So long Coinjock

We were up early Saturday had morning coffee and watched duck hunters going by in their camouflaged boats. Some were disguised very cleverly and some we couldn’t see ; )

We did a few boat chores and then Joe took Coconut for her morning walk. He came back with a good story from a Boat US Captain. When we were in a wider part of the channel on Friday, approaching the No Wake zone for Coinjock, we noticed a gorgeous trawler off to the side–not moving. She didn’t appear to be anchored but we figured it had some type of computer positioning device like the big ships. Not so!

The 78′ yacht named Yolo, ran aground doing 10 knots digging a large hole in about 6 feet of water. Then the wind came up and rocked it side to side, making it worse. Boat US was deploying 3 boats and a diver to try to lift the boat with airbags. The rescue crew was going to start early to try to beat a small craft advisory today on Currituck Bay but the diver overslept. Wish we could see this operation. All you boaters, pay your tow insurance!!!

We crossed the river to fuel up at the Coinjock marina. The deck hand who caught us had a cigarette hanging from his mouth–at the fuel dock!!! So much for safety first!

We are only traveling 36 miles today to the Alligator River Marina. The next stop would be another 56 miles. We just aren’t sure we want to travel that far today as we need to cross the Albermarle Bay, which will be rough. We also want to be in a marina. Freeze warning here tonight–we need electricity to run our heater!!

We were curious as to why a few seagulls always seem to be following our boat. We learned the wakes, both air and water, provide lift allowing them to surf the air wave using less of their energy. Plus, the water wake often provides food opportunities. Who knew???

One more interesting note is we are very close to the Outer Banks which is a 200 mile long string of islands off Virginia and No. Carolina. They separate the Atlantic Ocean from Currituck and Albermarle sounds (we crossed both of these in rough water) and Pamlico, which we will cross within a couple days. There are very famously treacherous seas off the Outer Banks, so we are happy to be on the inside.

Update: we made it safely to the Alligator River Marina. So far we’ve not seen an alligator but I did see my first little lizard!

Our crossing of the Abermarle was rough, but it apparently got worse a short time after we crossed. The people on the boat next to us in the Marina, an Albin 42′, were pretty shook up about their experience. Unlike last night’s, this Marina is neat, clean and well run. There is a small restaurant and store. Perfect! We cleaned the salt off the boat and did some laundry! Yup, living the dream. Oh, it was sunny and 59 when we got here. Lovely!!!

Manatee Pocket

Our specific location is Manatee Pocket in Port Solerno near Stuart. It is a small lake-like body of water. We are fortunate to be side-tied to the dock so we can see everything going by. Being in this place is finally allowing some of the stress from the last three years to fall away. Getting up early, lets me see the fishing boats go out, the birds return from their night time roost and the sun come up.

The boats and people are much more diverse here than North Palm Beach. Lots more boats like Bob. Although Joe was quite taken with a giant 82′ catamaran named Hayfu II. We took a few boat rides into the rivers but didn’t get near as much exploring done as we wanted to do. Natalie, our dinghy, got a few workouts cruising the bay and canals. We most definately will come back here.

My birthday celebration couldn’t have been better. Boats, beaches and bars (I think that’s a Jimmy Buffett song). We seem to always luck out in finding top notch live music and Sunday night was no exception. Jason Montero at the Manatee Island Bar & Grill was amazing. He played electric acoustic guitar and sang for a few hours and then was joined by 2 other guitar players–they rocked and the setting was tropical.

Joe talking to Jason about his Godin guitar

a few fun signs at the bar:

Tomorrow we leave for Fort Pierce. We have received high reviews of it from the people here….as long as we don’t stray far from beachside! However, the weather forecast isn’t looking too good so we may be here another day. We’ll just have to see. We haven’t had rain since we’ve been in Florida so I guess we’re due. I have been saving some rainy day projects. All and all, not a bad problem to have!

Thanks for hanging with us!!!

Coconuts

I do not understand why I was named after this thing. It was fun to chase on the beach but as far as a namesake goes…?

I know Joe won’t let me walk around with this silly bow.

Marina Life

This post was written a few days ago.

We are very comfortable here at the New Smyrna City Marina. It is very different from staying at a condo on the beach! At a condo, you don’t hear splashing at night as mysterious things jump around your boat–manatee, dolphin, bird….??? we have yet to stay up late enough to sit out in the cockpit and find out! One of the coolest things is the schools of fish that come leaping out of the air to escape….something ???? chasing them. The birds are so amazing! Blue herons scream like a pterodactyl!!! There is a small estuary island right outside the marina that we can watch. I do miss the mornings waking up on the ocean, but the ICW has its merits too.
We have a historic park across the street, a park along the intercoastal and miles of riverfront to walk and ogle the beautiful homes. The live oak trees are really magestic. We have the town of New Symrna, where last night we discovered a great tap room with 100’s of types of beers from all around the world. Fabulous food too! So I miss a few of my favorite places but am finding a few new ones. Like a Venzualean Cafe that was hidden in a strip mall. We also met the new owners of our beloved Dolphin View and find “no” the local gossip is wrong it is not becoming a nightclub but another restaurant and we were assured they would have coconut shrimp!!!

We took Bob down the intercoastal a few days ago. We had a technical difficulty with our Lowrance, which is our depth sounder. It needed a longer cord for it to work right so it was shipped to us here. I don’t think we would have really taken Bob out anyway as the last few says were horribly windy! I am not complaining, today is the first clouds and rain we have had since we left home!!! We put up our new enclosure for the first time!

We took the dinghy, Natalie, out on a few excursions in the back waters and had dolphins coming very close! Love that!!! Coconut seems to sense them in the water. She growls a bit but stays in the boat! What a good boat dog.

We love riding up in the flybridge of BOB. Coconut comes up there too but stays in sort of a pen on the floor. She gives me the look at times, so I pick her up and she sits on my lap watching the world go by….

Success!!

The last few days have been spent moving/learning the boat and exploring this beautiful area. We spent some time practicing docking, etc. I have learned I can step off the very narrow side of the boat with a midship line–whew. We’ve been super lucky with no wind, lots of sun and 80+ degrees. Florida will be a bit different with the tides, winds and currents.

sunset

The sunsets have looked like this most every night. Apparently, the weather we are experiencing is unseasonal. It shouldn’t be this warm. One day we traveled south through the lake and river and the next day north. Similar bluffs to the Mississippi in places and some spots remind me of the Apostle Islands. Beautiful. There is a lot of history here including a cave allegedly used by Andrew Jackson.

Here are a few images. The lighthouse is actually a private residence .

Last night we went to a bbq party hosted by the Flamingo Yacht club. We were guests of Tom and Gerrie. It’s right here at the Alred Marina. The gathering spot is on a covered dock, complete with tables, chairs, flamingos and lots and kitsch. And of course a large flat screen to watch southern college football. Excellent food and great stories–some of the folks were a little hard to follow with their draaaaawls…

Today we head up the river 20 miles to get Looney Tunes, Tom and Gerries’ boat. We will follow them back to our Marina all by ourselves!!!!!