Finally, after numerous delays, we arrived in St Mary's late on Thursday, November 16. We couldn't wait to see SeaTryst and guage our work ahead. Up early on Friday the 17th and loaded with cleaning solvents, wax and paint, we began the task of getting the boat in shape. Maggie worked on the inside (she'd never seen so much mold!), and Bob focused on getting the outside done. Each day we would collapse from physical exhaustion. Bob painted the bottom, fixed dings in the hull, rubbed and rubbed compound to repair scratches, and washed the decks. We were told on Tuesday that SeaTryst would be put in the water on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. On a record-setting cold, windy and rainy day Bob finished painting the bottom.
On Wednesday, SeaTryst was back in the water. What a thrill! (It was a less than smooth launch, with a strong current pushing us against some newly launched concrete docks. Fortunately there were three dock hands to fend us off with no damage, but a lot of rub marks on the newly polished port side!)
Thanksgiving Day was a feast hosted by the town of St Mary's - the townspeople provided and cooked the turkeys and the cruisers brought the side dishes. Over 60 boats participated. We were suprised and excited to run into Mike and Suzanne from Carolina . We'd seen then several times in the Bahamas, and they visited us in Mystic when they were north this summer.
On Friday, 7:55a, we left the mooring in the North River, heading SOUTH. The temperature was in the 50s and the forecast was for 10-15 Northeast winds, increasing to 15-20, with seas going up to 4-6 feet. At the last minute, we decided to "go outside" - that is, in the Atlantic vs the Intracoastal Waterway. Both of us dressed in multiple layers and wearing gloves, we knew we wanted to get further south in a hurry. With the following wind and seas building during the day, the waves picked up, making for a rough but fast ride (we saw 8-9 kts speed over ground!) We arrived in St Augustine about 4:30 and once again had luck with us as the Bridge of Lions stayed open for us to pass through. We anchored south of the City in a quiet little cove; it was nice to be on the hook again.
Saturday, Nov 25, we weighed anchor at 7:15a; it was 63 degrees, so Bob was back in Bermuda shorts. We traveled down the ICW for a much smoother ride. Rosie even came on deck! At one point we had 3 dolphin swimming with us - how nice to be back in Florida! Luther loves the weather and came on deck to enjoy the sun and cool breeze. For those of you who don't know, Luther was lost this summer, but fortunately EBay found him again and for a small fee sent him back. He is ready for the Bahamas and to see some of his old friends.
We anchored south of New Smyrna, just off the ICW, in a safe spot protected from the NE winds. We got there just as the rain came down.
On Sunday, we traveled another 60+ miles to Cocoa, where we anchored at Dragon Point, across from Tanden, Al Budding's Hunter 42 Passage. It was another smooth trip on a bright and sunny day. Al and Jennifer came over for dinner onboard SeaTryst. We had drinks in the cockpit but ended up going below to stay warm. Florida has been having a lot of northern cold fronts which have brought the temps below the normal 70 and 80.
Monday morning, 8:50a and 76 degrees, we left for Vero Beach. Mathers Bridge had problems opening, so we circled around the river for 10 minutes. We didn't mind; the sun was on our face! We arrived Vero at about 2:00p, got fuel and rafted with Mac and Pat Rice of Windborne, 5-year liveaboards who will also be heading to the Bahamas. Carolina will be joining us tomorrow. It was so exciting to see Mark and Jacqui from Kardia (we sailed with them in Eleuthra and the Abacos last spring), and to see Sharon and Bill Bell from Stonington on Silver Lining. Bob's sister and brother-in-law, Michelle and Charlie Knapp, are in the process of moving into their gorgeous new home in Vero Beach, so we were able to get a preview before the final decorating; how lovely their home will be.
After three gold-star days, it was time to spend some money; we had a lovely dinner at the Ocean Grill with Michelle and Charlie.
Tuesday was a day to focus on small repairs and for Maggie to work. We had drinks with Mark and Jacqui and Suzanne at the Riverview, a great bar just a short dinghy ride from the mooring.
Wednesday is cruiser's breakfast here in Vero. The town offers a wonderful free bus service; several times each day there is transportation to various parts of town. This is one reason it's called Velcro Beach; it's easy to stay attached here. The restaurant was filled with boaters, and locals who were boaters; it's hard to stay away from this life. Lots of new friends! Here we are with Sharon and Bill and Mark and Jacqui.
Afterward, we rented a car, loaded up the grocery cart with meats for the next several months and went to Michelle and Charlie's to make use of their freezer. It was another exhuasting day. We said farewell to Kardia , who is off to Ft Lauderdale.
Maggie flew to Mystic on Thursday for a week. Finally finishing up the dental work that was started two years ago, she returned to SeaTryst on her birthday, December 7. Bob had a full week of chores - installing the new bracket for the solar panel so we can tilt it toward the sun, oiling the teak down below, etc, etc....Repairs seem to be a never ending process.
Another front come through on Friday, so we stayed on the boat all day as we listened to the wind howl. We had hoped to leave for Stuart, but decided to stay another few days - that's what they say about Velcro Beach! Well as long as we are in tank tops and Bermuda shorts, who cares. Life is good!
