The Day of the Dolphin Saturday, January 17, 2021 Day 42

 As we left Stuart, we traveled on the ICW, into the St. Lucie Canal. The canal is wide and deep, so steering was pleasurable. Also, although a Saturday, there was not much boat traffic; always a joy! 

There were lovely homes along the way and at approximately, 1 o'clock, we approached our first lock, The St. Lucie Lock. It is quite a large lift, about 14 1/2 feet; the deepest lock on our trip across Florida. Unfortunately there was another boat in the lock when we arrived so we had a long wait while that boat was lifted and the water drained before we could enter.

Expecting to tie on the starboard side of the lock, all our fenders (the inflatable objects protecting the boat from damage when next to other objects, like other boats, docks, pilings, and lock walls), were on the starboard. The dock tender directed a port side tie up, so we rushed to untie and move the lines and the fenders to the port.

Roland had given me some advice with respect to the lock procedure, expecting help from the lock tender. Forget it. No assistance was available. It was on us. Ropes were hanging every 5 or 6 feet, and I had to grab one with the boat hook. This being my first serious boat hook maneuver, it took several tries, as the boat went past several hanging ropes. Finally I snagged one and pulled it in. Roland had already tied up the bow, and ran back to help me pull in the stern. It required way more strength than I could have mustered on my own.

When in the lock, I felt as if we were in a deep well. The eastern gates closed and the water started to flow in from the western gates. It was really weird as the boat was lifted slowly at first, I was hanging on to keep the boat close to the wall as the water lifted the boat. The sky had been overcast and as we rose up to the top we saw that the lock was located in a lovely park, the grass was very green, and suddenly, the sun was shinning as we were magically lifted out of the well. It was ethereal.

The scenery was very lovely after the St. Lucie Lock. It was flat, very few homes and, in parts, wilderness. We even tried steering on the flybridge for a while even though it was not really warm enough. The flybridge is at the top of the boat, is all open and provides a wonderful view.

At about 4:15 PM we reach the Port Mayaca Lock , a mere 2 foot difference, also up. The last lock transit was in 15 minutes. The lock tender suggested that if we wanted to go through we really had to do so, immediately. He also mentioned that the waves not only in Lake Okeechobee on the other side, but also in the lock, itself were 4 feet high with 15 to 20 knot winds. We told him that we had planned to go through in the morning when conditions were calmer. He said that the last boat that went through didn't even tie up; they just tried to stay in the middle rocking all over the place. They had to use both their bow and stern thrusters just to keep from smashing against the walls. We only have a bow thruster. Captain Roland knew the conditions were unacceptable, and that the forecast for the morning was beautifully calm, so we declined the lock until the morning, and kept to our plan. Roland's planning was exquisite. He had, as usual, checked out the weather, and the conditions and knew exactly what we what would be best for us to do.

The plan was for us to tie up to the dolphins, which are located immediately before and after each lock. I think they were designed for barges and other work boats.

Neither of us had ever tied between two dolphins (I had never even heard of or seen one before today), but we were going to give it a go. The dolphins are several pilings, tied together, wider at the bottom than the top, and look a bit like a teepee. They have cleats and the idea is to tie the stern and bow with lines to two different dolphins. We have since learned that it may be better to tie put out the anchor at the bow, and tie the stern to the dolphin (Now you tell me?!). The dolphins are spaced differently so that smaller boats and larger boats can still use one set of dolphins. We chose the medium size. I did not think we could get into the smaller one and the bigger one was way too big. So like Goldilocks, we thought the middle one was just right. Wrong! We had to tie 2 lines together at the bow, go back and forth slowly to tie up without smashing the boat, to make this work. Dophining was not easy; I probably should have been davening instead.

Tying up to the dolphins was not fun, but it was cake compared to untying. It is amazing that it worked. It was stressful, but as I said, not as stressful as untying Sunday morning; but that comes later.

The sunset was beautiful, and we had a great steak on the grill. I had a zoom with 25 or more of us from TIAW who meet every year on this weekend in Safety Harbor, near Clearwater. It was great to see everybody and catch up.

After dark we went out with a very strong flashlight and looked in the marshes for the shiny red eyes of alligators. Fortunately, we didn't see any.

