We had planned to take the RV to Florida to get on Eureka, our sailboat, which Joe and I had moved to Stuart Florida in October. However, we are in Beaufort, the RV is in Spruce Pine - where we had hurriedly left because of a snowstorm.
Friday, we drive to Spruce Pine to shut-down the house for the winter and pick up the RV to head to Florida.
There is still a huge drift of snow in front of the garage from the latest snowstorm. I decide on arrival late Friday evening that I can plow through it and get the car in the garage. That doesn't happen. the car is stuck in the snowdrift and Saturday morning I'm out digging snow from the front end - eventually getting it so I can get the car off the drift.
We leave Monday morning in a "frozen" RV to Florida. Although I've put antifreeze in the water system, apparently all it does is turn the water to slush, which doesn't move very well through pipes. Finally about half-way through SC, it gets warm enough that the water system thaws out and we have running water. Luckily, we don't have any burst pipes.
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| St Augustine, Fl |
Clara (who is directionally disfunctional) leads the way
We spend the first night in Walterboro, SC and then make it to St. Augustine Florida at a nice KOA campground.
We arrive in Stuart, Tuesday, Jan 25, make arrangements to leave the RV at a storage facility and check on Eureka.
The boat has done well to have sat on a mooring for two months. We meet with Kyle, who has checked on the boat weekly and find that one of the lines to the mooring ball had worn into. Thank goodness we had put two lines on - next time it will be three.
We move Eureka to the dock to get the batteries charged and get the refrigeration going.
We stay in the RV the first night in a Walmart parking lot.
Finally on Wednesday, we store the RV and move on Eureka.
On Wednesday afternoon after getting all the provisions on board and making sure all systems are working okay, we take the "river walk" to Stuart.
Wow!
That's all that we can say about the river walk and what we find when we walk into Stuart. It is one of the prettiest downtowns we have ever seen. We had no expectations of anything, and it turns out to be one of the biggest surprises of any of our travels. An absolutely beautiful area with many different and neat shops. 
Stuart, Fl
Thursday, Jan 27 - Stuart to Lake Worth Florida
A slow start this morning leaving the marina. We get underway around 11 am.
It felt good getting back on the water. It took an hour or so to get settled into things, but we got going and made 28.5 nm today. It's probably going to take 4-5 days to get to the Keys at this rate.
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| A dolphin swims with us for a while |
As usual there are some incredible houses along the waterway. Seeming, some of the boats at the dock seem as big as the house.
We arrive at a beautiful anchorage in North Lake Worth in time to enjoy a realized afternoon and a beautiful evening.
Friday, January 28 Lake Worth to Boca Ratan, Florida
After a relatively early morning start at 9 am, we made 32.4 nm today, anchoring tonight near the Boca Ratan Inlet in a small lake surrounded by seemingly thousands of condominiums.
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| Lake Boca Ratan |
It was relatively uneventful except for draw bridges. We went under over 15 draw bridges. Most were on a schedule - on the half hour of quarter hour. If we pushed Eureka to its max (6.2 knots), we were generally able to make most of the openings. However, we missed a couple (by only minutes) and had to circle for 25 minutes - and almost went aground while circling at one.
Once again, we observe opulence to an incredible degree. Some of the homes are beyond belief, usually with boats tied up to their docks that are the envy of every boater. It just makes you wonder how many people in the country there are. It's really incredible the numbers.
As we passed Palm Beach, we saw what I believe is the largest "shrink wrapped" boat I can imagine.
Tomorrow, we hope to be somewhere around (or South of) Miami Beach - then to the Keys.
Saturday, January 29
We made 43.2 miles today.
