headed out in chilly low 40's cloudy but dry {forecast rain 20%}that turned wet by 0830 and continued for 4 days...guess we caught the 20% of rain and stayed with it all the way

cypraea with bill & diane from Utica NY, had shared the t-dock for over a month all with flu & weather wait, were ready to go too and followed us down "the ditch" and through the wide, shallow mosquito lagoon

despite the cold, wet, windy, miserable weather, we enjoyed the quiet beauty of marsh and mangroves alive with birds roosted on every mudflat and bush several times porpoise frolicked alongside

at 1200 we heard that the scheduled launch from cape canaveral was still on hold for weather, not cancelled as we had anticipated.

several boats going outside to ft lauderdale were being tracked, hailed and advised to sail further out well beyond the 3-mile security zone, but no messages regarding bridges and channels on waterway route 1330, passing coast guard auxillary boats, we entered a rocky cut called haulover canal, requested an opening, and heard,for the 1st time, that the bridge was on lockdown for 1 1/2 hrs past launch or scrub, no time info

the shoreline was an unfriendly jumble of rocks, the cut narrow and more boats arriving every minute for 1330 opening

we turned back to the sandy bottom of mosquito lagoon and anchored to the side of the channel to wait-it- out

we took the opportunity for a hot lunch, chicken gumbo soup doctored with instant brown rice and smoked sausage

just as we finished, the coast guard inflatable came alongside and told us the launch was scratched and to proceed through the haulover canal & bridge so nice of them to wait until we finished lunch

1630 we anchored at titusville near the causeway to kennedy space center

good holding in clean sand, no wind, cold low 40's and lots of rain

dinner was left-over pasta with fresh veggie sauce

Cypraea met a trawler from their homeport, Utica NY, during the day and had dinner and a warm, cozy evening

we wore 200+ polartec to bed wondering who decided that sailboats don't really need heaters

2.1.2000 titusville stm 878 to dragons point, melbourne stm 912, mathers bridge anchorage 0700 to 1430

a short day, but never too early to stop

partly sunny and cold again, wind on our tale from the north

a wide stretch of water along merritt island national wildlife refuge, to cocoa beach where "i dream of jeanie" the tv genie in a bottle and her astronaut husband{master} "lived"

the NASA massive vehicle assembly building was visible for hours above the flat landscape 1330 we headed east between the palm shores bridge and the eau gallie bridge weaving among crab pots, passing a mint green dragon sculpture to enter the banana river for an anchorage beyond mathers st bridge the sun came out, it warmed to 50 degrees and we enjoyed a beautiful evening and bbq'd chicken & sweet potatoes for dinner

bill & diane from cypraea dinghied to town to get supplies and visit a bar they had enjoyed while at a seven seas cruising assoc {ssca} rally last year. Things have changed and they were not allowed to tie up at the nearby docks {no longer cruiser/transient friendly} so they went back across the waterway to the west side...no supplies but the bar was still great

0700 to 1730

The shoals off the coast are the graveyard of many Spanish treasure ships bearing emeralds, pearls, gold, silver and silks that sank in storms from 1715 on. There are still active salvage sites The Indian River flows less than a mile from ocean beaches here. Citrus groves, baseball training camps, golf, swimming beaches, fishing, snorkeling abound. Boaters see more of the area than drivers, so there are few major resorts.

Hooray, a day of fixed bridges

The small river town of Ft Pierce is a provisioning & repair stop for many boats. This is also the finest inlet between Canaveral and Lk Worth, most others are non-navigable

Despite the kudos in the waterway guide for this marina, the channel was very narrow & we went aground, as Cypraea with 6' draft scooted on past where we "marked" the shallows. G powered us off witihin 20 minutes. We found service nearly nonexistant, the dockman didn"t know how to handle our lines, and the dock was 4 to 6 ft above our deck (2' tides) with no ladder for Joan to get off...no hot shower or dock walk to find the Cabo Rico, Allegro, we had e-mailed from CR newsletter

Joan was wiped out from cold, wet day & little sleep for 2 nights, and fell asleep at 1750 'til 2300 and again 'til 0530. g managed very well with ample leftovers to heat for his dinner.

