A Hike and Visiting Friends!

Friday, March 23, 2012     A Hike and Visiting Friends!
Lay Day:       Vero Beach

Weather:       High 83, low 65; SE wind @ 10 knots, mostly sunny to partly sunny

Comment:     Today's exercise consisted of a two hour walk across the Route 60 bridge to Panera Bread for breakfast, a visits to a few shops and back to the boat. We arrived back at the boat in time to stow our purchases before heading Bach to land where we were to meet one of our all time best friends and a great guy, George. He whisked us back to his Florida residence where we reunited with Pat, not to mention Nutmeg and the cat. Their friend Ruby and Curtis joined us for a delicious dinner prepared by our host.

Then it was off to a concert in the park. The Sebastian High School Jazz band and the Steel Drum Band performed. Both bands were great! I was especially impressed to see a high school steel drum band. I was further impressed to see they had more players than pans. In fact, there seemed to be enough pan players to form two bands. They took turns playing songs and hand held percussion instruments ( marimbas, tambourine, etc.).

Pat invited everybody back to the house for a fabulous dessert. We talked for a while, but all too soon, it was time to go back to SUNSHINE! Thanks Pat and George!

The Sebastian High School Steel Drum Band sounded GREAT!

... as did the Jazz Band!

Statue of Paul Krogel, the first Superintendent of the Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge. Pelican Island was created by Teddy Roosevelt and was the first Wildlife Refuge in the United States!

A Sailor's Dream!

From:          Sunset Bay Marina, Stuart, FL OWW 8.0
To:               Vero Beach Municipal Marina, Vero Beach, FL AICW 951.7
Odometer:   44.2 miles
Latt:             27 39 37 N
Long:          80 22 22 W

Weather:     SE 10-15 knots, 83, 65; partly sunny

Comment:   This is the kind of day Sailor's dream about. The wind was out of the southeast, perfect for sailing in a northerly direction. SUNSHINE enjoyed broad reaching up the Indian River from the crossroads at St. Lucie Inlet to Vero Beach.

We sailed on a starboard tack the entire Way. Only minor adjustments to the sails were required as the waterway is relatively straight. Our speed range was 7.0 - 9.3 miles per hour. Yes friends, it was a beautiful day for a sail!

Our departure from Sunset Bay was perfectly timed. We began the process of disconnecting from the mooring ball just as we heard the train whistle. It was 0704 hours and a train passed by yesterday at the same time. 

Why all this talk of a train? Adjacent to Sunset Bay Marina and Anchorage is the Roosevelt Bascule Bridge and only 100 yards further down river is the railroad bridge that said train must cross. Roosevelt Bridge does not open when a train is coming.

By the time we slipped the mooring ball and approached Roosevelt Bridge, the RR Bridge was opening. The Roosevelt Bridge Tender opened the bridge and we didn't even have to throttle back.

We even got lucky with the current. The flood tide was just starting and would provide a foul current until we reached the crossroads where we would turn northward. We made it to the crossroads before the strong foul current arrived. Immediately afterning to the north, our speed increased from 4.9 to 8.3 knots. The current would be our friend all the way to Vero Beach!

Shortly after heading north, we raised the sails and lifted the engines out of the water. That how our great day of sailing began! It ended in Vero Beach when we doused the sails about 1/2 mile from the mooring field. Before securing SUNSHINE to the ball, we pulled up to the fuel dock where we took on 21 gallons of gasoline, 30 gallons of fresh water, and pumped out the holding tank. The dock hand called it the "trifecta" of services available at the fuel dock.

Once shoreside, we took a 1 1/2 hour walk from the marina, through streets lined with Live Oak Trees, to the boardwalk, town and back to the marina.

Thwarted!

Lay Day: Sunset Bay Marina, Stuart, Florida OWW MM8.0

Weather:   Rain; east wind 15-25 gusts to 30; high 80, low 70

Comment:   Our planned early departure from Stuart was thwarted by wind and rain. We awoke at 0630 and shortly thereafter the showers started. The wind was already whistling in the rigging and the forecast predicted even more rain and wind. We had hoped to leave the mooring field before the wind picked up. Motoring SUNSHINE into the teeth of 20+ knot wind makes for pretty slow going. With only eight miles to the crossroads, we figured we needed reasonable wind (say 15 knots or so) for an hour and one-half before we turned north on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and away from the wind.  If the ESE wind picked up after that, it would just blow us toward Ft. Pierce or maybe even Vero Beach.

