Things are lookin' up

Well we finally made it into Ft. Myers, Florida. It was at this point where we parted company with our friends Al and Barbara, on "Explorer." They continued on to their destination in Punta
Gorda, FL. It was really fun cruising along with another boat and some friendly knowledgeable boaters to help guide the way. We hope to cross paths with them again.

Farewell and Following Seas to Explorer

After locating a mechanic to repair the generator (the good news is that it appears to be repairable and not needing to be replaced); a marina to keep the boat over Christmas; and a rental car lined up; we are about to leave the boat till after New Years.

We met with our neighbors from Ophelia, Barry and Diane, who have a place near here in Bonita Springs. It's been fun exploring the area here in Ft. Myers/Naples area with them. They will return after Christmas too, so we will get a chance to see be with them again here and do some more exploring by boat of the area.

It has been an interesting trip so far. Most of it was without any mechanical problems and very calm water. Each day had its challenges and we were amazed at the change in character of each area we passed through. Some days it was rare to see civilization, and others, the sides of the canals where one continuous stream of gorgeous homes. It was quite a contrast. Luckily, we had very little cold or rainy weather. The hard part was that we had to move each day, leaving little time to explore the areas where we were. That will change after Christmas as we will no longer have tough deadlines to meet. We are still trying to determine whether we will head straight to the Bahamas, or will visit the Dry Tortuga's first when we leave Florida toward the mid to latter part of January.

So far, I have learned to be a pretty good tosser of lines, and as long as I remember where Port and Starboard are, usually get the lines set up on the correct side of the boat. Bob lets me steer the boat when he needs a break. That is usually followed by him returning and looking around and asking "what the heck are you doing?" Maybe that will improve over time as I get more experienced.

We really don't have much to worry about while we are gone over Christmas. The staff at the marina seem very capable and they have hired some dock workers to keep an eye on things. You can see them below:

We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Years and we'll be back on line when the adventure continues in January. The picture below is a small island that is home to thousands of Egrets. Quite a site to see.

Not all is sunshine and roses!

Well we have a couple of interesting days since the last post. We left our tie up at idyllic Bocha Chita Key and headed down Biscayne Bay along the North side of the Keys. We stopped for the night at Lingum Vitae Key. This was a spot where the State had put out some mooring buoys to tie up to. This was a new experience for us and Barbara and Al on Explorer. We both managed to do it with fairly stiff winds. We rocked all night in the wind and waves.

Then during the night, our generator quit. We had been having problems with it when Bob had found that the generator raw water shaft leaked and he needed to pump out the bilge every few hours when it was running. The next morning, Bob could not get it started, so we ran on engines and battery power to our anchorage for the night last night in Little Shark River in the Everglades. When we anchored for the night, Bob took a closer look at the problem and found that there is water in the oil due to a failure of the water cooler. As a result, we have not been able to use the generator. That meant no air conditioning, cut back on use of electricity of any lights or electricity, etc. So we read last night using those head lamps you wear on straps around your head.

Our passage today was quite rough in the morning, but calmed as the day progressed. We limped into Naples, our first Marina stop for three days. We were out of cell phone and Internet range for 24 hours yesterday. It was rather nerve wracking to have generator problems, and not being able to communicate with the outside world. It was very comforting having Explorer nearby.

We have a mechanic lined up to meet with us in Fort Myers tomorrow. Despite all the problems, I was able to take a few photos to pass on.

Photo 1 - Explorer in Little Shark River

Photo 2 - Little Shark River

Photo 3 - Sunset on Little Shark River

Photo 4 - Marco Island

Day to the Keys

Friday was an exciting day. We left Del Ray Harbor Club Marina around 7 in the morning and followed the ICW to Miami. The ICW along this stretch is completely built up with huge beautiful houses. You can also see areas where they are demolishing older one story houses and building huge multi-story homes in their place. The size of people's boats and houses, seemed to grow the farther South we went. We were both struck by the size of the watercraft. The largest ones would require a crew of 20 to 30 to maintain and run.

We passed through Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale, Dania Beach, Hollywood, North Miami, Miami Beach, Miami, crossed Key Biscayne and tied up for the night at a state park in Boca Chita Key.

In the Port of Miami we passed right by some large cruise ships - when you are this close it is quite daunting.

We are still travelling with "Explorer." It looked to me like this kayak was trying to catch Explorer.

When we got to Miami, storm clouds were passing over. We got a little dusting of rain, but it passed over quickly.