Today we enjoyed opening bridges galore and many navigation challenges. Cypraea was hot on our tail. At 0948 we heard the 1000 opening at Jensen Beach scratched for emergency vehicle, which meant a 40+ minute wait in strong cross current, but 2 shrimp boats caught up and we all got through on their opening within 10 minutes,and the next bridge opened early for them too.

They turned right for Lake Okeechobee and we were back to timing our arrivals at restricted openings bridges.

George was concerned about St Lucie Inlet area with multiple channels (and therefore markers) , boats going in all directions, and crazy crosscurrent. But we went through at slack tide. I was steering, following the cockpit repeater screen chart, oblivious to his concerns while he took a break and suddenly we were going past multi-million dollar homes with enormous power boats at each dock...well past the tricky part when he thought to tell me about it.

Suddenly the sun came out, it was warm and we shed our longjohns for shorts The next 4 bascule bridges were perfectly timed

Hobe Sound was a lush area of calm waters and white sandy shores along islands of Australian Pines. A wildlife refuge and a state park ensure the tranquil beauty of this area for generations to come.

At Jupiter there was a major blind turn to starboard, and the mark was a small nun. The visible marks with major posts lead to a marina...the wrong way for us, tho it was straight ahead J loudly advised G that he MUST turn NOW according to chart and stay well to starboard NOT the center, to make the next blind turn, past a bridge we DO NOT take, around another blind corner to our next bridge that announced elecrical problems and no scheduled time for next opening when J hailed It was enough to make J sweat...and wonder if it wasn't "Miller Time"...then we had an hour to wait for the @!#! bridge to open.

Not fun news at 1500, with 2 more bascule bridges and Lk Worth channel & anchorage to navigate During our waiting time, Cypraea radioed that the day had been "cake", much easier than they had anticipated. We invited them to take the lead, but they waited for us to pass at the next bridge, to lead into lake worth north anchorage

Once we got a location and the hook set (2-3 false trys there were so many boats!), it was time to cook dinner and the evening was short

We declared the next day (Friday) a resting day with the added advantage of then having weekend demand or 15-min openings for the 19 opening bridges awaiting us enroute to Lauderdale. Cypraea was up and away by the time we stepped out at 0800, reached on the VHF, they apparently had dinner plans at Lighthouse Point for Bill's birthday that night...no telling if we will see them again

The Gold Coast Palm Beaches, Lake Worth & Lantana, Boynton & Delray Beaches, Boca Raton & Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Ft Lauderdale & Dania

We have been to this area several times on sales volume "reward" trips during my real estate career. A beautiful area with balmy winter temperatures due to the gulf stream, here only a mile offshore. We have stayed at both the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, built by Henry Flageler (after St Augustine ventures) and Boca Raton Resort and Club, a reincarnation of the original built by Addison Mizner, (to rival Flagelers resorts).

the ICW and lake worth are the "tracks" separating mansions & posh hotels for the ultra chic palm beach crowd, opulent shops of worth avenue, busy "in seaseon" thanksgiving to easter, from the other side, west palm beach the service city that houses the staff of those mansions & hotels, and the financial district.

As we entered the ICW from the anchorage channel, Avalon, a Valiant 42' out of League City TX (Houston suburb) cruised by.

Just betond Peanut Island, (a former presidintial retreat), past the inlet, the water became a deep, clear turquoise. Oh boy, we were finally in southern, tropical waters.

