Our Lives are Changing!

A view of the new house

After I returned from crewing aboard Celerity, Chris received a call from a recruiter about a position with Rybovich in W. Palm Beach. He went for the interview and returned excited so....

HERE WE ARE!

We packed up some belongings in Chris' car and drove it down to West Palm to leave it at the plant site and flew home a few days later. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Airport and spent most of the next 3 days looking for a house to buy. We found one that "fit the bill" in Tequesta and made an offer. They verbally accepted, but by the time that they received Chris' signed agreement which was sent overnight delivery, they had unethically accepted another buyer's offer for more money. Our realtor asked us if we wanted to outbid the "new" buyer, but Chris declined. He was justifiably upset! Everything happens for a reason is what we told ourselves.

Chris began his new position as Director of HR for Rybovich on August 10 so we left New Bern on August 8 in my car. Rybovich owns the Four Fish Inn and Marina in Jensen Beach and graciously put us up in a "Key West" cottage on their property. It's adorable, painted sky blue with a tin roof. The best part is living directly across the street from the marina so we can obtain our "boat fix" by walking across the street which is what we do nightly. We pour a glass of wine when Chris arrives home and walk the docks. On the first night of this "ritual" we spotted 3 manatees and I was SO excited!!!! I just wish I had our camera with us!

We spent the entire weekend looking at houses in Jupiter and Tequesta and nothing seemed to fit the bill and we were becoming discouraged. The prices were high and none of them felt "right" and like home.

On Saturday, August 8, we decided to ditch our realtor and struck out on our own. We turned on the trusty GPS and headed for water. We ended up in Sewall's Point and found a house across the street from the water with its own dock. We called the realtor who was the listing agent and she agreed to meet us on Sunday, August 9. She showed us the Sewall's Point house first and it was nice but still didn't feel "right" even though the dock was "calling to us". The second house she took us to was in Stuart, FL and near the I95 exchange (a big plus). We walked into the house and it felt PERFECT. Honestly, we just "knew". We looked at a few other houses, went back to the "perfect" house and ended up back in her office making an offer 2 hours later.

Our offer was accepted and the owners (Ji & Dennis) are sailors too. We bonded immediately and Dennis drug out his sailing photos of when he used to crew for Neil Young (yes, THAT Neil Young). Dennis & Ji are rennovating a house so we cannot close until October 29 but it is definitely worth the wait. We are excited!

Now...if I could just find a job, all would really be perfect!!!!

Yeocomico River

June 26, 2009
The "race" was on! "Outrageous", "Polaris" and "Celerity" all vying for anchoring first! All 3 boats took different routes to our destination. We tended to take the route closest to land, but ended up tacking lots to try and keep our sails filled. In the end, all 3 vessels took down the sails and motored into the Yeocomico River. The rudder stuffing box was really giving us fits so Dennis (Polaris) and Thom (Outrageous) kindly offered to take a look. While they couldn't see the rudder stuffing box, they were able to "feel" it and gave it two plus turns. Wa-la...they are brilliant. We now have a dry bilge and no more pumping. Melinda was SOOOO happy! While under way we kept checking, but every time we pumped, we came up empty. One problem solved anyway. Polaris hosted dinner aboard tonight, but unfortunately Melinda was just too wiped out to attend. She had been working all day fixing this and that and needed a night to crawl in bed with Molly and veg. The Polaris taxi graciously picked me up and took me to their boat for a night of wine, food and story swapping.

June 27, 2009
Anchor up at 9 am and all 3 boats motored across the Potomac to the St. Mary's River to anchor in Horseshoe Bend. St. Mary's is a really historical little town with lots of charm. Unfortunately this day brought nearly 100 degree temps and high humidity. We were miserable. We did stop for fuel and water at a marina that had a pool. Their Boat US Discounted rate was $1.50/ft. and we almost bit the bullet and took a slip, but we decided to rough it and go to the anchorage. Melinda put up the forward sunshade and that helped a bit, but it was just so hot and miserable that we didn't even feel like making dinner. We settled on sandwiches and potato chips. We did meet some nice folks aboard a Bristol Channel Cutter, an absolutely gorgeous boat in the anchorage. St. Mary's College had a very nice dock so we used that to take Molly ashore for her morning and evening romp of 15 minutes on dry land.

