Back on Board & Completing Florida

We made the best of our ‘Rona break back in Texas. We caught up with some maintenance at our homes and visited with family and friends to the extent we could. As things were beginning to re-open, including an announcement the Keys would re-open on June 1, we packed up in a rental car again and headed back to Marathon and the continuation of our loop.

We had planned the winter and early spring in Florida and Bahamas then up the coast for summer in the Great Lakes. Our priority became moving north to lessen the exposure to hurricanes during the season. In our revised plan, we did not consider the constant heat and humidity. It is brutal. Local activities and seeing the sites is affected by the heat with many days having a “feels like” of more than 100 degrees. We’ve read that heat kills the virus and are counting on that being an additional disinfectant for us.

Day 130 – 134, June 3 – 7, 2020, Marathon

Two and a half months away from our floating home, Quite Nice, as we waited out the virus threat. We drove 1350 miles over 3 days and arrived back in Marathon, FL, at Marlin Bay Marina. She was just as we left her and we appreciate the good care the marina staff and our friends gave her. The marina was near empty as most cruisers avoid the Keys during hurricane season and had moved on. We got busy getting deck furnishings out of the cabin and back on deck, car unloaded and our personal stuff put away again, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping. No rush for any of that as the weather forecast was for days and days of rain and thunderstorms. We are fair-weather cruisers and held-out for better conditions. No complaints as we needed to catch our breath. We had become very accustomed to the slow pace of quarantine.

“Why Me, Lord?” was on our dock at MBM and had delayed their departure as well. We had similar plans and they had cruised the east coast of Florida before so becoming boat buddies with them was a definite blessing.

On our dock, just “Quite Nice” and our soon-to-be cruising buddy boat, “Why Me, Lord?”, a gorgeous 50′ Marine Trader.

Peter went to work making sure everything was ship shape in the engine room while Yvonne took care of cleaning the living quarters and provisioning,

It can’t be all work after all. An evening at Dockside for cold beer, BBQ ribs and some live music. Almost felt like life was back to normal.

Day 135, June 8, Key Largo

And we are off. We had not cruised the boat since arriving in Marathon on Jan 20. Would we remember how? Would she perform? First stop was an anchorage at Buttonwood Sound off Key Largo. The scenery was gorgeous, the weather delightful, the water crystal clear. Heavenly.

Waving good-bye to Marlin Bay, our home port for the last 4 1/2 months.

After we anchored at Buttonwood Sound, we could not resist and both dove in for a bit of a swim. The most gorgeous, crystal clear water.

One final breathtaking sunset in the Keys. From here up the east coast it will be more about the sunrises than sunsets.

Day 136, June 9, Miami

What a change! Cruising from the tranquility of the Keys to the bustle of Miami was quite a contrast. The Keys are so laid back. The waters of Miami are filled with fast boats and loud music. Still, we adjusted and enjoyed the spectacular skyline while at anchor at the Marine Stadium.

Day 137, June 10, Hollywood

We are cruising with “Why Me, Lord?” They requested that we make a short jaunt from Miami to an anchorage in Hollywood, FL. Our chart shows only 4 feet of depth at that location (we need 5 not to touch bottom and want 6 minimum). They draw about the same and say they have anchored there before so we trust. When we arrive at the anchorage, the water is more than 30 feet deep! Hey, can we find a little more shallow spot? Guess the charts aren’t always right. WML dropped their dinghy and we joined them for a trip ashore. Very nice lunch at Billy’s Stone Crab, then a stroll along the waterfront and cocktails at Margaritaville. We are getting in the swing of anchoring overnight now. Before leaving Marathon, we had only spent two nights at anchor and we found it very pleasant.

Day 138, June 11, Lantana

Another anchorage and jaunt ashore with Brooke and Allen from WML. Dinner at the Old Key Lime House. We could get used to this.

Sitting at the Old Key Lime House restaurant with the crew of Why Me, Lord? and a view of our boats at anchor. Good food, good drink, good friends, live music. Something about all of this makes my heart sing!

Day 139 – 141, June 12 – 14, Palm Beach

Okay, time for a marina, groceries, time on land. Soverel Marina proved a good choice. We had our challenge getting back in the groove of docking; first time in so many months, with some wind and current in the mix. We always find the dockhands to be extremely patient and helpful as they were here. Afterward, Peter and I went over “lessons learned”. There is some comfort in knowing this is a challenge for many cruisers and a point of stress for most. Similar to flying an airplane, the takeoffs and landings are the trickiest part.

The marina doesn’t have the dramatic views of others we have enjoyed, but the trade off is a fabulous commercial/retail center. Several outstanding restaurants and a fabulous gourmet market.