We were extremely tired after the stress of my first lock and first dolphin experience. I had not slept much the night before, so after I finished the dishes, I went to bed. Fortunately, I had no idea of what lie ahead in the morning when we were to untie from the dolphins.

Sunset Bay Marina, a week in Kadey Krogan south

 

We approached Sunset Bay Marina and our assigned dock location with 30 knot winds. Roland maneuvered beautifully... he is really getting good handling Magic Moments. Unfortunately, as we approached our dock, we realized that it was occupied by a very large and rather 21st-century spaceship looking trimaran. The trimaran had just been towed in by BoatUS (like AAA for cars), and was left in our spot.

We called the dockmaster who said just go in right in front of the trimaran. Roland circled around in the fairway and as he approached it was clear that we would not fit. The trimaran owner together with 2 dock hands pulled the boat back a little so that we could dock. It was still rather tight and the winds were rather strong. Captain Roland did an amazing job. And we docked without incident, damage and without embarrassment. Roland was relieved.

The major reasons for spending a week at Sunset Bay Marina, were to have the boat buffed and waxed, to have staples made, to get the dinghy engine repaired, and to have some of the technology worked out with Scott the guru. As I may have mentioned in my last blog, Saturday morning, as we were preparing to enter the marina, the boat computer with the navigational software, died. We had to reload the software on my extra computer that I had brought along, and we really needed Scott's help.

Obviously, I was totally inexperienced; I actually expected all this work to be done in a week. We started off with Carlos, of Top Knotch, who was to do the buffing and waxing and found out that he couldn't start until Wednesday, and would not be done till Friday or Saturday. Our arrangement with the marina was just until Thursday morning. Before we could conclude the negotiation over the waxing and buffing, Roland had to get an extension to our docking arrangement. This worked out quickly and easily but not inexpensively. I learned later that a week at Sunset Bay Marina (this is not unusual), is almost as much as a month. Live and learn, and education is not cheap!

I then had a very long and respectful negotiation with Carlos for the buffing and waxing. He wanted almost 50% more than I had expected to pay based on the prices that our seller had paid every year. Of course our seller had used Dana from Fluff and Buff, who is a one-man operation and is probably booked 100 years in advance. In fact, when I spoke to Dana about an appointment for 2022, he laughed. Maybe someday, when someone sells their boat, we could get on Dana's wait list!

It took a couple days for the fabricator to show up and he too could not get the work done before we left, even on Saturday. We tried to get him to make the staples and deliver them before we left; Roland was sure he could install them, hopefully reducing the price, but he called us later that night and said he didn't have enough material. He was obviously not willing to order or get additional material in time. We were really (felt dumped), unhappy with him. We had a second name, but, it was getting late in the week to call Alexander.

Now the dinghy engine: you remember, I hope, the adventure with our non-functioning electric motor. The only repair place was in Pompano. So, we rented a car on Tuesday and drove down with the engine. The people were very confident, responsive, and pleasant, and said they would he be able to get the replacement part shipped to us for arrival in Clearwater a week from Friday (for some rather large sum of money).) OK, we now have to live without a tender as we crossed Florida. I wasn't thrilled but was happy that this would be completed and available for us in a reasonable time (10 days?!!).

We made good use of the day with the rental car: did a lot of errands, hardware store, Home Depot, Lowes, Trader Joes and several other stores that had things that we decided we needed. We had a wonderful lunch at at Sea Watch, in Fort Lauderdale, on the water (thank you for the suggestion, Barbara Newman). We were very comfortable with the outdoor dining area.

On our way back we drove by Ann's condo, but she was busy on a zoom so we didn't get to connect. We also drove by Boca Del Rey complex, on Military Trail, the community in which my parents lived for 20 years. I insisted we stop by Poppies, the local deli, and I picked up some herring, whitefish salad and a bagel. It was a little bit like home; thinking about my parents; it was very nostalgic.

After we dropped off the motor for repair, we called another metal fabricator. He said that he could make the staple and cups if he had the dimensions and some other information; Roland had it all, so, after we sent him a deposit through PayPal, he committed to get us the staples by Saturday morning before 11am. Roland knew he could install them himself, so we were good to go. Alexander came through for us. We were very appreciative.

