Now that I look back on the 'crash' i wish i had gotten off the boat and taken a photo from the dock across the way. At the time i was just trying to 'keep it together' and relax, catch my breath and plan for the 'do-over' to insure i didnt crash twice... With the tide going out and the Indian River flowing, it made for quite a push to sling me into the dock poles. It was a Christmas Miracle that i didnt hit either boat beside me. (Embarrassing? Yes! Tragic? No.) No blood, no foul.
I've added these photos to allow you to more clearly visualize how i slammed into the dock pilings. When i couldnt make the turn into the slip, between the poles, the water pushed me into them.
I hope you are safely tied to a floating dock and that
I'm about caught up on my rest. Almost. Now for a trip to the Publix grocery for some food and I'll be good as new. Maybe, after lunch and a nap.
Leaving the Bahamas 8pm
Sunset in the Atlantic
Sunrise
Arriving Ft. Pierce inlet
It was a beautiful starry night and smooth crossing, till we got here. We made a VERY rough landing at the City Marina. Yikes, WOW and ouch... By way of another Christmas Miracle nothing and nobody was damaged or injured. But only just barely. (I am unclear how long one can use the "new guy" card? But my fear is that I'm pushing my luck) There is a massive tide, surge, and current through the marina. I didn't take this into account or even consider it. I wont make THAT mistake again! The Indian River runs through here, plus the inlet causes massive tides. My spectacular timing allowed me to crash at exactly the height of the current. I use the expression crash because i crashed - sideways - into the massive fiberglass dock poles. I was less than a foot both fore and aft from hitting either bow on the boats beside me. But like any great parallel parker, i wedged myself in perfectly. My bowels were clenched tight as i hit forward and then reverse to keep Prodigal from slamming either boat. But the current was in total control, not me! We quickly tied up to the poles, dock and held lines for about 90 minutes till slack tide and then when the current turned she gently pushed us back off the poles and we were able to have a do over. The second try was easy and without incident. (i need about 85 of the minutes to gather my wits as i was scared to death on the first attempt) No Scratch, No Wreck, No Foul.
The River runs through it
Current flowing around a pole
Imagine me sideways blocking this view
River entrance to the marina
We met John Brandon. <-Link. Famous Florida Treasure Hunter. Our first night ashore.
After my hair raising sideways arrival and the drain from having all my adrenaline seep away Rick and I decided to enjoy a dinner ashore at the marina Tiki Bar Restaurant. Our little table for 4 was centrally located in the room with no great views, but lots of shade and quiet. Then slowly the table behind us kept growing till they borrowed two of our chairs. Then they had more people join them and i was sitting darn near hip to hip with their table guests. It was like they 'annexed us' into their orbit. We got invited into their conversation and celebration. Turns out they had found 2 rare coins from the 1700's minted in Peru. (they showed me photos of them) These were valued at about $8,000 each. But it's not the money, it's the excitement of discovery. (this is known as Florida's Treasure Coast because of all the shipwrecks and treasure that sometimes washes up on shore) It turns out the long haired guy in sunglasses found the coins and told us all about it. John Brandon has been a treasure hunter since he was 16 and used to work for Mel Fisher. *(click on his name below to read more at the link.)
Rental storage / sails and decks of Jerries. Thursday Rick and I worked on clearing the decks of 'stuff' and taking down the sails to prepare Prodigal for Hurricane Season. I rented a tiny storage unit and am getting hurricane ready.
Weighing in at 199 pounds. I had not stepped onto a scale since leaving Stuart in February and was curious what i might weigh now. I was a solid 206 back in February and a massive 227 when i left Texas back in 2016. Well I have now lowered myself to 199lbs. Broke the 200 barrier. I NEED more Pie!
330A and cousin Rick needs a ride to the airport. Friday cousin Rick flew back to Tyler Texas and left me to a very quiet boat. I'm still working on Hurricane preparedness but much slower without his help. Thanks again Rick for all your help in the crossing.
Now Saturday? (im in the city library) just across the street from the marina. But i cant get a library card till Monday when i have my paperwork finalized.
I am at the City Marina, Ft. Pierce FL. Now to contact the CBP for clearance and permission to be here! (customs border patrol)
Easy-Peasy. I was able to clear customs with a quick phone call. However Cousin Rick is not signed up for any of the 'boater programs' and was required to bring his Passport to the Ft. Pierce airport to meet face to face. I went with and it took about 3 minutes from stepping out of the Uber to climbing back in and the return drive to the marina. Quick, painless and 'Honey, I'm Home!'
