Up and Running

The electrician came back to the Snow Goose Monday morning and took the alternator to his shop and found it had a bad stater.  He didn't have the right replacement, replaced it with another type.  Bill reinstalled the alternator, but it didn't work.  Electrician came back and took the alternator back to the shop.  Some alterations, an installation and it worked!  Yes, an all day event and costly.  However, a car ride to Publix Market was included in the cost.  Tuesday AM we set out for Palm Bay.  The 65 mile trip was breezy and beautiful.  We had the jib up all day in 15 to 20 knot winds.l  The dolphins played around the Snow Goose for a long time.  What a treat!  We anchored on the lee side of an spoil area.  This morning we were awaken by a crow sitting on our grill crowing at us to bring food.  We finally go the message and discovered he loved corn chips.  He made several trips back and forth and even requested seconds.  Our sail today was in higher winds 20 to 25 and we again made great progress.  However, we were held up almost 1 1/2 hours by a bridge.  Because anchoring would have been rocky at best, we are in a marina a Titusville tonight.  With good sailing, tomorrow we should be in Daytona.  What a life, huh!

Snow Goose breakdown

Apparently Snow Goose has deemed it needs a rest.  Upon fueling up and leaving Stuart, Fl, the batteries started overcharging.  A call to TowBoatUS put us in Manatee Pocket at a transient dock and they searched for an electrician (on a Saturday).  A gentleman stopped in and looked over the alternator, told Bill to pull it out, and he would be back on Monday morning and take it to his shop.  I am thinking Snow Goose wanted some more time in sunny Florida.  We have used the time to do some walking, exploring Manatee Park.  We saw our first two manatees when we were coming into the dock.  Wow, are they huge.  Unfortunately, I was distracted by the crippled boat and didn't get pictures!  Anyway, it seems we will be here in Manatee Pocket through Monday at best.  So much for sailing North. 

St. Lucie River - Sunset Marina

April 6, 2010 - Tuesday We left Las Olas Marina in Ft. Lauderdale this morning heading North back on the waterway again. We had to go under a bunch of bridges. Some bridges open on the hour and half hour - some on the quarter hour and some on request. Anyway, it takes awhile and manages to slow down progress. We are anchored this evening in Lantan, Florida with Release. We will travel together until we get to Ft. Pierce where they will leave their boat and drive to Vermont. The day was in the mid-70's and partly sunny - beauitiful on the water. We took the dinghy into town and walked around. Lantan is a very pretty place. We had dinner aboard listening to the on shore Key Lime Marina live band.




April 7 - Wednesday We traversed the ICW to Manatee Pocket, but could not find good anchorage. There were a lot of boats already anchored and no room for us. So we headed for the St. Luicie River and anchored on the north side of the bridge. There is a beach there for Skipper to go ashore. Tomorrow we will follow Release probably to Ft. Pierce or wherever they decide to park for a couple of weeks. We need diesel and ice, so we need to be close to a marina, if not in one.



April 8 - Thursday We decided to pick up a mooring ball at Sunset Marina in Stuart, Fl today to renew our ice and diesel supply. The trip into the facility involved going under 3 bridges, but the marina is beautiful and a good stop. Release has decided to leave their boat here on a mooring while they drive home to Vermont. Weather is still very warm and sunny.

April 9 - Friday  I'm here at the marina doing laundry.  Bill has the boat torn apart performing various tasks.  Release is preparing to leave their boat here during their Vermont trip.  We will depart tomorrow AM heading North on the ICW.  Skipper spent the morning aboard Snow Goose.  I suspect he knows something is up with all the preparation for departure that is going on aboard the Release.  Again, today the weather is wonderful, breezy and warm.  We hope to get some play time in this afternoon and check out the city of Stuart. 

Ft. Lauderdale

Our crossing last Thursday was beautiful.  The weather was sunny, we had both sails up and saw 8 knots more than once (that's fast you realize for Snow Goose).  It took 6 1/2 hrs, so we were in Ft. Lauderdale before cocktail hour and pulled into the Las Olas Marina where we were in December.  We have been busy with boat repairs - making sure our account at West Marine was up to date - and provisioning.  We have fresh vegetables again!!!!  And the best part, we have showers and water, water, water - free from the hose!!!  Water has been like gold.  It is bitter sweet being here because it means we will be parting from our new friendship with Jackie and Chris on Higheeled.  They will be going on to cruise the Keys and then south - perhaps Cuba and beyond.  Ken and Francie and Skipper on Release will leave with us tomorrow but will leave us in Ft. Pierce, FL to drive home to Vermont for a couple of weeks.  Then they'll come back to their boat to continue their cruise.  We had Easter Dinner with all of them aboard Release.  We are back in the communication world again and it was wonderful to call our family yesterday and hear their voices!  And so we are today preparing to follow the magenta line down the ICW, with some outside sails, toward home.

Crossing

March 31, 2010  Wednesday.  Today is beautiful in Bimini.  We have decided to let the seas calm today and cross the Gulf to Port Everglades tomorrow with Release and Higheeled.  Time has flown and it seems like just yesterday we arrived here.  I am hoping our trip back home is warmer but as much fun  as our trip down.  So today is check out the boat, pick up a few supplies, laundry and get ready to go. 

Nassau & Regatta hull

Cruising Pics