January 25, 2016
We are staying at Dinner Key for a few days to wait out a front. We did our last land errands, Home Depot, groceries, bank and laundry so we are ready to leave the marina and go to an anchorage.
We had an easy out of the marina slip as the wind and current was with us so could do it by ourselves.
We are headed to the Stadium our favorite anchorage for Miami.
When Bo worked here about 18 years ago he had a place in Key Biscayne as it was cheaper for his company to rent him an apartment rather than fly him home every weekend, so I would fly down and use his milage. When were were here the stadium was used for racing boats and rented jet skis. It was February and people thought we were crazy as it was their winter and we thought it was warm. Over the years boats got to large, area to small and venue changed so the stadium sat empty and has gone to disary, it has empty and closed for years. Two years ago we were here and some of you may remember the picture I sent of a log cabin for Santa as it was on a pier used for a Miami art show. We are at the same place except now Miami has taken over the area and are using it as part of the Miami Boat Show. The boat show is in Feb. so they had to put up all the docks and there are so many, tents and prepare the area.
We are at the far end in-front of a private school and we get to watch them skull their boats every evening. There are boats that are 2-4-6-8 person boats. the 6-8 person have an extra person that gives them commands. There are 2 small power boats that follow them they must be coaches.(they are like the Olympics)
There are several other boats anchored here, quiet and peaceful.
We know they are closing the anchorage and will have to move as they prepare for the finishing touches of the boat show.
A police boat stopped by and told us that they were closing the area first thing tomorrow morning (Jan. 28) so we will have to move. Anchor up, anchor cleaned and off we go. We are outside the hurricane hole waiting for a few days for the next front to pass then plan is to leave early Sunday morning for Bimini.
Lots of storms around southern Florida today with tornadoes but we only had rain, friends in Marathon,Florida also lucked out last night.
Will keep you all posted.
So many boat waiting to cross over to the Bahamas so know we will not be alone in the crossing.
Fair skies.
Joyce
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Thursday, January 21, 2016
January 20-21, 2016
We left Cape Canaveral about 8:30 am with the help of Dave (a friend from Canada). His sailboat is the one that was lost its mast going under a bridge in Florida on the ICW.
10:40 stats
winds 11 knots
seas 4-6 ft.
water temp. 64
cloudy
off shore about 6 miles
We can see the clouds over the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream plays a part in our sailing the current runs south-north and the weather is ever changing. The Gulf Stream has the current headed north and from the north you have the Labador current headed south and they meet off of Hatteras and this is why there are so many issues going around Hatteras. When we head home in May we get in the stream and fly awesome go maybe 10-12 knots.
As you head south off shore in Florida it is one big city, you have no idea when one town starts or ends they run all together.
We will stay about 6 miles from shore util we we get closer to the Gulf Stream which comes very close around Jupiter Florida and even closer to Lake Worth. (West Palm Beach)
stats
water temp over 100 degrees
depth beyond our 200 ft reading
winds 18 knots
sea height about 6 ft.
What happens with the Gulf Stream is the water temps will go up as they are very warm and we will be fighting the currents which will slow us down.
It has been an incredible day as there is no noise from the wheel, as you remember from our trip to Cape Canaveral our wheel made so much noise we had to wear ear plugs, one project Bo tackeled over our stay at Cape Canaveral. We had to replace our Genoa lines and main sheet fuller lines. Rewire our AIS as we were having a problem with it going off while we sailed.
We received a call on our VHF radio from a sailboat, Relativity that was a 56 ft boat. They just wanted to find out where we were going and check in with us. They are going to Miami and then doing a race to Cuba.
11:08 am
winds have risen to 18 knots so we put out our Genoa for stability and balance and our speed was now 7-8 knots. We later brought it in and put our our sail for stability and left it out until we came in Government Cut.
As we get closer to the Gulf Stream the ocean temp goes over 100 degrees and the depth goes deeper than our 200 ft. We also loose speed as we then fight the current.
To pass time Bo reads and I listen to my 40 plus country CD's in shuffle mode. Goes from the Oaks, Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Rascall Flatts to the Gatlins.
We took our first selfie at the close of the day and we will send it along with other pictures of our trip to Miami.
