While in Lake Worth, we spent a day at Peanut Island. Fun fact, Lake Worth was the winter home for the Kennedy family and their home is still standing today. There is also a bunker on Peanut Island built for the President's safety during the Cold War. We took the tour and marvelled that so many people, including 30 days provisions for all, would be required to stay in a room not much larger than most peoples living room. We did a little snorkeling and playing in the water as well on this beautiful island park.
Our cruise from Lake Worth to Fort Pierce was an easy run along the Atantic coastline although securing an anchorage is always interesting. I think about all of the times back home when we dropped "the hook", gave a ittle tug, and were good to go....this is definately not that! The mooring field MUST be carefully reviewed on the charts prior to any attempt at anchorage as there are reefs, spoil areas and sandbars at every turn and when you have these areas all clear in your mind, there are many other boats at anchor that you get to wade through seeking that "mostly" perfect spot to drop anchor and call home. Of course, there will generally be winds at 15 to 20 knots and a strong and steady current going in the opposite direction. And did I mention that as soon as you begin your attempt, heads pop out of every companionway like groundhogs on a summer morning....this is, after all, the best entertainment of the day. I think I can even see martini's in one hand and rating placards in the other as the "judges" offer up their scores. Gratefully, Simplicity II's Captain is keenly adept at anchoring maneauvers leaving my task of running the windlass ( he gives me the "let 'er rip" hand signal and I step on the down arrow button) an easy, breezy exercise.
From Fort Pierce, a short run up the ICW brings us to Vero Beach where we are on a mooring ball at the municipal marina for the lofty fee of $13.99 per day! This includes a huge dinghy dock, showers, restrooms, an air conditioned "cruisers lounge", laundry, pump station service....seriousy, when you are cruising, this is the equivalent of hitting the mother load. AND THEN, as if all of these wonderful amenties weren't enough, Vero Beach has a free bus service that will take you anywhere you wish to go...amazing...yup, life is good in Vero Beach!
We have yet to decide where we will stop next...the Captain is busy with maintenance tasks today, impeller changes, filter changes/cleaning and the like...life is busy for the retired cruiser!
One more thing......
I want to take a moment to remember my sister Linda and her family today as they lay nephew Tysons ashes in their final resting place. It is always difficult to lose one so young and our Tyson was a special gem. Big heart, big smiles, big hugs he had the best sense of humour and a fierce loyalty to those he loved. Forever in our hearts, dear nephew, your are with us in spirit always.
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| Tyson at centre August 11, 1984 - June 25, 2005 |
Until next time.....
Love and hugs,
Shelley and Gregg
Sorry to hear about Tyson ,he was the same age as our Kari!
ReplyDeleteJim and I are in Port McNeil after a lovely week of meandering through desolation sound and Discovery Islands. We also have spent a couple of days with our heads tucked in the engine bay tracing down the source of billows of white smoke at hi revs. Life is good and will just get better as Dave arrives this pm to accompany us around the top. Love from solar Flair to simplicity ll
Thank you for the kind words, it is just so hard to lose one so young.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like there are Gremlins teasing us as we sort out the "new" cause for a hunt! I'm sure you'll have her good as new in no time!
Love and hugs to you!
xoxoxo