We had a lazy morning our last day in Stuart as I squeezed one more relaxing shower in the schedule before filling the water tanks. Deciding to leave after lunch we enjoyed the fresh air on the dock while dining on our scrumptious taco and conch leftovers. And just like that, we were off again after being treated to another pleasant visit to Stuart-The Sailfish Capital of the World on Florida’s Treasure Coast.
Leaving St. Lucie County we were soon on the Indian River and off to explore virgin territory as we had not traveled this far North on the boat. Sadly, this accomplishment also put us on the homestretch closing in on the end of our epic adventure. We plan to travel slowly as there is so much on the East Coast we are so looking forward to experiencing.
Dolphins greeted us playfully jumping over each other as we turned into Fort Pierce and dropped anchor in Faber Cove. Timbuctoo was anchored in the area and we had made plans to catch up tomorrow. Our current plans were to sit back and enjoy a nice quiet evening while trying to avoid the dreaded no-see-ums. The next morning we dropped Baby Belle into the water and took a two mile dinghy ride to the dock at the Fort Pierce marina. Duane had rigged her up with a pair of fins he scored at the consignment store which gave us an extra 1 mph push. Anything helps 😃
Sitting on the deck overlooking the water we had a nice lunch at Cobb’s Landing before heading to the Sailfish Brewing Company. The brewery was open for outside service so we sampled the local craft brews and purchased our favorites to enjoy later on. Walking back to the dinghy dock we happened to pass by a couple setting up band equipment. Inquiring about the event, we were told the boat owner (who was actually napping inside) hired them to play that evening. I have been craving live music the last few months so our timing was perfect. We pulled up some chairs, popped open the Sailfish brews and were treated to a entertaining intimate concert on the water compliments of The Leafy Green Band. As the sun began to set, we reluctantly had to leave, and walked back to Baby Belle as Cheeseburger in Paradise played in the distance. A song so fitting for the many memories we’ve made on the trip. Stopping by to see Chuck and Maggie we hung out until the lightning started and then hightailed it home to hunker down before the skies opened up. That night we were both startled awake by a huge bang and ran outside to see if something had drifted into us. Relieved that we were intact, Duane chalked it up to a suicidal fish ramming the hull. We eased back into bed only to discover in the morning that our solar shower strap had snapped sending the 5 gallon bag of water plummeting from the fly bridge to the deck below creating the late night disturbance. Retrieving the hand pump, I dejectedly worked on emptying the water from the bilge as every drop had managed to seep inside.
The sunrise was spectacular that morning illuminating the whole cove. The rain held off until mid-day just as Columba arrived. After setting their anchor, there was a lull in the storm, so they made their way over to the boat for Happy Hour docktails.
Meeting Chuck and Maggie onshore early the next afternoon, we had an enjoyable lunch back at Cobb’s Landing as it was one of the only waterfront restaurants open at the moment. Heading over to Sailfish Brewery, a thunderstorm blew in, so we most certainly had to have a few rounds waiting for the rain to subside. Loading up on a few choice brews, we all went back to the dock during a break in the rain. Deciding to motor on the next morning, we checked in with Harold and Deb and coordinated a departure time of 9am.
It took thirty minutes the next morning to clean all the clay and black mud off the anchor and then off we went. Waving farewell to Timbuctoo, we followed Columba to Vero Beach not far up the waterway and grabbed a mooring ball in the harbor. Once we were settled, the four of us went to shore and hopped on the free bus headed to Publix and West Marine. Our mission at hand was to purchase food for a barbecue that evening and boat cleaner for the deck of Bella Donna. It was a successful outing and the smell of the barbecue wafting across the water ended a very pleasant day. The next day was hot and humid and there was little to no relief out on the mooring field. Deb and I took the dinghy ashore to do laundry and shower while the boys worked on the boats. After all our chores were finished, we regrouped and headed to the beach. The streets leading us to the water were lined with magnificent moss covered trees creating a canopy overhead. Vero Beach was packed with surfers and people soaking up the sun. It wasn’t yet Memorial Day, but the beach scene was in full swing. Trying to cool off in the shade, we sat under an umbrella on the deck of Mulligan’s Beach Bar with some cold drinks and nachos while social distancing with the other patrons. On the dinghy ride back to the boat, a pod of dolphins surfaced and we followed them for almost an hour watching them frolic around. Another thunderstorm sprung up that night, but unfortunately the no-see-ums were out in full force when the weather calmed and the winds died down. It looks like bug spray is definitely going to be my new best friend in the coming weeks. Before we left the next morning, we went over to Columba for a nice breakfast spread of bacon and eggs. I supplied the bacon and Deb cooked up the eggs and we combined our supplies to make a very nice meal to start off the travel day.
