We drove away from Mystic with a car so packed not one more item could fit in. We had the important things - us, Rosie, Luther, Lamar, and lots of new equipment (inverter, wi-fi antenna, horn, TV, DVD player....).
Arriving in St Mary's GA on October 23, we found SeaTryst in good shape - except for lots of mold inside. After two days of cleaning, Maggie left for San Francisco to meet with Peter and the publisher of his new book - good timing, she thinks! Bob spent four days working hard installing the inverter, repairing the wind generator, cleaning and polishing the sides, and painting the bottom. Yes Maggie, it was good timing.
St Mary's was experiencing some pretty gusty winds, so we were delayed a bit in launching, giving us more time to buy things we couldn't live without. We also had a bit of time to see downtown St Mary's decorated for Halloween. This picture doesn't do it justice, the whole town decorates. With all the hanging Spanish Moss, St Mary's is a natural for Halloween.
On Wednesday, Oct 31, SeaTryst went into the water at about 2:00p, the engine started on the first turn of the key. Our friends Jim and Joanna Arnold were on their way to their winter home in Florida, and stopped by just as we were about the go in. Jim quickly changed into his "messing around in boats" t-shirt and gave us a hand.
We stayed in the North River for a couple days getting the boat put back together and things stowed. Bob keeps wondering where we are going to put all this stuff, and if the boat going to sink. We raised anchor Saturday morning, to a cold 53 degree sunny morning, donned in socks, gloves and layers of fleece. By mid-day, Bob was wearing bermuda shorts; he was happy - he was warm, on the boat, and it was moving. Our 2007-08 season has begun. This is where we were anchored after being splashed.
We spent a couple of days in Daytona where Bob could easily dinghy to the West Marine just off the Intracoastal Waterway. Maggie was happy to stay on the boat. Having just provisioned, it was easy to put together a good meal for Bob to grill on a calm evening (one of few we have had cruising over the last year).
We went on to Titusville, motoring down the ICW with a pair of dolphins playing in our wake. Then one bascule bridge after another.
As soon as
we dropped the hook, a 10-foot manatee swam around the boat. What an impressive
sight. We dinghied over to the marina, where we saw even more, and
then walked to the local grocery store. We stayed one night, and then motored on to
Melbourne for the Seven Seas Cruising Association annual conference (called a
gam). We were still putting things together - sails on, antennas
installed, etc. It seemed like a long process to get it all
together this year.
We arrived in Melbourne early to anchor near the meeting location, but because of the north wind, we found good protection across the ICW in the Banana River where we anchored with about 7 other boats. Bob called Al Budding, our friend we normally see when are in the area. Al is in Connecticut while his father is recuperating from surgery, so he offered us his slip at the dock. Bob was delighted to take it for 2 nights - safe from the rocking and rolling of the river, with power and lots of water to wash down the boat. Rosie found the nights peaceful, too, and stood her watch on top of the dodger.
We moved across the river to be closer to the Civic Center, but with so much wave action, we moved SeaTryst back to anchor in the Banana River; we figured a 1-mile dinghy ride was better than sleeping in a washing machine. In a group of several hundred cruisers at the SSCA gam, we met many who have circumnavigated the globe - and more than once. We felt like such novices worried about a 2-day crossing to Mexico. We attended informative seminars, bought more supplies and books at the vendor booths, and networked.
We learned a lot and made new friends.
It was a great time. We chatted with Dave and Sherry on
Soggypaws, whose boat is in the Rio Dulce for hurricane season;
they shared a wealth of information (see their adventure on www.svsoggypaws.com
). We were very fortunate to be introduced to John and Cindy on
Tashmoo,
who are also heading to the Rio Dulce, and whose home
is about an hour's drive from Mystic on the Massachusetts
border. Turned out we had anchored next to them in the Banana River.
Small World!
Tashmoo is going south quickly, so it was our first goodbye to new friends. We hope to see them in the Rio Dulce or along Belize coast.
Then we were on to Vero Beach, where we spent a week on a mooring at the Municipal Marina. How lucky that Bob's sister and brother-in-law, Michelle and Charlie, were going to be at their home in Vero for just two days, and it was while we were there. We had them onboard for dinner and spent time shopping the next day. It's always nice to be with people who have a car.
At the weekly cruiser's breakfast, we squealed (ok Maggie squealed) with delight when she saw Jack and Evie from Eldridge C, and Jim and Barb from Blossom II . Jack and Evie bought a condo in Florida and are outfitting their new trawler, Distant Star . In the typical way of cruisers, during our one week in Vero Beach, we went to two happy hours at the marina. Oh yes, back in the groove.
On our walk to the beach, Bob tried to rent a car but were just a little to small..... and Maggie couldn't resist getting a photo of the Christmas decorations going up ... already??!!
At this busy time of year in Vero, boats are required to raft, and we were fortunate to greet Ric on Svoboda (means freedom in Russian). Ric was single-handing until Mary arrived the next day, something he's done in much of the Med and even across the Atlantic. He had some great stories. Again, goodbye to new friends.
We were thrilled to know that Grand Style would be coming in for Thanksgiving, and hoped our paths would cross. We were with Carole and Gilles our first year and were anxious to see them again. Maggie checked with the marina office and learned that they would arrive on Sunday, and arranged for them to raft with us. They were surprised and excited when they went to mooring #39 to find SeaTryst. We spent hours catching up. Gilles brought Bob "good beer" from Quebec, 9% alcohol, and fixed Maggie a goombay smash (just like the good old days); we brought the popcorn.
We had just said hello and we were saying goodbye again. We know we'll stay in touch and maybe see them along the way.
On Tuesday, November 20, we motor-sailed up the St Lucie River to Stuart, where we met up with Carlene and Brian (Maggie's niece and husband) for our visit to Duffy's (for homemade potato chips and 2for1 happy hour), and to spend Thanksgiving with them.
We have much to be thankful for.
We'll be here for a week or so before meeting up with friends in Lake Worth and then heading south to Ft Lauderdale and Miami - for more hellos and goodbyes. We will try to keep the site posted more often. Stay tuned!