Hobe Sound to Hollywood FL

We motored to Boca Raton Lake on Saturday. The number of bridges that we had to request openings was very intense. We now know why all the cruising guides strongly suggest avoiding this area of the ICW on the weekends. We were unaware when we anchored that the Christmas Boat Parade was passing through this area tonight, so it was very crowded; but fun! Folks spend lots of time and money to decorate their boats. On Sunday, we motored a short distance to anchor in Lake Sylvia in Fort Lauderdale. This is a beautiful anchorage! We dinghied across the ICW to the Raw Bar, and were awed by the mega yachts. We visited with new friends on "Blue Blazer" from Toronto, had chicken parmesan for dinner, and went to bed. On Monday, we motored 6 miles to get a slip at The Hollywood Marina where we will stay until January 1st; so that we can visit with my Mom in Pembroke Pines. It was nice to be tied to a dock last night since the wind was blowing 25 knots. We will finish the installation of the watermaker, take care of business and reprovisioning while we are here since we have use of a car.

Cocktails with Judy on "Kismet"

 

Another View

 

Hobe Sound Anchorage

 

Next Stop - BEAUTIFUL Hobe Sound

While in Vero, I contacted very dear friends from High School that I have not seen for years. Judy & Ken, high school sweethearts, live in Hobe Sound, Florida - our next stop! Judy told us where to anchor Kismet; and we spent the next three days getting caught up, and just having a ball - going to the beach, out to the Jupiter Island Club and their house for dinner, and exploring Hobe Sound. We will definitely stop again on our return North!

Boats Moored At Velcro Beach

 

Houses Along the Way

 

Hurricane Damaged Dragon

 

"Velcro" Beach

We left Dragon Point early yesterday and motored around 40 miles to Vero Beach, aka as Velcro Beach; because when folks arrive here for a night or two they often stay MUCH longer. We were going to avoid this stop because of the number of boats, but decided to experience the Central Florida Coast, mecca for cruisers. We are glad we did. Boats are all on mooring balls; with up to three boats on one ball! We saw so many people that we have seen along the way from Annapolis to Wrightsville Beach to Catskill NY! We are on a mooring ball with a woman from MA that has been singlehanding her boat for more than 5 years. The dinghy dock is amazing; about 50 boats were tied up. The facilities are nice; with laundry and showers and there is free bus service; all for $11.33 a night! It is warm and sunny; with temps in the 70s!

Cocoa

 

The Cocoa FL Anchorage

 

Entrance to Haulover Canal

 

Crossing Mosquito Lagoon

 

Ice Skating in Cocoa FL

We didn't actually ice skate, but there is an ice skating rink set up in Cocoa Florida! Cocoa is a neat town, very friendly people, cute shops, and a nice anchorage; except when the wind blows from the Southeast; which it did last night! We invited Hampton from "Snark", another IP owner who we met in Annapolis, over for a spaghetti dinner & cocktails last night. This morning we left the rolly anchorage by 0830 to do a short sail; yes we sailed, to Indian Harbor Beach in the mouth of the Banana River. This anchorage should provide better protection from the Southeast winds. We are going to dinghy ashore to check out the stores, etc.

Exploring the Mangroves

 

Pan Roasts & A Reunion with Friends

The powerful low pressure system passed through and by 1500 yesterday we were seeing party cloudy skies. We dinghied to shore, and met Craig & Debbie from "Charmed". It was wonderful to see them again. We had dinner at Malonys on Canal Street. They specialize in preparing seafood pan roasts - utilizing a special steaming pan - very delicious! We hope to meet Craig & Debbie in Miami before they depart for the Bahamas around the first of the year. Today we will make our way southward!

Warm Weather - Finally!