Storm over Miami

Explorer coming through bridge

Shot of Miami

These were taken at Boca Chita Key. It is great little place to stop for the night. Here is a description of the island from the Key-Biscayne website:

'Boca Chita is a small island that is located approximately 12 miles south of the Cape Florida lighthouse on Key Biscayne, and Boca Chita Key is located approximately 9 miles from Convoy Point. At one point, Boca Chita was privately owned and as the owner was preparing the island for his own private use until which time was wife was fatally injured on the island. She later passed away and he found the memories too deep to continue to work on developing the property. Boca Chita is now owned and operated by the U.S. National park services. '

Lighthouse on tie-up lagoon on Boca Chita Key

No, the Pretty Penny is not really on land - it just looks that way

Good Night

Jupiter, FL

It is a little strange seeing a lighthouse on the ICW. This is in Jupiter, FL.




We had planned to cross Florida through Lake Okeechobee, to the West Coast, however, all reports are that the water level is currently to low to safely cross. So are plans have changed and we will now go down around the South end of Florida through the Florida Bay. We met a couple planning on taking their American Tug, Explorer, to the Ft. Myers, FL area who are also going to go around the South end. They have done that before. We are now travelling along with them. Al and Barbara happen to know our neighbors Deb and Bill, who also have an American Tug boat. It is a small world.

Barbara and Al on "Explorer"

Yesterday, when we were taking on fuel at a Florida Petroleum Dock, I took these photos of a Pelican. The Pelican had a fishing lure stuck on his wing and one of the dock workers that been trying to catch it and remove the lure. He said he had done that before for another Pelican. You may be able to see the lure on the last photo. It had not slowed him down from eating though - just flying.

Fuel Dock Pelican

Well, every now and then Bob's "Type A" comes through and he can't seem to wait for bridge openings. On this one, he decided to lower a couple of antennas and go under. We had about a foot and half to two feet to spare. I about had a heart attack!

We are passing through Palm Beach area today and will stop at Delray Beach tonight. I can't tell you how many huge yachts we have seen thus far and huge houses along the ICW. It is mind-boggling.

Passage to Stuart, FL

Hi Everyone, the day we left Fernandina Beach was overcast and a little rainy. Probably the dreariest day so far. Since we got a late start out of Fernandina Beach, we ended up not stopping at St. Augustine. I did take two photos in S.A. The one below is of the new bridge (not very attractive) and the second is what is left of the old historic bridge that had some charm.

Today, we passed Vero Beach. These houses were right on the ICW at Indian River Shores. There were a ton of houses like these two with beautiful landscaping.

Drool, Drool, Drool.

This was my excitement for the day though. We had a pod of porpoises riding the bow wave and I was able to take these pictures! They seemed to be having as much fun as I was taking the photos. Enjoy.

Fernandina Beach, FL

The cruise to Fernandina Beach was calm and sunny. For the most part we continue along rivers with the occassional canal cut-through. We got to Fernandina Beach around 12:50 Saturday. That gave us time to enjoy the city a little, which was adjacent the city marina. We finally got to meet the folks on Tiderunner, Joe and Pat, that we had been conversing with along the way. Joe has provided some very useful guidance. This is their third trip down "the Ditch."

Here are a couple of photos we took in the city of Penny and a couple of "characters" we found along the way.

This guy reminded me of Barry.

This was taken from the pilot house of our boat. We were docked behind a two-masted schooner that was offering tours the day we were there. Had a steady stream of folks all day long. It was named the Voyager.

Our plan was to get underway early on Sunday and head for St. Augustine. Well, that was the plan anyway. Turned out to be one of those days that didn't start out well. First, Bob went to check the strainer on the salt water supply to the Generator. Unfortunately, he forgot to close the inlet sea cock, which resulted in water draining back causing an air bubble in the generator. After several trys to correct it. Bob finally had to crawl back behind the engine with a water hose, with me in the other end of the engine compartment and flush back through the system. That worked. by then it was 10:30 and we both needed showers. So we didn't get underway till almost noon. As a result, we did not make it St. Augustine. We stopped for the night at a marina in Jacksonville, FL along the ICW. Then, while we were cleaning up after dinner, Bob spilled all the leftover rice on the Galley floor. Like I said, it wasn't a good day.

So Monday, we are now heading South out of the marina and it looks like we will just anchor for the night and we will skip St. Augustine. We'll catch it on the way back.