Another Florida Summer Roundup

[veritas honus]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

I'm not the one who has problems with plugs that keep water out of dinghy's (am I Fireman?). I meant I was pulling the social utility plugs. ie: electricity, water, and free WiFi. thanks to John Peacock connecting us with Terry Angle, we are tonight sitting in Glenn springs. We stopped last night below Lake George in a lovely quiet cove and Terry met up with us to show us the entrance to the springs. What a beautiful place. Our shaft packing is holding tight and although our electrician had to fill our batteries and tell us we needed all new ones, we are managing just fine. Of course the steaks thawed out so we just had to eat them today. but we deserved it after walking around the boat and washing the whole thing. Still got barnacles, but the dinghy is now mounted on the swim deck and the State registration numbers removed to put up the documentation sticker. Another days work done. tomorrow we will backtrack the treacherous way out of the springs and to the lake channel by using our GPS. (I may have beer for breakfast.) I will let you all know when we are back on our way.
later, stay green
First Mate Carole and Skipper Skip

Sounds like your vacation (retirement) is off to a good start. Congratulations and Happy New Year!!!

 

[sasto]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Sounds like your vacation (retirement) is off to a good start. Congratulations and Happy New Year!!!

I'll second that!

Welcome to another way of life. If y'all get thru the first 6 months,....ya got 'er made!

Life on the water is complicated. Embrace it. Enjoy the journey. Learn that all the time you put into Her, you will recieve tenfold. Not everyone gets to discover new lands.

Life onboard is easy at first. The more you learn....the more work involved.

May the Spirits be with you. Stay green. Keep the dirty side down.


Regards,
Mike

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

I'll second that!

Welcome to another way of life. If y'all get thru the first 6 months,....ya got 'er made!

Life on the water is complicated. Embrace it. Enjoy the journey. Learn that all the time you put into Her, you will recieve tenfold. Not everyone gets to discover new lands.

Life onboard is easy at first. The more you learn....the more work involved.

May the Spirits be with you. Stay green. Keep the dirty side down.


Regards,
Mike

I'm so jealous, one year ago we were in the Turks and Caicos Islands but not by boat.

God bless and God speed. And may you have an adventure of a lifetime.

AND DON'T FORGET THE PLUG!

Swabbie and grannyd

 

[First Mate Carole]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Thanks everybody. It is a great feeling to know there are folks out there with an understanding for our situation. I tried to get this out yesterday but I think my fingers were too cold and I hit something I didn't want cause it didn't show up. We didn't stop tp see Rick at Holly Bluff because we found a Westerbeke impella in our spare parts box. Terry Angle had said to be sure and carry one. Well Terry got us in to Silver Glen Springs where our impella splintered. We called ahead and found we could get one in Jacksonville at Lambs. So after giving the old girl a bath in the springs we set out. We only touched ground once coming out of the springs and stalled the port engine, but got up and running straight away. We stopped at Six Mile Creek to have supper at the Outback Crabshack and listen to the weather forecast. The old impella didn't work and the remaining tabs splintered off. The radio said if you were in a cove stay there so we tied up tight and settled under the blankets. We cooked on our one burner gas stove in the salon when we weren't in bed under the covers with 20 degrees of high winds outside. Yesterday we traversed to JAX, picked up the new impella plus a spare and docked at the auditorium for 24 hours of electricity for $8. I caught up on my wash and took a very long hot shower after taking out the trash. I had my mail forwarded here so we will venture out later. We saw transmission fluid in the hull after we stopped so will check all that out today along with the generator. Wish us luck for small repairs and Sasto we hope to see you soon.
Later, Stay Green
First Mate Carole and Skipper Skip

 

[sasto]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

All sounds well, Skipper and Mate. The adventure begins. Looking foreward to you two passing my place. I may even travel behind you for awhile.

 

[First Mate Carole]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Cool Beans, Sasto. We'd love the company. We try not to fight in front of strangers. The impella went right into the gen and we seem to be okay there. We only had one plug so could not run AC or heaters, but did have a tower ceramic heater and electectric blankets that did the job. We didn't see transmission fluid after all. I spent an entire day super swabbing the bilge then laying clean paper towels down to see where our problems were coming from. We had to go to town and got on the wrong bus so we didn't get back until after dark. so day four had us putting oil in the transmission (okay so far) and when we started the engine we found a fuel leak. Two 'O'rings later we were moving to the pump out station. We lost a fender trying to fight the current to get away from the dock, but small price I guess. I do have extras. Oh'well there goes my matching set!
I should know by now hubby doesn't work at the same pace as I do and I may have to take more little white pills, but thankj the Lord above for what we have. Amen.
Stay Green, check out the blog and see you all soon 'God willin' and the creek don't rise.'
First Mate Carole and Skipper Skip.

 

[First Mate Carole]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Oopsie! We're stuck in the Titusville mooring field for a few days. Our Port prop picked up some construction trash right after we passed through the NASA RR bridge. It stalled and we tried to drop anchor to hold us away from the bridge but it in 20+ MPH winds it didn't hold until we went to pull it up later. We smashed into the bridge pilings and sustained rail damage midway. 3 hours later we had to leave our new 200 feet of chain and 40lb danforth anchor behind while we got towed away. the aft awning got torn during that process and we saw we had about 30 feet of construction fiber flowing behind us. We have called for an adjustor and will probably have a diver here tomorrow to see what we can retrieve. Tow sleeping pills didn't work for me last night and the nightmare the night before tells me if that happens again, we will stay put whereever we are. Oh well, sh-- happens I guess. I am feeling pretty unsure about our abilities, but are learning man is nothing compared to nature. Got lots of great pics anyway! Arghhh!