Fishing Bay (near Deltaville)

We spent an additional night in the Severn River since the weather wasn't cooperating. I did the laundry and babysat for Molly (Melinda's Schnauzer) while Melinda went with Teri and Denise to Walmart. We needed provisions for the rest of the trip.

June 24, 2009 - We left the Severn River and crossed Mobjack Bay (which is HUGE), around Stingray Point to Fishing Bay. I had never anchored there before as Chris and I went up the Rappahanock River instead to the opposite side of Deltaville. We were fortunate enough to have a small marina nearby where we could "land" and take Molly to shore. We also wanted to take on some fuel and water which we did the next morning. We learned a valuable lesson though--fill up the boat in the afternoon when you arrive! The next morning there were 3 sailboats all waiting for nearly an hour as 2 small power boats filled their tanks (not simultaneously). The first was a 16 ft. center console and he parked in the middle of the entire dock (big enough for two 40' vessels), the second boat zipped in right after the first even though it was obvious that three sailboats were circling to get onto the fuel dock. A Catalina 38 named "Almost" was really upset and ended up calling the marina, but it really did no good. We finally did get in, filled up with diesel and water and were on our way. Our destination was Sandy Point on the Great Wicomico River.

June 25, 2009
We motorsailed up to Sandy Point with "Polaris" and "Outrageous" and anchored in a cove that had a small beach. Celerity has a leak and Melinda and I started to count and time our bilge pump outs. Melinda was pretty convinced that it was a rudder stuffing box leak. I didn't even realize that the rudder HAD a stuffing box! In any event, the leak was obviously getting worse and it was on Melinda's mind A LOT! Also...the outboard was a big problem on the trip as it took 10-11 pulls before the motor would cough...and perhaps 11 more before it started. Dennis on Polaris came aboard with a can of STP gas treatment thinking that it may help. Melinda is convinced that the dinghy motor has a personal grudge against her!

Tracy crewing on Celerity

June 17, 2009 -
I drove to Norfolk to meet Melinda at Hospital Point. Her crew, Ed, had to return to Raleigh to meet some previously made commitments. He drove my car back to the River Rat Yacht Club and I will pick it up later. Our cruising "buddy boat" is Polaris with Denise and Dennis aboard. We all had dinner aboard Celerity and a great time ensued with lots of wine drunk, of course.

June 18, 2009 -
We cruised up to Hampton to pick up a whisker pole which Melinda purchased online. After a brief wait, we then cruised across to Willoughby Bay for the night. A HORRIFIC lightning storm hit us about 7 pm and it was the most dangerous lightning that I had ever seen. Melinda and I took turns getting up to peer out of the companionway in hopes that we could see the other 4 boats anchored with us to insure that we (or them) were not dragging. All told, we had over 5" of rain in a few hours and the dinghy looked like a swimming pool the next morning. A sleepless night to say the least with no hatches open. Yuk!

June 19, 2009 -
We left the anchorage and cruised up to the Severn River off Mobjack Bay to meet our 3rd cruising buddy boat with Terri and Tom on "Outrageous" (a Mason 43, beautiful boat). It's a LONG way off the beaten path to the Severn River Marina but the facility is nice with showers and lots of places to sit under an umbrella and enjoy the breeze.

June 20-22, 2009
We are still sitting at anchor in the Severn River and awaiting decent wind/weather. There have been thunderstorms nearly every day and the wind has been from the NW, which of course, is the direction we intend to go. The plan is to leave tomorrow morning and go up to Fishing Bay (near Deltaville) and anchor for the evening. Hopefully the cool breezes will continue and the 100 degree temps are gone until we reach DC.