Wednesday morning between 8 AM and 9 AM, Carlos, who is from Guatemala, arrived at the boat with three helpers; and they started their work. They buffed and they waxed and they cleaned and they did one amazing job. They were there Wednesday, Thursday, and half a day Friday. On Friday, Carlos brought 2 extra helpers, so there were six of them. And, did I mention that they did an amazing job? Basically, I was not happy with the high price, but I must say, it was an incredible job. Roland gave each helper a tip.

Top Knotch is just that. We gave Carlos's card to several other boat owners who were also blown away by how great Magic Moments looked.

Guru Scott had come by twice during the week to help with the technology and he is one awesome human being. Not only is he knowledgeable about EVERYTHING on this boat, but he also remembers amazing details. He was enormously helpful the two times he stopped by. His boat owner clients would be miserable without him; he is a wizard at problem solving, available to help on a moment's notice and an incredibly nice guy.

He loves Hersheys chocolate covered peanuts. We got him the biggest bag I could find. I had wanted to send him special chocolates from Ventnor, but we ran into a logistical problem. Maybe another time I will be able to bring him those very special chocolates.

We did have a scare on Thursday around 6pm, when Scott texted that he had tested positive for Covid. He was tested because he was going to fly but had no symptoms. I was morose. No one had been on this boat but us, Scott and the heater repairman, since December 6. What if we had been exposed? Scott wore a mask on the boat and was aboard for a very short time during which all the doors were open....but still??? Around 6pm on Friday, Scott texted that he took a second test and was negative. His first test must have been a false positive. I was relieved (as were many other boaters)….and had a drink......as did many other boaters!

The whole point of this adventure was to travel while staying safe, and no one comes on the boat and we don't go on other boats. We stay socially distanced outside to chat. And Scott was the only other person in our boat since we left Maryland on December 6, other than the heating unit repair person and his assistant back in Chesapeake Virginia, many weeks ago. I was relieved to hear that he was negative for us, for him, and for all the rest of the boaters for whom he works with and with whom he socializes.

While we were at at Sunset Bay Marina, we took walks on the boardwalk along the water, went to a farmer's market (bought an assortment of mushrooms, some of which I had never seen before), made crepes stuffed with  mushroom and a wonderful sauce..

 got really good meat at a butcher shop, and walked through town. I had two opportunities to run in the morning, and we walked or biked to the supermarket, hardware store, and the pharmacy where I picked up some prescriptions. Because spending short intervals inside was the ideal, and because we could carry a limited amount of food, walking or biking, we sometimes went to the stores 2 or 3 times a day. On Friday, we bought inflatable standup paddle boards, 

our first toys, to be drop shipped Friday to Clearwater. It was a very pleasant week on land, although disappointing that there were no restaurants with outside seating spaciously apart enough for us to be comfortable.

By the way, we saw very few pedestrians all week, and only a few folks on bikes; they bike on the side walks as there are only sporadic bike lanes, few shoulders, and almost nobody walking on the sidewalks.

The weather was beautiful all week and we had the opportunity to meet a lot of other Kadey Krogan owners; Stuart is the KK center of the south! At 4:45pm, every evening, at the end of C dock, several would gather for a drink, at a safe distance. Jim and Barbara, our sellers, had sent an email to all their KK friends at Sunset Bay Marina, asking them to welcome us now that Ariel had become Magic Moments. It was very kind and thoughtful of Jim and Barbara and we appreciated their introducing us to the other boaters.

On Saturday morning, January 16, 2021, Day 41, we got ready to leave Sunset Bay Marina.

Alex had delivered the staples, and they looked great. We did our last run to Publix, two loads of laundry and, very kindly, two couples came over to help us off the dock and meet us again at the fuel dock before we left.

It was quite windy (so what else is new when we have to get on and off docks?!), and we really appreciated their help both getting off the dock and getting on and off the fuel dock. Polly and Mike, and Ria and Bob, long time friends of Jim and Barbara, were terrific. We will miss them, at least for the rest of the season. Waving goodbye to the four of them, we set off on our trip across the Okeechobee to the West Coast of Florida.

Roland had been up and down the ICW on the East Coast, a number of times, and was quite familiar with most of the terrain, possible anchorages, and various marinas. As we left Stuart, however, he was now going to uncharted territory, for him. This part of the trip was now an added adventure. Everything and every place would be new. We bought paper charts to cross Florida, on Tuesday when we were doing our errands with the rental car, and he had been studying them diligently.