Thursday the 21st
There was a lot of traffic off shore last night as there are busy ports for shipping and cruise ships so we both were up most all of the night.
Turning into Government Cut from off shore and going down the shipping channels where all the freighters and cruise ships are is always a moment you think about the freighters that loose cargo off shore, they are hugs. I will include a picture.
The dolphins created us, about 6-8 swam and jumped around our boat, they love to play in your wake.
Our destination was the Stadium to anchor for the front but this was not a choice this year as this is where the Miami Boat show is going to be this year in Feb. so were putting out docks. Much to our pocket book we came to Dinner Key in Coconut Grove. It cost us for 4 days what we would pay for 1 1/2 months in either VA or Myrtle Beach, suck it up!!! What will be will be. At least we can go and do things, go to grocery and bank.
Before we were married Bo worked for a company that he was assignment was Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in Key Biscayne for 6 months so had a place. We love it here but expensive.
We each took naps after coffee and breakfast/lunch combo and are ready to watch some TV, relax and back to bed for a good nights sleep.
This was an incredible trip and one more journey for us, God's beauty is all around us just take time to sit back, relax and take life journey.
Joyce
We left Cape Canaveral about 8:30 am with the help of Dave (a friend from Canada). His sailboat is the one that was lost its mast going under a bridge in Florida on the ICW.
10:40 stats
winds 11 knots
seas 4-6 ft.
water temp. 64
cloudy
off shore about 6 miles
We can see the clouds over the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream plays a part in our sailing the current runs south-north and the weather is ever changing. The Gulf Stream has the current headed north and from the north you have the Labador current headed south and they meet off of Hatteras and this is why there are so many issues going around Hatteras. When we head home in May we get in the stream and fly awesome go maybe 10-12 knots.
As you head south off shore in Florida it is one big city, you have no idea when one town starts or ends they run all together.
We will stay about 6 miles from shore util we we get closer to the Gulf Stream which comes very close around Jupiter Florida and even closer to Lake Worth. (West Palm Beach)
stats
water temp over 100 degrees
depth beyond our 200 ft reading
winds 18 knots
sea height about 6 ft.
What happens with the Gulf Stream is the water temps will go up as they are very warm and we will be fighting the currents which will slow us down.
It has been an incredible day as there is no noise from the wheel, as you remember from our trip to Cape Canaveral our wheel made so much noise we had to wear ear plugs, one project Bo tackeled over our stay at Cape Canaveral. We had to replace our Genoa lines and main sheet fuller lines. Rewire our AIS as we were having a problem with it going off while we sailed.
We received a call on our VHF radio from a sailboat, Relativity that was a 56 ft boat. They just wanted to find out where we were going and check in with us. They are going to Miami and then doing a race to Cuba.
11:08 am
winds have risen to 18 knots so we put out our Genoa for stability and balance and our speed was now 7-8 knots. We later brought it in and put our our sail for stability and left it out until we came in Government Cut.
As we get closer to the Gulf Stream the ocean temp goes over 100 degrees and the depth goes deeper than our 200 ft. We also loose speed as we then fight the current.
To pass time Bo reads and I listen to my 40 plus country CD's in shuffle mode. Goes from the Oaks, Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Rascall Flatts to the Gatlins.
We took our first selfie at the close of the day and we will send it along with other pictures of our trip to Miami.
Thursday the 21st
There was a lot of traffic off shore last night as there are busy ports for shipping and cruise ships so we both were up most all of the night.
Turning into Government Cut from off shore and going down the shipping channels where all the freighters and cruise ships are is always a moment you think about the freighters that loose cargo off shore, they are hugs. I will include a picture.
The dolphins created us, about 6-8 swam and jumped around our boat, they love to play in your wake.
Our destination was the Stadium to anchor for the front but this was not a choice this year as this is where the Miami Boat show is going to be this year in Feb. so were putting out docks. Much to our pocket book we came to Dinner Key in Coconut Grove. It cost us for 4 days what we would pay for 1 1/2 months in either VA or Myrtle Beach, suck it up!!! What will be will be. At least we can go and do things, go to grocery and bank.
Before we were married Bo worked for a company that he was assignment was Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in Key Biscayne for 6 months so had a place. We love it here but expensive.
