Velcro Beach

Life at "Velcro" Beach is drawing to a close.  People call Vero Beach "Velcro" beach because many who are just planning to make a short stop here end up staying.  Not us.  Not this time.  We'll be off in a week or so and to be honest, as much as we've enjoyed our stay here, we're both chomping at the bit to get moving.  I guess we're tumble weeds at heart.

So, how have we spent our time?  Jeff got a surf fishing lesson under the superb tutelage of fisher extraordinaire Grant.  We spent the day with Grant and Cindy at Sebastian State Park.  It appears there are very many catfish in Sebastian Inlet...  OR the SAME one was determined to get caught.  Jeff even took it off the hook by himself (squealing like a girl, twice, three witnesses). Either way, the guys were kept busy and Cindy and I enjoyed some relaxation in the sun.

Christmas 2015

On Christmas morning we were blessed to receive a Facetime call from my granddaughters as they were opening our gifts.  It was such a joy to be involved and to receive such warm thank-you hugs, even if they were through the computer.  Christmas away from home is just weird.  I don't know if I'll ever get used to it.


Fire!!



Today we had some excitement.  While we were happily engaging in our "morning chores" (Jeff organising the lazarette/me scrubbing the summer grunge off our water hose) we noticed a terrible smell.  We looked up to see smoke - lots of it and black - coming from a neighbour's boat. Jeff rushed to the scene and sure enough the boat was on fire and it was very quickly spreading out of control.  Luckily there were fire hoses on the dock and after smashing the glass to get them out of their stands, Jeff and a couple of other guys held things under control (barely!!) until the fire trucks arrived.  It was pretty dicey and could have quickly gone very badly.  Scary!  We feel so badly for the owners, fellow Canadian boaters who were fully stocked up and all ready to head off to the Bahamas in the next few days.  What a heart breaker.  We understand it was an electrical short that caused the fire.  They were out for the day and no one was hurt.

On a happier note, our friends Joe and Connie on the boat Chesapeake will arrive later today to spend a few days and help us bring in the New Year.   Fun!  It will be nice to catch up again.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!!

Wishing you all a day filled with peace and joy!!!!

Marina Life in Vero Beach

Marina Life in Vero Beach is pretty pleasant, I must say.  A typical day looks like this:  1) morning coffees, check the news/weather.  2) clean or fix something.  3)  afternoon at the beach, pool or some other touristy activity.  4)  dinner and cocktail hour  5)  an evening of cards, tv, or visiting with other boaters. Pretty laid back and easy-breezy.  I'm loving the heated pool! I'm up to a kilometer a day.  It's one of my favorite forms of exercise.

We needed to pick up our car from North Carolina, which is about 9.5 hours away.  We booked a rental car from Enterprise and as per usual, they were late picking us up.  With a long drive ahead of us we were not too impressed.  After a phone call to politely express our concern they finally showed up and low and behold, to make up for the delay, they gave us a FREE upgrade!!!  Whoo-hoo!!!! We've been lucky with the free upgrades!  We call this Nissan 350Z the "white streak" and it sure made the chore of picking up our car a LOT more fun!  Man, it flies!

Having the Mustang here at Vero Beach opened up more opportunities for us.  We took a road trip to Lady Lake, North of Orlando this week to visit friends Ken and Sharon.  They live in a 55+ community there.  Wow! I had NO idea such places existed.  Their community is close to what's known as the "villages", one of the fastest growing suburban areas in the United States and it's all for ages 55+.



This place is honestly like a Disney Land for seniors.

