abuzz with southbound traffic today. We were passed by one-half dozen motor yachts that were 70 to 80 feet long, not to mention the ones that were 50 to 60 feet long. There were at least a dozen of them! All were professional and most courteous when they passed our little vessel. Of course, there were the usual 30 to 40 footers too.

After a long day (10.2 hours underway & 68.7 miles), we set the anchor in Dragon Point. Shortly thereafter, a flotilla of charter boats from Canada arrived, five in all. They made two rafts and spent the night partying. Each boat was populated by young couples and they seemed to be having a great time. The raft of three anchored close to us on two anchors. The forecast is for 15 - 20 knot winds out of the east for the rest of the night, tomorrow, the next day, the day after that and the day after that. This pattern to be followed by 25 - 30 knots out of the east for two days before the wind clocks to the southeast. No matter to us, we’ll be in Vero Beach tomorrow, sitting out the blow on a mooring ball and watching the boat traffic come and go for the next week or two.

The Skipper Takes a Nap!

Captain Rich of S/V The Great Catsby tries to convince Anna Marie to sail to the Bahamas this year!

From: he Cement Plant, 6 miles south of the Palm Coast Marina, FL MM 809.1

To: New Symyrna Beach City Marina, FL MM 846.0

L/L: 29 01.64N 80 55.24W

Distance Traveled: 38.4

Hours Motoring: 7.4

Average Speed: 5.2 mph

Weather: Sunny; temp range 68 - 81 degrees; north wind 15 - 20 gust to 25; choppy on the waterway

Comment: What’s this... the sun is up but we are not! Let’s get going!! We got a late start this morning. Probably because we had a great night’s sleep. Even though there was wind blowing all night, we were below it and protected in the little basin by the Cement Plant. Things even quieted down after the Sea Ray plant closed for the evening.

We were underway by 0710 but by 0730, the captain needed a nap (don't ask)! After resting for an hour, we were back underway and had an uneventful passage to New Smyrna Beach, where we met our friends, Joe and Dee.

Before New Smyrna Beach, we had four bascule bridges to negotiate. The three bridge captains at L. B> Knox, Main Street and Memorial Bascule Bridges were very professional, friendly, and courteous. The Main Street Bridge captain was particularly thankful that we agreed to wait for another vessel to “catch up,” so we could both go through together and save her (and the motorists) another opening. The Captain of that boat, M/V Cat’s Cradle, offered that he’d like to see this bridge captain handle the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine. Although we didn’t have any trouble with that bridge captain on this passage, we have had some in the past.

We spent another lovely evening with Joe and Dee and thank them for their hospitality.

P.S. We arrived back at the marina, Canvasback Too was tied up in a slip across the floating dock from us. Captain Dave has caught up!

Terror!

From: Pine Island (about 10 miles north of St. Augustine), FL MM 765.0

To: The Cement Plant, 6 miles south of the Palm Coast Marina, FL MM 809.1

L/L: 29 29.81N 8109.02W

Distance Traveled: 46.3

Hours Motoring: 8.2 hours

Average Speed: 5.6

Weather: Sunny; temp range 69 - 81 degrees; NE to E wind @ 10 - 15 knots; light chop on the waterway

Comment: Although slow because of foul currents, the day’s travel was relatively easy except for one spot of terror! We had to negotiate the Bridge of Lions (St. Augustine) with max current on our stern. It was a bit of a challenge because only one half of the span was opened. The fenders that protect the bridge were not completed. Huge spikes were sticking out, waiting to puncture any hull that was swept into them by the current. Not a particular problem for tug boats and barges, but those things could do serious damage to a plastic boat. We came within a foot of the spikes before clearing the closed span and turning away.

After a few stiff drinks, we motored down the waterway, passing through the Crescent Beach Bridge and then past Fort Matanzas. We took on fuel at the Palm Coast Marina. Less than an hour later the anchor was set in the “Cement Plant” anchorage. The anchorage only has one foot of tide, almost no current, quite a change from places we've anchored in recently. For the first time in a long while, we were swinging to the wind rather than the current. What a difference!

Although it is not a particularly scenic anchorage, it was great not to have to worry about anchor drag for a change!