We each took naps after coffee and breakfast/lunch combo and are ready to watch some TV, relax and back to bed for a good nights sleep.
This was an incredible trip and one more journey for us, God's beauty is all around us just take time to sit back, relax and take life journey.
Joyce
Sunday, January 17, 2016
January 17, 2016
Yesterday January 16, 2016 we spent the day at Kennedy Space Center with LaVonne Joyce. (Sailing vessel Cat's Meow) It was beautiful day and not enough time to see everything we wanted to see. We started about 9:45 and finally left about 6.
My pictures will be on another page than this blog.
When you walk around NASA and saw the size of the of the systems and past capsules and plans for the future you can only stand there and say WOW, HUGE. How did the size and weight of these capsules ever leave the ground. When you stand next to them you are just a speck.
We were fortunate to hear a Mexican astronaut speak two times. One talk was on him growing up in Mexico and how he became an astronaut. The other speech was when we had lunch with an astronaut and he spoke on his flight the past flights and what the capsules were like when he flew back in 1985 and what the capsules are like now. He covered, sleeping, eating, bathroom exercise, work and the every day routines.
I was here 40 years ago when Thad was 5. Bo has never been to Kennedy Space Center he was to Houston as a youth. In 40 years the progress in both space flight and the facilities is incredible.
The future is wide open for all (men and women) that have the challenge inside of them to strive and question space and the future and question science. What is out there, are we the only ones? The men and women that have experienced and strive to the future, makes me wonder why I never questioned the why of the future.
As a child I remember laying on the grass and looking up into the sky the clouds and wonder what was up there and making animals out of clouds. Now when we are on overnights and look at the stars and wonder what lies ahead and question future exploration.
A dreamer, not me. Bo is the dreamer and his mind is always at work. When he asks me about growing up and says didn't you ever dream about the future, my answer is always the same. No guess I always thought what ever came was what it was.
After spending a day at NASA I wish that my mind had asked the questions, why and why can't we, is it possible?
Looking back at how technology has changed our lives some for the good and I question others I now understand what my grandparents us to say about the changes in there life time. I use to love to hear them talk about growing up, now think about what our children and grandchildren will see in their lifetime.
Dream Catcher signing off.
Yesterday January 16, 2016 we spent the day at Kennedy Space Center with LaVonne Joyce. (Sailing vessel Cat's Meow) It was beautiful day and not enough time to see everything we wanted to see. We started about 9:45 and finally left about 6.
My pictures will be on another page than this blog.
When you walk around NASA and saw the size of the of the systems and past capsules and plans for the future you can only stand there and say WOW, HUGE. How did the size and weight of these capsules ever leave the ground. When you stand next to them you are just a speck.
We were fortunate to hear a Mexican astronaut speak two times. One talk was on him growing up in Mexico and how he became an astronaut. The other speech was when we had lunch with an astronaut and he spoke on his flight the past flights and what the capsules were like when he flew back in 1985 and what the capsules are like now. He covered, sleeping, eating, bathroom exercise, work and the every day routines.
I was here 40 years ago when Thad was 5. Bo has never been to Kennedy Space Center he was to Houston as a youth. In 40 years the progress in both space flight and the facilities is incredible.
The future is wide open for all (men and women) that have the challenge inside of them to strive and question space and the future and question science. What is out there, are we the only ones? The men and women that have experienced and strive to the future, makes me wonder why I never questioned the why of the future.
As a child I remember laying on the grass and looking up into the sky the clouds and wonder what was up there and making animals out of clouds. Now when we are on overnights and look at the stars and wonder what lies ahead and question future exploration.
A dreamer, not me. Bo is the dreamer and his mind is always at work. When he asks me about growing up and says didn't you ever dream about the future, my answer is always the same. No guess I always thought what ever came was what it was.
After spending a day at NASA I wish that my mind had asked the questions, why and why can't we, is it possible?
Looking back at how technology has changed our lives some for the good and I question others I now understand what my grandparents us to say about the changes in there life time. I use to love to hear them talk about growing up, now think about what our children and grandchildren will see in their lifetime.
Dream Catcher signing off.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
January 14, 2016
Good morning it is 6:45 listening to Chris Parker and weather.
We are still in Cape Canaveral until Monday hope the weather gods are on our side this time and repairs are done.