The day started as usual lately - cold (or at least cool)
Up anchor around 9 am. First thing (5 minutes), another draw bridge. I started seriously considering all possible options for going outside. The winds were light NE and it was warming up. We soon came upon Hillsboro Inlet
and went outside. Initially I was thinking we'd come back in at Port Everglades, then after some checking, we realized we could get to Miami under the current conditions. So we kept heading South. We were able to motor sail the whole day, with a NE wind of 12-13 knots. Made for a very pleasant journey, especially considering we were missing all the bridges.
and went outside. Initially I was thinking we'd come back in at Port Everglades, then after some checking, we realized we could get to Miami under the current conditions. So we kept heading South. We were able to motor sail the whole day, with a NE wind of 12-13 knots. Made for a very pleasant journey, especially considering we were missing all the bridges.The shore is lined with nothing but high rise condos all the way.
We started out about 5 miles offshore and apparently were catching a back current off the Gulf Stream because we were picking up 1 to 1 1/2 knots, moving along as much as 7.5 knots over the ground.
After a while we started loosing the positive current and dropped off quickly to 4 knots. We knew then we were on the edge of the Gulf Stream, so moved in about a mile off the beach, and got out of the Stream and made 6 to 6.5 knots most of the day.
We went through schools of jelly looking fish that floated on the top of the water - they may be called portugese man of war - not sure.
We arrived in Miami around 3 PM. Coming in the channel, we followed another sailboat that I had been tracking all day. I called them to see if they were familiar with the local waters. They were a little, but said they were planning to stay in a municipal mooring field off Dinner Key. We decided to follow them in and ended up mooring next to them this evening.
Clara did all the helm work coming in the Miami harbor up to picking up the mooring. It was tedious work with a lot of boats and lots of unknowns, but she did a terrific job, leaving me to the navigation.
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| Miami from Eureka |
We anchored in a mooring field off Dinner Key.
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| Mooring off Dinner Key |
I'm beginning to feel like we're in the Keys now. The weather is supposed to warm up quite a bit for the next week and looks great. We're already in the Biscayne Bay, we are effectively already in the Keys. Tomorrow we can start enjoying the place, rather than trying to get here
Sunday, January 30
Today is to be a relaxed day, with no destination. Just get out on Biscayne Bay and head South. We refueled and got water before leaving, with Clara handling the boat very well docking and leaving the dock.
After we got under way, we tried sailing for a while, but the winds were less than 5 knots to calm, so that didn't last very long. We eventually decided to go to Boca Chita Key - a part of the Biscayne Bay National Park. The water got mighty "skinny".
For the first time, we were able to see the bottom. The water is incredibly clear.
We never saw more than 4 or 5 feet under the keel all day, and going into the channel to Boca Chita, we were generally reading .8 to 2 feet. We made it "almost" all the way in, and finally there was more boat than depth and we were promptly aground. Luckily, Tow Boat USA was close by.
After I talked to the Tow Boat Captain, we decided to try to go to a different anchorage behind (west of) Elliott Key. We started out trying to go through a narrow channel, but found the depth gauge once again reading less than 1/2 foot, so we judiciously backed out of that and went the long way around.
We finally arrived at Elliott Key. Tonight, there is only one other boat in sight. It is absolutely beautiful.
It is a great setting for some pictures of Eureka - and the Admiral.
Monday, Jan 31 Elliott Key to Pumpkin Key (Key Largo) 11.3 nm
Today, we had nowhere to go and we got there slowly.
We took the dinghy to shore at Elliott Key hoping to find a path to hike. There was a very nice dock, but the paths led nowhere except for a small beach.
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| Eureka is in this picture. We had the place to ourselves. Not another boat in sight. |
We sailed off the anchor at Elliott Key and sailed all day in light winds, occassionally getting up to 12 knots of wind. - a very peaceful, relaxed, WARM day. Finally, we can wear shorts comfortably. However, dipping a toe in the water tells me that I don't think I'll be doing any swimmng.
Clara enjoyed the new chair - spending most of the afternoon in it.
About sunset, we heard a knock on the hull. Two young guys had paddled over to ask if we were headed to the Bahamas. A lot of sailors stay here the night before taking off to the Bahamas according to the guidebook.
They really had a tale of woe. They had been anchored offshore at Elliott Key a couple nights ago. Apparently the tide changed, the wind changed or the drug anchor. Ended up that they struck bottom and a bolt loosened on the keel, causing water to come in and they sunk (or at least laid the boat on the bottom of 8 feet of water.
