Good-bye Jacksonville -- We Are On Our Way

October 24 - 29, 2013

Yes, we finally left Jacksonville and are on our way south to Stuart.  Once in Stuart we will make final preparations for our winter trip and wait for Bonnie and Jon to arrive. 
 

Downtown Jacksonville on a beautiful morning.

On Monday, the 21st, we got back to Jacksonville from a two week trip to visit all of our immediate family.  Besides seeing our kids in St Louis and Afton we went to Detroit for Brian's 50th high school reunion, where we stayed with my brother and sister-in-law and visited with their two children and grand kiddies.  The pace was fast, but we had a great time with everyone including a few friends that we met for lunch along the way.

This Navy ship hit the bridge deck in the distance.
The bridge is closed for at least a month for repairs.
Hey, even the pros sometimes miscalculate!

We've seen a lot of cargo ships, but never like this.
Four cranes lifting containers off.  It took just
minutes to unload each one.

I started a diet on July 16th, and in spite of the vacation, I managed to loose the last  3.5 pounds while we were gone.  In just over three months I lost 36.5 pounds!  Now, the hard part -- keeping it off!  Portion control has never been my strong suit.       

There were almost as many adults in costume as
children.  

The anchor is up -- Ready for another beautiful day.

Traveling south we spent our first two nights anchored in quiet bays.  The third night we stopped in Cocoa, a small town that we had visited briefly on our way north last spring.  It has lots of shops, restaurants and a huge old fashioned  hardware that  has something for everyone.  We arrived in time for a Halloween party that took over the entire town.    

It started off with three dolphins swimming towards
us.  Others joined in until we had eight on our bow.
These four were thumping into the boat.  Four more
were just as active on the other side.    

On Sunday morning it seemed that all of God's marine creatures were showing off for us.

We seldom see manatees, but today we saw about
thirty.  I even got a picture of this one.  My shadow
was in the foreground as I took the picture.  That
wasn't planned -- just a lucky shot.  

  

A new variety of jellyfish.
We were surrounded by them.
From the top they looked like hamburger buns.  

      












The next two days we slowed our speed and shortened our days to relax and enjoy more anchorage time.  One night near Melbourne and the other near Ft Pierce.  Tomorrow we arrive in Stuart.   We will stay in Loggerhead Marina for about two weeks.  It is a couple hundred dollars less than Sunset Bay (where we usually stay) for the month and gives us the option of staying in their sister marinas south of Stuart to complete our month's rental fee.  Since we will need to position near Lake Worth, to wait for a weather window -- this should work out well.  You know how it is with plans…. stay tuned for how it really plays out!

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!

The Beginning Of Change

September 19th - October 7th, 2013

After being in Jacksonville for 4 1/2 months, things are going to finally start happening.  Tomorrow morning we will move the boat to Huckins Yachts to have Gotta Smile pulled out of the water.  Someone (not me -- for once) hit a submerged rock last year and broke one of the stabilizer fins.  The bottom will get a good cleaning and additional work will be determined.  There always seems to be a list of things.  I'm preparing myself for the report.  

Wednesday morning we fly to St Louis to begin a circle tour to visit our family and go to Brian's 50 year class reunion.  When we return to Jacksonville, it will be time to head for Stuart and make final preparations for the islands!  In my mind, I can almost see us sailing off.  We've been planning this trip for so long, I can't believe that we are now beginning the final countdown!  I'm sure we have over prepared, but this is our first time in new territory -- it is better to have more than needed.  Hopefully, we will be in the Caribbean again for many winters and the process will get easier each time.

Monday night our good friends, Ann and Jim, from
Long Boat Key were in Jacksonville.  Dinner and lots
of conversation -- a fun reunion!    

October 8th, 2013

The day started very early.  Up and in the shower at 6:00.  Finish packing, get the suitcases to the car, check out of the marina and prepare to move the boat.  We are expected at Huckins by 9 AM.  It was a very short trip -- no more than a mile.  Two dock hands were waiting for us when we arrived.  The river has a lot of current in this area because their property is adjacent to two bridges.  Thus causing the boat to have it's own agenda.  Once we were close enough to the dock, I threw the lines and we were walked into the travel hoist.  I've never been around for this process.  It was interesting to see how they lift 60,000 pounds so effortlessly.  

Positioning for the lift.

 The straps are lowered that will slip
under our hull.

Gotta Smile is floated into place over
 the straps.

The slack is taken out of the straps and
slowly our home is lifted out of the water.

The lift driver now moves the lift carrying
our boat to dry land.

Work begins immediately.
First step is to power wash her bottom.
 Additional work is noted.
All of the zincs need to be replaced.
(Zincs are sacrificial pieces of metal that
save critical metal parts on the boat from
deterioration -- rudder, etc.)  
Wax and polish the exterior.
And, of course, fix the broken stabilizer fin.
More to follow -- I'm sure! 

Everything worked out for the best.  We barely got back to our car when the rain started, making us so thankful that we moved the boat early.  The rain stopped long enough for Brian to have one more meal at Maple Street Biscuits.  Then, more rain.  It is an ugly day.  We checked into the Hampton Inn early so Brian could take a nap while I catch up on the computer.  The Hampton has a great program that offers FREE shuttle service to the airport and FREE parking while we travel.  How sweet is that?          

Gotta smile -- we're loving the ride