We rented a car and that is fun to see what is around here, done our groceries at Publix ,West Marine which we have to go back to, Target, man if only I found ice cream I would be a happy boater.
We have eaten all our homemade soups so have 2 more to make on Sunday so we are ready to travel, did the healthy ones last week this week it is Split Pea and Smokey Chicken Chili.
Bo has ordered parts to repair the Genoa reel, as we need to put on new line and they screws were stripped so had to order parts and of course they come from France, here on Friday as we paid to overnight. The gauges are on the project today as he needs to do some rewiring. The steering wheel has half of the squeak fixed, in order to fix he has to take the drive chain off so may wait until we are back in the Chesapeake Bay this May.
Saturday we have tickets to go to Kennedy Space Center, we even paid to lunch with an astronaut and have pictures. Our friend LaVonne from Cat's Meow is driving down as it is only a 2 hour trip.
Sunday is laundry as they shut the water off on Monday for repairs so need to fill water tanks also.
Don't worry you WILL get a picture of us and the astronauts.
For Thursday this is Dream Catcher out.
Joyce
Good morning it is 6:45 listening to Chris Parker and weather.
We are still in Cape Canaveral until Monday hope the weather gods are on our side this time and repairs are done.
We rented a car and that is fun to see what is around here, done our groceries at Publix ,West Marine which we have to go back to, Target, man if only I found ice cream I would be a happy boater.
We have eaten all our homemade soups so have 2 more to make on Sunday so we are ready to travel, did the healthy ones last week this week it is Split Pea and Smokey Chicken Chili.
Bo has ordered parts to repair the Genoa reel, as we need to put on new line and they screws were stripped so had to order parts and of course they come from France, here on Friday as we paid to overnight. The gauges are on the project today as he needs to do some rewiring. The steering wheel has half of the squeak fixed, in order to fix he has to take the drive chain off so may wait until we are back in the Chesapeake Bay this May.
Saturday we have tickets to go to Kennedy Space Center, we even paid to lunch with an astronaut and have pictures. Our friend LaVonne from Cat's Meow is driving down as it is only a 2 hour trip.
Sunday is laundry as they shut the water off on Monday for repairs so need to fill water tanks also.
Don't worry you WILL get a picture of us and the astronauts.
For Thursday this is Dream Catcher out.
Joyce
Cape Canaveral Jan. 14, 2016
January 14, 2016
Sorry for some reason this did not get out. Thanks for letting me know.
We have a car for a few days so have been to West Marine, Publix ,and the rope shop. Need to go to Target then my shopping is done. The dock line he ordered from the rope shop is to be in Friday so will go pick that up. The rope shop is something to see, a wow factor for boaters.
Today Bo is measuring how much new heavy wiring he needs for auto pilot and a new box. He has ordered parts for the genoa (it had to be shipped over night from France) as we need to put in new line and the screws are stripped so can't get the lines out. He has some of the issues resolved with the noisy wheel but in order to fix it total he has to take the chain out. We might wait and resolve this issue when we are back in the Chesapeake Bay this summer.
Today is cloudy but tomorrow is suppose to rain.
Saturday we have tickets to go to Kennedy Space Center and have a tour that includes lunch with an astronaut. I was there 40 years ago and Bo has never been so the excitement is growing here. Our friend from Cat's Meow is driving up to go with us for the day.
Our Belgium friends have arrived in the Abacos on their 43 ft. Hans Christian safe and sound and will continue on to Cuba then to Guatemala .
As of now our plan is to leave Monday. They have to shut the water off here on Monday so will fill water tanks and do laundry on Sunday. Hopefully Bo is able to get all the repairs done by then.
No pictures so you will have to wait until Space Center.
Joyce
Sorry for some reason this did not get out. Thanks for letting me know.
We have a car for a few days so have been to West Marine, Publix ,and the rope shop. Need to go to Target then my shopping is done. The dock line he ordered from the rope shop is to be in Friday so will go pick that up. The rope shop is something to see, a wow factor for boaters.
Today Bo is measuring how much new heavy wiring he needs for auto pilot and a new box. He has ordered parts for the genoa (it had to be shipped over night from France) as we need to put in new line and the screws are stripped so can't get the lines out. He has some of the issues resolved with the noisy wheel but in order to fix it total he has to take the chain out. We might wait and resolve this issue when we are back in the Chesapeake Bay this summer.