After deciding to postpone our departure from Stuart, we rode the marina bus to WalMart. The bus also made stops at Harbor Freight, West Marine, Publix and Nautical but Nice. Our trip took an hour and a half and was followed by a 20 minute walk, lunch and then a one hour walk across the draw bridge that we'll have to ask to open for us tomorrow.

John and Honey invited us over for dinner. We had another delightful evening with them before John took us back to the marina. Thanks, Honey and John!

Tomorrow promises to be a better sailing day. In fact, I'm looking froward to sailing in a 15 knot breeze all the way to Ft. Pierce and, if the wind holds, perhaps all the way to Vero Beach.

Meeting Old Friends!

Lay Day: Sunset Bay Marina, Stuart, Florida OWW MM8.0


Weather:     Sunny then partly cloudy; high 80, low 63; east wind @ 15 knots

Comment:     After breakfast, I called friends who have recently become landlubbers again! John and Honey have been mentioned in this blog for years. When they left Marathon last year, they took the boat (Hielan Lass) back to NJ. On the way home, they stopped in Stuart where they got a great deal on a great condo with a view of the St. Lucie River. When they got back to NJ, they put the boat on the market. It didn't take long for the boat to be sold.

Anyway, we met John and Honey for lunch and they invited us to see their Florida home. The park like setting was very nice. Their two bedroom home was even nicer! We managed to fritter away the afternoon on their porch talking and enjoying the scenery and the delightful breeze. As the afternoon gave way to early evening, our hosts invited us to stay for dinner. We feasted on the most delicious ham and cabbage! 

All to soon it was time to return to SUNSHINE. We surely wish John and Honey well in their new digs!

Stuart!

This hulk, lying less than a mile to the east of Indiantown Marina on the Okeechobee waterway, was in the same location when we passed by during our catboat voyage in 2006. It was in much better shape then!

Once we made it to shore at Sunset Bay Marina, we saw this craft. Apparently the wind drives the large  propeller which is connected to an under water prop.  

From: Spill Dam Anchorage near Port Mayaca OWW MM 36.3
To:      Stuart, FL OWW MM 8.0

Weather:     Bright and sunny; low 65, high 80; east wind 5-12 knots NOTE: We've had east winds since leaving Indian Rocks Beach on Wednesday, March 7!

Today's start time was about 1/2 hour later than normal. There was no rush to get underway as we only had 28 miles to go. We were underway by 0800. As usual, there was a light mist over the water. We started out in calm conditions. The wind picked up to about twelve knots by late morning.

The St. Lucie Lock was flashing the red light, but it changed to green as we approached. SUNSHINE, the only boat being locked through, quickly came to a rest in her assigned position. The Lock Master worked the controls and in no time, we were lowered thirteen feet. SUNSHINE and crew are back at sea level!

As we exited the lock, there were two manatee playing around the east end of the lock. We coasted past their position, but didn't get a very good look at them.

The trip down the St. Lucie River was uneventful. At one point there were five cranes in the waterway. A new bridge is under construction.

We picked up mooring ball #23 at the Sunset Bay Marina. After rinsing the engines with fresh water, we launched the dinghy, mounted the engine and headed off to register and walk the old town. The walk lasted an hour. Back at the marina, we checked out the facilities before walking across the Federal Highway Bridge to the other side of the river. Monday is half price rib day at Park Avenue Ribs. They were great as usual!

By 1900 hours, we were back aboard. We ran the generator for two hours.

Sailing Lake Okeechobee!

Oh! What a Beautiful Morning! 

Burning the sugar cane fields. 

Loads of Gators ply these waters!

Sailing Lake Okeechobee!

Doing the Okeechobee Waterway

Sunrise greets us as we get underway! 

Disaster!

SUNSHINE is the only vessel tied up to the Moore Haven City Dock.

Franklin Lock Campground and Marina!