M/V Stickless

From: Amelia River, FL MM 719.8

To: Pine Island (about 10 miles north of St. Augustine), FL MM 765.0

L/L: 30 03.13N 81 21.82W

Distance Traveled: 46.4

Hours Motoring: 7.4 hours

Average Speed: 6.3 mph

Weather: Mostly sunny; temp range 55 - 82 degrees; north wind @ 10 to 15 knots moderate chop on the waterway

M/V Stickless - a small Hunter sailboat that has been converted into a trawler

Comment: Here’s something unusual - We had the current with us most of the day! At times we were doing over 9 mph. The MacCormack Bridge construction project had one half of the waterway closed down but there was plenty of room for SUNSHINE to pass through.

Along our travels, we passed the M/V Stickless, a sailboat in its former life that is now this man's trawler.

Amazingly, we passed the tow (remember that tow we first passed way back in Wall’s Cut?) again. THis time it wasn’t underway, but the little tugs were peeling off various barges and other equipment. The big tug Goose Creek, which towed it from Charleston to here, was already gone. Apparently some of the Palm Valley cut needs to be dredged. We did see a short section of eight foot depths, but most was over twelve feet deep.

We set the anchor on the south side of Pine Island near two other boats. By bed time, there were seven boats in the anchorage. Since we were a bit close to M/V First Snow, we set an anchor watch. There were no problems on this night.

Hello Florida!

From: Jekyll Island Harbor Marina, Jekyll Island, GA MM 684.5

To: Amelia River, FL MM 719.8

L/L: 30 33.34N 81 29.83W

Distance Traveled: 35.5

Hours Motoring: 6.8

Average Speed: 5.2

Weather: Overcast gave way to partly sunny skies; temp range mid 60’s to low 80’s; NW wind @ 10 knots but 10 to 15 overnight

Comment: After shooting out Jekyll Creek, we hit a foul current that made for very slow going. As it happens, Canvasback Too left the dock about 15 minutes before we did, giving Captain Dave about a one mile lead. We were in the company of several other boats, all going rather slowly, but none slower than us.

As we rounded a bend in the river, we noticed that Captain Dave had pulled off to the side of the waterway. Apparently he needed a nap. A power boat came by and through him a huge wake but it didn’t budge the Cap from his dreams. When we finally caught up, good ole Captain Dave was still resting. Gee, I hope it wasn’t last night’s Brunswick Stew!

We had the anchor down in the Amelia River, but Captain Dave decided to spend the night in the Brickhill River, muttering something about missing all the excitement he had while anchored there for two nights last year.

We miss the Cap. We’ve been traveling companions since Osprey Marina. He may anchor in the Fort George River tomorrow night. It’ll be a full day for him, but only 16 miles for us, so we may not see him again for a couple of days. We have made arrangements to meet some friends in New Smyrna Beach on Thursday.

A Short Visit to Jekyll Island

From: Fort Frederica, St. SImon Island, GA MM 665.7

To: Jekyll Island Harbor Marina, Jekyll Island, GA MM 684.5

L/L: 31 02.80N 81 25.38W

Distance Traveled: 14.5 miles

Hours Motoring: 2.5 horus

Average Speed: 5.8 mph

Weather: temp range low 60’s to high 70’s; clouds give way to sunshine, WNW wind @ 10 15 knots

Comment: While pulling up the anchor, we found that the kellet had disconnected from the anchor rode, making it useless for its intended job. The kellet line was double wrapped around the anchor rode, probably because of all the spinning around the anchor.. We have to get this figured out!

Part of the problem was the wind which picked up for a short time during a brief overnight squall. Besides the wind, we had a little bit of rain. It was all over in less than a half hour and neither Anna Marie nor I thought anything about it.

We motored down the Frederica River and when we entered the ICW, we rolled out the jib. WE were motorsailing nicely in the 10 to 15 knot northwest wind. As we navigated through St. Simon Sound, we passed a ship at anchor. The jib was rolled in just before entering Jekyll Creek.

After taking on fuel and getting the holding tank pumped out, we were secured to our spot on the facedock by about 1000 hours.

The Red Bug Pizza Delivery Electric Car

As usual, Anna Marie and I rode the loaner bikes around the “cottages,” the quaint stores where only a few purchases were made, then on to the beach and finally the grocery store before returning the bikes to the marina.

We joined Captain Dave for dinner at Sea Jays (goo Brunswick Stew).

A short day (35 miles) to the anchorage in the Amelia River is planned for tomorrow. It will be a milestone as the Amelia River is in Florida... we will have arrived, but still have a long way to go!