Over the past couple of days, they had gotten a barge to bring the boat up, had sailed here, and have started fixing everything that was damaged, which would include all electronics, wiring, and a multitude of other things that come with salt water intrusion.
The amazing thing, they are leaving for the Bahamas Wednesday. They think they've got enough fixed that they can make it. Absolutely amazing.
The Captain (probably 21 or 22 year old) had advertised for a crew member. A boy from Italy answered and is now his crew. He's probably about the same age. He sure didn't know what he was getting into. Apparently he is game to go along. I can't imagine why he doesn't abandon this idea. We may read about them in Coast Guard incident reports before long.
But, they are young. Who knows, they may make it.
Tuesday, Feb 1 36.8 nm
A day of fun sailing and "Oh My God, I can't believe this!"
We had planned a light day of going a few miles and stopping. That's not how it worked out.
We started with some beautiful sailing with great winds, flat seas and Eureka doing what she does best - go fast.
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| 15 to 19 knots of wind most of the day |
We figured out why pretty soon.
After a couple of hours, we realized we were going to have to go a lot further than we had planned just to find a protected anchorage in water deep enough for comfort.
We weaved through mangrove swamps, and had long straight passages well out in Florida Bay.
Before long, the water started getting real "skinny" - and kept getting skinnier. Before long, it was a relief to see 12 inches under the keel. We very seldom saw 2 feet for about three hours.
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This was a very typical depth (beneath the keel (about 4 inches)  |
By the time we anchored in Islamarado, both of us were exhausted - and real glad we had not grounded the boat. We felt great to get to an anchorage where we have over 2 feet of water. 2.2 feet.
We immediately had a drink, dropped the dinghy and went to shore for a great dinner outside at Lorelea's.
I think tomorrow we are going to just sit on the anchor and enjoy dinghying around this area and exploring.
Wednesday, February 2 - 0 nm
Today, we stayed at the same spot. We really enjoyed Lorelea's, plus we needed to do some provisioning and their was a small (but well supplied) grocery store close by.
We had lunch at Lorelea's, then went to the Grocery, came back to the boat and enjoyed a quiet afternoon.
I decided that the water looked too good not to try, so I jumped in (with my wetsuit). It was instant "take your breath away", but after a while, it was fairly comfortable.
Clara curled up in her hammock and read.
Today is a day we don't want to talk about, and yet we will probably always remember.
Last night, during the engine run to run the refrigeration, I noticed that the lights were dimming and then coming back bright. I checked some electrical things and found that it appears that the alternator (or the regulator) is putting out irregular voltage. We had a new alternator installed in October.
This morning, after pondering the problem overnight, I decided we needed to get to a reputatable boat yard and get this checked out. After some research, I found Marathon Boat Yard. After talking with them, I decided that is probably the best place to get this checked.
So, this morning we started in this direction. However, I had not done my homework on navigation. To make a long story short, we took the wrong route and ended up coming up on a bridge with a 37 foot vertical clearance - which a 47 foot mast doesn't fit under. Upon the realization that we were in the wrong place, I started to turn around - and ended up going "hard" aground.
About an hour later, Tow Boat arriver (after I called them) and we get off of the "Hard" aground. I've seen enough of Tow Boat for this trip.
This cost us a lot of time, and we ended up here at Marathon Boat Yard exhausted, discusted, and tired - right about sunset. A long day of motor sailing in Hawks Channel - and we're tired.
Feb 4 and 5 - Marathon Boat Yard
Early Friday morning, a technician came aboard and confirmed my suspicions that the regulator on the "NEW" alternator was malfunctioning. I immediately called the original guy who sold it to us and installed it. He said it is under warranty and he would contact the distributor - BUT, we find out the distributor is closed on Friday. So we are here until at least Monday to find out when we may be able to get a new alternator.
First thing we do is to rent a car.
We met a nice couple, Bruce Senay and Gina Gibson, on a 45 Island Packet and went out to dinner with them Friday night.