The weather was hot but the shade and breeze made for a delightful brunch. Our boat is in the background. Appreciated that there were several nice restaurants and good shopping very nearby.

Day 142, June 15, Ft. Pierce

Another experience for the books. We anchored overnight at Ft. Pierce Inlet Island North. Everything routine until we got ready to leave the next morning. Up comes the anchor with a cable over it. We tried several maneuvers to free it but wasn’t happening. Why Me, Lord? to the rescue. They headed over in their dinghy and were able to lift the “cable” off. Cable was most likely a very heavy hawser that had been laying on the bottom waiting to snare us.

Why Me, Lord? ahead of us as we cruised from Ft. Pierce to Vero Beach. We love this phase as we cruise along relaxed (mostly) and enjoying the scenery. You can see a red channel marker on the left. These mark the edge of the channel that provides water deep enough for the boat to travel.

Day 143 – 144, June 16-17, Vero Beach

Always game to try something new. Vero Beach has a free bus that stops right in the marina. We hopped on along with Allen and Brooke and headed for the beach. The beach area has beautiful resort hotels, upscale shopping and interesting waterfront bars and restaurants. We bar-hopped a bit sampling cocktails and appetizers then headed back to the boats via Uber.

Day 145 – 149, June 18 – 22, Melbourne/Eau Gallie

Eau Gallie was a separate city until it merged with Melbourne in 1969. It has an arts district with charming shops and restaurants. Found an Irish Pub for Peter to celebrate Fathers’ Day. Okay, not an English pub but much the same style. Lunch one day on the beach at Squid Lips.

The Eau Gallie Yacht Basin is one of the oldest marinas in Florida having been established in 1896; very “old Florida” with few amenities but loads of charm and a colorful live-aboard community. Very friendly and helpful Dockmaster who gave Peter a lift to West Marine and found a diver for us as we needed a zinc changed.

Even the afternoon thundershowers, which occur pretty much daily around 5:00 pm, can be a pleasure when enjoyed from the deck of the boat.

My morning routine, coffee and my phone on the deck. Could not do this without keeping up with my family and friends.

Day 150, June 23, Titusville

Titusville is very near Cape Kennedy/Canaveral where the space rockets are launched. It is a popular area for people to gather on boats to watch the launches. There aren’t that many and we were not timed to see one. Peter did capture an amazing sunrise.

Day 151, June 24, Daytona

Not much to say about this stop. We were only there for a night and pushing pretty hard so it was a quiet evening to ourselves on the boat.

Day 152 – 155, June 25 – 28, St. Augustine

St. Augustine is the oldest continually inhabited city in the US. Much history and charm. We took a trolley tour to capture the highlights of things to see and do. I especially enjoy these tours as they give a great overview of a city. We found several nice eateries and had a chance for a little shopping.

Had this lovely view of the historic area of downtown from our boat in the municipal marina. I enjoy the constantly changing skylines and views.

Athenia, Greek restaurant near marina. Liked it so much we went twice. Nice change from the usual waterfront seafood restaurants. Saganaki flamed at the table with a shout of “opa”. Delish.

Day 156 – 158, June 29 – July 1, Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island

This will be our last stop in Florida as our next leg will take us across the state line into Georgia. We had planned on the winter and early spring in Florida and that we would be in the cooler climes of the Great Lakes by now. We are probably seeing fewer attractions and spending less time exploring due to the heat but still we are enjoying our adventure. There is a really great old town area right at the marina so the walks for restaurants and shopping were not long. Another spot we would gladly revisit.

North of St. Augustine headed toward Amelia Island the scenery changes considerably with lots of saltgrass marshes

We were quite surprised at the outstanding facilities at new marina at Fernandina Harbor. Those pilings are the biggest we have seen in a marina for pleasure boats.

We were docked across from the bow of this mega yacht. Our first time that close to such luxury. Bella Vita, formerly owned by Richard Branson, 240 ft, charters for $800,000 for a week, sleeps 12 guests.

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I don’t mention often the distances we travel. Our longest days are usually about 50 miles, as was the one from St. Augustine to Fernandina Beach and the Fernandina Harbor marina. Although we have done a couple of overnight runs which were much longer. We travel in a day about what could be done in one hour in a car; our speed being about 6-8 mph. Could be challenging for strong Type-A personalities but isn’t a problem for either of us. The slow pace provides the opportunity to relax and take in the beautiful surroundings. There are some long, straight stretches where we can just put on the auto pilot and lean back. Still one of us must be constantly “on watch” visually check that all is well around us, on course, no depth issues. We each take time at the helm. We are getting back into the rhythm of planning, weather, work time and down time. Still wake up happy for a new day of shared adventure.