On the East Side-April 12, 2021

 Note:  stats are only for days that we have been traveling on our trip.  Does not include the 9 months that the boat was in Bradenton waiting out Covid.

Friday, April 9 (Boca - Ft. Myers)

Day Miles:      42       

Total Miles:    3793

Travel Days:   70

Total Days     163

Saturday (Ft. Myers - Roland Martin)

Day Miles:      67      

Total Miles:    3860

Travel Days:   71

Total Days     164

Sunday (Roland Martin - Ft. Pierce)

Day Miles:      87     

Total Miles:    3947

Travel Days:   72

Total Days     165

Monday (Ft. Pierce)

Day Miles:      0   

Total Miles:    3947

Travel Days:   72

Total Days     166

It has been a busy few days making our way back to the East Coast.  Sorry have not blogged in a few days, but will catch you up now.  We left Boca Grande and headed South to Ft. Myers.  It was a nice day to sleep in and cruise as we only had 42 miles to travel.  Beautiful day and even the "miserable mile" was just uncomfortable.  For you that don't know, the "miserable mile" is a stretch of water (about a mile) on the river just before Ft. Myers.  It is an idle zone and there are usually hundreds of boats crammed into a this area both coming in and going out.  When we reached Legacy Marina the wind kicked up making docking fun.  I don't think my bow thruster is back to 100% yet after sitting for all that time.  We managed to get into the dock without issue and began the daily ritual of washing down the boat, feeding the cat, and other boat related chores.  We made plans to meet up with Mike and Deb Hervey that we met cruising the rivers over a year ago.  We had a cocktails on the bridge and then went to Kings Kitchen for dinner.  Sorry no pictures, but the blackened shrimp and muscles were very good.  After dinner we parted ways and went back to the boat, planning for an early start on Saturday.

Cruising past Cabbage Key

Deserted is my guess

Can you tell where the shallow water is?

Miserable mile

Legacy Harbor Marina.

Saturday

We were up before the crack of down getting the boat ready for a sunrise departure.  Had a long day planned of 67 miles, 3 locks, 1 swing bridge, and maybe a draw bridge or 2.  We did leave Legacy at Sunrise and headed East.  Most of the day was uneventful.  We did have to wait for a couple of locks, but we made it to Roland Martin Marina, just before Lake Okeechobee, around 2:00.  Turns out our timing was good as there was a bass tournament going on that was due to weigh in beginning at 2:30.  It was fun watching hundreds of bass boats coming and going for the next couple of hours.  There was a small shop on site and Tiki Bar restaurant.  We made plans with Ray and Holly to meet for dinner.  We traveled most of the day with them, going through the locks at the same time.  Just made it back to the boat after dinner before a thunderstorm moved in.  Lot of wind but not much rain.  We spent some time trying to figure out what we wanted to do on Sunday for travel.  Plan was to go 87 miles to Ft. Pierce, but we were unsure if we could make it in time as there was a major storm predicted to hit around 1:00.  We decide to leave at sunset and try to make it to Stuart instead.  About 30 miles shorter.