It just so happens that the is a West Marine Store within 50 feet of the gate to the marina. I realize quickly that this is going to be good and bad. We can get some things done on the boat, but it's probably going to be costly.
Clara has determined that a new GPS system is a must. Having used the cell phone all the way, I have about reached my limit with its limited capability. We buy a new Garmin 856 and make arrangements to have it installed on Saturday morning. The guys at West Marine recommended John Weiz, owner of Kahuna Boat Wiring for the installation.
He arrives Saturday morning and he and his employee Mark do a magnificent job of fitting the new GPS in the old slot. At the same time, I asked them the install new speakers at the helm and to replace the raw water intake impeller. They do it all and we really enjoyed the guys. And tonight as we went by K Mart, we ran into them again.
While John and Mark were here, I looked over the side of the boat and see this huge blob of an animal swimming beside the boat.
This is our first encounter with a Manatee. This one is large, 6 feet or more and looks even larger. John tells us that if we will cut the water hose on and put it in the water, the Manatee will drink from it.
The new GPS is going to make navigation (and life) a lot easier. I look forward to giving it a trial run.
Sunday, February 6
This afternoon, we decided to go to the Dolphin Research Center about 10 miles North of here. We weren't real sure what to expect. Clara loves Dolphins. Whenever we see them, she always wants to stop the boat and watch. Today, she got to see dolphins up close and see what they are capable of doing.
Tonight, we went to dinner with a neighboring boater, Dan and Robin Singer, from Marco Island who pulled in yesterday with engine and prop shaft problems. We had a delightful time at a great restaurant.
Everyday is different and always turns up something new and interesting.
Tuesday, Feb 8 (9.4 nm)
The past couple of days have been fun (for having to stay in a boat yard). We've enjoyed getting to know the Singer's - we're literally back door neighbors in the marina, with his stern backed up to our stern. We again went out to dinner (all the meals have been fantastic) and commiserated over our boat troubles.
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| Dan and Robin Singer |
This morning, our new alternator arrived around 11 am and by 2 pm we were away from the marina, stopped to get fuel, and headed toward Bahia Honda State Park. We sailed all the way (finally some real sailing) in 15-18 knots of wind on the beam. It has cooled off considerably today and when we got out on Hawks Channel, we had to put on jackets. It was only a little over 9 nm to Bahia Honda.
The only problem we had was we picked up a crab pot. There are hundreds of them in the channel. I had a theory that with a full keel boat, there was little chance that we would snag one. My theory failed. It must have caught a prop blade. It only took a little work to get it off. We dropped the sails and used the boat hook to move it around a little and it fell off.
The winds are out of the North and we are double anchored on the South side of the island in Hawks Channel. It's a little rolly, but nothing uncomfortable.
There is a cold front moving through. The winds are supposed to clock around to the NE tomorrow. I've got to study the charts to see where we can tuck in tomorrow.
Tuesday, Feb 9 - 14.5 nm
Last night was rolly all night, but we both slept well, the wind clocked around to the East, therefore we didn't have any protection from Bihia Honda, but the wind died down to 5 knots. We were still getting the results of the ocean swells.
After a leisurely start, we decided to motor out to Looe Key - about 9 miles and see what the snorkeling might be like. We have only one wet suit, so Clara went first.
The water was probably around 70 degrees, much too cold to really enjoy. However, Clara was a trooper and stayed in for 20 + minutes. She said she came back in because there were too many barracuda, and it was a little chilly. But she said it was absolutely beautiful - something we need to try agina when it's warmer.
I decided not to go in. I like the water to be 82 or higher.
We set the sails and headed for Newfound Harbor near Big Pine Key.
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| Clara in her favorite position while sailing |
A friend of ours from Carteret County has a home here, so I called Duncan to get all the best information. The wind came up after we anchored, otherwise I had hoped to dinghy to his house. Perhaps in the morning I'll try.
A pleasant day. We are only a little ways from Key West, but neither of us is interested in going there, so tomorrow, we'll start back North.