That was Tuesday we tied up before lunch. After a light lunch at the Tiki Restaurant at the marina, I lay my head down for just a second and woke up 2 hrs later. Wednesday Ken Reed gave me a ride back to Stuart to retrieve my car. But she wouldn't start. Getting a new battery took most of the afternoon and that shot Wednesday. Today? Today we are running errands and getting stuff done. First: rent a storage unit locally. Next take down all the sails and store them along with cockpit cushions and Jerry cans off the deck. Mostly get ready now before any storm can surprise me by heading this way.
DRUM ROLL. sorry, i've got to run cook Sunday dinner now.
OK, i'm back, it's Monday morning. Happy Fathers Month Dad! We had a delicious Russian style 'Muskgo Stew' last night. (you take everything in the Fridge that MUST GO and throw it together) 2 pork ribs, 1 pork chop, beef stew meat, carrots, potatoes, onion, jalapeno, cabbage, corn, green beans and noodles. Put it all into your pressure cooker and wait 4 minutes....
Now about that night crossing question? Let's start with the back story. We have slowly hopscotched to the west for 9 days to arrive at West End. Cousin Rick arrived Friday week ago at Marsh Harbor and we immediately pulled the anchor and went daily to these different locations: Hope Town, Treasure Cay, No Name Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Manjack Cay, Fox Town, Strangers Cay, Mangrove Cay, West End.
From here at West End, we will clear Customs and depart for Ft. Pierce, FL.
But there are a few factors to consider... Wind, Waves, and Gulf Stream conditions. The Gulf Stream is a River that runs South to North along the coast of Florida. If the wind is from the North, the Gulf Stream piles up into massive waves making a passage uncomfortable to dangerous depending on these conditions. (see diagrams)
Gulf Stream Current
Wave Height
Wind Direction / Speed
These are all things to consider about crossing conditions. Your direct question was about why to cross at night. I'm estimating it to take about eleven hours to make this transit - on this boat - and have to arrive in the daylight to see how to get into the inlet and the marina. I can always slow down to arrive in the daytime but i cant speed up to arrive before dark. Plus it's a lot cooler at night than in the hot sunshine. So a night crossing it is. We are planning to throw off the dock lines at 8pm EST tonight. That should put us arriving to Ft. Pierce about 7am tomorrow. (hint: you can hit THE SPOT to see where we are at any time) Great Question Lynn.
YESTERDAY during our transit to West End both Rick and I caught barracuda. Now we are enjoying the cold AC as we cook breakfast and create our to-do list for today at the dock...
I hope your anchorage is beautiful wherever you are today.
Up listening to the weather on the radio and drinking coffee. We will head toward West End to anchor tonight at a little dot of land and then on to West End for Sunday night at their marina. Looking for a weather window to cross the Gulf Stream.
Rick caught our dinner for last night
After anchoring yesterday, we went Honky Conch'ing...
We motored for two hours down from Allans-Pensacola Cay to Foxtown. It's the end of the road and a very small fishing village. There are about 200-300 people living here. (depending on who you ask) I think we met about one hundred of them?
We only saw three business and visited them all. A bar on the east end of town, (#bar1) a restaurant / bar in the center of town, and a fish merchant.
"the town drunk" (he posed like this)
Russell runs the fish wholesale business in Foxtown. He said people come there from Marsh Harbor to buy seafood from him. He also mentioned that he drove yesterday to deliver a load of fresh fish. While we were in town i saw numerous small fishing boats come up to the fish market to weigh their catch and sell it to Russell. In addition, when we tied up the dinghy at the dock, there was a small boat cleaning a lot of conch.
While I was visiting with Russell, I asked him if i could buy four conch. He said that he was not set up for sales like that, but he would give me four. So he yells inside to his helper to grab 4 conch. Out walks the guy with a bag of conch and plops down 7 on the counter. Well I jumped up and found a bag in my backpack to haul off my booty. Can you guess what we had for dinner? A Christmas Conch miracle in June.... Yum!
worker, Russell, Skip
Xmas Miracle Conch
Today is up in the air. Rick met Lamont in Bar1 who told him he would take him snorkeling today. This morning. So Rick is busy not doing anything hoping Lamont will show up to take him out. The weather looks like no rain for once. It's very still and getting hot with only a 'smidge' of a breeze. So here we sit awaiting Lamont. If Rick gets stood up, we will pull anchor and head west again...
