Tough Going!

Thursday, February 5, 3015     Not Again!

The hook was up at 0700 and M/V Sunshine headed out Sisters Creek. Outside, we found rollers and 12 to 15 knot wind out of the south. Yesterday's whitecaps are gone and it looks pleasant enough. Looks can be deceiving! Among the rollers, we found a stiff chop with three foot waves. Once again, the boat crashed down so hard that the GPS unit shut off. It powered right up again, but it is disconcerting to have that happen. These conditions persisted until we passed East Sister Rock. That took less than ten minutes.

For the rest of the seven mile trip, we just had to deal with the rollers. They weren't too bad. The boat was secured in the slip and plugged into electric by 0830. Now we'll kick back and rest for an hour or so before we go to coloring this side of Marathon.

At 1015, it started to rain. It saved us from washing the boat. When the rain is finished, all the salt should be gone. 

Well, the boat got a good bath. It rained the rest of the day.

Alone Again!

Wednesday, February 4, 2014    And Then There Was One!

Shortly after saying goodbye to Kathy, Bill and Steve, we dropped our lines from Bahia Honda and headed out to the Outta The Blue Marina in Marathon. Even though the wind was blowing at 15 knots, there was only a light chop on the bay. As we rounded Moser Channel into the Atlantic side, the chop became moderate. Our route took us into Boot Key Harbor and back out to the Hawk Channel side by way of Sisters Creek. Once out of the entrance channel, we found three to four foot seas. We tried taking the waves at different angles; we tried varying the speed; we even tried plugging along at 3 mph! All to no avail. The boat was pounding hard into the waves. We crashed down so hard off one particular wave that the GPS turned itself off. I don't know why that happened but it powered back up right away.

We turned around and went back into Sisters Creek, toured the harbor and anchored for a bit. We made two more unsuccessful attempts later in the day. We finally dropped the hook in Sisters Creek and relaxed the rest of the afternoon and evening away. Tomorrow we we'll try again.

It appears that the Nomad's limits are 15+ knots of wind on the nose and three to four foot chop.

The Last Day!

Tuesday, February 3, 2015 The Last Day!

Nomads Able Explorer and Slo Poke have decided to rent a car so they can drive back to their points of origin to retrieve their cars and trailers. One will return tomorrow and the other on Thursday. We expect to depart tomorrow, weather permitting.

The crew of both vessels expressed appreciation for the experience and challenges of long distance cruising. We are all impressed that the boats did well in some difficult conditions.

We enjoyed a late lunch of burgers and fries at Burdine's after our new friends rented a car for tomorrow's drive.

Bahia Honda!

Monday, February 2, 2015 Flamingo to Bahia Honda!

First light... That is when we all agreed to depart Flamingo. Our destination is the marina at Bahia Honda State Park. Bahia Honda is an immensely popular park. Many visitors refer to it as "paradise." Even though it is remote from shops, stores and typical touristy things, it has a natural beauty that is breathtaking.

Our actual departure occurred before first light. Spotlights and the GPS tracks from our trip into Flamingo, provided our guidance out of the marina and through the flats. After twenty or so minutes, first light appeared. We motored through the flats in calm water as the sun rose behind us.

In just under two hours, we made a southerly turn toward the Keys. The wind built to 10 knots, but the sea remained flat. After three hours, a light chop began. It might have made it to a moderate chop as the wind increased to 15 knots on the nose. Still, it was not uncomfortable and the boat powered through the chop. Our speed decreased by about one mile per hour and added an hour to our ETA.

Commercial crabbers are not permitted to set their "pots" within the Everglades NP. The boundary line is marked on nautical charts and there are pilings set in the water to mark the boundary. The crabbers set hundreds if not thousands of pots just across the boundary. Some push the envelope and set the just inside the line. This plethora of pots seems to be worst within about 500 yards of the boundary unwary after which  the number of pots this out a bit.  

Able Explorer and Slo Poke pass under the Overseas Highway

Stuck in Flamingo

Sunday, February 1, 2015      Stuck in Flamingo!

That's right, the crew of the three Nomads left on this cruise are spending another day in Flamingo as a result of 20 knot wind on Florida Bay. The funny thing is that it was calm in the harbor and the immediate area until after noon. The 20 knot ENE wind in Marathon and Florida Bay kept us in dock.

We enjoyed a 4 1/2 mile walk and chatting with our Nomad comrades, not to mention another Grouper sandwich for lunch!

We also met the Buckley's. The are back country volunteers who live on a houseboat in Tarpon Lake. They are the eyes and ears of the back country and keep tabs on visitors, lending assistance when necessary. They were delightful to talk to and we learned a lot about volunteering in the National Parks.

People continue to stop by to talk about the Nomads.

Slo Poke has a visitor

Flamingo?