Leaving Ft. Myers at sunrise

Just a coat of wax needed

Waiting at Moorehaven Lock

Roland Martin Marina

Watching Bass boats

more bass boats

ships store

more bass boats

Tiki Bar

Sunday

Sunday proved to be a long day.  We did leave at sunrise and headed across Lake Okeechobee.  We entered the 1st lock and had to wait for 6 Grady White boats to lock in as well.  There are part of a boat club that was at Roland Martin for the night also.  After we locked through, we began cruising down the canal.  At the 2nd lock we caught the Grady White's and waiting about 20 minutes for the lock to open.  After the lock we ran the 7 miles into Stuart.  It was about 12:00 and the storm forecasted had moved out to about 3:00.  We decided to keep going and run the extra 30 miles to Ft. Pierce.  We arrived at Ft. Pierce around 2:00 and we could see the storm moving in.  Instead of getting fuel we felt it prudent to go directly to our slip.  Wind was really blowing but we got backed into our slip and tied up.  We got the front half of our isenglass up and decided to put on the rest of the sides and back.  No sooner than we had the last back piece on, the skies opened up and it began rain and blow.  Wind was so strong that I went out the in the storm to place additional lines.   We did not loose any isenglass, but the wind was so strong that it blew it out of the front snaps and I was unable to get it hooked again.  Oh yeah, we also lost power on the dock.  Good news is that the generator still works.  It felt like hurricane winds, but it was probably only 40 to 50 mph.  After several hours it calmed down, the marina did get the power back on and we walked up to Cobb's landing for dinner.  Dinner was nice surprise with Gumbo and Marcia had crab cakes.  We relaxed on the boat looking forward to not traveling on Monday.

Heading out into Lake Okeechobee

Much of the day cruising the canal

Mooring field at Stuart

Dinner - Gumbo with shrimp, sausage and gator

Monday

Although not a travel day, we were both very busy with boat chores.  I was chart plotting, engine room checks, battery checks, oil leak check, wash back of boat, etc... Marcia was laundry, dishes, tracking, bills, etc...  After lunch we did take a walk into town.  Nice town with lots of restaurants.   We went back to the boat and spent the next several hours trip planning.  It is a lot harder than you think.  If you want the details, let me know and I will be happy to explain our process.  Anyway, after that we just had dinner on the boat. 

I am quite done with typing this entry now.  We still have to get fuel in the morning and then a 70 mile run to Cocoa Village.   

 

On the Move Again

 Miles today 83  Day 1 (leg 4)

Long few days.  We decided to rent a car on Monday and drive to North of Atlanta and finish the trip to Brandenton on Tuesday.  We lucked out on the rental car lottery and got a Land Rover Discovery.  After picking up the car, I made a stop at UC Health and got my 2nd vaccine shot.  After that we loaded up the car and headed South.  We arrived in Bradenton around 3:00 and began the process of opening up the boat.

Unpacked, flushed the AC, spend 1 1/2 on the phone with Direct TV.  By 9:30 we were both exhausted and decided to turn in.  Wednesday was a "Yours, Mine and Ours" trip to Publix.  Marcia undertook unpacking and storing, while I went to work on a new discovered oil leak.  Same issue that we had in the Bahamas that I thought was fixed.  After cleaning up a 1/2 gallon of oil in the bilge and a make shift repair we went and returned the rental car.  Thanks to dock neighbors Mark and Vanessa for picking us up and driving us back to the boat.  Normal chores after that, chart plotting, new registration sticker, fill water, store supplies, etc...  We started happy hour after dinner with Mike Jackson and Natalie and Ron Getter and Debbie who were visiting the marina.  Off to bed for an early departure.

Now for the fun stuff.  We left Bradenton at 7:15 and cruised the Gulf to Boca Grande, 83 miles south.  Seas were bouncy but manageable.  Boat and repairs seemed to hold up so far.  We arrived at 12:30 and got lucky getting into our slip.  Check in time is not normally until 2:00.  They put the 230 gallons of fuel in at the slip.  Boat needed a serious washing, which I did while Marcia cleaned up.  After a shower we walked into town and got a last call drink at the Loose Caboose.  Who closes at 4:30?  We grilled up dinner on the boat and now I am typing this with a cigar and beer.  It should be an easier day tomorrow with a 45 mile cruise to Ft. Myers.  OK - some pictures.

Leaving Bradenton at sunrise

Cruising the Gulf

Passing Siesta Key

Coming into Boca Grande Pass

Boca Grande

Boca Grande Marina

Drinks at Loose Caboose

 

January & February in Florida

It has been quite a while since I have posted anything, so decided to recap the last few months and see if I remember how to do it.  