Memorial Day 2009 - Ocracoke Trip

An impromptu "concert" aboard Long Gone with Lee Bettis & Zeke

Thursday, May 22, 2009 -
We left New Bern about 7:30 am and hoped to make it the whole way to Ocracoke but the winds were on the nose so we couldn't sail and the choppy water didn't allow for lots of headway. We made the decision to anchor out in South River and continue to Ocracoke the next morning. The weather was perfect with a nice cool breeze for sleeping. We were visited by a pod of dolphins with their babies which was just WONDERFUL. Vickie and Donnie from "Charisma" joined us in the anchorage about 6 pm and rafted up to Long Gone. We all turned in early with the hope that we would get a very early start.

Friday, May 23, 2009
We left South River about 6:15 am and arrived in Silver Lake at Ocracoke about noon. Luckily "Charisma" and "Long Gone" procured the last 2 slips at the Government Docks. As we were sailing down the channel, we heard a call to "Tally Ho". We met Andrew and Vanessa in Marsh Harbour and they were just on their way home to Maryland from the Bahamas. They too went into Ocracoke and anchored in Silver Lake. They dinghied over for a visit and we all made plans to go for Pizza the following day. On Friday evening Lee Bettis (an attorney from New Bern) came aboard and brought his guitar and we had an impomptu jam session. SO fun!

Saturday, May 24, 2009
Chris and I took a long morning walk to the hardware store and back stopping at several little shops along the way. Vickie, Donnie, Vanessa, Andrew, Chris and I all met at the Pizza place at 2pm for a late lunch/early dinner and we all ordered one topping (an Ocracoke custom). So....it was a pepperoni, sausage, sun dried tomato, mushroom, artichoke and garlic pizza. YUMMY! We ordered one to make sure it all worked together and quickly ordered another to go with all the Coronas!

On Saturday night we probably had the biggest group of musicians on the boat ever. We had 3 guitarists, a bongo player and about 30 folks showed up to sing along. At 10 pm we were visited by the Hyde County Sheriff's Department to ask when we might be "wrapping it up". That certainly killed the sing-a-long! It could not have been any boaters at the docks who complained since they were all part of the party!

Sunday, May 25, 2009
We left early on Sunday morning bound for River Dunes to meet up with "Alchemy" (Dave and Mia), "Picasso" (Faye & Phil) and "Three Sheets" (Vinnie & Sandy). It was a great sail over with just the right amount of wind. We did have to finally roll in all the sails as we neared Broad Creek as a rain squall hit with some heavy wind. We arrived at Grace Harbor about 1 pm and the guys promptly got into Dave's Dinghy to ride over to a new little bar at Paradise Shores. They claimed that the rays were spawning in the river and were everywhere! The girls stayed behind to enjoy the pool and multiple hot tubs. For dinner that night, we all grilled steaks by the pool, brought some potluck side dishes to share and had a great time. Dave drug out his boat guitar and we went down below on "Three Sheets" as the mosquitoes drove us indoors.

Monday, May 26, 2009
We left about 8:30 am and had a gorgeous sail all the way back to New Bern. The wind was perfect and we had a beam reach all the way up the river. It was glorious! We were back in the slip by 3 pm and waited for Vickie and Donnie to arrive about 5 pm. Back to the real world of job hunting.

Our Crewing Opportunity with "Enchantment"

Tuesday, May 12, 2009
We left Lew & Teresa’s in Virginia Beach this morning at 9:30 am. We stopped at a pancake place called “Pier 23” on the way out and treated ourselves to omelets before making the drive. It took us about 4 hrs. to get home but we piddled in Elizabeth City as we had never been there before and wanted to take in some sights. It’s nice to be home, I suppose, but I’m ready for the next adventure!!! Sorry for forgetting our camera on this trip - I was so upset that I left it at home!!!

Monday, May 11, 2009
We locked through the Deep Canal Lock at 8:30 am, their first opening and continued down the Dismal Canal. So much history! To think that George Washington first started dredging this canal in the 1700’s is pretty darned impressive. We met up with “Catharsis”, the catamaran in Oriental and another beautiful trawler named “Sea Flat”. When we asked if they were musicians, the captain said “no, my wife likes the seas to be flat” henceforth their name. Cindy and Merrill were first in line in the lock and when the spillway opened, it was a darned tidal wave. They had a very rough time trying to fend “Ambition” from the sides of the lock and we christened Cindy, “The human fender”. Seriously, it was pretty awful for them and the lockmaster should have forewarned them of the velocity of the incoming water.