Saturday, January 31, 2015 Day 5 - Crossing Florida Bay!

It's first light and the anchors are up. We were the first of over a dozen boats in the anchorage to leave. As we departed, I notice the leaves in the trees were stirring. The sight gave me pause to contemplate the sea conditions.

The forecast suggested 15 to 20 out of the ENE. It appeared that the wind speed was on the lower part of the range. The seas had not yet built to a frothy chop, but that was sure to come.

At East Cape Sable, the point at which we were to make the "go/no go" decision, I was entering the route to Upper Matecumbe Key into the GPS. We decided that destination gave us the best opportunity to reach the Keys in safety and comfort, but when I looked up, the sea was brown and frothy. If we continued on our present course, it would soon get uncomfortable and we had at least four hours to go. We turned toward Flamingo on a course that would put us in the protection of the land. With spray flying, we made it safely to our new destination.

Once tied up, we thought about braving the chop to get to the Keys. Conditions deteriorated throughout the day.  I felt it was a good decision to wait for better conditions.

Day 3 - In the Gulf!

Thursday, January 29, 2015 Day 3 - In the Gulf!

We raised the anchor at 0715 to give us time to motor over to the other side of the inlet where everyone else was anchored. Our planned 0730 departure got off a few minutes early since everyone was ready to go.

Once out in the Gulf, we found northeast winds of about 15 knots. The sea could best be described as confused. The wind and wave action demanded a firm hand on the wheel and each skipper had to anticipate each movement of the boat and counteract it with an opposite movement of the wheel. It was impossible to steer a straight course.

We found the going a bit easier closer to shore and things got even better when the wind backed to the north. Our stern was no longer being bashed around. It took about two hours for conditions to be somewhat tolerable. We certainly wouldn't want to travel for eight or ten hours in those conditions.

By 1030, we made it to Gordon Pass. Our timing was perfect. It was slack before ebb and the inlet was easily passable. It was great to be inside and in calm water. We traveled at 2900 rpm's doing 7+ mph. By 1230 hours, four Nomads were tied up in Rose Marina on Marco Island.

Eagle kept on course to make Port of Islands by late afternoon. Nimble 20, with our hosts Dick and Hope, bid farewell as we were pulling up our anchors this morning, leaving the five Nomads to brave the Gulf. That's two members of the fleet who have departed.

After we tied up, Barney asked how I rated the days travel on a scale of one to ten with ten being great. I gave it a five. Barney gave it a three. At dinner later in the day, the others rated it a five or six.

During lunch at the Tiki Bar adjacent to Rose Marina, Barney and Pat discussed their disappointment in the handling of the boat. They decided that tomorrow, they would rent a car, return to Fort Meyers to retrieve their truck and trailer, and upon return to Rose Marina, they would have Arthur Dent put on the trailer for their return to Fort Meyers, where they would put the boat up for sale. Barney suggested that he'd get a bigger boat to live aboard. He has no desire to go anywhere in it. 

We were all saddened by this turn of events. In just three days, our fleet of six Nimble's is down to just three. Each day, one boat has dropped out. We certainly wish Pat and Barney well.

Our plan to stop in Everglades City hit a snag as there are no available spots to tie up. We have decided to head for the Little Shark River, 58 miles distant, in the hopes of reaching Bahia Honda on Sunday. We are hoping for calm seas for sure.

Anna Marie still hasn't found a marina in Marathon that has space to accommodate us. We may just bounce around the Keys for the month!

Anchor Down and Rafter in the Little Shark River

The sun sets over the Little Shark River

Nomad Keys Cruise, Day 2!

Wednesday, January 29, 2015 Day 2!

 It's 0800 hours. Time for breakfast, thanks to the magnanimous hospitality of the Hughes. We enjoyed another gathering of the crew and the delicious breakfast Hope and Dick prepared for us. At 0900, boats started slipping their lines. It took a few minutes for all the boats to get underway. By 0930, we were all steaming through the Cape Coral canals on our way to the Caloosahatchee River. Along the way, neighbors waved and exhaulted in seeing our six Nimble boat flotilla. After dozens of thumbs up, we made it to the Caloosahatchee River, turned to starboard and headed off toward Fort Meyers Beach. The waterway was relatively calm except for some boat wakes that rocked us. The Gulf had a very light chop. We motored past the mooring field in the backwaters behind Estero Island. A shortcut through the shallows proved impossible so we went back to the channel and made our way to Dog Beach, our anchorage for the night. Sunshine bounced along a sandbar in the middle of the area a few hundred feet from the Pelican Island Resort dock. 

Sunshine chose to anchor a few hundred feet from the ferry dock behind the island. The other boats anchored near Dog Beach with a good view out the inlet.

