October 30, 2008- Thursday

October 30, 2008- Thursday

October 30, 2008 - Thursday

We got up early this morning to get fuel AGAIN - due to the fallen diesel prices. We left Palm Beach around 9:00 and decided to dock at Pompano Beach outside of Fort Lauderdale. Fort Lauderdale is having a huge boat show this weekend, so we opted to bow out of competing for dockage at this location. We arrived at Pompano Beach and found a crude pull in slip at Harbour Sands hotel on the east bank of the ICW by the Atlantic Avenue bridge. It was our hardest docking due to the current pulling the boat in the opposite direction we needed. Oh, speaking of bridges, we made a mistake of saying that we would take a picture of every bridge we went under. There's no way - we have crossed under so many bridges that all this blog would contain is pictures of bridges and believe you me most of them look like the last one. So I'm just taking pictures of other things from now on unless there is something extravagent about a bridge.
Pictures are posted of Pompano Beach. The sand has a different texture than that of the NC Coast. It is far more granular and not as fine here as what we have back home at good old C.B.
After we landed our space rocket in the hole of water needed to tie off, Joey and I got the camera and the debit card and headed for the closest grocery store, which was over the bridge as directed by the clerk at the front desk of the hotel. There is a picture I have posted which is a picture of the boat I took while standing on the bridge overlooking the ICW. Upon our return we unloaded our cargo of groceries, replenished our water holding tank and ate sphaghetti for dinner. We're watching "How it's made" and if Jon and Kate plus eight are on - then we're excited. Don't tell me we don't miss the children at HKDC, because yes we do and seem to pay attention to all children we see during our trip.
I'll sign off for now and don't forget to look at the pictures taken along our route. We call these pictures - the beautiful homes -Happy Boating.

October 29, 2008 - Wednesday

We left Capt. Hiram's Sebastian Marina around 8:15 am and arrived to North Palm Beach Marina around 4:30 pm. We made excellent time due to the favorable winds and currents. I have forgotten to mention that, but we have been pleased with how we've been catching the favorable currents, which help to glide us along. The morning started out cool, but by lunch, we were rolling up the stratus glass for a breeze. Our journey to Palm Beach Marina was like rolling through a canal that had some of the most luxurious homes I have ever seen. There was a constant view of gardeners and boat washers looking after the grounds and boats. It seems like the deeper we get into Florida and closer we get to Miami, the larger the boats but unfortunately the ruder the boaters. There is no such thing as a slow pass. It is eat or be eaten and if you're the larger boat than you rule. That's unfortunate but we're just passing through.
The marina we stayed at was also luxurious for the inventory of boats there. I have never seen such beautiful boats. They were huge. It made the Rhojo look like the Clampets. Ramone, our dockmaster was friendly and helpful. He drove a fast golf cart and was quick to help with a line.
We did not venture away from the dock. There was nothing close to the marina so we grilled our burgers and had cocktails on the back porch. We watched some tv and retired for the night. We want to be up early tomorrow, because we are getting anxious to get to the Keys. I am anxious about Biscayne Bay. I told Joey that if it got rough, then he will find me with my instant blow up life jacket on while sitting in the dingy.
Happy Boating

October 28, 2008, Tuesday

We left Titusville Marina around 11:00 that day. We left late due to the extreme cold temperatures. We arrived at Captain Hiram's Seabastian Marina around 5:15 pm. This is a great place to stop, but just the name tells you it's got to be interesting. The marina was named after the owner's uncle who was killed on Normandy beach. The brochure gives the complete history. This marina offers everything from a sandy beach with a pig pickin every Friday night to a great Tiki bar and restaurant. The restaurant is huge and seats up to 500 people. The people are very friendly. Joey and I walked out of the restaurant and up the road abit to see the town and we laughed because it reminded us of Kure Beach with the whitewashed block houses and neat lawns except there were giant coconut trees. We went to sleep that night as we were lulled by the piano player in the bar singing mostly Elton John songs and banging out the melody on the ivy. I loved it. It felt like a real authentic vacation.
We have not seen any dolphins as of late. Oh well - maybe they're waiting for us in the keys. We have seen beautiful islands with fantastic houses centered on them. What a way to live.
Happy Boating.