Today is cloudy but tomorrow is suppose to rain.
Saturday we have tickets to go to Kennedy Space Center and have a tour that includes lunch with an astronaut. I was there 40 years ago and Bo has never been so the excitement is growing here. Our friend from Cat's Meow is driving up to go with us for the day.
Our Belgium friends have arrived in the Abacos on their 43 ft. Hans Christian safe and sound and will continue on to Cuba then to Guatemala .
As of now our plan is to leave Monday. They have to shut the water off here on Monday so will fill water tanks and do laundry on Sunday. Hopefully Bo is able to get all the repairs done by then.
No pictures so you will have to wait until Space Center.
Joyce
Monday, January 11, 2016
Good Morning!!
January 10, 2016
We left St. Augustine about 9:45. Jean and Marjo left much earlier so were gone when we got up and checked about 7 am.
Bo put a preventer on our boom so that if the winds picked up the boom would not jive the boom and sail.
Winds were at 14 and partly cloudy.
Our inside and outside of the boat is the dirties that it has ever been so the next time we are at a marina we need to give it a good bath and the maid needs to come and clean.
Our starboard wheel has a squeak that will drive you crazy if not to drink. It has made a squeaking noise and now we added a grind to it.
Bo just has one project after another a boaters projects never end.
The swell is about 5 ft but you don't feel it as they are so far apart.
Depth is 64ft, water temp is 79 at 2:30 pm.
Our AIS has one other boat on our screen out here in the Atlantic a 43 ft. sailboat named Wind Song. Not all boaters have an AIS but it is very important to have one that sends and also receives.
We are toasty warm as we have the full enclosure up in the cockpit.
Had our normal boating snacks Jalapeño Pringles, snack bars, peanut butter pretzels and ginger candy, how much better can it get. I have made 3 kinds of home made soup for us, one is a carrot and the other is sweet potato and a Red Lentil so Bo has lots of choices for supper tonight.
We are developing an instrument problem as one has completely stopped working and 2 more are frozen. We are not in any danger but need to resolve the issue while we are still in the states if we need parts. We called and are going into Cape Marina as we have stayed there before in Cape Canaveral .
Better safe than sorry.
The winds picked up to 30 and one instrument froze at 14.
Great sailing.
We got into the marina at 4:30 am today and tied up to the fuel dock. Slept a few hours and got up and went to register about 9.
The picture is of sunset in the Atlantic at 5:45.
OK ready for the next issue. The power they have here is too high for us so either we move to another marina or run our generator. Bo is going to the marina next door and find out.
Funny one. When we were in Gloucester Point a boat from Canada came in with 3 guys and they traveled with us to Myrtle Beach. They then went on by themselves to St. Augustine. They were going down the ICW and at one bridge it was too low and knocked several things off the top of their mast. Next bridge it was reading 64 but they hit and broke their mast. The are at this marina so good to see them but what a sad story. They are selling the boat a beautiful Moody 46.
Until tomorrow when the saga continues.
Joyce from Cape Canaveral
January 10, 2016
We left St. Augustine about 9:45. Jean and Marjo left much earlier so were gone when we got up and checked about 7 am.
Bo put a preventer on our boom so that if the winds picked up the boom would not jive the boom and sail.
Winds were at 14 and partly cloudy.
Our inside and outside of the boat is the dirties that it has ever been so the next time we are at a marina we need to give it a good bath and the maid needs to come and clean.
Our starboard wheel has a squeak that will drive you crazy if not to drink. It has made a squeaking noise and now we added a grind to it.
Bo just has one project after another a boaters projects never end.
The swell is about 5 ft but you don't feel it as they are so far apart.
Depth is 64ft, water temp is 79 at 2:30 pm.
Our AIS has one other boat on our screen out here in the Atlantic a 43 ft. sailboat named Wind Song. Not all boaters have an AIS but it is very important to have one that sends and also receives.
We are toasty warm as we have the full enclosure up in the cockpit.
Had our normal boating snacks Jalapeño Pringles, snack bars, peanut butter pretzels and ginger candy, how much better can it get. I have made 3 kinds of home made soup for us, one is a carrot and the other is sweet potato and a Red Lentil so Bo has lots of choices for supper tonight.