We motored, west, off into the sunset.

Slow Boat to Stuart

 Monday, January 4, 2021 Day 30.

Up early. My sleep was interrupted several times with the noise of the boat against the anchor (Roland said it was due to the tide shift without wind), and the sound of the waves slapping against the hull. The anchor sound reminded me of chains in a haunted house, combined with the slapping wave sound which made me feel as if I were living in an aquarium; very weird. We left our anchorage at 8:05 AM, and there was no milk for my latte. I should’ve had an espresso. No sleep and no coffee!

The wind was behind us from the southeast, so it was a smooth ride and the sun glare was less difficult. The homes were passing on the ICW were a little poshier than earlier. There was also a significant amount of lovely foliage which enhanced the beauty of the ride. Here, the ICW was a little wider and a little deeper, so steering was not that stressful. We were on the Indian River approaching Palm Shores at 10:35 AM. We slowed down (reduced our RPMs), to increase the fuel efficiency.

The day was lovely, so we went up to the flybridge. It was beautiful. The wind was at our back; so comfortable. There were very few boats around which was a stark contrast from the weekend. It was open and quiet and sunny and beautiful, steering from the top: the birds, the dolphins, the scenery, the sun. Just wonderful. At the height of decadence, on the flybridge, while I as steering, Roland, for lunch, grilled my world famous turkey burgers that I had made previously.

After lunch, we passed several small, recreational, boats fishing only with nets. Curious: their haul, maybe shrimp, or bait? My fishing experience is almost nil...I have tried a couple times, but have never caught anything, ever! After passing some more lovely scenery of palms and broad leaf trees, we arrived in the Vero Beach area around 3 PM.

We docked at the Loggerhead Marina, on the starboard side (both to pump out at the fuel dock and then along the wall, docked for the night). Captain Roland did a great job. After leaving the fuel dock where we had pumped out, he went all the way around into the fairway, and re-approached the dock where we would be tied up for the evening. Well done! He is becoming more comfortable, and more skilled, handling this boat, which is bigger and beamier than his boat. He did an excellent job, with little assistance from his first mate, who is still working on learning, just about everything.

After docking, we walked about a mile and a half to Publix, This was the Monday after New Years Eve weekend and the pickings were sparse, to say the least, at the market.

We were due on Friday at the Sunset Bay Marina, for a week to get some work done. So we were taking our time and would be anchoring out for the next few nights until it was time to arrive at the marina in Stuart.

Tuesday, January 5, 2021 Day 31.

Today was the day of the Senate runoff election in Georgia. I got up late and it was nippy but sunny and beautiful. I took the opportunity to run 3 miles around the golf course that was related to the marina and cool down by walking about a mile over the various docks to look at all the boats.

We left the marina at about 10:45am, for an anchorage near Fort in Pierce. Some local boaters watched my work and came over to help us off the dock. Apparently I still need a lot of help and practice. An overnight success, I am not. Roland, however, was getting very good at handling the boat.

We were soon back on the ICW for a short, lovely, beautiful and peaceful ride, passing only one bridge that required opening. Most of the other bridges, and there were several, were high enough for us to pass under. We are only 25feet high. We saw many small boats fishing, dolphins frolicking, birds also fishing, and we reached our anchorage at Fort Pierce around 1:30 PM.

It was a lovely anchorage; there were several other boats there, some of them, I believe were Canadian based on their flags and the fact that the family was swimming in what I think is still a little too cool water for me. It was an early end of travel day (on our slow boat to Stuart), and, once anchored, we had a wonderful lunch on the back deck. Roland put up the sunscreens for the first time. I did some yoga, a zoom with high school friends and then a WIL grant meeting.

It was a delightful afternoon and evening.

Day 32, January 6, 2021 Wednesday. We were really being indulgent, taking advantage of the fact that we were traveling only a short distance each day. So we started today with a 9 AM breakfast of banana pancakes and lattes. We left the anchorage near Fort Pierce at 10 AM. When Roland brought up the anchor, it wasn't too muddy. Roland loves sandy bottoms; way less work, way less mess.

