More Friends and Rain - January 24-27

Sunday, January 24, 2016.

COLD - 34 degrees this morning in Melbourne but we were at the marina so we had our small electric heater running.  We left without fanfare at 7:30, and headed south on the Indian River toward Fort Pierce.  The wind has abated quite a lot, but still blowing probably 15 early. A long but comfortable trip except for people driving big boats who have no regard for others.  A very large white boat “Nancy Lou” passed us no more than 20 yards away headed in the opposite direction (usually the problem is boats passing from behind) on a plane at high speed.  Because he was on us so fast, we did not have time to prepare and the resulting wake slammed us around pretty violently.  This may not be a fair generalization, but it seems that the larger and more expensive the boat, the less courteous the captain.  It’s just another example of the way our world is changing and in my opinion one of the worst ways it is changing is the arrogance brought on by too much money. We arrived at Fort Pierce Marina about 3:30 after a trip of 52 statute miles.  We had drinks and dinner with friends Bill and Laura on their boat “Dream Weaver” from Beaufort, and watched some of the NFC playoff games at the marina Tiki hut. I wish I had thought to take pictures!

Monday, January 25, 2016.

A very nice day that started leisurely, but then got busy.  We had plans to have lunch with another couple (Bill and Barbara) who are staying on their boat “Thursday’s Child”, from Beaufort, at another marina.  First we took a walk to the park and fishing pier next to the marina, but decided we had come so far and the other marina was just up the river, that we would walk for our exercise and exercise we got.  It turned out to be much further than we expected but we met Bill and Barbara on time at their boat.  It was nice to sit with them and chat about life and boats.  They have a car and took us to an excellent Italian restaurant for lunch then to Home Depot.  I have been trying to find a heavy duty extension cord 15’ long to connect my generator to the shore power plug on Dubhe.  I saw one at Lowes in Beaufort before we left but I thought it cost too much, now I can’t find one at all.  I have a longer lighter weight one that will do until I can get just what I want.  We had to get back to Dubhe so we could do a load of laundry, fill the water tanks, and by groceries.  Bill and Laura also have their care here, so they graciously let us use it to go to Publix.  With chores complete, it was time for drinks so Bill and Laura came over to Dubhe to get that done. 

Dubhe continues to attract attention.  Just this day, we had three couples walk by to look at and comment about what a nice looking boat we have. 

During our cruise last year, I commented several times about seeing places for the first time since we cruised 32 years ago, and I continue to have that fascination this year.  I well remember when we stopped at Fort Pierce marina the first time.  We were planning to go out Fort Pierce Inlet and make an outside leg south and the evening before, I put the dingy on deck and prepared our sailboat for the trip.  I have a picture of Nancy and Brendan in the cockpit late in the evening.  That particular moment is crystal clear in my mind and I wanted to find the exact location where were.  I am not sure it is the same place but here are the then and now pictures.

Nancy and Brendan in 1983

About the same place today

Tuesday, January 26, 2016.  

We had breakfast with Bill Burcin and a great bakery near the marina, and had a later start than usual since our planned destination is only about 21 miles south.  After a holding tank pumpout (see last year’s cruise for more detail than you probably want) we departed about 9:00.  The weather is now quite warm but we encountered several showers along the way.  We arrived at Manatee Pocket at about 12:45. This is a cove between Saint Lucie inlet and Stuart, Florida.  The anchorage is small and very crowded, so we almost passed it by.  But we were able to squeeze Dubhe in and we had a very nice, warm, sunny afternoon riding around the cove in our dingy.  I was also looking for a Willard 36 boat similar to Dubhe which I heard from a friend might be here, but was unable to locate it.

Dubhe is very comfortable in bad weather.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016.  

It began raining about 2:00 in the morning, stopped about 9:00 then started back before noon and rained all afternoon.  We stayed on board all day, catching up on reading, a little maintenance, and this blog.  This is one of the best parts of cruising, laying around with nothing special to do or nowhere to go as long as it is in small doses.  It looks like tomorrow is supposed to rain too.  That will be enough!  Now we are getting serious about the final planning for our trip across Lake Okeechobee.  Most of the trip is in a protected canal, but the part across the lake itself (25 miles) requires good weather.  At this point, it looks like we can make that crossing Sunday.  Tomorrow we hope to go to a marina mooring in Stuart, a few miles away.  

Headed back to Dubhe.

Rainy day at anchor - Manatee Pocket