We are developing an instrument problem as one has completely stopped working and 2 more are frozen. We are not in any danger but need to resolve the issue while we are still in the states if we need parts. We called and are going into Cape Marina as we have stayed there before in Cape Canaveral .
Better safe than sorry.
The winds picked up to 30 and one instrument froze at 14.
Great sailing.
We got into the marina at 4:30 am today and tied up to the fuel dock. Slept a few hours and got up and went to register about 9.
The picture is of sunset in the Atlantic at 5:45.
OK ready for the next issue. The power they have here is too high for us so either we move to another marina or run our generator. Bo is going to the marina next door and find out.
Funny one. When we were in Gloucester Point a boat from Canada came in with 3 guys and they traveled with us to Myrtle Beach. They then went on by themselves to St. Augustine. They were going down the ICW and at one bridge it was too low and knocked several things off the top of their mast. Next bridge it was reading 64 but they hit and broke their mast. The are at this marina so good to see them but what a sad story. They are selling the boat a beautiful Moody 46.
Until tomorrow when the saga continues.
Joyce from Cape Canaveral
Saturday, January 9, 2016
December 30, 2015
We have been in St. Augustine for a month waiting for a weather window to head south to Miami and then Bimini in the Bahamas. The weather all over the country has been so confused this year, hope it settles down after the first of the year.
Some of you know that Bo and I have been named Waterway Guides Editors for the Bahamas. Bo has also been named the Multi-media editor for Waterway Guide. He has done some fabulous filming of marinas, waterway entrances into harbors and photography.
Our stay in St. Augustine was a wonderful experience, this is one of our favorite stops. We have been traveling with our friends from Belgium that we met 2 years ago in Georgetown, Bahamas. Our friends on Cat's Meow( are at a marina) so it has been so fun. We have our mail service in Green Cove Springs, FL. which is about 1/2 hour from here. We were able to have our mail service help us with information about registering our vehicles in Fl. We will do that when we come back in the spring.
We have been on a mooring ball here by the Fort in St. Augustine and it is a breathtaking view. They light us the city by the water with lights and trees are lite. In the center of Old Town is a park with a gazebo,lights and some entertainment.We also were able to stay on our mooring ball and the boat light parade went by our boat and around the front to the seawall for everyone to view. We are only a dinghy ride away form the docks for showers, laundry and the old town. We too in several music festivals in Old Town this year with friends and even a Christmas Music Concert in an outdoor stage. Weather has been in the 80's and so much humidity.We went with 4 other friends to Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church for Christmas Eve Service. St. Augustine started a new service for cruisers, Cruisers' Shuttle. This is fabulous as it cost us $5 a person but she takes you all over to run your errands. People have gotten eye glass repair, generator repair, propane refills, marine stores plus big box stores and of course groceries. Some days we have gotten on at 9 and not returned until 2, where can we go, ride for the price. Most towns we have to take our red wagon and walk so this is huge. We have been able to get fresh fish at a market that we would never have been able to walk to.
We will be sending blogs and pictures of our adventures again this year. Bo has a very busy itinerary. Taking us on 30 plus routes, we will do and see so much that we have never done before. This only adds to our excitement.
This year we do not have any company coming to spend time with us and will miss everyone as they add so much to our trips. Next year hope things work out for everyone.
January 9th,
Still in St. Augustine.
Last week was an experience. A front went through here for about 5 days. We took the boat to the docks and got water and then went back to our mooring ball. We knew a front was going to pass the next several days but had no idea it would be as bad as it was. On Tuesday afternoon the wind picked up and continued to increase. There were about 12 boats by us on mooring balls on the north side of Lions Bridge. We are saying rock and roll. Between Thursday and Friday 3 boats had their lines fray and come off the mooring ball. 2 were sail boats and one had people on it. The went under the bridge and broke off their mast. Tow Boat came and took them to the docks, the other engine failed and was taken to the docks. The marina came out each day and checked everyones lines. For 7 days we were on the boat, I worked on baskets, Bo worked on his pictures. Mid week we finally went to shore and was that fun. I feel so blessed that our of 12 boats at the end there were 5 boats left and one was our friends from Belgium.