At the 2nd bridge Avalon waved us by, saying as we passed, they had elderly parents aboard for the day and planned to poke along looking at all the big homes & boats

We had plenty of time to chat in the close quarters waiting for bridge openings and they aasked us whre we were stopping, then decided to do the same...a good place to put the parents onto a train back to WestPalm and to meet their insurance agent for Caribbean rider. Unfortunately they went aground at the slip entrance and had to wait 2 hours to float free. We helped them manoever stern to for easy departure then had their help in am to pull us out of our slip as wind & current were too much for the tight turn. The marina was under renovation, so no pump out and the shower was in a trailer with 0 water pressure

With bridges every 1/2 mile, some opening only one side, many huge power & sail boats zig zagging in & out of marinas, canals and restaurant docks, it was a very busy navigating day and we were very happy to be tied up at the Bahia Mar, across the street from the ocean beach

Swimming pool and facilities of adjacent Raddisson hotel, multiple private shower rooms & 6 washers and dryers in laundry...expensive at $70 plus utilities and tax per day, and pumpout is $30, but is pricey real estate location of multimillion dollar homes very close to each other on wide canals. many restaurants within 10 min walk. #40 bus line makes galleria mall & movies, food & boat shopping handy.

We plan to be here a few weeks. Al & Lynn from Now Voyager of Oriental NC are wintering in Lake Worth and we hope to see them several times

Ed & Sue from Euphoria of CT marina will be here for Miami Boat Show 2.17 to 2.20 Be fun to see them

We need time to study charts and books and chat with experienced cruisers for planning Bahamas cruise. Engine oil leak needs attention and the oil & transmission fluids & filters need changing. G will put 2-3 coats varnish on the brightwork. I will clean and polish the topsides and stainless The beach with walks to the inlet, sunsets, tropical skies, temperatures in 70's and 80's, with low humidity need our attention too.

2.14.00
alegria found warm sun
we are loving ft lauderdale
finally warm 70's sun
we are at bahia mar marina, next to radisson hotel

across the street from the ocean, where i take long walks

john mcdonald's 60's to late 80's coloful character travis mcgee lived aboard his houseboat "busted flush" at slip f18. each book had a color in the title...cinnamon sunset, blue goodbyes...etc... travis character found money B folks lost to A folks in personality conflicts and split what was recovered 50/50 to support his boat bum lifestyle

g has always wanted to stay here

this is also "where the boys are" took place...but they left in the early 90's so beach is fairly quiet except on weekends

pubs, couple bars and several restaurants and swim duds shops remain arrival pm walked the beach and ate at coconuts on the waterway

day 1 we walked about an hour to cabo rico offices to say hi...near the inlet at port everglades and on to pier 66 pelican pub for late lunch overlooking the waterway 17th ave bridge to inlet

day 2 took #40 bus to bluewater books to have a gander at charts and shop at publix for fresh veggies ran into bill & diane from cypraea, they were a day ahead of us & staying on new river. their friend loaned them a van to provision for bahamas and they offered a ride...so we did some stocking up too tues nights marina guests get one entre free at the bahia mar grill, so enjoyed salmon & grouper dinners at a great price

day 3 was cleaning day, and i walked nearly 2 hours almost to inlet and back. al & lynne chaikin from now voyager drove up from lake worth for drinks and a visit then we all went to dinner at 15th st fishhouse the tuna was fab...sushi grade grilled rare they were dock buddies in ct, now live in oriental nc and are wintering in lk worth they have been to bahamas & back, now modifying few things for cruise to abacos next month

day 4 today g is sanding to start varnishing, then he is off to west narine with couple guys on trawlers at this dock. west marine picks up in a shuttle

i'm just being...

friends from ct, ed & sue from euphoria, arrive tonight for visit, then over to naples on west gulf coast all week and back here to radisson for miami boat show next thurs - weekend with us. we're having a bid on watermaker done and some engine work...a small oil leak & oil change...looking at wind generator machines {windmill like device to make energy without running engine in long term anchoring we anticipate outisland} and the list goes on

the boats here are amazing...many 60 ft+ sail & catamarans..we are small by comparison the powercraft go to over 100 ft

some are for charter, most are private many have uniformed crew & chef, skidoos, helicopters aboard not uncommon at night a few are outlined with neon tubes that change color every few seconds

will send journal of passage from daytona to here in sections as i will use pocketmail and message space is limited & can not send or receive attachments...hassle to get to dataport from here love to all...give your valentines an extra big hug