Oct 25th, 26th and 27th, 2008 Sat, Sun and Mon

We left Palm Coast this morning around 9:15 after getting fuel and mailing out some cards, books etc.. to family and friends.
We arrived at Titusville around 5:00 in the evening. It was a long day and we were very tired. We ate rice and beans for dinner and were glad to have it on the boat. Too tired to go out after spending so much on fuel - just didn't have the heart or gumption to spend any more money.
We met Captain Clark from the Bonnie Marie who was tied up a few slips down from us. The name BonnieMarie derived from his mother's name and his wife's mother's name. It's always fun to get info. about the names of boats. Captain Clark had a great cooking station on the back of his boat and usually that is where you will find him in the evenings. Cooking and looking out at the view on the back of his boat. He and his wife live aboard permanently.
We also found Santa Claus at the Titusville Municipal Marina. Yes there is always a supprise around every corner. Santa worked in the prison system for years as well as a Sheriff. He retired from Criminal Justice and began to work as a professional Santa in the malls around the country. He recently sold his camper and purchased a boat. He was a delight.
We stayed three days at this marina for many reasons. The wind was horrible and made it an issue to be out on the open water and there is a fix it yourself boatyard next door to this marina, so we took the opportunity to fix the trim tabs we tore off in our run aground situation at Jekyll Island. Sunday night we had to get out of bed several times and readjust the lines and fenders to the boat. Lots of fun in the freezing wind at 1:00 am in the morning, but hey ya got to take the good and bad as it comes to ya.
The marina was a very pleasant stay and we saw dolphins in the marina's harbour as well as many Manatee. We learned they love fresh water from the boat's discharge and they also love lettuce. To me they are like saltwater cows. They graze and move about slowly. There is a large park around the marina, so we took advantage of the area and had some nice brisk walks in the evening after dinner.
Happy Boating.

Oct 23, 2008/Oct 24, Thursday & Friday

Left this morning around 8:30 from Jacksonville and arrived in Palm Coast Marina in Palm Coast, Flordia around 4:30. It is a true paradise here. It is the nicest marina we have stayed at yet. The winds were tenacious today and thankfully we were greeted at the dock by a crowd of fellow boaters eager to help us dock in such windy conditions. We met Barbara and her husband who were sailing on the ICW. Barbara gave me great input about the different stops in Florida and where to go. She suggested the European Village just five minutes down the road. I took her advice and we headed for the Mezalunna pizzaria there for dinner that night. We ate at Barbara Jean's restaurant the next day for lunch and visited some of the specialty shops.
We also met Joanne and Bob Updegrave. They also are traveling to Marathon, Florida. We had hordeurves and drinks on the back of their boat the following evening.
We stayed at Palm Coast for two days due to the rainy weather. Not too much fun to travel in the rain.
Happy Boating until my next post.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

We left Golden Isles Marina around 9:15. It was an eventful day for us. We bumped aground in a tricky area around Jekyll Island where you have to go out to the entrance of the ocean and come around to the back side of the island. I was below when we bumped and it knocked me off my socks. Due to Captain's Joe's quick response we quickly rebounded and got back on track. Note - just because Shrimp boats are in shallow water - doesn't mean that's where your vessel should be. Ha Ha. The weather was blustery and cool. We crossed St. John's River and saw some of the largest boats we have ever seen. I took a great picture of one in dry dock. We arrived at Palm Cove Marina in Jacksonville, Florida around 5:00 pm.
We missed a marker coming into the marina and scrubbed again. The greatest pro about this day was the majority of the time we were running with the wind and current which gave us better fuel economy and faster speed. Oh well Moma said there would be days like this Mama said, Mama said.
We ate at Restaurant 32 at the marina that night. We highly recommend this eatery. It was delicious. We had grilled Salmon with risotto rice and apple smoked port medallions with poached Shrimp. There is a true Chef in that kitchen.
When we got back to the boat, we tried to repair our air conditioner, which had sucked up debris through the raw water intake. Thank goodness for fans.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

We left Kilkenney Creek around 9:30 and arrived to the Golden Isles Marina near Jekyll Island, Georgia. It was the easiest docking so far. The water was like a pond. The marina is new, so everything is pristine and nice. The marina had a nice Captain's store, where we purchased a new bell for the boat. We grilled brats with peppers and onions on the back porch. We were tired and it was nice to watch all of the boats coming in and docking from their journeys. Not very eventful, but very fulfilling.