It's 0630 on Thursday, December 11th, and we are anchored outside the ICW Channel in New Smyrna Beach, FL. There is a nasty weather front that will pass through here today with heavy rain, wind, etc! So far, we have been VERY happy with our new anchor, the Manson Supreme. Debbie and Craig from "Charmed" are supposed to drive over for a visit today. We left St Augustine on Tuesday after a wonderful visit with Elena, and made it to Daytona Beach FL. We anchored outside of the channel there, but felt that it was too wide open for the weather that was coming, so we left on Wednesday, and motored to New Smyrna. This is a lovely town with maybe the most friendly people we have met so far! Jim got his fishing license, so he is ready to start catching dinner! We went for a dinghy ride through the mangroves - very interesting!

Candlelight Walk

 

A Bevy of Gators

 

Going Sightseeing

 

St Augustine Muncipal Marina

 

Flagler College

 

Lounging in America's Oldest City

We arrived in beautiful St. Augustine on Wednesday, December 3rd. Anchored out North of The Bridge of Lions that night, and pulled into a slip at The Municipal Marina on the 4th, so that we could do provisioning, laundry, etc. before Elena's arrival later that day. She flew into Jacksonville, and took a shuttle to St. Augustine. The city is fantastic - great history, shops, taverns........it is nice to just have a few days to explore. Yesterday we went to the Alligator Farm - it was good that kibble was available to feed the alligators, otherwise we might have tossed small, noisy, wild children over the barriers! The park was very well laid out and we would recommend a visit but not on a weekend! Last night we participated in the British night walk through the streets - Many folks were dressed in period clothing, and all the townspeople walked with candles. This practice was a nightly affair in order to close the city gates and secure the city. Muskets shot off "a volley of joy" and Christmas Carols were sung. For the past 3 nights we are anchored south of the Bridge of Lions.
Elena and I will wander around the city today; while Jim works on boat projects. She is flying back to LA on Monday, and we will continue our adventure South on Tuesday.

The Kingsley Plantation

 

Armadillo At The Plantation

 

Anchored Boats on the Fort George River

 

The Fort George River

We motored & sailed to cross the border into Florida yesterday. Anchored at a #1 beautiful anchorage - in front of The Kingsley Plantation; complete with ruins of slave quarters. Today we traveled 30 miles to Pine Island anchorage. Tomorrow we will be in Saint Augustine.

In the Rain on The Brickhill River

We left the Brunswick Landing Marina yesterday at 0915, and motored through Jekyll Creek, across St. Andrews Sound, and down the Brickhill River on Cumberland Island; famous for wild horses (we saw one), armadillos, and the location of John Kennedy Jr's private wedding. It is also preserved as a National Seashore. Speranza also anchored here. We dinghied to shore, took a short hike, and then had dinner with Yvonne & Jonathan. Today is a weather lay day. The forecast is for rain, thunderstorms, and a tornado watch. We will take a hike later if the rain stops, but otherwise I have bread baking, and Jim wants to watch "Casino Royale". We will start moving towards St. Augustine tomorrow. Elena is coming for a visit from California on 12/4/2008.

Our Turkey

 

Sapelo Island Beach

 

Four Turkeys

 

The Turkey Fountain

 

Spanish Moss

 

Thanksgiving in Georgia

After navigating the trouble spots on the ICW successfully (by calculating the time of high tide), we arrived at Sapelo Island, the Duplin River, for our Thanksgiving Holiday. We chose this spot to have Thanksgiving with Jonathan & Yvonne because the cruising guide said that the U of Georgia Maritime Research Center had a Turkey fountain on the Island. On Thanksgiving morning we hiked to the fountain which was adorable, and then continued hiking to come upon The South House, a former plantation, and now a retreat. We walked to the beach. It was a beautiful day in the 70s. It was a magical day. By evening we sat down to a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner; complete with turkey, stuffing, cranberry relish, twice baked potatoes, and pecan pie! It is amazing how you can put together a fabulous meal on a boat! Today, we left the Duplin River, and traveled to Brunswick, GA to do a marina stop at the Brunswick Landing Marina. We needed to get fuel, water, and of course laundry! The exciting thing about this marina is that laundry is free! No plugging quarters! After all our chores, we decided to go out eat at Fox's Pizza - great lasagna!

Sunset at The Wright River