J&G

2.29.00 bahia mar marina, ft lauderdale FL
thanks for the notes and replying to egthorne@ pocketmail.com we use pocketmail more, as dataports are not always available but must use aol for anything longer than 4000 characters and to send or receive attachments

weather is sunny, 80's, very windy ne and rough seas so will be few days before we head east to bahamas

last week was warm but unsettled with winds blowing 20 plus, lots of clouds and sudden showers...downpours even g managed to do some varnishing, but had an eye on the sky all the time still doing final coat on starboard side had oil, transmission fluid & filters changed also new gasket behind salt water pump to see if oil leak can be stopped al & lynn from now voyager in west palm beach drove G to lumber yard for materials to make backer boards to U-bolt to lifeline stantions to secure Gerry jugs for water and diesel EPIRB is mounted near companionway

there are many guys in & out of this dock who stop by to talk with g, so he has many breaks and chances to shoot-the-breeze

we are often on hand at an arrival to help with lines...it is amazing how few throw {or even have} spring lines first. most just throw a bow line, then scramble to get stern controlled...go figure

more than half the people are in late 60's and well up into their 70's wheeling big 45+ footers around... amazing several canadians too

the miami boat show was immense, 4 different locations. we went 2 days, very few sailboats really, but lots of gear & toys and mega yachts amazing how many 100+ ft boats are made

had fun time with ed & sue from ct, wed night thru sat. we went to boat show thurs and had drinks aboard then out to dinner each eve they had given us champagne for bon voyage gift and we saved it to toast their visit. we enjoyed a clear, warm evening with just enough breeze to rattle the palm fronds, and truffle pate {well ed didn't enjoy that}, with the champagne, a more elegant repast than usual

they were very generous with their time and drove g to west marine and me to publix market

sat we took them on a dinghy ride up and down some canals of multi million dollar homes and along edge of waterway to 17th st bridge @ Pier 66

this part of florida has been designed around canals, like venice italy...with bridges on main arteries very frustrating to drive a car with roads in all directions many dead end at canals, and access to bridges busy

a good ending to relaxing balmy holidays before facing trip back to land of ice & snow we saw the huge cruise ship gramma was on last spring, and an even bigger one a norwegian line launched this year

folks down the dock had a car and drove us to boat show sun and out for errands mon i went to wild oats market, a health food store founded in boulder co. it is as big as king's or stop 'n shop superstore with twice the sized deli of prepared vegetarian dishes...even fish ,poultry are organically fed...it was awesome, but alas there is little room left for provisions nice to know it is here if we come back

i've ordered some tinned beef & turkey from a place in ohio that many cruisers recommend, as fresh veggies and meat are scarce in the bahamas and we can't freeze much especially when on the hook should be able to get fresh fish

al & lynn from now voyager in west palm beach are driving down to visit & go to dinner tomorrow night. last time we went to a super fish place on 15th st. they plan to leave for abacos, bahamas after returning their car to homebase in oriental nc march 6, so we may see them over there.

we took a resting day (our arm, back & chest muscles hurt from rubbing & polishing) Visited Seven Seas Sailing Assoc (ssca) homebase offices, a cruisers club we belong to with great monthly bulletin of travels and tips written by members cruising worldwide. A very boater friendly place with phones, internet access, charts, travel books, book exchange and lending library of books & videos. there are weekly breakfasts & monthly potlucks. seeing the burgees in any anchorage or port is an invitation to meet and learn from other sscaers whose motto is to "leave a clean wake" whil being ambassadors-at-large- worldwide.

then we walked to sailorman, boat owners warehouse, mcdonalds (marine) hardware, and west marine to pick up few items. enroute stopped at a greek diner, Lenny's, with terrific greek sample platter of our favorites mousakka, pasticchio, spanok...(spinach filo pie) and apple strudel

enjoying time walking the beach, reading, and learning in's & out's of new digital camera, Olympus 2020 done provisioning but for few fresh veggies just before we leave here. avoided cleaning or doing laundry last week, so today is the catchup day hope to head to bahamas mid-march

stay well & happy j&g