Our practice has been for me to be at the helm while Roland is bringing up and washing down the anchor, and then I follow the basic path out that we took in, back to the ICW (the path is marked on the screen monitor that is used for navigation). Normally, upon our return to the ICW, Captain Roland, resumes command of the helm. This time I stayed at the helm for almost 4 hours until we reached the St. Lucie River on the way to our planned anchorage, slightly west of Stuart.

At 12:50 PM, we approached an area with three bridges which were rather close together. The first bridge was a fixed bridge which we could go under, but it is so close to the next bridge, a railroad bridge, which is immediately followed by a low bridge for which we would have to request an opening, the old Roosevelt Bridge. Due to the timing, we had to spend about 25 minutes outside the fixed bridge, waiting for the requested opening. Finally the time arrived, and all the boats hanging around in this narrow area, carefully went through the fixed bridge and then the railroad bridge which remains open except when there was a closing for the train to pass, and then the old Roosevelt Bridge.

We turned up the St. Lucie River and went to the north branch.

While we were waiting for the old Roosevelt Bridge opening, I was listening to the confirmation of the electoral college debate in Congress. Suddenly all went dead on my phone with respect to the hearings. I assumed it was a technological problem relating to the three bridges. It was only later that I learned about the outrageous disaster that occurred in the Capitol. At 3:06 PM we anchored in the St. Lucie River. We had just reached the 1000 mile mark on this journey. We reached a high as the country suffered an incomprehensible low.

It was a total disconnect; here we were on this calm and beautiful journey while horrendous riots and despicable behavior was exploding in the nation's capital; outrageous and disgraceful. We did something we never do: we watched TV news while eating dinner. The violation of the oath of office of our political leaders is beyond unacceptable; the people of the US deserve better. I am appalled and horrified, but, sorry to say, not shocked. We got here one step at a time. It is shameful.

At 7 PM, I had a conference call for TCPW, to deal with changes necessary and desirable so that we can have reasonable diversity in our group. It was a very interesting zoom meeting. But the contrast of having this discussion after the events of the day left me disoriented; my feelings in disarray.

I was really having a hard time and stayed up rather late to work on my blog in order to try to get myself together in light of this horrendous happening in the Capitol. I was having a hard time coping.

January 7, 2021, Thursday, Day 32.

Awakened rather late, 7:30 AM, stretched, had roll style burritos ala Roland, for breakfast. After doing the dishes, making the bed and working out, I was trying to get a grip on where we were in light of yesterday's events. Listened to the worlds reactions, horrified so planning to support opponents of the representatives in Pennsylvania who still objected to the electoral college after the riot. When will we ever learn, when will we ever learn?

At Debbie Williams' suggestion, I had started listening to White Fragility. May be I will get some insight between that book and Caste. I need to understand.

At 1:40 PM, we moved a short distance to a different location, due to the change in the wind direction. Even though we were moving a very short distance, we had to take up the anchor and wash it down, and then travel for about 10 minutes and gain anchor. Roland tried to fix the tender motor but the tools to replace the parts were not on board.

Planning for tomorrow's docking at the Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart for a week to get work done, was required. The weather forecast was for very strong winds. Roland wanted to arrive at the marina dock at slack tide (1:30pm tomorrow), so it would be only the wind and not the current and the wind that would challenge our docking. Sunset Bay Marina docking tomorrow was going to be a challenge. I could tell that Roland was rather nervous.

 

The evening was overcast, it was getting very windy, and thousands of gnat type bugs were all over the boat. Although the anchorage was very beautiful and nearby the marina where we were scheduled to be tomorrow, the gnats alone should discourage folks from spending the night in this area.

Hopefully the worst is behind us with respect to what happened in the Capitol, the day before. Some elected and appointed officials need to be fired, censored, even prosecuted including POTUS.

Friday, January 8, 2021, Day 33.

The clouds disappeared and the sun was out, but it was very windy and Roland was stressing; captain Roland is concerned about docking in these conditions in Sunset Bay Marina, which is very crowded (he had been here before), and with the strong wind, even though our timing had neutralized the effect of the current, 30 knot winds, made docking very difficult. And, keep in mind, we are still newbies.

In preparation for docking, Roland put out all of the fenders on both sides, and explained my docking job. I had a half hitch tying lesson. I had been trying to master the half hitch for weeks (it isn't really that difficult; I seemed to have had a mental block regarding a half hitch!). After a very frustrating 30 minutes, I think I finally figured out how to tie a half hitch. So, there we were, on our way, to Sunset Bay (musical notes), and I was tying half hitch knots every 10 minutes.

