Hi, it has been awhile since we updated the posts, so here goes. Most of the time we have been at our slip in Stuart, Florida, playing host to people who come and go while pretending to fix something on the boat. We are upgrading some electronics and commissioning some items that were not working properly. The fellow who ordered this boat from Ocean Alexander in 2005 seems to have had an unlimited budget and there is an incredible amount of sophisticated machinery on board. That's great for us in one way, but we also have to keep this stuff working and the folks that work on yachts get about three times what a plumber charges! Anyway, we are working away and the boat looks great.
We decided to take a short run with the boat the day before Thanksgiving -- our first adventure with just the two of us. Weather was very nice, blue skies, light wind, calm water, etc. We sallied forth and left the marina, headed west on the St. Lucie River, which is part of the Okeechobee Waterway (more on that in a later blog). We passed under the Route 1 bridge, which has 65 foot clearance and then through the Florida East Coast Railway bridge, which is kept open except when a train is coming. It is very old, very rusty and it's closing is triggered by the train tripping a signal a few miles before it gets to the river. There is no attendant and it just blows a horn and starts to come down. When this bridge is down, it only has a 7 ft. clearance. We need 25 ft to clear a bridge, at the time we passed the bridge, it was open. Next we came to the Old Roosevelt Bridge, which has a 14 ft. clearance, so you call them on the radio and request an opening. They will try to wait for some other boats to queue up before opening, but we hit it just as he was ready to open. Very interesting crossing these bridges as they are all three in an area only an eight of a mile long. Busy little place on the water. We headed up the North Fork of the St. Lucie and there are lots of very nice houses with docks along this stretch. The North Folk eventually dead ended and we headed south to, yes, there is a South Folk. This part of the river ends within a few miles and becomes the St. Lucie Canal, part of the Okeechobee Waterway to the West Coast of Florida. We returned to the marina in the afternoon, we are getting good on the bridges. Very windy upon our arrival and Captain Matt made a beautiful approach, but it was to the wrong slip. By the time I got it straightened out, we made a bit of a sloppy arrival, but did not hit anything or anybody, so I guess it was a successful outing. We are learning.
I am running on a bit here, but I have nothing else to do. Thanksgiving dawned a beautiful day and Judy had ordered a 10 lb. turkey from Publix Supermarket. It was already cooked and all she needed to do was to heat it in the oven for about an hour and a half. It was great and it came with mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, dressing and gravy. It also had apple strudel, which was not the greatest but what do you want for $39.95! We had lots of leftovers and enjoyed the day. The marina was very quiet as most of the boaters headed to see the relatives in the frozen climes and the west coast. We enjoyed the quiet and talking with our neighbors. We have met quite a few very nice couples on their boats. Many of them have been wintering down here for many years. Some are full time liveaboards and we are learning much about where to go and where not to go from the west coast of Florida to Maine to the Bahamas. We are amazed at all the places these people have been. The marina is having a Christmas party next week and we are looking forward to meeting some new folks as well as renewing some recent acquaintances.
We took the boat out again today and, according to Judy, really redeemed myself on the docking. It was perfect. We went up the St. Lucie River to where it turns into the Intracoastal Waterway. It was the world's most perfect day -- weather wise and fun times.
Judy and I wish all of our followers, friends and family a wonderful Christmas and a safe holiday season. More to come on our planned trip across the Okeechobee Waterway to Ft. Myers later this month. Stay tuned.
Captains Matt & Judy