Friday, March 16, 2012     Franklin Lock Campground and Marina!

Bimini Basin was in our wake by 0815 hours. After a quick fuel, water and pump out stop in Fort Meyer, we continued on the Okeechobee to Franklin Lock. As we arrived at the lock, we were instructed to pass the barge and enter the lock first, when light turned green. We easily slid up against the wall and secured SUNSHINE for the approximately three foot rise in elevation.

The whole process took a matter of perhaps ten minutes. We exited the lock, made a sharp turn to port and nestled into a slip at the Corps of Engineers Franklin Lock Campground and Marina. The $24.00 slip complete with water and electric is available for $12.00 with the Golden Age pass, which we happen to have. This is our first slip and connection to electricity since we departed Indian Rocks Beach.

The campground is neat as a pin with well manicured grounds and sites and clean, well kept restrooms. Birdlife abounds. In late afternoon, it sounded more like a jungle than a campground. A tree next to our slip provided overnight  accommodations for 15 egrets, three or four Cormorants, and several ducks.  

Two other vessels occupy slips in  the marina.

SUNSHINE looking dapper in her slip.

The sun sets over Franklin Lock

LeeTran and Bocce!

Wednesday & Thursday, March 14 &; 15, 2012

S/V About Time and S/V SUNSHINE anchored in Bimini Basin, Cape Coral, FL

 On Wednesday, we rode the Route 40 bus (LeeTran) to 26th Street. The fare was $1.25/person for the ten minute ride. We could have gone farther, but we were on a mission. Once accomplished, we walked about 3 miles back to the basin, stopping at Publix for a few supplies along the way. Before returning to SUNSHINE, we stopped by ABC Canvas to pick up our sail cover. We dropped it off earlier in the morning for a couple of repairs and improvements. Once aboard, we installed said cover only to find one of the improvements was done incorrectly.

Burrowing Owls can be found in several vacant lots in Cape Coral. Mom and Dad are standing guard over three chicks in this burrow.

 On Thursday, we returned to the canvas guy, to allow him to correct the problem. We picked it up a couple of hours later and reinstalled it. The repairs and improvements seem to be quality work.

 We also managed a couple of games of Bocce. As usual, Dee and I were victorious. We completely dominated both games with shots like this:

The red and green balls were rolled by Dee and me. The object is be closest to the little white ball. Notice that you do not see the blue and yellow balls of Team About Time. They have been rolled and are somewhere on the court, just not anywhere near the little white ball!

 Having won all four games we played while here in Bimini Basin, Dee felt some compassion for the losers. We agreed to play a 7 point game to stroke their egos. Having nothing to prove, Team 100% Irish (Dee and I) didn't put forth our best effort. In fact, we didn't even make any effort to win, so the About Time Team won a meaningless 7 point exhibition game! Later in the day, Anna Marie and I walked the town. We sample the specials at the Back Street Tavern (pulled pork sliders and snow crab clusters) before meeting Dee and Lee for ice cream and to bid them a fond farewell and safe cruising. We may see them again in late April.

Delusions of Grandeur!

Lay Day: Bimini Basin, Cape Coral, FL OWW MM 145.7

Weather: mostly sunny; high 85, low 63; wind E @ 10 knots

Comment:    Bocce: Team "About Time," Lee and Anna Marie, really can talk a good game. Today was no exception. Talk, as the saying goes, is cheap! While each player made the rare "good shot," one could say that they were "off their game." Dee and I, wearing the 100% Irish Team visors, picked up where we left off at Cayo Costa. We continued to make clutch shots on the Bocce court.

The two teams agreed that we'd play a best of three series. It wasn't necessary to play three games as Dee and I were victorious in the minimum of two games. Team About Time, being demoralized in defeat, chose to pass on tomorrow's games preferring to "lick their wounds." It won't do any good. We'll get them the next time too!

Bimini Ashore: this is proving to be a great stop. Four Freedoms Park is on the basin. It sports a sunbathing beach, although kids do splash and play in the water. There are picnic benches and pavilions and a playground. There is an outdoor shower for rinsing off sand, and public restrooms in the park building. It seems that there are frequent classes and activities offered in the building. Today, someone was conducting a Marshall arts class.