Monday, October 20, 2008

To catch up on our dates, the following happened. Saturday, Oct. 18th, we stayed in Beaufort for an extra day. It was rainy and cold that day, so we did not want to travel.
Sunday, October 19th, we arrived in Savannah, Georgia. Took the Trolley stop tour and learned many historical references of Savannah. We stayed until Monday afternoon. We docked at the city dock, which was in the heart of the downtown area. Thanks to a great Dockmaster, Chaze, who helped us dock and took our mail to the post office. Thanks Chaze, for all of your help.
We ate lunch at Paula Dean's restaurant. It was delicious! After a brisk walk back to the boat, we departed to go further into the Georgian coast. The Georgia sawgrass on the banks of the ICW is beautiful. It is almost prairie like. We docked this evening at Kilkenney Creek. It is a quaint country marina that looks like a gentlemen's fish camp. Danny helped us dock. He's lived on Kilkenney Creek all of his life. In fact his father bought the marina years ago and he is now the owner. The pace here is slow and easy. Even the otter we saw cross the creek this evening while sitting on the back of the boat was in no hurry. We are happy to be docked and there was a crossing called; "Hell's Gate," that we were nervous about. All notes and references we have read in regards to this spot stated boldly to cross on high tide only, "NO JOKING." We crossed this area and yes it was high tide. Hallelujah another difficult area accomplished. The weather is cool and the mosquitos on the back porch will tote you off. We ate leftovers from our Saturday night supper at Vic's and are now retiring for the night. As they say in Georgia:
I'll see yall later.

Friday, October 17, 2008

We left Charleston at 9:30 am and arrived in Beaufort, South Carolina at 4:30 pm. Today was a seven hour ride, but it gave us time to work on some maintenance issues on the boat.
Beaufort is pronounced like Buefort. It is an historical place. Small with lots of shops and almost a step back in time. Everyone we passed on the streets speaks to you. We docked at the city marina in downtown Beaufort. We were delighted with the row of super large porch swings lined up around the harbour walk. We sat and swang after a delicious dinner at "Luthers." We ate crab cakes and the very best pork chops I have ever put in my mouth. They come to the table black, charred with a molasses sauce that is sweet and tangy. Yum Yum. Years ago, Luther's restaurant used to be Luther's Drug Store and Mercantile. They have pictures hanging from 1908 to its current restaurant days. It's a very interesting collection of history. The original plank floors are still being walked on.
Tomorrow we will set our sights toward Savannah. Paula Dean, here we come baby.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Joey and I left Georgetown this morning at 8:15 am and arrived in Charleston at Ashley Marina around 3:15 pm. It was a long ride but we had lots of entertainment along the way. We could not count how many dolphin we saw. Some joined our wake and jumped along with the boat and others had splash parties on the banks of the waterway just like children. It was absolutely amazing.
We also saw an aligator and yes we saw an abundance of indigenous palm trees.
Charleston Harbour was our first large body of water. It was somewhat imtimidating to cross, but we managed.
Docking went smoothly and afterwards we took a nice stroll to the maritime market. Charleston is a beautiful town. We have been here many times so we decided to stay aboard and grill out. We noticed noses and looks as we were grilling. I think we were making people hungry.
We met a nice fellow on the dock who was a captain for a boat being repaired two doors down from ours. Conversation was easy and breezy on this lazy afternoon on the back porch of the boat.
Watched Commander and Chief after dinner and retiring for another day of adventure and exploration.
We're having a ball. Happy Boating!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

This morning we left Murrell's Inlet around 9:00 and arrived in Georgetown, South Carolina at 12:00. We traveled 8 knots. We were apprehensive to try and make it to Charleston, so we decided go the safe route and travel the shorter distance to Georgetown. Tomorrow will be the long haul to Charleston. The weather has been beautiful.
We had traveled many times to Charleston by car and passed through Georgetown. We always wanted to stop and now we finally had the opportunity to see what we were missing.
Georgetown is a quaint historical town with a deep south feel. Joey and I enjoyed the harbour walk. Dinner was not that great at a local restaurant, but hey you win some and you lose some when you dine out.
We docked at Boatshed Marina. The docking fee of $1.40 per foot was very reasonable and it has a beautiful view of the downtown area. The harbour is adorned with moored sailboats. I close with Happy Boating and please note about South Carolina a tidbit of information I was told by a local on the streets. The State Bird of South Carolina is a mosquito! I will post pictures of our day.