Monday, January 25, 2010

Jan 18 to 22, Vero Beach MM 952 to N. Lake Worth MM 1014

Vero Beach to N. Lake Worth (N. Palm Beach) is 62 SM. An easy two day trip with a nice anchorage at Jensen Beach. Below is my last photo from Vero Beach, before leaving on Jan 18th.


The cold weather lowered the water temperature and caused a record fish kill. A local diver told me the water was saturated with dead fish smell. The dead fish would stream by the boat with each tide change and the odor increased. Also, during the cold, over 600 loggerhead turtles were rescured and moved to warm water holding pens.

Around MM 960. Indian R. Research facility behind the trees.


MM 966. Looking east out Fort Pierce Inlet.

Guest for the trip from VB to Ft Lauderdale. First time in over 1,000 miles I was not at the helm. A break at last.



MM 981. Anchored south of jetty at Jensen Beach. Spirits high, sun finally warmed the boat, so cocktail hr. Note: we never rafted over night.

MM 987. Looking east out St Lucie Inlet.


Second look at St Lucie Inlet.


One of thousands of canals along the ICW.


MM 1014. N. Lake Worth anchorage past the bridge ahead and left of the high rises.


Marc Pilon aboard his BCC 28, Ma Muse. It's 3pm and Marc is moving south to an anchorage at MM 1018. Tomorrow, at 0600, he plans to sail thru Lake Worth Inlet to the Bahamas.



Marc and Ben. Unfortunately, having to part ways, IS fact of the cruising life. After sailing together for over 400 sm, Marc is leaving for the Bahamas. If I had any ____, I'd go too. And believe me I spent many nights thinking about the crossing. It is just not my time.

Picture of LOON in N. Lake Worth anchorage. Jack Nicholas and Rush Limbaugh homes in background.



Ben and Bill Eldridge. I met Bill and his wife Kathy shortly after joining Nothern Virginia Power Squadron in 1976. In the late 80s, I was helmsmen on Bill's 38' trawler for three seasons. The hours steering that trawler provided wonderful experience seeing boating from the "otherside".




L to R. Bill Eldridge, Ben, Mr. Bob Malone. When Bill motored out to the anchorage he brought another dear friend from NVPS, Bob. Years ago Bob thought I should be well rounded so he and I spent a few hours listening to Big Band music. Told Bob I recall his 75th birthday at Zahansiers Marina. Bob replied, boy, I'm 88! These are two great men I spent time with in the 80s. It was an emotional visit to see these guys after so many years.



Bill, Ben, Bob.



Bill's current boat. He fishes four days per week and rest the other three.




Looking NE in the anchorage. The home, sport fish and motor yacht belong to Jack Nicholas.


Other homes on the eastern side of the anchorage. One belongs to Rush Limbaugh.


Continuing around the east side of the anchorage.




The east side of the anchorge is a gated community and $$$$.





Looking SW across the anchorage. Bill said the top unit in the highrise to the left sold for $2M. This is North Palm Beach.


Continuing from SW to W more highrises.

This boat, LYSISTRATA, a C&C 39, is owned by liveaboards Sten and Steph. We met in St Augustine, Christmas. They are the ones that prepared Christmas dinner for the marina. Well youknow how it goes. Went over for a few drinks, four hours later and after dinner returned to LOON.

Looking W in the anchorage. The large motor yacht belongs to Tiger Woods.

Looking SE, in the distance are highrises on Singer Is. They face the ocean.
In the ten miles preceeding the N. Lake Worth anchorage we passed thru FIVE bridges. Well you ain't seen nothing yet. My next post is entitled The ICW and Bridge Hell! Stay tuned.