An 0730 departure is planned for tomorrow and Anna Marie made reservations for four boats (Sunshine, Slo Poke, Arthur Dent and Able Explorer) at Rose Marina on Marco Island. Eagle will try to make 10 miles further and Nimble 20 will stay at anchor on Dog Beach for the day and return home on Friday.

Day 1 of the Nomad Cruise!

Tuesday, January 28, 2015 Day 1 Nomad Cruise!

After a weather related lay day (high wind), we departed the Fort Meyers Yacht Basin after fueling up. As we departed the fuel dock, we found Arthur Dent on the river, ready to go. We headed west in a moderate chop towards Cape Coral, with the windshield taking spray regularly.

After about two hours, we turned to starboard and followed the entrance channel toward Bimini Basin, a well protected anchorage that we enjoyed with About Time a couple of years ago. Just before the basin we turned to port and motored to the end of Tudor Canal. Dick and Hope we're waiting for us and guided us into our slips. The slips are owned by folks in the adjacent condos and they graciously allowed us to use the slips for the evening.

In short order, five Nomads joined the resident Vagabond and we enjoyed meeting Eagle's Captain Bill Bordeaux, Able Explorer's Captain Steve Ehrler, Slo Poke's crew Bill and Kathy Towers, Nimble 20's crew and our hosts, Dick and Hope Hughes. Arthur Dent's crew Barney and Pat Ward and Anna Marie and I aboard M/V Sunshine rounded out the list of boats and crew for the Nomad Keys Cruise.

After settling in, Dick and Hope hosted a very nice get together that included food and beverages. We had a brief skippers meeting during which we all agreed that considering the forecast, we would be better served staying on the inside tomorrow. We chose Dog Beach at the southern end of Estero to be our destination. The following day's weather would be more conducive to traveling in the Gulf. Our third day's destination would be Rose Marina on Marco Island.

The Crew of the five Nomads and one Vagabond take a moment from the Skippers Meeting to pose for a picture.

Top photo: (on the floor from left to right) Anna Marie Martin (M/V Sunshine), Steve Ehrler (M/V Able Explorer), Kathy Towers (M/V Slo Poke), (seated, from left to right) Bill Martin (M/V Sunshine), Hope and Dick Hughes (our hosts and crew of the Vagabond, Nimble 20), Barney and Pat Ward (M/V Arthur Dent), Bill Towers (M/V Slo Poke). Not in the picture Bill Bordeaux (M/V Eagle) was the photographer.

Bottom photo: everyone is in the same position except that Bill Bordeaux has replaced Bill Martin who is now behind the camera.

At 0800 tomorrow, Dick and Hope are hosting a breakfast. Departure is scheduled for 0900.

Alice's Restaurant!

Sunday, January 25, 2015 Alice's Restaurant Massacree!

Between yesterday and today, we have everything ready for departure. Provisions have been purchased and stowed. The truck was cleaned and readied for storage. The boat is ship shape. We have completed all of our tasks and still manage to walk over four miles a day.

Our final pre-cruise activity is a road trip to Fort Lauderdale. More specifically, the Parker Playhouse where we have tickets to see Arlo Gutherie's 50th Anniversary Alice's Restaurant concert. The tour, which started in Daytona two nights ago, will last about a year and a half. We hope he gets to NJ this summer so we can see it again.

We've gone to several concerts this year. They are usually highly entertaining, but for most, when the encore is finished, I get in the car and start to think about something else.

There are some special artists that move me to a higher level. Noel Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow, and Pete Seeger are examples of artists who strike some emotional chord in me. I am moved and inspired by their work. Such was the case this evening with Arlo Gutherie. I was mesmerized, not just by Arlo but by his band as well. Terry A La Berry, his drummer, is amazing! His lead guitarist was strong, as was the bass guitarist, and his son, on keyboards, was exceptional. The band was tight!

Arlo has a knack for storytelling and he didn't disappoint. I hung on his every word. He has grown over the years and one can see and hear his growth in the stories. 

Arlo introducing "Alice's Restaurant Masacree" to begin the second set.

The crowd went wild upon hearing the first stains of the intro to Alice. The story is ironic and intriguing even on its 50th anniversary. I stand in awe of people who have the talent to write great lyrics not to mention music too. And I'm not alone. Arlo tells the story of a song his father wrote after reading Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. Woody received a letter from Steinbeck that said, "you son of a bitch! How did you capture, in thirteen verses, something it took me a whole novel to write?"

I Hear Your Voice Again, by Woody Gutherie, was particularly moving and poignant. The encore, Peace, was clear and hopeful, I Don't Want A Pickle was funny, and the audience rollicked to Alice's Restaurant and City of New Orleans.

I'll be learning from this concert for a long time.

The Edison - Ford Estates!

Friday, January 23, 2015 The Edison Ford Estates!

Today we toured the Edison Ford Estates and Museum and had a delightful time. We chose the $20.00 audio tour and walked out he grounds at our own pace. The estates are lush with tropical plants, including many varieties of fruit trees. 