PS: yesterday was the 13th day of travel! ? !
Later, Stay green and First Mate Carole and Skipper Skip

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Sorry to hear about your luck, but everything that happens is part of the story and part of the adventure! Don't get discouraged, things can only go uphill...right?

Besides, if it were that easy, everyone would be doing it.

Best of luck on the future miles ahead and keep us posted of your whereabouts.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Yes......don't give up, like Mrs. Sasto said their are a bunch of us living vicariously through you. You have only just begun, you will have many, many "adventure's". Are you hoping to make it to the Turks and Caicos? We will be there March 7th to the 16th on the tiny Turks island of Salt Cay, the island that time forgot. If you make it that far you have to explore Salt Cay for a couple of days, they have a nice little harbor. www.saltcay.org

Please post a link to your blog, I can't find your original link here, probably didn't go back far enough.

HAPPY SAILING.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Hey Carole,Sorry to hear about your misfortune. As Fireman and Swabbie said, don't get discouraged, and don't give up... Well, I know you're not giving up. Try not to let it get to you. Keep on doin' what you're doin', and things will begin to go more smoothly. When they don't, it's just that much more experience chalked up. You'll go through more difficult situations... every time you do, you'll find that solutions come more easily. Before you know it, you'll be thinking, wow... I remember a time when things like this actually bothered me.If I remember correctly, you and Skip like classic rock-n-roll. Put on The kinks... "Better Things". It'll brighten your day.




PS: You mentioned lots of pictures... Care to share some with us???

 

[sasto]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

It will get better as time goes on and you learn more. What draws many to do an adventure like yours is the challenge and the difficulty. Like Fireman said...."If it were easy everybody would be doing it". I tell myself this every time I make a mistake or put myself into a difficult situation. UHHHH, daily?

Bridges scare me more than Mother Nature sometimes. I lost power approaching a busy bridge once. Not fun. Loosing power in a difficult situation is a feeling of helplessness.

Keep her coming, and keep the dirty side down.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

bummer Carole keep your chin up!

 

[sasto]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

The boaters slogan....Murphy was an optimist.

 

[First Mate Carole]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Thanks my friends, I did start to think, 'I can't do this.' and then we got hooked to a ball and I watched the sunset and all was well again. We felt pretty stupid and helpless, but we talked about how our reactions will begin to kick in with experience. The old girl is solid and I think she is glad to be back in action. I believe she will hold together for us to learn if we continue to take good care of her. NSBCraig: I am 62, I can no longer hold my chin up, it is going to sag no matter what I do, but thanks anyway.Sure wish I had gotten ahold of you Tuesday night when we were in New Smyrna Marina. Daaaaa! Anyway, the diver is due today to clear the prop and retrieve the anchor and chain if it is still hooked to the bridge. We will be getting some bolt cutters on our next land forray. As soon as the insurance guy leaves we will probably be on our way if the shaft looks good. Sea Tow is calling the incident an emergency and wants to charge us 3K. After Florida Wild Life got there, the Coast Guard called off the emergency, so we will let our insurance company fight with them. I am ordering computer batteries so I can write. I am going stir crazy with so many thoughts going through my head. We will probably stop in EauGalle and then Vero Beach before we get to Sasto. so off we go to get Sasto's address for my batteries and Skip will get his reading glasses at Walmart in Stuart so he doesn't have to have nose marks on his computer screen. Later, Stay Green
First Mate Carole and Skipper Skip
ps www.homestonestyle.wordpress.com for good eats. pics later

 

[sasto]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Cool beans, Carol.

To my friends here....Kimi lost her Brother-in-Law to cancer. She is strong, but her Mother, Father, Sister, and the kids are having a tough time. Although I never met Kyle, I feel I spoke to him. I felt his thanks. My prayers are with them.

Mike

 

[mrs sasto]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Sounds like somebody displeased the ICW Gods! Did you not make good on your promise to dance naked on the deck New Years Eve?? If I were you, I would make good on that ASAP and make it an extra-good show!!

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Carol- Bummer I was there working on a boat over by the shed / bait shop and Inger's office mgr lives in a 43' Hatteras there. Oh well there will be other times.

Kimi I'm so sorry to hear about your lose our thoughts are with you and I really wish there were words to say...

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Kimi - so sorry for your loss. I also lost my grandfather just a few days ago. He was a rock in our family and a great man. He will be missed.

Just remember, never grieve for the loss or mourn the death, celebrate the life he had and cherish the things he did that stay with you. That way, he is never truly gone.

 

[nlain]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Kimi, so sorry to hear about your loss, I agree with Fireman431, celebrate the life he had and cherish the things he did that stay with you, he will always be with you.

 

[sasto]

Re: Another Florida Summer Roundup

Kimi - so sorry for your loss. I also lost my grandfather just a few days ago. He was a rock in our family and a great man. He will be missed.

Just remember, never grieve for the loss or mourn the death, celebrate the life he had and cherish the things he did that stay with you. That way, he is never truly gone.

Sorry to hear that, Fireman. Godspeed to all!