Home, Fisherman's Wharf Marina, Venice, Florida

10 November 2015    24.1 sm today   2998.4 sm for 2015

We timed our departure from Gasparilla Marina to make the 0800 opening of the Boca Grand Swing Bridge. The thunderstorms had passed about an hour earlier. A beautiful last day for cruising home. Again we were greeted by dolphins at many spots along the way. The overcast from an approaching cold front kept the temperatures down. We arrived at Fisherman's Wharf Marina at 1130 tired from many long days previously but thankful to have had a safe trip. We left here 26 March and have traveled 3000 miles this summer. We attended the MTOA spring rendezvous in Daytona in April, celebrated Ann's 65th birthday along with her cousin Jimmy's in Charleston the end of May, reunited with John & Kathy Scott on Serenity in the lower Chesapeake in June, Crossed our wake with them to finish the great loop in Solomons, Md. on 26 June, spent the 4th of July in Washington DC,, saw the birth of a grandson in August, attended the MTOA northern rendezvous in Cape Charles, Va. in September where we reunited with Ron & Jan on Adagio who we cruised south with to Jacksonville, Fl., attended the Florida/Georgia game there with our kids and grandkids and made it home safely today. What a summer of memories! We were blessed with wonderful weather the whole trip. The boat ran great with no major problems. We got to see many friends from our 4 years of looping as we made stops along the way. We are thankful to be home and have been blessed with such a wonderful opportunity. Thank you to all that followed us along the way and to those who participated in this adventure with us.

Leaving Gasparilla Marina.

Boca Grand Swing Bridge, the old which had to open for us and the new which is under construction but much higher.

A most familiar sight of birds walking on water.

Charis tucked away in slip #18.

Placida

9 November 2015    49.1 sm today

We left Fort Myers City Yacht Basin about 645 am this morning knowing that this was our next to the last travel day home. We could have done the 73 sm today but knew we would be very tired when we got to Venice so we decided to split it up and leave 24 sm for tomorrow. That way we can start a little later and arrive around noon. It was another nice cruising day with high overcast and light winds. We arrived in Placida at Gasparilla Marina at lunch time.

Leaving Fort Myers.

Cabbage Key.

A bird meeting.

Stuart, Moore Haven & Fort Myers

5, 6 & 7 November 2015    172.6 sm total    5 locks total

Another early start from Vero Beach to the St. Lucie Lock Campground. We decided to save a day and go past the town of Stuart today as Friday looked like the best day to cross Lake O. The only place we could find that had space for us was at the campground. It was a nice quiet spot and only $15 with the National Park Senior Pass.

Leaving Loggerhead Vero.

Another sunrise on the water.

This 50' boat had run aground just off the intersection of the ICW and the St. Lucie river.

St. Lucie lock.

Very short finger pier.

Nose right up to the rocks.

 Departing as soon as it was light enough to see we headed for Lake Okeechobee praying that the weather forecasts were right. The lake is very shallow and any strong winds can make for a nasty ride. It was beautiful! When we arrived in Moore Haven we tied to the city dock and were the only ones there for the night.

Leaving the campground.

The west side of the lake.

Leaving the Moore Haven Lock.

We were off the Moore Haven wall early again headed for 2 more locks and a couple of bridges that need to open for us. We saw very few boats for a Saturday until we got close to Fort Myers. Safely docked in the city yacht basin we watched the Florida Vanderbilt game. Later we headed to Ford's Garage for happy hour and dinner while watching more football. We'll rest a day here and continue on Monday.

City dock.

Vero Beach

4 November 2015    51.5 sm today

We left Cocoa Village again just before sunrise. We had a great evening last night with wine and duck pate at Cafe Margaux and later dinner at Norman's Raw Bar & Grill. It was a pleasant day cruising without seeing many boats. We had sun, rain, rainbows, dolphins, pelicans and wind. We arrived at Loggerhead Marina and after getting settled in the dockmaster took us to Publix for our last provisioning.

Leaving as the sun rises.

The marina.

Sunrise.

More dolphins.

Rainbows.

Cocoa

3 November 2015    52 sm today

We again had an early departure from New Symrna. It was a pleasant trip here but got a bit warm as did the last few days. We saw plenty of dolphins and manatees today.

Leaving New Smyrna.

Riding our wake.

Crossover canal bridge.

He is leading the way.

Jacksonville, Palm Coast & New Smyrna

30 October - 2 November 2015    128.2 sm total

We left Amelia Island Yacht basin at about 1000 am on a rising tide to have plenty of water at some low spots. We had dinner with Ron & Jan the night before which was our last together. They will leave the boat in Jacksonville for a week and Jan has jumped ship and will not continue. Ron has a friend that will join him back to Dunedin.They left us as we crossed the St. Johns River.

Leaving Amelia Island.

Another dolphin escort!

A strange encounter!

He forgot to put the drain plug in. 

Boat Us  to the rescue.

Saturday in Jacksonville was spent at the stadium watching the Florida Gators beat the Georgia Bulldogs. Our son and daughter along with the 4 grandkids were there in the RV section for tailgating. It was a huge party. And it was also Halloween!

Prepping for a low country boil.

The grandkids in costume for trick or treating.

Sunday morning we departed for Palm Coast where we got invited to stay at another MTOA members home dock.Thank you John & Mary Slattery. It was a pleasant trip and a great nights stay.

Leaving Beach Marine, Jacksonville.

Passing St. Augustine inlet.

John & Mary on their lanai.

Since we left Palm Coast just at sunrise we arrived in New Smyrna a little after noon. The boat needed washing so that was done. Later we walked to Canal Street and explored. We ended up having dinner at The Corkscrew, it was fabulous!