There are three "villages", each with their own theme.  One is a Spanish themed, one is designed to look like the old West, and the third is small town America, with picket fences and craftsman style buildings.  Each "village" has a central square with a stage featuring nightly entertainment and a walk up bar on each corner.  You just pick up your drink and carry it around with you.  Everything there is modestly priced, it's part of the attraction for the 55+ crowd.  Jeff and I had dinner for two with a beer and glass of wine for under $30.  We were there on a Tuesday night and the place was packed and just hoppin' with crowds of folks in their golden years up dancing, partying, enjoying a meal out or checking out the street vendor booths set up around the square.  There are well over 100,000 people living in the three villages with lots more living in the surrounding 55+ communities and most of them get around by golf carts.  There are golf cart highways and golf cart bridges.  It is quite the place (and I might add that rumour has it that The Villages has the fastest growing rate of STDs in the United States.  Yikes!)  https://www.thevillages.com/ 

Golf cart parking

Ken and Sharon took us for a tour of their community in their golf carts (they have a matching set). In their community the homes are modular and while they're not as high end as the villages (or as pricy!) the place is very tidy and well landscaped.  There are two large clubhouses with beautiful pools and hot tubs. This is a very active community and there are clubs and groups for just about any activity you can think of:  many golf leagues, softball (you should see these ladies whack a ball!), arts, crafts, billiards, bingo, quilting, shuffleboard, pickle ball, photography, etc. etc. etc.  You can be as active as you want to be...or not.  It is very social place and everyone seems so happy and friendly.

Have car will travel. Another day we took a much shorter road trip up to visit fellow loopers Grant and Cindy on the boat As the Crow Flies, which is docked about a half hour's drive upstream from us. We travelled with Grant and Cindy for a while last year as we made our way down the Tenn-Tom and then leapfrogged with them often along the way. We enjoyed a few Happy Hours, dinner out and a lot of laughs.  It was great fun catching up!

Today we dug our little foot high Christmas tree and lights out from it's storage spot under the V-Berth where I had fired it way to the back last January.  So now Gran Vida is decorated up and all ready for Christmas.  Christmas day we will spend the morning at the beach and then join other boaters in the Marina Lounge for a Christmas dinner.  

Thanks for checking in with us.  Warm wishes to you and yours for a Merry Christmas and nothing but the best of the best for the New Year.

And....Here's Jeff's two-cents worth:   This squirrel asked us if we had seen his nuts. (Photo taken in Ken and Sharon's lanai room.  He scared the bejeebers out of us when he landed there.)

St. Augustine to Vero Beach

Our next stop was St Augustine, where we stopped to hang out with our buddies Joe and Conne (M/V Chesapeake).  We spent a night at River's Edge marina and enjoyed dinner out at a local pub and good catch up visit.  They insisted on treating us out to a hearty breakfast the next morning before we shoved off.

With bellies full (thanks Joe&Connie!) and heavy hearts, we pulled up to the pump-out dock at River's Edge Marina in St. Augustine and said our good-byes to our good buddies Joe, Connie and their new dog, Chase.  We set out around noon.

As we left the river and made our turn onto the channel, low and behold, we found ourselves face to face again with friends.  There on a sailboat headed towards us was Jamie and Miriam from the sailboat Odyssey.  We met them way back in the North Channel at the beginning of this trip.  The first thing they shouted out to us from across bows was "WE STILL PLAY THAT CARD GAME!!"  One quiet night anchored in the Turnbull Islands in the North Channel we had taught them Jeff's family card game of Sixty-Five.  Funny.  The boating world is quite small indeed.

We stopped about twenty-five miles down "the road" and anchored in Matanza Inlet.  I understand  matanza means "slaughter" in Spanish. I'm not sure how this place got it's name but it sounds nasty.  Matanza Inlet is the next inlet off the Atlantic south of St. Augustine, a Spanish stronghold as the Americas were being settled.  The Spanish built a fort here to protect from a southern attack.  

Interesting history, but in the 2000's it sure makes a great anchorage!  We spent a couple of days here in the warm sunshine, dinghying over for long walks on the beach and exploring the fort.  In the evenings we enjoyed an amazing star show overhead while listening to dolphins blowing their blowholes while circling our boat, checking us out.  Quite lovely.

The next few days were overcast and rainy.  We just powered on through the rain, taking turns either on the helm or drying out downstairs in the cabin.  Not the sunny, pleasant boating days we like but a reality.  Nothing a couple of good raincoats, warm coffee and a cheery attitude can't handle.

We are now in Vero Beach on the first day of our month long stay.  The pool is heated and we've already been in for a dip.  It is overcast and in the mid-sixties but that didn't stop the Canadians!  The locals shake their heads at us.