Thursday, Feb 10 - 22.6 nm
I called Duncan (a friend from Carteret County) this morning to confirm directions to his house and we took the dinghy (about a mile to get there) to see it (we hope it's the right one). It's a beautful home on a canal. I know he is going to enjoy it.
We pulled up the anchor and headed North (actually East). This will be our Southern terminus for this trip. We were vaguely headed back to Marathon Harbor.
We passed a Trumpy Yacht. It may be one that our friend Jim Moores restored.
We decided to try Bahia Honda. It's a pretty anchorage, but it's between two bridges with a strong current. We tried to set the anchor and all we did was pull up sand for about 100 feet. The wind is supposed to shift to the North tonight, and we decided that anchoring there might not be a good idea, so we came on back to Marathon Harbor.
We got to talk to Bruce and Gina again. They are anchored close by. They invited us to supper, but we were too tired and decided to decline. They are headed out tomorrow, so we may not see them again. That's the way cruisers are. You meet nice people and continue with life.
This is a very crowded anchorage. We put down two anchors with only a 4 to 1 scope just to fit in between two boats. Just hoping everyone holds when the wind shifts.
We decide that we need to transition to the RV. We plan to meet Tony and Jill (friends from Witchita, Kansas), who are looking for a home on the West Coast of Florida. So we start winding down the sailing phase of the trip.
Additionally a cold front is coming through (actually, it would more correctly be labeled a cool front) this weekend and the winds are predicted to be rather aggressive - especially for anchoring. 20 - 30 knots from the NW moving to the NE.
We anchor out in Boot Key Harbor, hoping to get a mooring, but we never move up on the list. Everyone who has a mooring is going to keep it as long as the wind is what it is.
At least we've got good internet service in the harbor.
The 2nd night (Friday) on the anchor was kinda long. Although we had two anchors out, it was a real ride all night. We decide we can go back into Marathon Boat Yard (we dinghied in to make sure there was space). When we pull the anchors up, we find that the snubber line has chaffed badly and probably would not have lasted another day.
After we get settled in at Marathon Boat Yard, we meet up with Bruce Senay and Gina Gibson from the IP Dreamcather (we met them earlier when we were in the boatyard) for dinner Sunday night. They are on an extended cruise to heaven knows where.
Monday, we have Eureka hauled. I'm surprised that the bottom paint has held up so well - all except some of the bottom of the keel. It's been rubbed pretty smooth - from the grounding.
We rent a car and head for Stuart to pick up the RV.
We have a truly unique experience when we get to Stuart. The RV is in a storage yard, tucked in tightly among other trucks, contractors stuff and storage buildings. However, it is fenced and securely gated. We decide to spend the night on the RV in the storage yard. Not sure when we'll get that chance again. At least it was quiet, until about 6 am.
We left Stuart and stayed in an "RV Resort" in Okeechobee, Fl, on the Northern edge of Lake Okeechobee. An "RV Resort" is just another name for a place a lot of Northerners come and permanently leave there travel trailers and they live in them in the winter. Our experience so far with two of these type places are that they are friendly, crowded, and definitely not what where would (or will) choose to stay for even one night.
We left Ocochobee and went to meet Tony and Jill Pimentel in Port Charlotte, Fl.
Tony and Jill are looking at homes in the Port Charlotte area to move to and they were staying in Tony's brothers home. We parked in the drive.
We left on Friday and stayed in a KOA "Resort" near Ft. Meyers, Fl. Again, the same experience as at Okeechobee. No more "resorts" for us.
We drove through the Everglades National Park. Not much to see - except alligators.
We found a Miami City Park that has an RV Park about 20 miles from the Miami Boat Show and are currently staying here. It is great. We are "boondock" camping tonight in a great place in the park.
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| This is what you look like when you do too much homework! |
Tomorrow, we go the the boat show. We met a couple next to us who told us that there is a Space Shuttle Launch on Thursday, and we're trying to figure out if we can get close enough to it to see it.
Feb 20-21
Sunday, we spent the day at the Miami Boat Show. We really fell in love with the 35 foot Island Packet Estero, however at $350,000, a little out of our price range.
