February 28 - March 16, 2013 LOTS OF ACTIVITIES TO REPORT!

Thursday, February 28, 2013 - No Show!

Today we had a loose appointment with a guy to meet us at the boat. We spoke before 1000 hours and he said he'd call to let us know when he was on his way back to Stuart. He'd detour to Vero Beach to meet us. He never called!

Friday, March 1, 2013 - New Dinghy Motor!

Good news, I found a place that had a used Honda 2.3 HP long shaft motor with 10 hours to replace the Nissan. Bad news, it is in Homestead! The price was good enough to make the trip. Good news, it started with one pull.

I chose a long shaft in anticipation of the day we need to replace the Achilles inflatable we have now. The new dinghy, a Portland Pudgy, requires a long shaft.

In the evening, we went to Whispering Palms for dinner with friends. It was delicious. After dinner, they took us to the county library in Sebastian for a free concert by Hairpeace (hairpeace.net). It was very entertaining. The musicians were excellent.

Saturday, March 2, 2013 - The Farmers Market Again!

After breakfast, we walked to the Farmers Market. It seems to be becoming a habit. Our purchases were few, but we always enjoy the walk. On the way back, we stopped at the hardware store to pick up some gear oil for the Honda. I'm also going to try to salvage the Nissan. When it gets warmer (the highs have been in the 60s & lows in the 40s for the past few days , I'll work on the Nissan to try to prevent internal rust and corrosion. When we get back to NJ, I'll replace the carburetor.

Sunday, March 3, 2013 - ELC EcoFest!

Today is special. We visited the Environmental Learning Center to participate in their 25th Anniversary. This is their 17th EcoFest and they seem to have the program down. There were lots of activities for kids, food vendors, a skinny water boat show, plus a bunch of activities for folks of all ages. This is the facility where our friend George volunteers his time. He usually gives canoe Eco Tours. Today, HW manned the Osprey Observation station.

Monday, March 4, 2013 - Two Boat Projects and a Movie!

Nailed two boat projects today and bought supplies for another. In the evening, we saw Hyde Park on Hudson. According to reports, the portrayal has taken great liberties with the diaries of Daisy Suckly. Still, it was interesting to contemplate the FDR's interaction with the King and Queen of England.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, March 5 - 7, 2013 - The Days Are Rolling Together!

Our days have become routine. Day time activities include walking and bicycling, boat projects and maintenance, ukulele and/or guitar practice. After diner we watch a movie or a concert DVD before hitting the sack.

Sometimes we'll go to a local shop (Panera Bread, Cravings) for a bagel and coffee/tea instead of breakfasting aboard.

Friday, March 8, 2013 - More of the Same!

18 mile bike ride followed by a two hour walk.

Saturday, March 9, 2013 - Black Tie and Tails!

Went to the Community Church to hear their resident symphony orchestra, chorus and corale perform Mozart's Piano Concerto in E Minor and, the Requium. It was spectacular! We were not disappointed.

Sunday, March 10, 2013 - "Woody Sez" Spring Forward!

By now you should have the idea that there are a plethora of things to do in and around Vero Beach and the region. today, we met Pat and George at the Riverside for a performance of "Woddy Sez." we had a great time. The music was wonderful and the show chronicling the life and times of Woody Gutherie was interesting.

Monday, March 11, 2013 - More Walking!

Hopped the bus early this morning. The county office building which houses the tax collector's office, was our destination. The tax collector's office is where you go to register a boat. It so happens that is where we registerd our dinghy. After that chore was completed, we strolled downtown for a light breakfast followed by a walk around town.

Rather than wait for a bus back to the marina, we decided to walk back, a distance of a little over three miles. On the way, we stopped at Publix for a few items.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - Bluegrass and a Movie!

Tuesday nights are Bluegrass nights at the downtown Heritage Center. We enjoyed the music. Before the toe-tapping bluegrass concert, we went to the AMC theater in the mall to see "The Great and Powerful OZ." while not on a par with the Wizzard of Oz, it was still an entertaining show.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - It's Windy!

After a great night's sleep, we planned on a long bike ride. The wind was blowing 20 knots and more out of the north causing us to revise our plans. The Beachside Cafe became our destination. We found an outside table out of the wind but in the sun and enjoyed the ocean view while sipping our beverages and enjoying our eggs. After breakfast we did several laps of the boardwalk before returning home.

Pat and George stopped by for a visit after attending the matinee performance of Les Miserables.

Thursday, March 14, 2013 - The Forty Year Old Woman!

What a treat! After completing a few boat chores, we walked the the Art Museum to see a collection from the Speed Museum in Louisville. It seem that the Speed is undergoing renovations, making some of their pieces available for display at other locations. The Vero Beach ;Museum is proudly displaying works from the Dutch Masters. They were all impressive and we enjoyed the show. It should come as no shock that Rembrandt's "The Forty Year Old Woman" is exquisite. I was overwhelmed by the detail he put in the painting and felt honored to be standing in it's presence.

Friday, March 15, 2013 - McKee Botanical Gardens!

Check out this Travel Newsreel made in 1939. It tells all about the McKee Jungle Garden of Vero Beach! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zY7SZT1B-c&feature=youtube_gdata_player
You can click the link at the bottom of the Newsreel to view the modern version.

It was 12 miles round trip on the bikes. Our ride included a stop at Panera's Bread for a bagel after which we toured the botanical garden. It was a special treat to see the Frabel Glass dispersed throughout the grounds in the "Frabel: Reimaged" show. Besides the glass pieces, we enjoyed the stately Royal Palm Garden featuring a large collection of mature Royal Palms, the Corkscrew Pine (actually a palm tree), and the Pelican Plant. You have to check that plant out. It collects flys! That's right, it actually holds flies as prisoners. After pollination is complete, the flies can leave. Many do, but quite a few perish while in captivity.

We returned to SUNSHINE by 1500 hours. Shortly thereafter, we decided to walk beachside. We wee going to have a cold beverage at Waldo's, but it was too crowded for comfort by the time we arrived at 1700 hours. We returned to SUNSHINE and took a short ride in the dinghy before watching some DVDs.

Saturday, March 16, 2012 - The Farmers Market, the St. Patrick's Day Parade, and a Concert In the Park!

Fresh veggies are in! Let's hope this batch lasts the week. That's right, we hoofed it beachside to get veggies from the Saturday morning Farmers Market, after which we dined at Cravings. We had a front row seat for the St. Patty's Day parade. The crowd offered the loudest round of applause for the Teacher of the Year!

Once back aboard SUNSHINE, Anna Marie stowed the veggies while I prepared lunch. My intention was to reproduce the asparagus sandwich we enjoyed at the Red Onion last week. I first set about making the Key Lime sauce, which came out great! Using ingredients consisting of asparagus, provolone, onion, tomato, garlic and S&P. The whole concoction took only minutes in the sauté pan. We both agree that it was very delicious! Better even than the Red Onion's version.

Later in the day, we returned to Hummiston Park for a concert. Ocean Drive was blocked off to vehicular traffic. A stage was set in the at one end and food vendors lined the street for a block. A good sized crowd showed up to partake in the festivities. A seven piece band, Category Five, blasted out mostly blues tunes. They were very tight and fine musicians all. We had to leave by 1830 hours because we were both hungry. We stopped at Casy's on the way back to the marina for a light dinner.