Day 29 December 10, 2010



Dredge







Jupiter Lighthouse




Warm enough to go in the water







JP and a boat




John's park?



Port of Arrival: Delray Harbor Club Marina
Time of Arrival:6:00
 Engine Hours:3629.6
 Fuel:
Log: 22600
Trip:48.23
 Weather:AHHHH
 Time of Departure: 9:30
Ahhhhhhhhh, from the coldest to the warmest. It is a beautiful, sunny, warm 75 degrees today. I probably should have put suntan lotion on everyone but I forgot. We finally tore up roots and left Stuart. Craig and jack are the most hospitable people. I didn't realize how long we were at their house...like my friend Linda always say, "even after 3 days fish stink"). Hope we didn't wear out our welcome. We had such a nice time with them, they will have to come visit us sometime soon. Went thru 17 bridges so far today. We are going to Delray to see the Christmas boat parade tonight. John Paul joined us for the parade tonight. It was a perfect crystal clear and cool.

Day 28 December 9, 2010

Today is the coldest day in history for Stuart, below 30. ekkk. Good thing we stayed tied up to the heat. Decorated the boat, went shopping to Stuart West Marine. Such a nice big store and met up with a woman named, Diane, that I had met in the Ft lauderdale store. She moved here to Jensen and loves it here. Probably spent about 2 hours walking around talking to everyone ..how fun.Craig came over to the boat for pizza tonight for our farewell dinner. Such a great time...very good company. Jack won't be home until Sat or Sun.

Day 27 December 8, 2010

Craig and Jack's house on Manatee Pocket

Palm Tree Berries

Craig

Craig, Mollu and Scooter looking out at water.

Cleaned all morning, gave Skipper a shower, Michael worked on the computer and Craig and I went to Macy's. By the time I come home I will have everyone using coupons...can't believe how many people don't use them. I save so much that way.Had dinner at Finz on the water in Stuart. Forgot to mention that we stopped by and checked out John's property a few blocks away. Very nice..of course it is just a lot but very nice area.

Day 26 December 7, 2010

We are still tied up to the dock and probably will be for the next few days because of the cold front moving through. It was 31 degrees this morning so I borrowed Jack's BMW and went Christmas shopping. Might as well since it feels like Christmas ( I know, I know, it' s really freezing in NJ but it is all relevant). Stayed in tonight and had chili..comfort food.

Day 25 December 6, 2010

Everyone got up, Marshall made breakfast Q went to school, Marshall went to work and we left for Stuart. Much more traffic this time of the day...work day traffic. Jack left for Wrightsville on Sunday to bring the boat back to Florida. Craig took us to visit her friends Loretta and Jim (from  Washington, NJ) to see their new condo. They bought it last year for peanuts and had it all renovated. It is just beautiful, right on a canal, wraparound porch, and a view of the pool. Humm, I really liked it and Stuart. Off we went to Duffy's again, we like that place. It was way too cold to eat outside so we took a booth indoors. Funny how everyone is bringing out their fur coats.

Day 24, December 5, 2010

The day is sunny and cool and we are headed to the St Pete boat show but first we stopped in town and I went and signed up at Weight Watchers (new program) We were suppose to work the show but due to complications Jack and Craig weren't able to secure a both for this year. Q was coming, then not coming ,then coming and then stayed home to play his computer games. The show was alot larger then last year. We met up with Melissa and Cliff ( and his nephews) and just walked around all day. After the show we met up at an Irish Pub for drinks and wings...Cliff kept waiting for Michael to break a tooth...lolo. Tracy and Melissa talked and some day will meet up.  This gets a little boring when I just write about what we did all day..better when we are on the boat and I have lots of pictures to look at.. The started nice and warm and feel into the low 40's.