We really liked the campground, which is a part of the Larry and Penny Thompson Park in South Miami. It is really one of the nicest parks we've stayed in. They have a pool, which I got some exercise swimming in, but it wasn't heated and was an invigorating swim. We rented a car for a couple of days to go to the zoo and boat show.
Monday we drove to Jetty Park at Port Canaveral. It's hard to believe, but Joe and I came in here on our way down. We were driven in at midnight by a change in winds while sailing outside.
We hoped to find out more information about our chances for finding a place to stay until the Space Shuttle launch on Thursday, but a quickly learning that a lot of people want to be here. This campground, which has a good view of the liftoff has been book solid for over 3 months. It doesn't look like we're going to be around for the shuttle launch. We could only get one night at this campground, so tomorrow we'll be moving on. It's right on the beach and the entry to Port Canaveral. This afternoon, we saw a cruise ship leaving in the channel.
Feb 22-23
The past couple of days have been rather dramatic. But not for any reason that I thought we'd experience.
We left Port Canaveral (Jetty Beach Campground) to go to Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville (Pelican Roost Campground) for our first stay at a military RV Park.
The park turned out to be really great and very interesting - right on the ocean and river.
On the way to Jacksonville, Clara decided that she wanted to do some new RV shopping - just for fun. We stopped near St. Augustine at Ocean Grove RV dealer. Clara was having a great time shopping around and just happened to find a 2006 Class A diesel pusher with low miles and a great price.
To make a long story short, today we ended up trading RV's and are now the pround owner of a Tropi-Cal Class A Motorhome. A fine machine she is too! With all the bells and whistles.
I just never know what might happen next!
Feb 24 - 26
We closed on the new motorhome on Thursday and spent most all Thursday afternoon and all day Friday in orientation and correcting some minor things. We ended up replacing all the batteries (2 starting and 4 house batteries). The 4 house batteries were under warranty so that saved a bunch. Friday afternoon, we took the RV to a place to get the wheels checked. I was concerned that the tires were 5 years old (eventhough they only had 29,000 miles on them). We found that there was a problem with one tire, so we started trying to find a new tire - not a good idea on Friday afternoon. We'll have to wait until Monday.
Saturday, we left St. Augustine and took our first "road" trip to Jacksonville, FL. We're back in one of our favorite campgrounds - Pelican's Roost on Mayport Naval Station. We're in a great spot looking out at the water - the only problem is about the time we got here, sea fog set in and we can't see much of the water.
Tonight we went to an ice cream social at the activity center and met some really nice people. The great thing about staying on a military base is that we all have something in common, so conversations are easy.
We are really liking the RV and getting use to all the new things. Mostly, we are enjoying the great space and "luxury".
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| Momma drives a bus |
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| Poppa drives a bus |
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| Pelican's Roost - Mayport Naval Station |
We've really enjoyed staying on the base at Pelican Roost RV Park. It's a beautiful location with interesting ships coming and going.
This morning, the visibility was zero, but then the fog burned off and it's been a nice day.
We've spent some time with more familiarization with the new RV and "making it ours". It's really fun.
This morning as the fog was burning off, a container ship came in "slipping above the fog".
Feb 28 - The Last Day of this journey
Tomorrow we will be at Dad's in Nashville, thus ending a tremendous journey during which we drove our RV to Florida, sailed Eureka, made many new friends and visited with old ones, and to end it all, we traded RV's.
Today we left Jacksonville and tonight we are in one of the more unique situations that we've see. It kind of reminds me of the night we anchored Eureka off Elliott Key in Florida and there wasn't anyone else around for miles.
We are at Santee State Park on just off I-95 in SC. We've decided that unless we cannot get to one, we will try to always stay in state and national parks or military bases - or something similar. We've stayed at some nice commercial campgrounds, but they don't come close to comparing to these.
We arrived early this afternoon and could not find a ranger or camp host anywhere. Coming into the park
Tonight, we can't see a light anywhere. This is the ideal way to RV.