Dinghy Day

 Sunday, January 3, 2021 Day 29 of our trip. Dinghy Day. A day that may live in infamy.

I was up early and had some coffee. I have been very hung up over the tender. Will it work? How long will it take for us to learn to lower and raise the dinghy in a reasonable time? So many new issues with the dinghy: what is its condition? difficult to inflate? issues getting it over the side with the electric hoist? does the hoist work well? getting into the tender (also known as a dinghy), from the swim platform? getting out of it ? returning the tender to the top of the boat? using the electric motor?. Today is D (dingy) Day 1/3/2021.

It took us 1 1/2 hours to get the tender over the side. First, it had to be inflated. Then; we had to figure out how the hoist works; how to get the tender through and around the other wires and ropes, (one broke while we were proceeding); several parts of the dinghy seem like they they have had a long, hard, life and may need to be replaced. 

My guess is that the tender had been heavily used in the past but not attended to for quite a while. We had several other glitches along the way: we needed to find the right keys to the storage units holding the motor parts, the kill switch ((a safety device that cuts off the motor if the tender captain falls overboard), and parts for the motor, and on and on. We decided to give it a go even though we hadn't found the wooden seat for the dinghy.

After a lot of creaking and noise,we got the crane to lift the tender over the side and lowered it to the water. Roland brought it around to the swim platform. And then I was supposed to go aboard. It was not quite as rocky or problematic as I thought it might be. But it wasn't simple either. Now that we were both in the dinghy, Roland turned on the motor. The motor moved slowly, it was very reluctant to operate. We knew the batteries had been fully charged, so why was the engine not operating properly? Going slowly (is this the way it was to be?); neither of us had any experience with a marine electric engine. We did motor us over to Magnolia, which was the Kadey Krogan 42, that had anchored nearby yesterday.

We had a lovely visit with the Anthony and Annette; we were in the tender and they were on their boat. They have been living a board Magnolia, and the previous Magnolia, their sailboat, for 13 years. They have a lot of experience and we had a lot of questions. They were very kind and helpful.

Small world: in the summer, they live aboard for awhile in Hartge Harbor Marina, in Galesville, MD (my sister's marina, and from where we had the renaming ceremony and started our vogage). Annette had, in mid-September overheard my sister speaking to someone else at the marina about the fact that Roland and I were looking at a Kadey Krogan. Annette had told my sister how much she loves her boat and had given my sister her about card. She didn't remember while we were in the dinghy, but she thought about it and recalled later. Weird that she “knew” us since September.

We had to end our discussion because the rain storm was coming and we needed to get back to the boat and get the dinghy back on Magic Moments.

We try to start the engine again and that was the end of that. It did not work at all, even at the slow speed it had operated when we took it over to Magnolia. So poor Roland, although we were not that far away had to row on his knees (remember, we left without finding the wooden seat) all the way back to the boat. We also had to get the tender up on the top of the boat before the rain got really bad.

Well we were happy that we managed to the extent that we managed. Unfortunately we do not know whether the engine will ever work again. People who are boaters must love the challenge of solving these endless issues that crop up everyday!

After 1 o'clock, the storm had moved on, and Roland wanted us to move to the south side of the Addison Point Bridge, aka the NASA Causeway Bridge. No opening required for us as it was 27 feet and we are 25.

After anchoring on the south side, we enjoy a quiet evening and a nice dinner of fish and brussels sprouts. We plan to leave at 8:45 AM tomorrow. It is a little disconcerting to know we don't have a tender engine. I am not sure (my name is not Michael), I am in good enough shape to row the boat to shore.

New Years Eve and on..

 Thursday, December 31, 2020. Day 26.

We are preparing to welcome 2021, for a long holiday weekend. In my lifetime, I do not believe there has been another year that has been so happily left behind, throughout the global, as 2020. When we arrived at our anchorage, the temperature was 79 degrees. Yipee!! We came for the warmth. It was very calm at the anchorage, after the ICW, where it had been very windy with rolling water in a very narrow channel.