Edison's Moonlight Garden

We were there for the better part of four and one-half hours before walking back to the yacht basin. In the evening, we went into town to return the Deadwood series of DVD's to the library and then spent an hour or so listening the "the Band with the Big White Van." They are a Celtic band with a rock and roll bagpiper. His virtuosity on the instrument was amazing!

Fort Meyers!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015     Fort Meyers!

This city has changed! When we visited in 2009, it was a ghost town of sorts. We found two restaurants and dozens of lawyers' offices and not much else. There were very few people on the streets and not much car traffic. The downtown apparently had a urban redevelopment project providing attractive store fronts. Most had for rent signs in their windows. The streets had brick accents and were lined with Palm Trees.

Fort Meyers - The City of Palms

Today, the city remains attractive with its Palm lined streets (Fort Meyers is known as the City of Palms), over one dozen restaurants, boutiques, a state of the art library and a free trolley that runs throughout the River District. The restaurants are busy and there are a lot of pedestrians ducking in and out of the shops. The city had made quite a remarkable in the last few years.

The Florida Repertory Company produces shows in its downtown theater. We hope to catch a show before we depart. A visit to the Edison- Ford Estate is in the works as well.

This afternoon, we purchased fresh off the boat shrimp from the fishing boat located on the next dock. The captain had quite a nice inventory of fresh fish from which to choose.

 

We managed to get more of the road grime off the boat. We have 1/2 of the starboard side left to go. It got too hot to finish this afternoon!

Flock Reunion!

Friday, January 16, 2015     Flock Reunion!

We left M/V Sunshine and the Ft. Meyers Yacht Basin yesterday for a brief trip to visit our friends in Bradenton. Pat and Ray offered to put us up for a few nights so we could participate in a reunion of cruisers we traveled to ICW with in 2008/2009. 

In the morning, Ray invited me to join him and some of his neighbors in a game of pickle ball. It was great fun. After an hour or so, we returned home to find the Flock. We went to the Beach House for a nice reunion lunch while overlooking to Gulf. Although on the cool side (the temp was around 65), the sun and a propane heater provided warmth. The food was delicious and we enjoyed sharing stories of recent adventures.

The Flock! 

After a visit to the Cortez Museum and a tour through the quaint fishing village, we returned to Pat/Ray's home where the crew of Tally Ho and Kalista bid farewell, until the next time.

In the evening, we attended a documentary on the life of Jane Goodall. It was most inspiring. 

Tomorrow, we will return to M/V Sunshine where we will finish preparations for the Keys Cruise. We have an appointment to get new tires for the trailer and we will visit S/V SUNSHINE to assess her condition and plan her next adventure.

Street Party!

Friday, January 9, 2015      Street Party!

So, how is living aboard different than living at home? I doubt I can articulate all of the differences, by I can try to mention the highlights.

One big difference Is that our daily routine involves at least one long walk. Many times we'll take two or three long walks. Today, for example, we took two walks, one of six miles and another just short of two miles. When we're home, we only take a long walk once a week. It might be too hot, it might be too cold, or the desire to get chores done trumps walking. When the grandchildren are with us, we don't walk. None of them like it, so we don't go.

On the boat, we watch one DVD movie or concert per night. At home we watch a few sporting events and light night TV. On the boat we listen to the radio frequently. We almost never do that at home unless we are in the car.

On the boat, Anna Marie usually prepares our meals in a pressure cooker. More often than not, she enjoys one pot cooking. Tonight's dinner was pork chops and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes and fresh German dark rye bread. This meal is one of our favorites and we have it a couple of times a month when we are on the boat. We almost never have it when we're home!

When conditions are right, I will grill our dinner. I do veggies, chicken, fish and pork. I can't grill if it's too windy or rainy. The wind is the biggest factor in determine whether I can grill or not.

We cleaned the interior of the boat today and stowed all of the gear and provisions. It seems to me that we clean more when we're on the boat as compared to when we're at home. The space on the boat is considerably smaller and the routine chores usually get finished quicker. I straightened up some of the defunct wires in the electrical panel. A previous owner removed a lot of electrical gear and gadgets. The wires were disconnected but not removed. Many just dangle loosely. I secured most of them as best I could today. 

Fort Meyers had a "Cowboy" themed street party to night. They closed about four blocks to traffic and ha three stages and several watering holes set up. The restaurants were busy most of the night. Several bands performed, country line dancing lessons were offered, young ladies performing arial acrobatics on silk scarves, and I'm sure there were other acts that we didn't see. Having events like this at a cruising destination make that location special. It was a fun evening.

When we're home, we always put these kind of events on the calendar but when the time comes, we usually don't go. We're just too comfortable doing what we're doing or perhaps just too lazy.