We made it to the 2nd lock on the canal for the 1:30 pm opening and the lockmaster there was full of personality. He entertained us by claiming that he was “the world’s greatest conch horn player” and you know what….he was! His dog also greeted each boat knowing he was going to get some attention.

Merrill and Cindy left us at Portsmouth (sniff) and it was hard waving goodbye across the water. We’ve had such a great time with them but hopefully we’ll go up to Montreal for the jazz festival in July which they claim is absolutely the best anywhere.

Lew, Chris and I pressed onward to Norfolk where Lew was leaving the boat to get hauled on Tuesday morning. The last 2 hours of the trip weren’t pleasant – very rough and pitching seas with rain and chilly temps. We were happy to get tied up and ride over to Lew’s house.

Teresa, Lew’s wife, made mac & cheese, chicken and of course, we all drank lots of wine. Lew hadn’t seen her in 10 days so it was a happy reunion for those 2. Their home in Virginia Beach was lovely and very unique. Their hospitality was certainly appreciated! They even had “Lucy”, their tabby kitty for me to pet and get my kitty fix.

Sunday, May 10, 2009
We left the anchorage on schedule and decided after the Alligator River Bridge to go through the Dismal Swamp Canal. Chris & I had never been through it and it was just beautiful. It was neither dismal or swampy! Unfortunately we didn’t make it to the Deep Lock by the last 3:30 pm opening so both boats tied up together at the entrance to the lock. Cindy made killer chili and I contributed the cornbread and wine. Again, lots of wine, Dark & Stormy’s, laughter and friendship ensued. The weather was brisk and perfect for sleeping with open hatches!

Saturday, May 9, 2009
It was a GREAT day today as we made a record 83 miles. We traveled up the Neuse, through the cut, across the Bay River, up the Pungo River and went through the Alligator-Pungo Canal. We managed to get in a bit of motor sailing and anchored just after the Alligator-Pungo Canal. Unfortunately “Ambition” drug a bit that night and because of the winds gusting to 25, we were unable to raft together. Lew had some fresh Mahi in the freezer which Chris grilled and it was EXCELLENT. Lots of Dark & Stormy’s made with Goslings Rum & Ginger Beer brought back from the Bahamas was consumed and Lew even had COFFEE ice cream (my very favorite). We turned in early in anticipation for a 7 am departure from the anchorage.

Friday, May 8, 2009
We’ve agreed to be crew for “Enchantment”. Back in November as we proceeded south, we met up with Lew and Joe (the crew that cooked!) somewhere south of Wrightsville Beach and both boats stayed together all the way to Florida. We had a great time with them and met up with them again at Boat Harbour in the Bahamas. Lew & Joe again brought the boat back north, but Joe had to get back to Virginia Beach as his baby girl was turning 1 so Lew needed crew. We quickly volunteered to go. Even better was that Cindy & Merrill from “Ambition” had come down to New Bern for a quick visit and were also heading north so the two boats traveled up to Norfolk together. It was GREAT to be back aboard a boat again – even though it wasn’t Long Gone. We all went to dinner at M&M’s on Friday evening and agreed to depart Oriental at 7:30 am on Saturday.

Long Gone is HOME

Well.....it's been a WONDERFUL year indeed. It's bittersweet being home. We missed our friends and our families while we were away, but it's difficult being home too. The first night sleeping at home was strange for both of us without the boat's gentle rocking motion to relax us. We miss feeding our wanderlust, planning our route, the anticipation of seeing something new nearly every day. We also are back into the "real" world of realizing just how awful our economy has become, worrying about getting jobs and with land-based living, coming to grips on how to curb our spending. When we were on the boat in the Islands, there was nothing to spend money on (besides food of course)! No malls, no large supersized grocery stores, no fast food Burger King's around every corner, no fuel for our automobiles, no delivery of Dominoes Pizza! It was an idyllic life indeed and we are going to miss it, but we feel so grateful for this year. Not many folks get to realize their dreams and we did....and it was better than we had hoped! Thanks to all of you that wrote to say that they enjoyed this blog. I had a wonderful time sharing our adventure with you.

