Stuart, FL

Stuart, Florida

Friends Kevin and Chris Buckley from the s/v Andros.
Thank you so much for everything! We had a blast!

Boogy Board Queens!

The deserted marina we stayed in while visiting with our friends. Hurricane damage so significant that it is now under foreclosure. No one has bought it yet...any takers?

The deserted marina's new tenants!

One of many iguanas inhabiting the deserted lot.

December 6-8, 2009

Stuart, Florida

Vero Beach, FL

Vero Beach, Florida

Our time in Vero Beach will definately not be forgotton. We had 2 firsts here. The first was being in a Tornado Warning Zone and the second was being introduced (not by choice) to the Man-O-War!

We had been in some nasty rain and wind storms over the last 2 days and upon arriving in Vero on the 4th of December we were feeling pretty good as we planned to swing on a mooring ball for 2 nights in what we considered a safe harbor. We knew we would be out of wind and able to get off the boat in the rain to the Captains Lounge provided at the Town Marina. However just as we pull in the Tornado Warning began. We decided to get the kids off the boat. We decided it would be better to be swirling above the ground vs. swirling above the ocean...if we had to choose...! Fortunately, we were on the edge of the warning area and warning lifted only after 6 hours. Definately exciting!

The next day the weather improved enough to scooter to the beach and swim. The kids immediately jumped in and kicked around in the waves as Steve and I kicked back on the beach blanket. As we were laying there we started seeing these small beautiful blue balloon-like things peppered along the beach. Steve immediately jumped up and called the kids out of the water. Yep, they were Man-O-War. We were lucky the kids did not get stung! They were everywhere!

So much for swimming! Good learning experience for all.

Emma and is it...Sponge Bob Squarepants bringing up the rear?


Man-O-War. Watch out!!!
Man-O-War do not propel themselves independtly in the water. They use their balloon-like upper body as a sail and rely on the wind and currents to move around. Strong onshore winds wash them into harbors and beaches.

Vero Beach, little did we know when taking this picture it was peppered with Man-O-War!

December 4-5, 2009

Vero Beach, Florida

Merritt Island, FL

Cape Canaveral, Florida

Merritt Island

I can't believe we got to go to NASA! NASA is one of those places you hear and dream about growing up as a kid. It was sure fun to really spend some time and check it out. I've always wanted to go into an anti-gravity chamber and float around like an astronaut would in outer space! No such ride here but LOTS to see and do. We even got to meet an astronaut would had been rocketed to the moon! Al Worden was the guest astronaut on the day we arrived. He spoke about his experience to the moon and what the program really means to the people of the world. Al is known for his photographs depicting the geography of the back side of the moon.

Future Astronauts?


NASA Rocket Garden. Previously used rockets demonstrating the transformation in design through the years.


Notice the Astronaut in training on top of the blue picnic tables...jet pack and all!

IMAX 3-D movies about walking on the moon and the International Space Station

How would you like to be propelled through space for 3 days in something as small as this?

3...2...1...Blast Off!

This is the actual gang plank used by the first astronauts to walk on the moon.

Our girls walked in their footsteps...

"One small step for (a) man and one giant leap for mankind" Neil Armstrong

The girls liked the Christmas decorations on this boat at the Marina...

You can't tell from these lovely pictures but this marina was torture. We've never had so many bug bites in our lives! Unfortunately our bug screen on the boat do not stop the no see ums. There must have been a million per square inch of airspace! We thought Franklin, Maine was buggy. Franklin has nothing on Merritt Islands Harbortown Marina!

Love You!

Dec 1-3, 2009

Merritt Island, Cape Canaveral, FL

Mosquito Lagoon, FL

Mosquito Lagoon, Florida

We don't have any good shots of the actual Mosquito Lagoon here but it was one of our favorite anchorages. It truely was a lagoon. Extremely shallow and round & buffered by barrior islands. We arrived at night and sat for a long time on deck listening to the sounds of the dolphin breathing. They were all around you, but you could not see them in the dark of the night...

A little hand washing after breakfast.


Knot tying 101...the bolan knot.


One of the many dolphin visitors next to our boat along the ICW. They are so hard to capture on film because you never know when they will pop up next!



New captains "perch" on our fold out chair. What took us so long to figure this seating out?!
Great view from up high in the cockpit!

Nov 30, 2009

Mosquito Lagoon, Florida

Palm Coast, FL

Palm Coast, Florida

Palm Coast was a quick stop for us while on route to Cape Canaveral. It was a nice quiet marina with easy walking access to shops and grocery. We were able to get laundry done and fill the ice-box before shoving off early, early the next morning. We actually saw a small sea turtle cruising around the boat while sitting in its slip here. Very cool.

Slip at the Palm Coast marina.

Nov 29, 2009

Palm Coast, Florida

St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine, Florida

First thing to say is we'll have to come back. Timing was just not right for us to visit the city of St. Augustine. Cruisers we have met have said time and time again that it is a great stop. When approaching St. Augustine you must go under a draw bridge that enters you into the city. As we approached the draw bridge was malfunctioning and could not open. We were to be stuck on the north side of the bridge for the night. Fortunately, we were the second to arrive at this "free dock" only 2 miles from the bridge. Nana was able to meet us there for dinner on her drive back to Pine Island and we managed to convince her to stay overnight on the boat! She was a trooper and squeezed into our quarters like a pro! The girls were of course thrilled to have an overnight guest! Maddie slept on the small starboard side settee to allow Nana a full size berth. She was given the full orchestra of "boat sounds" before her restless night was through. She experienced everything from the crill eating off the hull, to the hallards slapping on the mast, to the hum of our DC freezer, to the water passing by the hull from the fast current, to the "tinging" of an outboards engine in the water passing close to the boat, to Noodle, our ferret, clammoring around the cabin sole getting a drink of water...Needless to say it was not the best night sleep she ever had!

View of Hook from Caps Restaurant.

Nov 28, 2009

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Mary's, GA

St. Mary's, Georgia

Happy Thanksgiving! A very different holiday for us, for sure. What a neat experience for us though. LOTS of boats, and LOTS of people from all walks of life and from all over the country & from other countries too...

There were 90 formally registered boats for the Thanksgiving meal but when you looked out in the harbor there were many, many more. The town of St. Mary's provided the turkeys, ham and oysters and the cruisers provided the side dishes and desserts. We have never had such a selection of food to choose from. Amazing!

What made the stop so special too was Nana was able to meet us there and join in on the festivities. She was our "family representative" for all those we love and miss.

Nana waving good-bye from the ferry that will take her back to St. Mary's. Our journey will begin early the next morning on the ICW to St. Augustine, FL. We'll be crossing into Florida in less than 12 hours! Florida here we come!

Enjoying a quiet moment watching the wild horses on Cumberland Island.


Nana out for a sail on Hook to nearby Cumberland Island.


New friends Owen and Zuber from s/v Shining Time

Is that plate all desserts?

Thanksgiving day potluck! Watch out! Well over 200 people coming through! St. Mary's had over 90 registered boats come in for the event.

The avid readers...

Maddie immediately finds someone with her same love of "fashion."


Emma and new friend Victoria of s/v Meriah. Victoria an 11 y/o experienced sailor and "oyster eater" taught Emma the art of "shucking"

The oyster "pit"

Steaming of the oysters.

After placing them on the metal sheet they were covered with a wet towel until the shells slightly popped open.

Complementary oyster feed at the Riverview Hotel the night before Thanksgiving

Nov 25-27, 2009

St. Mary's, Georgia