Tomorrow we will rent a car and go get Moosie (our pet name for the Mustang).  It is parked in North Carolina, which is a nine and a half our drive according to google, so it will be a two day get-away.

Savannah to Cumberland Island

We blasted straight through the state of Georgia, stopping only to anchor and sleep. Our favourite parts of Georgia are Savannah, which is on the Northern edge of Georgia and Cumberland Island, which is at the Southern edge.  The route through the middle is pretty much swamps with an endless maze through low, grass covered islands.

Following our regular routine we spent the daylight hours taking turns driving and then anchoring out in a quiet secluded spot at night. There are seven or eight foot tides in Georgia, which makes for a lot of current as all that water moves back and forth from the ocean. Evenings were spent curled up watching movies on the laptop (because it was too cold to sit outside) while listening to the constant swish, splash and slap of water rushing along our hull.

We decided to spend a couple of days at Cumberland Island. This island was once home to a large estate of the Carnegie Family (who made a lot of money in Pittsburgh in the steel industry). The main mansion was later abandoned, burned down and all that remains are the ruins, a few smaller but stately homes, and the horses, which are now wild. The horses are fascinating to watch. They seem to have a social order, with one large mail being the dominant one.  As they sauntered up from the field in a long line, they all checked in with him as they approached and he would nod his approval then send them past.  Except in one case.  An older mare approached and I don't know what she'd done, but he gave her a brisk scolding, with lots of neighing and snorting, and she walked away with head hung low.

Much of the island is dedicated as a park and it is absolutely beautiful, covered with large gnarly oaks draped in Spanish moss.  It reminds me of a place one might expect to see hobbits scurrying about.  Not to mention the gorgeous wide beach which when the tour boats leave is pretty much deserted.

We've passed through some very industrial areas as well.  There are many busy ports along this coast, with several large inlets leading to the Atlantic Ocean to cross.  We've shared channels with freighters and a multitude of fishermen, all vying for their spot (we let the freighters win).  Also, there have been strong winds and small craft advisories issued for the past few days which have made for some "bumpy" crossings.  No worries.  Nothing Gran Vida and crew can't handle safely.

We are now in St. Augustine Florida visiting with our friends Joe and Connie, from the boat Chesapeake.  St Augustine is a beautiful, very historic town. In fact, they say it's the oldest city in the U.S.   Joe and Connie have a car here.  They very graciously took us to the grocery story to stock up and on a tour to check out St. Augustine and area all decked out for Christmas.  We are docked right beside a bar/restaurant and as I type I'm listening to the live entertainment.  It's been a great visit and so nice to spend time with Joe & Connie again.  Tomorrow we'll push off and continue our journey South.

Wilmington NC to Savannah GA

We didn’t want to push old Pearl the Perkins Diesel Engine too hard on the first day out so we took a slow run to South Port, which was only a couple of hours away.  This decision was also influenced by the fact that the first mate came down with a nasty bladder infection and needed some convalescence.  Also, there was a full day of heavy rain predicted.  So, with antibiotics working their magic (my doctor graciously gave me some to keep onboard), I curled up under blankets in the V-berth and shivered while Jeff occupied himself with computer games, chores and tending to the sick.  The rain teamed down steadily all day. 

Since then our week has pretty much kept to the same routine: we get up early and travel during the daylight hours, then anchor out in some secluded, peaceful spot at night.  It’s been chilly but mostly sunny and quite pleasant. The evidence of the spring flooding and storm damage was everywhere.  Forest floors were under water and occasionally the channel must have been silted in.  We were occasionally surprised to see our depth gauge flicker some alarmingly low numbers. We’ve seen tons of dolphins, pelicans and various sea birds but no snakes or alligators.  Once, we’re pretty sure we saw a wild boar swim across the channel in front of us but he scampered into the tall grass onshore before we could confirm.  It was something big and definitely "swine-like"!

Today we took a marina break in Savannah for laundry and to re-provision the boat.  Tomorrow we’ll get back into our routine.  With the boat all stocked we can easily stay out for a week or more.  It has occurred to us a few times that maybe next year we’ll leave the boat a little more South so we won’t have this long journey before we get to where we’re going…  the beach!!  