We are planning to get moving again Thursday, April 8th.  While it has been fun to have the boat in Bradenton, Florida for the last 8 months, we are so ready to get moving again.  We will both be vaccinated and things appear to be opening again.  

We enjoyed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's in Cincinnati with family and friends.  We left early January and went back to the boat which is still at Twin Dolphin Marina in Bradenton, Florida.  After arriving we did some chores on the boat and settled back into living on the boat again.  I did manage to repair the recliner sofa that got injured one night after a few drinks ( I am blaming our niece Alyssa) :).  We also went to the St. Petersburg boat show and the Bradenton boat show.  Although not the usual amount of boats, it was still fun to walk around.  We also visited with friends Lisa and Steve who are building a house in the area, and Barry and Sherry who recently purchased a house. 

Lisa and Steve waiting for rain to fill the pool. 

Cocktails on the boat with Lisa and Steve

When we went to put the dinghy in, we discovered that it has somehow developed a leak.  After finding the leak I was able to repair it with a patch.  We also found out that the battery was dead and would not take a charge.  A quick trip to auto zone fixed that.  Then it was off to Woody's.  We also decided to test the range of our dinghy.  We went down the river and into Tampa Bay and then the Intracostal for lunch and a swim on the beach.  Over 20 miles and only used about 2.5 gallons of gas.  Nice change from filling up the big boat.

View from Woody's

$5 Margarita's at Floriday's 

We decided to take a few days and drive down to Key West, picking up Dave and Leeanne along the way who were in Venice.  We had a lot of fun in Key West, even visiting with Rick and Rhonda (R&R) who were on their boat at the hotel marina.  We also ran into another looper who we had met along the rivers and when we were in the Bahamas.  

Ice Cream shop in KW

Still got it.  Had to wear mask in the shops

Taking a break at Captain Tony's

Chicken wings?

No need to repaint

Little breeze did not stop everyone from going out.

Us with Dave and Leeanne

After Key West we did visit with siblings Marianna, RJ and Don while they were in Englewood.  We drove down there 1 day and then they drove up to visit with us.

Marianna at Pier 22

Marianna and Marcia

Even Mark Kalb drove up to enjoy drinks, appetizers and sunshine on the Rooftop.  Yes, I do believe it was blue shirt day.

With a few days of downtime we prepared ourselves for Tony (our son) who was flying in to visit for about 4 days.  The days were packed with a fishing trip, a day at Siesta Key, and a day at Bradenton Beach. 

Fresh catch of the day - Mangrove Snapper, Permit and Sheephead

First -  Bloody and drinks at Pier 22

Oysters at Siesta Key Oyster Bar

Just a little windy at the beach, but still beats snow.

No visit is complete without a trip to Tom's Bad Ass Bar.

After Tony left, Dave and Nell Witherby, from our marina, flew down to visit for a few days.  It was great having them and enjoyed hanging out.  We did get in another beach day, and then also managed to get the big boat out and spend a day anchored out at Egmont Key.

Beautiful day on the Rooftop with Dave and Nell.

Dinner with Dave and Nell

Lucky guy???

It feels like we had a lot going on over January and February, but it was 2 months.  Mixed in were the daily and new boat chores that needed to be done.  Air Conditioner units were acting up and needed to be flushed, auto pilot was not working and need to be fixed, Direct TV went out and needed to be replaced, etc....  you know it is a boat after all.

After Dave and Nell left, we packed up and drove home shortly after.  Tony bought his first house, so there was no rest when we got home.  U-Haul rented and he is completely moved into his new house.  We have been spending a lot of time over there helping him get settled in.  Looking forward to getting back on the boat and moving.  

Our plan is to make a quick trip back across the state of Florida to the East side and then hang a left and start up the coast.  I will try to post more frequently once we get moving as things should be more interesting than us just hanging out in Bradenton.

PS - For those of you wondering, Yes Lucy is still on the boat and seems to be adjusting well.

Lucy waiting to take a shower?

Relaxing on the sofa

Looks like another rough day