Within a mile walk to the east, one can find several restaurants, bars, fast food eateries, grocery store and even a cool little Italian Market. Dee and Lee tell us there is a great Farmers Market on Saturday Mornings. There are at least two hardware stores and a West Marine. While Anna Marie was shopping in the Kiwanis Thrift Store, I made arrangements to have ABC Canvas repair the sail cover. we enjoyed lunch at the Monkey Bar and later walked to the Back Porch bar for $0.25 wings. They were great!

Tomorrow, we are going to explore the west side of town using the county's public transportation system. At 1700 hours, we will attend a boaters Happy Hour being organized by Dee and Lee.

Strange Sounds in the Night: Yesterday, Lee warned us that we would hear a strange "boing" sound in the night. Sure enough, we heard the sound between about 2100 and 2400 hours. It sounded like a rhythmic gulping sound, we presumed it to be coming from a fish. It was definitely emanating from underwater.

We heard the sound again tonight at approximately the same time period as last night. Wanting to know what it was, I performed a Google search. What I discovered was astonishing.

Apparently, in 2005, folks who live along the myriad lagoons in Cape Coral (that's the town in which Bimini Basin is located) complained that they heard strange, deep frequency sounds in their homes. They feared there were engineering faults in the walls of the canals.

Scientists were called in, and after some research, found that the sounds were the mating noises of the Black Drum fish. The townspeople had a hard time believing that the deep, loud noises they were hearing could be coming from fish in the lagoons.

The scientists were able to prove that the sounds were indeed coming from Black Drum fish. The typical frequency ranges from 40 to 400 Hz and can carry long distances in the water. What sounds like it is right under the boat, may actually be miles away. The low frequency is also be transmitted through the canal walls and the ground, into the homes!

Strange indeed!

Painfully Slow Going!

From: Cayo Costa SP GIWW MM 25.0
To: Bimini Basin MM OWW 145.7


Weather: East wind 15-18 knots; partly sunny; high 85 low 75

Comment: Well, we should have stayed put in Cayo Costa or at least we should have waited for the wind to abate. There were times when our speed dropped below 4 mph! Besides the waves generated by the wind, we had to contend with wake from big and small craft alike. Doesn't anybody work anymore? We couldn't believe all of the boat traffic on a blustery Monday morning. So much for our rule not to ply the waterway on the weekend. We'll have to add Monday into the equation.

We made our destination, Bimini Basin, in Cape Coral, by 1500 hours. It took us 6 hours and 40 minutes to go twenty-five miles! Shortly after we arrived, our friends, Dee and Lee arrived on their Gemini About Time.

As we were going to shore, we stopped to say, "Hi," and to schedule time for Bocce. The games will begin tomorrow!

An Eco Tour!

Lay Day: Cayo Costa State Park MM 25.0 I

Latt: 26 41 18 N

Long: 82 14 26 W

Weather: Variable wind 10 or less; 85, 65; mostly sunny

Comment: Today we participated in an Eco Tour of the park. The tour was led by a volunteer naturalist whose knowledge base is in the ecology of Ohio. She was not particularly comfortable with her expertise of the flora and fauna of this park, even though she has been doing the Eco Tours for six years!

There were four tour participants and we found her to be knowledgable in the basic flora of the island. We learned about a few plants we have seen, but didn’t know much about. Here’s a partial list:

1. Madagascar Periwinkle:

This periwinkle is native to Madagascar. It has escaped cultivation and naturalized in most of the tropical world where it often becomes a rampant weed. It is established in several areas in the southern U.S. Madagascar periwinkle is grown commercially for its medicinal uses in Australia, Africa, India and southern Europe.

Madagascar periwinkle is poisonous if ingested or smoked. It has caused poisoning in grazing animals. Even under a doctor's supervision for cancer treatment, products from Madagascar periwinkle produce undesirable side effects.

2. The Rosary Pea:

One of the most deadly plant toxins, abrin, is produced by rosary pea (Abrus precatorius). Studies have shown that as little as 0.00015% of toxin per body weight will cause fatality in humans (a single seed). Interestingly, birds appear to be unaffected by the deadly toxin as they have been shown to readily disperse rosary pea seed. The Rosary Pea is one of the top ten deadliest plants.

