We left Stuart yesterday morning with mixed feelings - we really had a great time in Stuart (just over 3 months in total) - we loved the marina, loved the area, met some amazing people, and so enjoyed living on the boat - it was really an awesome winter. But - we are really looking forward to getting back to the Northeast and being close to our family and friends. So - we untied the lines and we were on our way.
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| Leaving Slip B26 - we already have our reservations for next year! |
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| A beautiful morning sky at Sunset Bay Marina . . . |
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| More dolphin play as we were leaving along the St. Lucie River |
Our plan was to go "outside" - which basically means out in the ocean along the coast (vs. the "inside" which is the Intercoastal Waterway). If the weather and seas cooperate, it is usually much faster this way and we're trying to make good time, as we would like to be in Rhode Island by April 20th. Our initial plan was to go outside and go all night, and get into Fernandina Beach (border of GA/FL) by noon today. We headed out and it was much rougher than we thought. I really tried to be a trooper, but it was pretty miserable - I tried to work and it was almost impossible without feeling horribly ill from all the tossing and turning. So - my sweet Captain who saw my green face said - "let's go inside at the next inlet - it will be much better - you can work and it won't be as rough." Praise the Lord!
So - we went back "inside" at the Fort Pierce inlet (about 20 miles north of Stuart) and were on our way up the ICW - smooth, easy, and I was able to be very productive again. We were cruising along for a few hours and it started getting cloudy and it looked dark and ominous in the distance. Paul asked me to check weather.com - and sure enough there were some showers/thunder storms heading our way. We closed up the fly bridge and Paul came downstairs and a microburst hit us out of nowhere. One minute we were cruising along, and within two minutes it was pouring, wind gusts of 50+mph, and no visibility. It lasted for about a minute, but it was the longest minute EVER. Paul was trying to turn the boat into the wind and it was almost impossible - a very scary moment for both of us, but especially him. But - it blew right over and next thing you know - it was gone. We looked at each other and basically said "WTF?" But then we saw that more storms were coming, so we forged ahead and then went over to the side of the waterway and anchored for the next storm - not nearly as bad, but it tossed us around a bit and it came and went quickly as well. We then figured out it would be another 10 miles to get to a good anchorage and there seemed to be a bit of a gap before the next storm, as well as enough daylight - so we "put the pedal to the metal" so to speak and made it to Cocoa Beach, FL. We "dropped the hook" (that's cool boat talk for anchoring) and got here just before sunset and it was calm and beautiful. Lots of dolphins playing around our boat and the lighting was lovely. But - it was obvious we weren't out of the weather woods yet. We traveled about 100 miles total yesterday.
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| A photo of the rough ICW and the DARK skies . . . not pretty. |
So we had dinner, relaxed, watched some TV and Paul thought it would be a good idea to put our second anchor out. Good thing he did because at about 1:00 a.m. this morning, another doozy hit us - we tossed around like a toy boat in a bath tub. Paul went up and checked the anchors and thank goodness he had connected the second one - we needed it. All was good - no damage done - just a very tired Captain.
We got up early this morning - our plan was to get going again - but we took one look northward at the black skies and thought better of it. After checking the weather maps and seeing bad storms, tornado warnings and all those good things north of us, we figured we would wait it out. So - we're still "on the hook" in Cocoa Beach after a rain-soaked day peppered with thunder and lightning here and there. The worst of it was north of us, and we were smart to stay put. I was also able to be very productive on the work front taking advantage of no engine noise and a non-moving boat (for the most part). And - as luck would have it - there is a cell tower right near us, so my cell/internet coverage was 5 bars all day!
It looks like it will clear tomorrow, so our plan is to get going again and try to get another 100 miles under our belt. We are SO THANKFUL we came "inside" - I said to Paul - can you imagine being out in the ocean for these storms? All I have to say is "holy crap."
So I just got an email from our friend and former neighbor in Marlborough who reported that the Boston area is getting 6 to 10" of snow tonight. Once again - I will say "holy crap." That white stuff better be gone by the time we return! We'll work hard to bring the warmer temps and sunshine with us - we promise!
So - that's the update from here . . . We'll keep you posted! Lots of love, Jen and Paul
Today's Quote: "In case of a thunderstorm, stand in the middle of the fairway and hold up a one iron - not even God can hit a one iron." Lee Trevino