Following each other along the ICW, Sebastian Island was our next destination. To our dismay, the water was too shallow for Columba’s draft and they continued on to Melbourne. We dropped anchor off the channel and took Baby Belle on a bumpy ride to shore tying up at Finn’s Marina. After a quick stop at Walmart for some essentials (namely cookies for the Captain and the ice cream he has been longing for), we slid into a booth at Captain Harim’s Beach Bar to listen to the one man band belt out happy summer tunes. The crowd, most of whom had not been out in months, seemed ready to rise to the occasion cheering him on and dancing around the makeshift sand dance floor. When we were ready to call it a night, the water had calmed down significantly and we had a pleasant ride back to the boat. When the wind died, not only did the waters calm, but the temperature kicked up and the interior of the boat was like a sauna so I slept snuggled up with my fan all night long.
Arriving in Melbourne the next morning, we made the unanimous decision to grab a slip at the marina to ease our heat suffering souls. Immediately hooking up to the electric, we cranked up the air conditioner to make our living space bearable. Harold and Deb met us on land and we headed over to the Cuban Restaurant for lunch. Only open for outside dining, we sat on the patio, which was eclectically decorated with aviation paraphernalia, noshing on empanadas. Walking back through downtown Melbourne, Duane almost twisted an ankle when he saw an old school Schwinn for sale on the sidewalk and rushed to inspect the bike further. Deeming this a necessity as my bike was rusting away and slowly breaking down from the relentless salt water beating down on it, he purchased my “gift.” Heading over to Hell n’ Blaze Brewery for beer flights and big pretzels, he and Harold discussed all the new possibilities a bike which actually switched gears would open up for me. After listening to the riveting conversation, my only stipulation was that my old bike, which had been by my side through three countries, find a place in Melbourne. The next morning as I power washed the outside space and scrubbed the rust stains off the deck (a small plug…Barkeeper’s Friend is phenomenal!), Duane rinsed the bike down, oiled her up and gave her to a homeless man a few blocks away who was elated to have a new mode of transportation. Ohhhh and I only got a roll of the eyes for using a mild acid, but acid nonetheless, as deck cleaner. 10 months ago the Magic Eraser and I got the silent treatment for a day for a much smaller infraction….this trip has definitely mellowed some reactions…or over reactions 😁I do use the word SOME very loosely.
Later that day we had a quiet ride to Cocoa Beach and anchored close to shore right after the Causeway bridge. Duane’s friend Rob and his wife Rhonda were anchored close by and took their dinghy over to say Hello, see our boat and brought us back over to see their sailboat, Siesta, and have some cocktails. The weather the next day was terrible so we were unable to head over to the village on the opposite side of the ICW and instead went ashore to get some groceries. Just our luck, as we were checking out, a torrential downpour started. Quickly making our way over to Firehouse Subs in the same shopping complex, we ordered sandwiches and waited out the worst of the storm. Or so we thought….half way back to the dinghy dock, loaded down with the buy one get one free Bud Light Platinum 12 packs, the skies open up and had no mercy on us as we trudged through the streets. There were 6 inches of water in the dinghy when we arrived back at the docks and we sat in the pool heading back to the boat. Once the beer was safely in the fridge, I worked on bailing her out to prepare for our travels the next day. Rob and Rhonda had left a few hours prior and we planned to meet in Titusville for the historic SpaceX Launch in a few days along with Harold and Deb and friends they have been traveling with, Tanner and Mindy. I could see the anticipation in Duane’s eyes every time the subject of the launch came up and was so glad timing had worked in our favor for once.