Day 23 December 4, 2010

Getting ready for soccer game

I woke up super early to find a Vet to take Skipper to because he is coughing alot. Was headed out to get GPS from the car when I realized that the house alarm was activated...good thing I didn't try and open the door. Not long after Marshall woke up and said their was a vet around the corner. I gave them a call and they said to come right over and it was literally 1 minute away and was an Animal Speciality Hospital. Dr Barry walked in the room and I had an instant like for the man before he even opened his mouth. What a thorough  Dr, he took xrays, checked him all over, gave me tons of meds for him and said it could be his heart because it is enlarged so he gave him laziks, said if that didn't work he should take the cough medicine. No fever and nothing drastic...that made me feel so much better.Quinton had a soccer game about 45 minutes away in the middle of nowhere. It was a really good game, he scored. This was the first we've seen in years, what a difference...it's men playing now.  We can't remember what we did the rest of the day...probably just hung around with Q and Marshall.

Day 22 December 3, 2010

It is sunny and cold in the 50's but that is ok because we are going to be driving to Tampa today. Not a bad drive, all you see are plains with cows, so many cows, more then I have ever seen. No traffic lights, no traffic, just cows and fields, Arrived in Tampa around 5:30 just as Quinton was getting home from school. Holy cow, he grew another 5 inches...must be almost 6 foot now. Marshall also looks great. It is Friday so we are going to Mariana's for pizza, of course. WEnt home and watched a movie and bed.

Day 21 December 2, 2010

It was a chilly 60 degrees and very windy today, glad we have heat. We just putsed around all day then went to Duffy's in Stuart for dinner. What a great place and I just love the town.

Day 20 December 1, 2010



Just relaxing



Jack and Craig's house and the new Intrepid



More sunset

 Port of Arrival: Stuart\

Watching the sunset

Time of Arrival: 3:30

Engine Hours:3620.2
 Fuel:
 Log:22552
 Trip:33.15
 Weather:
 Time of Departure 10:20
Jack and Craig were waiting outside their house on the dock when we came into Manatee Pocket.  Such a lovely place, the first year this is where we decided that we would like to live and 6 years later it is still the same. Tied up the boat and Craig and I went shopping for the makings of lasagna for dinner. Skipper was so happy to see his friends Scooter and Molly, they are all the same age so they get along fabulously.We had such a pleasant visit in their great big beautiful home. Their big boat broke down in Wrightsville Beach, NC and they are waiting to hear when it will be repaired so they can drive down to pick it up and bring it to Florida.

Sunset

View from the cockpit

Day 19 November 30, 2010

Port of Arrival: Vero Beach
Time of Arrival:5:13
 Engine Hours:3615.2
 Fuel:
 Log:22518
 Trip:49.72
 Weather:Rain turning to sun in the 80's
 Time of Departure: 10:10
Walked Skipper through Cocoa Village in the morning while Michael went in search of a haircut. oops, it's Monday, no haircut today. Off we go to Velcro Beach...not really, Vero Beach. The mooring field is very full so we have to raft up (tie up to) two other boats;  one from Vero the other from Canada. Took Skipper ashore, he loves it here because everyone has a dog and the smells...ah, he just loves it. We dinghyed under the bridge to the Riverside Cafe for dinner, a Jimmy Buffett kind of Cafe. I  have been craving a hamburger and was not disappointed..the best I  have ever eaten  (Michael had mussels). A fantastic band  was playing oldies by the Eagles, Dan Foggleberg and the such , Christmas lights all around and even a 10% coupon if you texted to a certain number. What more could you want (except to have Tracy, family and friends with you) (OK Tracy). lol

Day 18 November 29, 2010

Port of Arrival: Cocoa Village
Time of Arrival: 4:40
Engine Hours: 3608.0
Fuel:
Log: 22469
Trip: 60.66
Weather: Rain black skies poured but warm
Time of Departure: 8:00 AM
We crossed the Indian River today. I stayed below most of the day because it rained all day. Got message that the St Pete Boat Show that we were racing to get to has been cancelled. Not the boat show but the booth, somehow there was a mix up with an employee at Waterway Guide that was suppose to set up the show and they thought that jack didn't want to do the the show. He tried to get a booth but the show people said that it was completely full. Oh well, it got us into Florida a month early where it is suppose to me much warmer then Jacksonville. The sun has now come out just in time for us to take Skipper to shore.

