Saturday, January 9, 2010

Dec 31 to Jan 9, Titusville MM 878 to Vero Beach MM 952

This was a cold period in FL. Jan 8 thru 12 the cabin on LOON was 40 each night and only 52-58 during the day-depending upon the sun or clouds. Even trips to Riverside Cafe (at night in the cold) didn't help. It's Jan 14th and temp reached 67 today. Maybe 70 tomorrow, with rain.


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Titusville Municipal Marina. Osprey eating a fish. In the Chesapeake I never see an Ospery land in a marina. And when you motor or sail by one on a daymark, they're quite loud. However, in FL they land in marinas and in this photo the Osprey in only one slip away eating his catch.







MM 878.9. Max Brewer Swing Bridge being replaced. Construction in process, new bridge support in place. One of many that are being replaced with fixed, 65' bridges.







MM 883. Indian R. Not sure what the boat was stiring up, but these birds followed my wake for over 30 minutes!












MM 885. NASA Parkway Bridge. I'm following the ICW daymarks. Can you see the next daymark? (double click the photo--the daymark is there) This particular day the sun and bridge supports provided a challenge.




Between MM 885 and 890. NASA facility.




MM 897. City of Cocoa, FL.





Mile Post 909. Long way from Annapolis. Yet another 65' bridge that appears you need low tide to have 65'.




All in a row, facing windward.





MM 909. Another bridge across Indian R. to Merritt Is, FL.





MM 918. Melbourne, FL.





Sunday 1/3/10. Traveled from Dragon Point in Banana R. to Jones Fruit Dock, 32.8 sn. Low temp that morning was 37.




Around MM 935. Indian R. Another of many boat washed ashore and simply abandon.






Osprey with a fish. Double click photo to enlarge.





Not sure. Just another bridge.







Another boat washed ashore.




MM 945.7. Jones Fruit Dock. Jan 3rd, we're in FL and it is cold. Marc and his son with
coconuts.





Me too.





My new nautical wear. The country, construction collection by Wrangler, 1967. Hell, a 32 mile day in 40 to 50 degrees, need electricity. Well the deal changed. It's $20 a day and electric is a 15 amp drop cord. Barely ran the heater.






MM 952. Vero Beach City Marina. PRINCESS is a 1969 Hinckley B40. Owned by Steve and Sandra from Frenandina Beach. They stopped at VB before crossing the Bahamas--not! This unusually cold weather changed their plans. Sandra said after fifteen years wintering in the Bahamas we really don't need another trip. Let's see the keys, again!





The mooring field at VB city marina. Marc and I are on a mooring rafted with a Valiant 39, VOYAGER, owned by Denny, a friend from Tilghman Is, MD. Hopefully these moorings are well installed and maintained, as most have two boats and quite a few have three.





Fri morning, Jan 8th. In the next three photos this Heron catches breakfast.





Good!



It's Saturday, Jan 9th. At 1pm temp outside is 37 and it is raining. To heck with salad and healthy food. I need real food--chili. With cheese and onions!




Cabin temperature at 1pm, around 52! Had been running my Force 10 propane cabin heater for three hours. At 5pm, after using the heater for 7 hours the 1 pound propane bottle was empty. Yesterday I refilled my large tank, but have 3 spare 1 pound bottles for backup and wanted to know how long one would last. Now I know.



Vero Beach City Marina fuel dock and office.



Three boats on one mooring.

Happy Hour on LOON. L to R. Marc, Mike and Maureen-- from PA, met them in the bar at Riverside Cafe.



Mark and Jemma, from England visiting his sister in Vero Beach. Met them at the bar in Riverside Cafe.



Walt and Mary from Reedville, VA (I spent three nights at their dock at the bgeinning of this trip.) passing through Vero Beach on their way to Marathon for two months. Happy hour at skipper lounge, Vero Beach City Marina. Next stop Riverside Cafe for dinner.

Ben, Walt and Marc preparing for dinner at Riverside Cafe.
Did I mention Riverside has great bands and DJ seven night wk.
See you next post. Hopefully it will be warmer.