3. Brazilian Pepper:

The family Anacardiaceae contains poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and Schinus terebinthifolius, or Brazilian pepper-tree. People sensitive to poison ivy, oak or sumac may also be allergic to Brazilian pepper tree. 

Native to Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. Brazilian pepper tree was brought into Florida in mid-1800 for use as an ornamental plant. Its bright red berries and brilliant green foliage are used frequently as Christmas decorations. It threatens Florida’s mangroves. In fact, it is believed that the mangroves will succumb to the Brazilian Pepper in our lifetime.

4. he Spanish Stopper:

Smells like a skunk; said to be used medicinally to "stop" diarrhea.

6. Leather Leaf Fern:

12-24 inches long and 5-8 inches wide. Tufted, pinnate fronds are shiny and dark green. Stem is strong and flexible; brown at the base. Leaves are leathery and display distinct veins.

Rosary Pea

Leather Leaf Fern

A String of Shells

Cheryl (tour guide) and Dave (islander)

Brazilian Pepper

Dinner (see the fish?)

Sunset over Cayo Costa

Early Morning Cruising!

From: Lemon Bay Anchorage MM 44.5

To: Cayo Costa State Park, FL MM 25.0

Odometer: 21.8

Latt:         26 41 18 N

Long: 82 14 26 W

Weather: Mosstly sunny, 85, 65; SE 5-10 knots; a most pleasant day

Comment: Not uncommonly, the decks of S/V SUNSHINE were covered with dew. The sun had yet to rise when we ventured out to the cockpit this morning. Dew on the strataglass made everything outside look gray. The anchorage was calm with just a few ripples on the dark gray water. 

There was enough light to see the anchor rode and chain pass through the windlass. A familiar rattle told me the anchor would lay in the roller is a second or two. Pushing the throttles forward caused to engines to hum as we turned toward the waterway and made our was slowly out of the anchorage.

The sky turned a pale blue and moments later, it had an orange glow. As the sun rose, the sky turned yellow. The eastern shoreline showed silhouettes of trees and houses. The sun shone above the western shore so it appeared to be bathed in various shades of gray and black. 

We motored along drinking in the sights that marked the start of another morning.

Sunrise!

Early morning shades of gray

Barge ferries at work

Color on the western shore

From the Quarantine Trail at Cayo Costa SP

Two WHite Ibis feeding near the Dolphin Trail (kayo Costa SP)

From the Cemetery Trail (Cayo Costa SP)

Foiled!

From: Sarasota Bay Abchorage MM 78.4

To:         Lemon Bay Anchorage MM 44.5

Odometer: 46.5

Latt:         27 56 88 N

Long: 82 21 66 W

Weather: Partly sunny; high 80 low 67; E@15 knots, diminishing to 10 knots in the evening

Comment: An early start (haul the anchor and be underway at 0630) was part of today’s plan. Unfortunately, Mr. Murphy (Murphy’s Law) decided to rear his ugly head. The anchor chain jammed in the windlass; it wouldn’t retrieve or pay out the chain. Prodding with the screw driver and a few hacks with the hammer didn’t help. Removing the motor brought quick success. We were underway by 0645!

The next part of the plan was to motor sail out Big Sarasota Pass (the Sarasota Inlet) and sail to Boca Grande Pass (50 miles) and then motor the rest of the way to Cayo Costa. 

Big Sarasota Pass frequently shoals. The channel marks are uncharted. They are spread out far enough that finding them was a challenge. We did make it to the Gulf and had one more sand bar to cross. Before trying to find the final set of marks, we noticed that the wind was blowing at about 15 knots out of the SE, just the direction we were heading. If we have to motor, we might as well do it on the inside. So, we motored sailed back to the bay... more time wasted!

We missed the opening for the first bridge by seconds. Our luck was not to change for the entire day!

The day was unusual in other ways too. A power boat, throwing a large wake, passed us with all hands vigorously waving hello. We don’t wave back at boaters who throw  huge wakes. Anna Marie made a motion suggesting that the skipper slow his craft. Apparently he was insulted as he flipped the bird at us! To date, no west coast boater had offered a courteous “slow pass.” Is courtesy on the water and “east coast” thing?

