Headed South Again

[edwardc]

It's 9am, the wind has died, the sun is out, and we're headed ashore to hike.
Meanwhile, back home, the schools have closed for snow! I think we've escaped!

[edwardc]

Well, we didn't quite escape. After a great day of hiking on Cumberland Island, the next morning it was 38 degrees and foggy!

But we got further "down the road" and it's warmed up again.

We're in St. Augustine for 3 days. Got in yesterday. Did a tour of San Sebastián winery (free samples!) and then a tour of St. Augustine Distillery (more free samples!). Saw the lighting of the Festival of Lights last night. Today's sunny and 70s.

I estimate we're 5 traveling days from Ft. Pierce, where we will leave the boat for a month to come home for Christmas, but we will probably first stop for a day or two in Vero Beach to try and reconnect with some cruisers we haven't seen in two years.

[edwardc]

Left St Augustine this morning. Just got tucked into an anchorage near Daytona.

[roadnsky]

Ed-
You're on the same tack as my friend's boat Honu who is joining us when we do our crossing.
They just anchored in Daytona as well.

We're leaving Sunday from St Pete to sail down thru Marathon and up to Ft Pierce to meet up with them and stage for the stream crossing.

We (Naughty Gypsea) expect to be in Ft Pierce from December 4th to around the 6th.
Let me know if you'd like me to check on Dolce Vita or need anything...

[sdemore]

Is that Ryan and Jessica's Honu? I've been following them on Youtube for the past couple of years.

[roadnsky]

Is that Ryan and Jessica's Honu? I've been following them on Youtube for the past couple of years.

No, sorry.
S/V HONU 44’ Brewer Cutter
Bill and Francine

[edwardc]

Ed-
You're on the same tack as my friend's boat Honu who is joining us when we do our crossing.
They just anchored in Daytona as well.

We're leaving Sunday from St Pete to sail down thru Marathon and up to Ft Pierce to meet up with them and stage for the stream crossing.

We (Naughty Gypsea) expect to be in Ft Pierce from December 4th to around the 6th.
Let me know if you'd like me to check on Dolce Vita or need anything...

Thanks for the offer. We anchored off Titusville last night. Today we'll head for a nondescript anchorage behind a spoil island near mm 925. Tomorrow, to Vero Beach for 3 days to visit with friends. Then to Harbortown Marina in Ft. Pierce.

[roadnsky]

Hey Ed-
Where did you guys end up? Did you lay up in Ft Pierce?

We never made it up to Ft Pierce.
We got stuck down here in Marathon and have decided to launch from here because of the constant NNE wind and seas.
It's one front after the other for the next week or so.

[edwardc]

We made it into Harbortown Marina in Ft. Pierce on Nov 26, and flew home for Christmas on Nov 30. We'll be back on Dec 28.

The Boat is tucked into a tight shallow slip, right up against the mangroves at the end of the fairway. Backing in was "interesting".

As soon as we got tied up, we were visited by a large manatee.

[sastanley]

Thanks for the update, Ed. I've been following you on blogspot!

Interesting creatures, those manatees....

[edwardc]

Well, after more delay than I planned (waiting for parts & tools I shipped from home) we're finally underway again! Tuesday 1/8, we left Ft. Pierce and continued down the ICW as far as the St. Lucie river. There, we left the ICW and turned inland to follow the Okechobee Waterway (OCWW) all the way across Florida. We stopped at anchor in Pendarvis Cove, just across from Stuart. Spent two nights on the hook there. Very nice anchorage, but has thick, sticky, smelly, black mud that is the equal of anything we have in the Chesapeake! Sure glad we have a washdown pump!

Today we traveled to the eastern edge of Lake Okechobee, just past the infamous 49ft RR lift bridge (we fit!) , and are currently tied to a pair of dolphins just before the Port Mayaca lock. Tomorrow we will cross the lake.

Really feels good to be moving again. We should be in Ft. Meyers in a couple of days.

[CajunSpike]

Where ya heading once you get across Florida?

[edwardc]

Our current plans are to head south along the Everglades, hop over to Key West, island hop the keys over to Marthon and Key Largo, jump over to Bimini, and loop through Eluthera and the Abacos before starting back north in the spring. Need to be North of Norfolk by June 1.

[lat 64]

Ed, Joan,

Just sayin' "Hi".

We have an uncle in Ft. Meyers. Wave as you go by.

It's -30F here today, so keep that in mind when you pull up muddy anchors. No sympathy from us.


Russ

[romantic comedy]

Good weather ahead. No rain expected for 10 days in Ft Myers.

In Charlotte Harbor, it is 71, NE at 9, sunny with some clouds.

It was cold last night, I had a long sleeve shirt on! (ok, a sweatshirt)