A New View

May 3 - July 17, 2016

Another fun month was spent in Stuart.  By the time we left on June 1st, there was only one other Krogen at Sunset Bay Marina, Ann Louise.  Everyone else had taken off for exciting adventures along the northeast coast or the Bahamas.  It was quite a contrast to when we arrived the beginning of April, with more than 22 Krogens scattered throughout the marina.  

It took 5 years but we finally got the
boat polished by the best, Dana.

A boat on our dock caught on fire. Three
fire departments showed up along with the
police.  These firemen were amazing!  In
90+ degree weather they ran up and down
the dock in full uniforms carrying equipment.
No injuries -- boat destroyed. 

A terrible outbreak of toxic algae occurred on the St Lucie River and spread along the coast.  It traveled north into Georgia and even out into the Atlantic for the first time.  Stuart was hit hard.  People were warned not to touch the water and, of course, wildlife was impacted with hundreds of fish, manatees and birds killed.  The outbreak was caused by sewage, manure and fertilizer from big polluters.  We were very thankful that we got out of Stuart before the algae came into full bloom. It was just luck that we had decided to leave Sunset Bay and head to the Gulf the end of May.  A small but critical affect for boaters is that we have to have our hulls scraped regularly to remove the barnacles and algae.  If allowed to grow for more than a couple of months, it produces a noticeable drag on the boat.  Once every month or two (depending on conditions) a diver is hired to go under the boat and scrape it clean.  During this algae outbreak divers were unable to get into the water, which could cause boats to remain in place longer than planned.  

Our trip across the Okeechobee was one of the most relaxing we have made.  For once we had no one else onboard and no schedule.  It was five days of just enjoying the ride and the views.  And, there was plenty to see!  

One of the five locks we went through.

Cows cooling off.

We have made nine trips through the Okeechobee
always looking for alligators.  We saw some on our
first trip but none on others until this trip.  They were
EVERYWHERE! We stopped counting when we got to
50. It is hard to see the gator in this picture.  He is the
ripple near the grasses.  Did you know they can stay
submerged for two hours! Just because you don't
see them - don't think they aren't there!!!

Beautiful scenery!

Friends from Casey Key, Bob and Sara,
met us at Blackburn Point Bridge.  Only
a wave and photo op today.  Lunch will
have to wait until next week.
 

Our plan was to go back to Longboat Key Marina. However, a lunch with former Krogen owners, Sue and Will, introduced Gotta Smile to a new home. Riviera Dunes Marina is about six miles up the Manatee River in Palmetto.  It is a well protected quiet marina that gives very good hurricane protection.

On May 11, 2011 we moved onto Gotta Smile while we finished emptying and selling our house.  We lived onboard at the Bayport Marina in Minnesota for the next four and a half months.  Finally, on September 27, 2011 we began our travels.  For the next five years we have lived onboard full time while we traveled to many amazing places, making great friends and, at times, pushing our abilities to their limits.  This has been the most incredible five years! We have been blessed to share our travels with family and friends in many different locations. Thank, God, we did it when we did!  Now, it is time for us to move back on land and enjoy new adventures.  On July 1st we closed on our new home in Venice, Florida.  This is an exciting (and definitely exhausting) time for Brian and me. We hope that this next phase will be as stimulating and successful as our years on Gotta Smile.             

Yep, we're in Florida!
No molesting alligators--good advise!

It's not BIG water, but it's a nice view from the pool
to the pond.

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!