Lagniappe: Back in the ICW in Florida

We spent a few days in Vero Beach, a nice town with free buses to the beach and to the shopping areas. We enjoyed a dinner at Waldo’s on the beach and made a trip to Publix for provisions. We also enjoyed a nice cruiser’s get-together on Thursday at the marina. We headed up the ICW on Saturday, stopping in Cocoa that night. Greg had contacted his Navy buddy, Mark who lives there and he planned to pick us up near our anchorage to have dinner with him and Monica. Here’s the story: We anchored on the North side of a bridge on the East side of the ICW. We had read that there was a dinghy dock on the South and West side of the bridge. It was really windy and the waves were kicking up pretty badly. I rode standing up in the dinghy to avoid getting my clothes wet (unsuccessfully) and we motored to the other side of the bridge. We couldn’t find a dinghy dock and wound up pulling up to someone’s pier at their house. I walked up to see if they knew where the dinghy dock was but the lady walked out when she saw me coming and met me on their back patio. Neither she nor her husband knew anything about a dinghy dock in the area. Just as she was telling me this our friends walked around the side of her house. They had driven out over the bridge to see where we were anchored and saw us crossing in the dinghy. We were shocked that they found us there and Mark walked down the dock to tell Greg the people said we could tie up at their pier. These total strangers were so nice to us. Joe and Donna invited us into their house which they had just built and gave us a tour. Joe is an architect and designed the house in Frank Lloyd Wright style. They even have 1960’s light fixtures and furniture. It was really neat. Joe also has an awesome collection (thousands) of 45’s. Mark and Monica invited Joe and Donna to come back to their house and have dinner with us but they had company coming. (The kind they actually invited and expected, not like us). We had a great dinner and a nice, relaxed time with Mark and Monica, but all good times must end so we headed back to the boat for an early departure the next morning. Thanks again Joe and Donna and Mark and Monica!

Joe and Donna, Monica and Mark LizAnn and Greg at Joe and Donna's house

We had a long motorsail on Sunday (Mother’s Day) and made it to a good anchorage spot just north of Daytona Beach. Monday we motored to St. Augustine and saw some manatees playing in the river along the way. We had problems with "high voltage" readings as we motored Sunday and Monday and had to replace our 15 year old voltage regulator when we got to St. Augustine and could get to West Marine. Did a little laundry here and played tourist in the town. St. Augustine is a very historical city and the marina is in the heart of the old town area. We can walk to all sorts of historical spots, restaurants and shops. The marina has beautiful facilities and the cleanest and nicest bathrooms we’ve seen since we left home. We toured the San Sebastian winery and had our free wine tasting, toured the Whetstone chocolate factory.

manatees in the river

labeling the wiring to install the new voltage regulator

Paul, Sherry and LizAnn with our hairnets on to tour the chocolate factory

LizAnn helping Lucy at the chocolate factory

Wine tasting at San Sebastian wimery

We visited Flagler College which was a hotel built in the 1800’s and is absolutely beautiful. They have Tiffany stained glass windows and the dorms are actually in the old hotel where all the beautiful architecture is. The Catholic Church here is the oldest parish in the U.S. and is also very ornate. We are planning to head up to Fernandina Beach in North Florida and wait for a weather window to head out offshore and sail up to Charleston. From what we hear, the ICW in Georgia is shallow and takes forever to get through because you have to wait on tides and still worry about running aground. So we figure we’ll head out and stay offshore til we get to Charleston.