Thursday, March 26, 2009 - We're in Wrightsville Beach, NC

Almost home! The weather has taken a turn for the worse and we stopped into Seapath Marina in Wrightsville Beach. It's gray and dreary, chilly and damp. Ugh. Seapath has a courtesy car which we used to visit the local Harris Teeter store to buy a few things for the few remaining days. It's great to shop in a BIG grocery store again! Even better are the prices! In the Bahamas, for instance, flavored coffee creamer was $7 and today it was TWO BOTTLES for $7!!! And....I found Snyder's pretzels! That might not seem like a big deal, but it's something that I've really missed!!!

Our friends Bob and Debbie Cowen have graciously invited us for dinner and we're looking forward to seeing them tonight and catching up.

I sent my resume to a company that is servicing the Cherry Point base. Back to the REAL world soon. My feet will NOT be happy as I've not worn real shoes in over a year!!!!!!!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - Southport

We're in Southport Marina and will check weather to see if we can move on tomorrow. When I checked yesterday, it appeared that there was bad weather moving in and we may have to delay our northern progress for a day or two. Probably just as well as we have been moving EVERY day for over a week.

We were boarded by the Coast Guard today coming into Southport Marina - a quick visit to see if we had weapons aboard (we do), check documentation, safety gear, etc. It wasn't a biggie.

We're looking at the descending rain cloud and it is COLD!!!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 - We're in Myrtle Beach, SC

We left Georgetown this morning and were lucky to get a tidal push all the way to Myrtle Beach. Weather Underground predicted 10-15 kts. from the NE. The NE was correct, but it was a steady 20 with gusts to 27....and it was COLD! We meandered our way through the Waccamaw and I just love that area! We'll check the weather tonight, but we're trying to get as close to home before the crappy weather predicted for Thursday and Friday hits. If we get stuck in Southport for a few days, that would be fine as we really love that area. Beaufort would be even better but that's being a bit optimistic.

We're at Barefoot Landing tonight so we'll get off the boat for a bit of retail therapy. See all of you soon.

March 23, 2009 - Long Gone in Georgetown, SC

Well folks, we're definitely bound for home.

It was our "intention" to anchor or take a mooring tonight. We scored a mooring on the first try, only to be told from a trawler anchored next to that mooring that we were too close. I ended up dropping the boat hook while listening to this guy yell at us so it was NOT a good time. We tried to find a spot to anchor in this crowded anchorage but none seemed suitable so we ended up coming into Hazzard Marine - a small price to pay for a good night's sleep with no worries. We're catching up with laundry, we'll have a nice dinner aboard and will most likely stay an additional day. We love this quaint little town, we're a bit "ICW road weary" so would like to actually sit in the cockpit, read a book, walk around (on dry land) and gaze at the historic homes and perhaps grab a glass of wine (or two) at Buzzard's Roost, our favorite watering hole here in Georgetown.

See all of you in New Bern in about 5-6 days or so (weather dependent). Pray for reasonable east or southeast winds!!!!! We're tired of nor'easters!!!!

Sunday, March 22, 2009 - We’re in Isle of Palms Marina

Change of plans. We had intended to anchor tonight in Dewees Creek, but we have 30 kts. of wind at the moment (on the nose of course). We had an almost hour delay at the Ben Sawyer Bridge after just missing their on-the-hour opening so that was nerve fraying as keeping Long Gone in the center channel was a chore in the current and wind. Chris made the decision to stop here since there was no protection from this wind at the anchorage and it's cold! Morgan’s Grill is right up the dock from us and they have Happy Hour from 4-7 plus live entertainment--too tempting for us to pass up.

Saturday, March 21, 2009 - Steamboat Creek Anchorage

Position: N 32° .36’.365, W 080° .17’.012
We arrived at the anchorage about 5:30 pm after fighting the wind on the nose all day. After grilling some steaks and playing gin rummy, this crew turned in early.