Our plans?  We’re thinking we’ll find a good month-long deal at a nice marina and settle in for a while.  We’re not sure where yet.  We’ll just let it unfold.

We're Floating

Finally, after a couple of weeks of waiting and working, Gran Vida was launched today.  It was an interesting adventure.  Our old generator, affectionately known as Genny, had served us well over the years but was getting tired and having a few issues.  She really was overkill at this point for what we needed.  We had removed our electric stove a few years ago and replaced it with an Origo cooktop that uses Methyl Hydrate for fuel, we have solar panels, a little inverter charges our electronics. A small portable generator tops up any gaps.  Our power needs are met just fine and we can stay at anchor for ages with no problem.  It was time for Genny to say bye-bye.  But how to get 'er out that hole in the floor?

This is how it went:  They got us up in the slings and drove the travel lift over to their old boom truck, which looks like it would make a better planter than a functional piece of equipment.  Then they very carefully extended the boom through the back door of the boat and into the salon, hovering over poor 'ol Genny hiding there beneath her hatch in our floor.  With a lot of guidance and communication, they carefully positioned the boom, hooked Genny, gently lifted her out through the glass sliding door and she was gone.  Easy-breezy. (At least for me, standing back and taking pictures).

Then came the launch.  With a little coaxing, a bit of fan-dangling below by the captain, a few cranky coughs and a big puff of exhaust, Pearl the trusty Perkins diesel engine sprang to life.  Hooray!  Gran Vida lives!

We are now tied here on the dock at the boatyard, being bounced around by the retreating tide.  Oh yeah, tides.  We'll have to brush up on the tide charts.  Tomorrow we'll be on our way.  We're not really sure how far we'll travel or where we'll end up, just South, taking it day by day.

Life in the Boatyard

So, this place is a little rough around the edges. Don't get me wrong, it's a GREAT boatyard. Everything one would want in a boatyard, this place is.  Skilled tradesmen, access to tools, secure location, etc etc. We've been here for two weeks now, living and working on the boat.  We've got lots done:  the bottom is all scraped, sanded and re-coated with antifouling; the V-berth is painted and a new foam mattress is in place; the head has been repainted and updated.  Everything is cleaned and organised. 

It's been raining heavily for the past several days with flood warnings throughout the area.  The boat yard is a muddy mess (not flooded, thank goodness, but muddy).  The next couple of days is forecasted to be warm and sunny.  Perfect for a little well-deserved break!  So, with the top down on the Mustang, off to Myrtle Beach we went.  We checked into an ocean front hotel with a great view and several pools/hot tubs to nurse our weary muscles.

Our final job at the boat yard, the removal of our old generator, is scheduled for Monday. Providing that goes according to plan, we'll launch and be off and putt-putt-putting down that river, heading South.

Gran Vidi, We're HOME!!

It seems like it's been a long time coming but we're finally "home".  And that's exactly how it feels. Home sweet boat.  Gran Vida faired well in our absence.  Despite the flooding and storms we had read about over the summer here in North Carolina, she's no worse for wear except for a thick layer of dirt and one shredded tarp.  Otherwise everything is just how we left it.

After some deliberation and flip flopping we decided to drive down to the boat.  That decision mostly had to do with the fact that the captain picked up a new toy, and who could turn down a road trip through the hills of New York and Pennsylvania in a convertible Mustang during the fall colour display?  Not me! So we loaded up what we could in the trunk and after a very pleasant weekend on the family visit circuit we were off.

We took our time and enjoyed the trip.  Looper friends Mark and Becky were in town re-commisioning their boat Mara Beal.  We arrived in Wilmington late afternoon in the pouring rain, took a room down the way from Mark and Becky and enjoyed an evening of dining and catching up.

A couple of weeks work here in the boatyard should find Gran Vida all spit-shined and ready for action.  Jeff's scraping the bottom.  I've been confined to cleaning and organizing the interior interspersed with icing a knee injury that's acting up.  Harumph.  Bad timing for that.