We celebrated our arrival at Daytona Beach, and to mark the close of a successful day, with chocolate porter. Sunset was beautiful, and then a wonderful New Year's eve dinner: rack of lamb and vegetables, with a excellent bottle of champagne (a generous gift from Jim and Barbara, the former owners of Magic Moments when it was Ariel). We zoomed with my sister and brother and planned FaceTime tomorrow with Chris and Charlie.

Thinking about a lot of loss today. I was reminded of a past New Year's Eve with Mona, who took me in when I was single and without anywhere to celebrate. It was emotional, in a way, poetic, that today, new year's eve, was the day that we said goodbye to Mona.

I finally got to wear my new boat shoes that I had bought at West Marine in Galesville, MD. It was finally warm and dry enough. Roland is going barefoot which is the way he enjoys walking around the boat.

We went to bed rather early, missing the traditional ball dropping in Times Square and planning to greet 2021 in the morning. I learned that the ball drop was originally a marketing gimmick that was inspired by a nautical custom (now that I am a boater, I pursued the tidbit and did some research). Apparently, in some ports, a ball was dropped at a set time to enable sailors to set their clocks to ensure accurate navigational calculations.

January 1, 2021 New Year's Day, Friday, Day 27.

Happy New Year!! Hard to believe the beautiful morning! And so freeing that 2020 is OVER!! In celebration, Roland made huevos rancheros - delicious.

 We cleaned up and got ready to motor to Roland's favorite near New Smyrna Beach, which is a rather short distance. We left at 10:15am arrived at 12:15.pm. The trip down was really windy and several fast boats went speeding by “waking” us. The channel is narrow so not much choice but to get rather close, but if they were considerate they would have slowed down when passing. We were up in the flybridge for a while until the wind got too heavy.

 The final location of the anchorage is really nice, one of the best, but, because it is in season, it is more crowded than when we had anchored in the Chesapeake (when it was really cold and no one else was anchoring). I miss being out here alone.

Our anchorage was between the beach and the I CW so we had incredibly beautiful views all around. On the way down we passed several pontoon boats. They remind me of a floating rectangular above ground swimming pool. Odd looking to me. Great party boats for whipping around lakes and in shallow water.

We had a very relaxing afternoon, although I did spin for 40 minutes. We had a FaceTime call with Chris and Charlie (we even got to see Lizzy and the two girls).

After a wonderful scallop dinner, we zoomed with Roger and Val, Karen and Stephen. Mary Beth and Ed did not make it to our zoom. Because it was a holiday, zoom allowed extra time; we talked for over an hour.

Saturday, January 2, 2021. Day 28. Exactly 4 weeks since we left Galesville, MD.

I was up really early, 5:23 AM. Captain Roland wanted to leave by 8 AM (we actually left at 7:45 AM). Going east, the sun glare was really bad. If I am going to steer, I have to wear a baseball cap that has a large visor. I am not wild about baseball hats, but ….....no choice.

On this part of the ICW, the houses are very close to the water on both sides. We approached our first bridge, midtide, we didn't know whether we could fit under or we would need an opening. It was the George Munson Bridge which is supposed to open every 20 minutes on request. We had the wrong information on the opening times, so we had to hang around waiting 25 minutes before the bridge tender would be opening the bridge.

 I took the opportunity to do some research on the Haul Over Cut near Bal Harbor. It was very clear that it was too dangerous for us to navigate. The currents, rocks and narrow inlet made it risky for those without local knowledge. I am disappointed, I would have loved to see Coral Seas Towers, where I had been a snow bird for 8 years, from the water in Biscayne Bay.

It was warm and we were cruising with the doors open. Hopefully, the humidity won't damage the interior; I love fresh air. When it got even warmer, we opened the hatches in the pilot house. The breezes are wonderful.

Entering a very narrow part of the I CW, we had to be intensely attentive. The instruments here are very important. I don't think this is the most fun part of the I CW, there is very little scenery.

As we are approach a canal near Cape Canaveral, the scenery changes and there are lots of small recreational fishing boats, kayaks and row boats, and numerous folks on shore fishing. This must be the fishing spot of Florida. People are fishing everywhere; anywhere there is a spot to sit on the shore. Their cars are parked near the water, their folding chairs are set up, the cooler next to them, and they are all fishing in little narrow areas of the land wherever there is a break in the trees.