Friday, March 20, 2009 - We're in Hilton Head, SC

We left the Isle of Hope Marina today about 10 am so that we could time our transit time through Fields Cut on a rising tide. We made it through with no problem and no less than 6.5 ft. of water. We had intended to anchor out tonight but with lows in the 30's, it's nice to be plugged into the dock at Skull Creek Marina. Since we had a "light" day today with only 35 miles logged, we're hoping to make some miles tomorrow and possibly get to Steamboat Creek on the North Edisto River, my very favorite anchorage of all times! It's 58 miles though so that's pretty ambitious for us. See you in a week or so!

March 18 and 19, 2009 Updates

Wednesday, March 18, 2009 - Wahoo River Anchorage

Position: N 31° .36’.077, W 081° .12’.789

We fought 22 - 25 kt. winds all day today on the nose and the current was against us too. We stopped about 5:40 pm in this anchorage after transiting Creighton Narrows in skinny waters. The Canadian boat that we have been following off/on named Isabelle, a Tayana 38, ran hard aground today. We could not help as it was such skinny water and we didn’t think we had enough power. She called SeaTow and later joined us in the anchorage.

Thursday, March 19, 2009 - Isle of Hope Marina
We transited through the Florida Passage today as well as Hell’s Gate with no problems, thank goodness. We’re tucked in for the night at Isle of Hope Marina where we borrowed their courtesy car for a Walmart run. We had planned to take the bus to Savannah but the last bus returned at 3:30 pm and it was an expensive cab ride for the return. This crew is tired anyway so it will be an early night so we can be up and at ’em tomorrow.

Photos of Cumberland Island

The wild horses of Cumberland Island grazing behind the ruins.


We were lucky enough to get several shots of the wild horses at Cumberland Island.

The ruins of Dungeness, the mansion built by Thomas Carnegie in 1882 which burned in 1959.

The Greyfield Inn was down the road a bit, but by the time we hiked the trail to the ruins and to the beach, the sun was setting and it was time to dinghy back to the boat.

Oh...by the way, Ivory Lady, the Hatteras from New Bern is in the Golden Isles Marina at St. Simon where we are now.....

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 - We're in St. Simons

We stopped at the Golden Isles Marina in St. Simons. We needed fuel since it's 50 miles to the next fuel stop on the ICW at Isle of Hope. It rained most of the morning and was generally dismal but the sun is coming out now. We ran aground once today in 4.8 ft. of water, but it was a rising tide so we gave it a few moments and she floated off. We transited the dreaded Jekyll Creek today, one of the waterway's infamous shallow spots with no issues. We hope to go play tourist in a bit to explore historic St. Simon's Island. I would love to hear that the wind has changed directions since we're right here at the Inlet and it looked to be a really wide and safe inlet. If it's predicted to blow NE still though, it makes no sense for us to go "outside".

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!!!

Earlier pix that I didn't get to post

Chris caught his first fish - a Mackeral. He was sort of "bent" a bit from being crammed into our bucket, but he served as our appetizer that night - lightly floured and pan fried in butter/olive oil.


This photo was taken of the trail we took on Manjack Cay. It was about 2 miles long and went from the Sea of Abaco side of the island to the Atlantic side.

March 16, 2009 – Dungeness Anchorage

Position: N30º 46’.266 W081º 28’233

We are currently anchored in the Dungeness-Greyfield Channel

We wanted to go outside at Cumberland Sound but the wind has turned NE so we continued up the ICW. Claiborne Young’s Cruising Guide recommended this spot so we dropped the hook, lowered the dink and went ashore to tour the ruins of the Dungeness Mansion built in 1882 by Thomas Carnegie. It burned down in 1959 but the ruins are still spectacular. We hiked through the forest to the beach and saw many of the wild Cumberland Island horses. We took lots of photos, but can’t post them tonight as we’re using my cell as modem and it is SLOW! We’re planning to travel north on the ICW tomorrow through as much as Georgia as we can tolerate. It has just started to rain here. See all of you in a few weeks! We’ll post photos as soon as we have a fast internet connection.