Day 17 November 28, 2010

Port of Arrival: Daytona Beach
Time of Arrival: 4:30
Engine Hours: 3599.2
Fuel:
Log:22908
 Trip:57.67
 Weather: 48 degrees to 75 in the afternoon
Time of Departure: 7:05
We had to leave before sun up because we were on the edge of a shoal and had to leave before low tide Ick, the mud on the anchor was awful!! Cliff came out to wave us off (picture is on previous days blog). Michael slipped on his way out of the companionway and what a skinned shin he has (unfortunately I was in the shower and didn't hear him). By the time we got to Daytona it was sunny and 80 degrees. Went to the West Marine store just in time to spend $10 to make their number for the day. We are so accommodating like that..any reason to buy something new. See, I take care of all my West Marine associates and stores. lol  I just don't understand, I am on a 44 ft boat, driving along and can't find time to write this blog on time. There is always something to do..and you think I just lie around reading all day, I really am busy..cooking, cleaning, brushing Skipper, eating oh my.

Day 16 November 27, 2010

Port of Arrival: Pine Island, Fl
Time of Arrival: 1440
Engine Hours:2235.0
 Fuel:
 Log: 35903
 Trip: 41.78
Weather:20 degrees colder then yesterday windy
 Time of Departure: 0855


Melissa Cliff and Jake








Yea there they are!!!



Whew, got cold overnight, 20 degrees colder then yesterday ,of course, this is the first whole day in Florida, why wouldn't the weather change like this. Only thing is that by this afternoon it will be up in the 80's again and sunny. Uneventful drive to Pine Island to meet with our friends Cliff, Melissa and Jake (the pug). They are friends we met the first year cruising who taught us all the fun things to do and see along the ICW. That was the best time ever! It is so good to see them on their red 51' Morgan, hull number 1. Yea, there they are.....finally. They dinghyed over and we had lots of hugs and kisses all around. Well, except for Skipper..he said what is this dog doing on my boat and he wouldn't be nice..just sat and growled. (of course he didn't even stand up, too lazy for that). Ed and Betsy from Bay head came into the anchorage and had cocktails with us. For such a small anchorage the boats were just packing in, about 12. Michael and Cliff took Skipper and Jake to a little slip of land to do potty. Now Jake is only 1 1/2 yrs old, a real puppy, and he ran and ran until Cliff had to actually tackle him to get him back to the boat. Michael is still laughing about that..poor Cliff and he had white pants on.

Cliff Melissa and Jake coming aboard

Betsy and Ed



Melissa waving good-bye



Sunrise over Pine Island

Day 15 November 26, 2010

Port of Arrival:  Fernadina Bch, Florida
Time of Arrival:1340 hrs
Engine Hours: 3584.4
Fuel: 26.59 gal $87.45 $3.289 a gal  slip $82.70
Log: 2230.9
Trip: 8.64
Weather: sunny 77, 20 mph winds
Time of Departure: 1045

Black Friday and I'm waiting for the store to open at 8:00. Saw Donna the owner of French Quarter on the street and she said she would go right over and open for me (since I was the only one around). I wandered around the store for about an hour, there are so many unusual things to browse. I made a few purchases, found Michael and Skipper and off we went to get to Fernadina Bch to do more shopping. Fueled up, tied up ( monster wind) Michael went to the laundry and I went shopping. Michael got a call while he was doing the laundry to inform him that a boat came into too fast docking and ran into our boat. It's ok, he hit our dinghy and bent his bow pulpit. (go figure). So many cute little shops and so many people shopping and I only made just a few little purchases. The weather went from sunny and calm to rainy and windy in a matter of minutes and then back to sunny again. This Florida weather is really bizarre. Walked Skipper again, dropped off laundry and headed to Archie's Pizza. This is one of the best Pizza restaurants on the entire ICW. Thin, crispy and delicious crust..made my tummy happy. Remember, it is Friday night.