  

By 1530, we had the hook down in Lemon Bay. We covered 44.5 miles in 8 3/4 hours. 

Goodbye IRB!

From: Indian Rocks Beach, FL MM 129.0

To: Sarasota Bay Anchorage, MM 78.4

Start Hours: 444.2

End Hours: 453.5

Odometer: 46.5

Latt: 27 23 28 N

Long: 82 34 27 W

Weather: Mostly sunny; high 80 low 67; E@15-20 knots, but 5-10 knots in the evening

Comment: Departing a port usually brings about feelings of melancholy. We felt that in spades today as we bid goodbye to Lucille and Willis and Indian Rocks Beach. I can’’t begin to describe how great it was to visit them. Every day brought a new adventure and special activities. It was a busy time and we had great fun!

But it is time to push on, so we slipped our lines from their dock at 0905 and headed south, hoping to anchor in Sarasota Bay, almost 50 miles distant. 20 knot easterly winds shouldn’t be too bad on the waterway. We might even get to motor ail a bit, or so we hoped. The wind veered a bit south of east and the waterway turned a bit east of south. We didn’t even try to unfurl the jib.

The wind really blew up in Boca Ciega Bay. It made us think that crossing Tampa Bay would be rough, especially with frequent 30 knot gusts. As luck would have it, things calmed a bit as we passed Boca Ciega Bay and by the time we reached Tampa Bay, the sustained wind was around ten knots. It increased back to 15 knots, but not before we had already crossed Tampa Bay.

We anchored on the east side of North Sarasota Bay, about 3 miles north of center city Sarasota and the Longboat Key Bridge. 

Goodbye Lucille and Willis!

One of Willis' Blue Bills!

The Tampa Skyway Bridge in the distance.

Sunset over Sarasota Bay.

Prepping for departure!

Weather: Windy! E@20knots, gust to 30; mostly sunny; 80, 68

Comment: Besides helping Willis with a project, we spent time getting ready for tomorrow’s planned departure from IRB. 

Just after arriving at IRB, I serviced the port throttle/transmission cable. It had been sticky and wouldn’t fully shift into reverse. I was able to confirm that it is working fine since the recent service. We filled up the fresh water tanks, scrubbed the boat and did laundry.

The four of us had a terrific meal at a local Italian eatery (The Pizza Shack). We enjoyed it immensely.

Our visit to IRB is just about over, but what a great time we had. Willis and Lucille opened their home to us and greeted us with open arms. The activities and meals, whether at home or in a restaurant, were great. 

We’ve been invited back and plan to visit again at the end of the month, but this time without the boat, which will be in Titusville.  

The Phillies beat the Yanks 9-3 in a Spring Training Game!

Weather: Bright sunshine, not a cloud in the sky; high about 70. low 63; light wind A perfect day for baseball!

Comment: The window guys showed up at around 1000, to install the Gray’s new windows. Willis and I “supervised” their work and Anna Marie and Lucille went shopping. 

In the afternoon, we went the Bright House Field to watch the Phillies play a spring training game against the Yankees. The Phillies won by a score of 9-3. Jimmy Rollins and Joe Blanton looked good. Jim Thome, the DH, had a couple on hits. One just missed being a home run to deep center field, right near our lawn seats.

The Star Spangled Banner

The Yankees are up!

A Phillies phan!

The Bullpen at Bright House Field

The lawn seats

The view from right center field

Brunch at the Clearwater Yacht CLub!

Sunday, March 4, 2012 Brunch at the Clearwater Yacht CLub!

Lay Day: Indian Rocks Beach, FL

Comment: After a quick cup of coffee, we were off to brunch at the Clearwater Yacht Club. I hate brunches; so much food... so little time! Depicted in the photos are various scenes of the yacht club.

A fine yacht at the Clearwater Yacht Club

Clearwater YC marina

The mark set boats are still in the harbor

The Clearwater YC has its own Coconut Telegraph!

The water temp was 74 degrees in the Clearwater YC pool!