March 10 to 14, 2009 Updates - Leaving St. Augustine

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - A BAD Navigation Day and almost Jail Time!
We left Port Marina around 10 am figuring we had an easy day up to the anchorage near the Space Shuttle Launch. WRONG!!!! I did some laundry, hung it out on the rail, we went through the bascule bridge right by the marina and into the lock. The Waterway Guide claimed that there were line handlers at the lock but that wasn’t the case so I was hopping around quickly trying to set lines in the place to get through the lock. Then I was worried about the laundry hanging on the rail getting dirty in the lock so it was a busy time! After we came through the lock, there was an “intersection” and I (as the navigator) told Chris that we should turn “right” (north). HOWEVER….and this is a BIG however, we were to go straight another 6 or so miles before turning “right”. We actually turned up the Banana River, a NASA restricted area and also an area where NO motor vessels of any kind are allowed. We went up the river to the first bridge and we called, but there was no reply. Now, I knew that the marker numbers were not matching the marker numbers on my chart but I attributed that to us having an old chart. When we called the McAuliffe Bridge and told them we wanted an opening, we were informed that they couldn’t “see” us. Duh…..that’s because we weren’t in the Indian River, but instead the BANANA River. Once I realized our mistake (an hour too late), I also realized that we were in the restricted zone. We hightailed it back to unrestricted water, but as our luck would have it, we got stopped by a FL Law Enforcement boat. He informed us to drop the anchor which we then asked if we could do in deeper waters, we apologized over and over. He told us that being in that restricted area was a $132,500 fine, impoundment of the vessel, and 6 years imprisonment. OH LORDY!!!! About that time, a Fountain go fast boat with triple engines went speeding by us and the Officer ended up going after that boat. I told him that we were going to Harbourtown Canaveral on the Barge Canal so I figured he would meet us there later. He didn’t show….WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!! The ONLY cool thing about the day is that we had an EXCELLENT view of the shuttle sitting on the launch pad. Kind of is a scary thing though that we actually got as close as we did before getting stopped. Oh….and we saw our first wild pink flamingos!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - Space Shuttle Day
Position: N 28° .32’.437, W 080° .45’.164
We got to the anchorage about 1:15 pm along with a dozen or so other boats. We were SO excited. Our excitement was dashed when at 4:00 pm they announced that the launch was postponed until Sunday - BUMMER! By that time, the bridges were closed for the 5 pm traffic so we turned on a great XM radio station, grilled some burgers, drank some wine and just chilled in a beautiful spot.

Thursday, March 12, 2009 - Daytona Beach
We motored the 52 miles to Daytona Beach (boring) and treated ourselves to a Pizza at Stavros and walked around the downtown area a bit. The Halifax Marina was a very nice marina with great facilities.

Friday, March 13, 2009 - St. Augustine Anchorage
Position: N 29° .53’.758, W 081° .18’.549
We anchored in a TIGHT anchorage north of the Bridge of Lions and it was so foggy that visibility was only about 50 ft. It was not a restful night as we were afraid that since Long Gone swings so much at anchor, we may swing into another boat.

Saturday, March 14, 2009 - St. Augustine - Camanchee Cove Marina
We’re out of groceries so we took a slip at Camanchee Cove so that we could use their courtesy car. Chris and I went to Walmart and the liquor store (we were almost out of wine - horrors!). We were wowed by the prices and probably bought two of everything. In the Bahamas, the groceries were so expensive. Like a bag of Tyson frozen chicken breasts in the Bahamas was $32 (no lie) and at Walmart it was $8! Tom and Linda from Tomlin Too came over for the last time (sniff) as they are going to their home in Arizona and leaving their Hunter 450 in St. Augustine on the hard. We’ve been traveling with them for well over a week. We grilled some steaks, they brought some wonderful shrimp which we grilled and of course, drank some wine!

Sunday, March 15, 2009 - Leaving St. Augustine
We’re leaving here as soon as Chris finishes changing the oil so if you don’t see an update for a few days, you’ll know that we are traveling and don’t have internet!