We anchored just north of the NASA Causeway Bridge, also known as the Addison Point Bridge. It was a lovely evening and shortly after we settled in our anchorage, we were joined by another Kadey Krogen trawler, Magnolia. We had met them very briefly, in St Augustine, just a few days before.

Tomorrow is Dinghy Day..... 1/3/21. We will try to launch the dinghy; my next major (and hopefully, last major) concern!

St. Augustine..

 At 9:45 AM, we left the Jacksonville Municipal Dock, thrilled that the engine and generator were working and that, except for the discomfort of sleeping in the cold, this learning experience didn't cost us anything. We rejoined the ICW traveling under several bridges; but the tide and the current were against us so our speed dropped dramatically.

It was a clear and now warm, day with beautiful scenery; marshes, nice homes and some anchored sailboats. We passed crab pots (surprising to me as I thought crab pots were a Chesapeake Bay feature), bridges, small homes, estates, and elaborate docks.

The weather was mild enough for us to try, for the first time on this trip, steering from the flybridge which is at the top of the boat and all open.  

We entered the very crowded municipal marina at St. Augustine. 

Our assigned slip was a little tight. As you all know, we are very new with this boat, and tight slips are a bit daunting. The dock hand was there to help and the owner of a stunning, 55 foot sailboat in the adjacent slip, stopped working to watch us maneuver (and protect his boat, if necessary), as we made a first, unsuccessful turn.....way to sharp, scraping against the piling. no permanent damage, thankfully. Roland took the boat around and the second time, perfect!

Shortly after we were docked, we saw Tom and Anne, enter the marina. They had done an ocean passage from Jacksonville to St. Augustine; their sailboat was a little tall for some of the bridges. They came over to our slip and we went for a walk through town, and had a drink and something to eat at an outside restaurant.

I was in total shock, St. Augustine was mobbed; there were tons of people walking in the narrow streets, shopping, eating in the restaurants, and very few were wearing masks, except the four of us. The bars were open, musicians were playing and singing in the streets, and people were everywhere. It was like the twilight zone, back to life before March. Apparently in Florida, anything goes. Even in stores and restaurants displaying Masks Required signs, patrons were not wearing masks and neither ere some of the sales people, waiters or waitresses; I could not believe what I was seeing.

Anne and Tom were leaving the next morning (we were going to stay for another two days), so we wished them well and invited them to stop in Atlantic City this summer.

For the next two days we explored St. Augustine, on foot, and by bicycle (the first use of our folding bikes off the boat). We visited a farmers market, and a gourmet food market. We walked around the historic old town town, took lots of pictures and my friend Evin drove down from Jacksonville for a wonderful outside lunch visit.

St. Augustine is a very charming place. The town was ablaze with beautiful Christmas lights. The narrow brick streets and historic houses and buildings were well worth the visit. I am glad we had a chance to visit. But it did give me a taste of what I might find in Florida; no change in life as a result of the pandemic; stunning.

Thursday, December 31, 2020, Day 26. New Years Eve day. The pandemic is still raging, the vaccinations are dragging and I am sad about my friend Mona who passed away.

We left St. Augustine at 9:05 AM, with the help of a dock hand, and with Roland's incredible skill in such a short time with this boat, we got off the dock and out of the slip beautifully. A big improvement from our first try coming into the slip. We are learning more every day. We had hoped to steer from the flybridge again but it was way too cold and way too windy.

Back on the ICW we passed many docks that were incredibly long, maybe 300 or more feet, over the marsh. I can't imagine the cost to build and maintain docks at that length.

We made reservations for a week at Sunset Marina in Stuart Florida starting January 8^th, the earliest we could get. We need to get some work done on the boat and Stuart, for a Kadey Krogen, is the place to do it. So we will be slowing down, going shorter distances and enjoying our time as we approach Stuart.

Since St. Augustine, the weather has been mild so that heat in the boat is not necessary. Warm is a joy for me because the head (bathroom) is not heated and for the first month, when it was really cold, I had to use a small space heater in the bathroom. Many times, in the early morning, there wasn't enough time to warm it up. So I am very pleased about the warmer weather.

At 3:15 PM, we anchored at Daytona Beach, almost under the Seabreeze/ Oakridge Bridge. Here we will celebrate New Years Eve.