We are not looking at leaving tomorrow (Sunday) morning and go as far as we can. We will check with Chris Parker Monday morning as a front is coming and see if we duck into West Palm or continue. Bo is not one to take a chance so always feel very safe with him. We hope to be able to get to Miami and will be there maybe a week depending on weather. We have several places to anchor and are looking forward to being back to the Miami area. We love the Key Biscayne area and always love coming home.
I will keep all of you posted on our next arrival and hope to have pictures to share, but for now plan # 13 is to leave Sunday January 10th headed south.
God Bless and sun, light winds and friends hold us together.
Joyce
We have been in St. Augustine for a month waiting for a weather window to head south to Miami and then Bimini in the Bahamas. The weather all over the country has been so confused this year, hope it settles down after the first of the year.
Some of you know that Bo and I have been named Waterway Guides Editors for the Bahamas. Bo has also been named the Multi-media editor for Waterway Guide. He has done some fabulous filming of marinas, waterway entrances into harbors and photography.
Our stay in St. Augustine was a wonderful experience, this is one of our favorite stops. We have been traveling with our friends from Belgium that we met 2 years ago in Georgetown, Bahamas. Our friends on Cat's Meow( are at a marina) so it has been so fun. We have our mail service in Green Cove Springs, FL. which is about 1/2 hour from here. We were able to have our mail service help us with information about registering our vehicles in Fl. We will do that when we come back in the spring.
We have been on a mooring ball here by the Fort in St. Augustine and it is a breathtaking view. They light us the city by the water with lights and trees are lite. In the center of Old Town is a park with a gazebo,lights and some entertainment.We also were able to stay on our mooring ball and the boat light parade went by our boat and around the front to the seawall for everyone to view. We are only a dinghy ride away form the docks for showers, laundry and the old town. We too in several music festivals in Old Town this year with friends and even a Christmas Music Concert in an outdoor stage. Weather has been in the 80's and so much humidity.We went with 4 other friends to Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church for Christmas Eve Service. St. Augustine started a new service for cruisers, Cruisers' Shuttle. This is fabulous as it cost us $5 a person but she takes you all over to run your errands. People have gotten eye glass repair, generator repair, propane refills, marine stores plus big box stores and of course groceries. Some days we have gotten on at 9 and not returned until 2, where can we go, ride for the price. Most towns we have to take our red wagon and walk so this is huge. We have been able to get fresh fish at a market that we would never have been able to walk to.
We will be sending blogs and pictures of our adventures again this year. Bo has a very busy itinerary. Taking us on 30 plus routes, we will do and see so much that we have never done before. This only adds to our excitement.
This year we do not have any company coming to spend time with us and will miss everyone as they add so much to our trips. Next year hope things work out for everyone.
January 9th,
Still in St. Augustine.
Last week was an experience. A front went through here for about 5 days. We took the boat to the docks and got water and then went back to our mooring ball. We knew a front was going to pass the next several days but had no idea it would be as bad as it was. On Tuesday afternoon the wind picked up and continued to increase. There were about 12 boats by us on mooring balls on the north side of Lions Bridge. We are saying rock and roll. Between Thursday and Friday 3 boats had their lines fray and come off the mooring ball. 2 were sail boats and one had people on it. The went under the bridge and broke off their mast. Tow Boat came and took them to the docks, the other engine failed and was taken to the docks. The marina came out each day and checked everyones lines. For 7 days we were on the boat, I worked on baskets, Bo worked on his pictures. Mid week we finally went to shore and was that fun. I feel so blessed that our of 12 boats at the end there were 5 boats left and one was our friends from Belgium.
We are not looking at leaving tomorrow (Sunday) morning and go as far as we can. We will check with Chris Parker Monday morning as a front is coming and see if we duck into West Palm or continue. Bo is not one to take a chance so always feel very safe with him. We hope to be able to get to Miami and will be there maybe a week depending on weather. We have several places to anchor and are looking forward to being back to the Miami area. We love the Key Biscayne area and always love coming home.
I will keep all of you posted on our next arrival and hope to have pictures to share, but for now plan # 13 is to leave Sunday January 10th headed south.
God Bless and sun, light winds and friends hold us together.
Joyce
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