The Next Installment!

Saturday, February 16, 2014 - Settling In!


Errands are on tap for today. First, a bus ride to West Marine. Too bad they didn't have the check valve I need for the water pump. Upon our return to the marina, we set out on foot for the Farmers' Market we we picked up fresh strawberries for $1.69/pint. Not a bad price and delicious! We took the bus back to the marina and noted that the route has changed from last year. It seems like they tinker with the route a little each year. We also noticed that they have installed a video surveillance system.

Sunday, February 17, 2013 - A Visit from Friends!

Our friends George and Pat stopped by for a visit. It was great to see them, hear what they've been doing and what their plans are for the summer. We hope to spend more time with them for the month that we are here in Vero Beach.

Monday, February 18, 2013 - Wheels!

George took us to Titusville so we could pick up the Truck. It was really great of him since it's a 4 hour round trip. Thanks, Geo!

Upon our return to the marina we loaded up the dinghy outboard and took it to the repair shop.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013 - Wheels II!

The bikes were off-loaded, unfolded, inflated and assembled in the span of about 1/2 hour. After a brief test ride around the parking lot, we pedaled up and over the Merrill P. Barber Bridge and all the way to the medical center campus. On the day, we pedaled almost 7 miles. It was a good first effort.

We've been trying to reduce our carbon footprint. When cruising, we either sail, walk or bicycle. Yes, we motor when conditions aren't conducive for sailing. When we reach port, we walk a lot. Several days each week involve hikes of about ten miles round trip. The bikes allow us to extend that range to about 25 miles round trip. range.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 - Sailing!

What a terrific day! After a five mile bike ride and a 1 mile walk, we met George at the local boat ramp where he was in the midst of prepping S/V Sweetie for launch. Too bad we forgot the camera.

Sweetie is a 2004 West Wight Potter and George's newest toy.

Anna Marie and I helped when possible, but George did most of the set up. It seemed pretty straight forward and it didn't take long to figure out what to do next. After the launch, George and I boarded Sweetie while Anna Marie went back to SUNSHINE. She has a date with a washer and dryer.

Once out on the water, we found the water outside the channel to the north of the bridge was too shallow to sail. We did a 180 and ran with the wind for several miles. For the most part we stayed in the channel. By the time we tacked for home, the wind had shifted just enough to allow us to claw to weather.

Sweetie proved her admirable pointing ability and did well in the light air. We had a great day.

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - Two Trips to the Mall!

After breakfast, we boarded the bus and headed off to the transfer station where we boarded the Route 2 bus to the Indian River Mall. We strolled through the mall three times before the store we needed opened. To make our next purchase we had to walk back to Lowes and then the Walmart to catch the bus. It took awhile to realize the bus doesn't go into WalMart anymore. Instead, it stops on the highway now. That's useful information.

In the evening we returned to the Mall so we could go the the 24-plex AMC Movie Theater where we would see "Life if Pi." the cinematography and computer graphics were excellent.

Friday, February 22, 2013 - Barefoot in the Sand!

When in Vero Beach, we usually find time to take a long beach walk. Unfortunately we have been unable to procure water shores locally, despite having shopped for them at a half dozen stores. Even the shops on the beach didn't have them.

The lack of appropriate footwear didn't discourage us. We set out on our walk in bare feet. I hate walking in bare feet, but, hey, it's a beach, we'll be okay. We headed north out of Hummiston Park on an absolutely gorgeous day. The sun was shinning, there was a gentle breeze, and the temp was in the mid 80s.

Along the way we observed the usual beach activities one would expect. We're not sure how far we walked, but we didn't stop for 3 1/2 hours. By the time we got back, my feet were killing me! I didn't walk without pain until the next morning.

Saturday, February 23, 2013 - Les Miserables!

It's Farm Market Day and we're having dinner guests. Perfect, we'll get a few fresh items for dinner. Mission accomplished and then we were off to check out the Beer and Wing Fest across the Indian River at Royal Palm Point. There was quit a crowd when we arrived. For a $35.00 wrist band you got a small plastic cup to be used to sample 100 micro brews. Not sure if the wings were included.

Our guests arrived in time for a leisurely dinner (Key Lime Shrimp). We even had time for after dinner stories before we left for the evening performance of Les Miserables at the Riverside Theater. The show was excellent! I can't offer enough platitudes for the production. Anna Marie and I were surprised to see Andrew Foote, an actor who played many parts at our home theater in Beach Haven, NJ. We even got to give him greeting from The Surflight when we saw him in the parking lot after the show.

All four of us had a great evening and we were blown away by the show.


Sunday, February 24, 2013 - Lazy Day!

After all of our recent activity we took the day off. We enjoyed a relaxing day on the boat and around the marina. While relaxing on the dock, I even helped the Dock Master tie up boats that were coming in for fuel.


Monday, February 25, 2013 - Riding North!

Enough of the relaxing! It's time for a bike ride. As with the beach walk a few days ago, we headed north. The round trip covered a bit over 10 miles. Along the way, we found the Coco Village Shops. Included among the shops was a small cafe. We stopped for a cold beverage before continuing north. We reversed direction when we reached the traffic light on John's Island. On the way back we stopped for a beverage at the Village Beach Market.

Lunch was taken aboard SUNSHINE followed by some time for relaxing. Before dinner we went for a walk to Riverside and Veterans Parks.

Tuesday, February 26, 2013 - A Visit to Stuart

Today's agenda included a trip to Stuart where we met with boating friends who have become landlubbers. Lunch was delightful, as was the guided tour of Stuart.

On the way back to SUNSHINE, we stopped in Fort Pierce to visit with Captain Dave. It was great to see him again.

We arrived back to SUNSHINE in time for dinner.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - Another Lazy Day!

The temp has dropped a bit and we're in for a few days of cooler temps. Lows are predicted to be in the 40s with highs in the mid 70s. After a few boat chores and cleaning, we looked into replacing the dinghy motor. I really want the Torqeedo 1003 portable electric motor but can't pull the trigger because of its price tag. I found a Honda 2HP long shaft that has 10 hours. It will work for our dinghy and will be perfect for the next dinghy. We made arrangements to look it over tomorrow.