Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Update on Miss Cameron

In case anyone was concerned, we have been back in Charleston/ Bristol Marina since April 28th. Slip 18 this time.
We had a good cruise from Fernandina back to Charleston. We left April 21st and again cuising with Mary and Larry/Ze Skunk.  We made several stops along the way that we wanted to, cruising back north.
Went into Brunswick Landing Marina. Nice town, had a farmers market and we were able to find some fresh vegetables. Walked the town and found a  fun place, Tipsey's to have a few drinks, and Fox's a popular pizza place with the locals. 
Ze Skunk started having mechanical problems so we  stopped at Kilkenney Marina to find a mechanic. Very rustic, wood docks but nothing around. The only restaurant was closed on this day. Were not successful in finding anyone  to make repairs, so going to try and make it to Hinkley Yacht Services which is in Thunderbolt, the next day.
They were able to make it into Hinkley going very slow. Found a mechanic that knew what the problem was but had to order the part and have it overnighted.  It is a basic marina but good location to walk for dinner.
Back on the waterway, I haven't mention the horse flies that are in season and have been attacking us going through the marsh areas.  I do have two swatters which have come in handy.  We have also crossed several Sounds a few calm and a few fairly rough. I can't say I am used to them, but I am bettter prepared.
We are passing Hilton Head Harbour Marina which looks like a very nice area. Going to anchor in Skull Creek this evening. This is going to be our last night to anchor before we get to Charleston. Going across Port Royal Sound early this morning before it gets too rough one of our last till Charleston.
Last stop, Beaufort, SC for the day and night very nice marina and beautiful water front walking area. Walked around the town which is very historical and alot of nice shops and restaurants. We walked 4 blocks to get a free piece of chocolate, Larry said it was a little much. Had a fun day and evening. Looking forward to being back in Charleston for awhile.

Docked in Bristol Marina about 4:30 April 28th with a nice welcoming party of friends.
Since we have been back Janna came to pick us up and we spend a few weeks back in Atlanta going to end of the school year activates with our grandchildren. Visiting family and friends and of course checking in with Doctor's appointments. Our plan is to get several things done on the boat and start cruising again in a few months.
We have enjoyed our voyage south seeing so many different things and meeting some great new friends.
I am sorry it has taken me awhile to get back in our blog I think I got caught up with to many other things happening around me. We thank everyone for keeping up with our adventure.

Monday, April 23, 2012

MTOA Southern Rendezvous 2012


This is the meeting we had planned to be at in April. It is the Marine Trawler Owners Association (MTOA) that we have belonged to for several years, but this is the first time we have been able to attend with our boat. The second boat from the front with the blue canvas. MTOA has alot of workshops to learn and update your boating skills, and we also meet and see new and old friends. We pulled into Fernandina Harbor Marina April 13 and stayed till the 21st.  Had time to visit and take a tour of Fernandina, it is one of the sweetest towns we have been to, many shops, restaurants, and of course a few watering holes.  Monday they had a pub crawl planned for over 100 people there were 3 great pubs, fun for everyone. Watch out for the Dark and Stormey Rum drink!!
 Our leaders were dress up in great Pirate customs.
There was another night for Crazy Hats so amazing how creation everyone can be. The meeting is full of all different activies. It is sad when we have to say good-bye lots of hugs and kisses.
We left Fernandina following Mary and Larry on Ze Skunk that we cruised with going south. The day was nice passing Cumberland Island, you can see the horses on shore. Then the horses flies hit, it was something like a swarm of bees (I did have a fly swatter).  I was so busy killing flies that I didn't realize we were closing St. Andrews Sound. I think all my prayers to the Water Gods were answered, the crossing was smooth.  We stopped at Brunswick Landing Marina one of place I had wanted to stop at going south. Nice marina close enough to walk to their town.
We crossed a couple more Sounds fairly calm not much to see alot of marsh land. We did get through Hells Gate, (the first one)  at high tide and anchored early in Duplin River, about a mile past the Ferry Dock at Marsh Landing. A great anchorage for holding, and was a good idea to get out of the wind which was on the increase from the West.
When we departed this morning we saw what we thought was a Bear but when we got closer it was a huge Wild Bore rutting around in the marsh.
We crossed two more Sounds, and the wind was up from the West so the crossing was rough. Our traveling partners lost a engine about 11:00 luckly they have two so were able to limp into Kilkenny Marina. We stayed with them hoping to continue tomorrow but there wasn't a mechanic on site. Tomorrow we will escourt the Ze Skunk to Savannah for repairs, and probably stay there for the night.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Many days on the ICW north

April 9th:
Nice day, saw alot of manatee again they are so ugly they are cute. Also had several dolphins running along side of the boat. They surprise you when your not expecting them as they jump, dive, and splash. Pretty narrow area in North Indian River, no wake zone for sure.  Several big RV Parks,  fishing piers, and small homes with docks. Passing through New Smyrna Beach, nice area has several marinas. We anchored here going south.

We are stopping in Daytona, Halifax River Yacht Club. A very nice  private marina. We walked to a West Marina which was close fortunately always need something from there. We also walked to what they call Old Daytona, some restaurants and cute shops.  We stayed another day to do laundry and wash the salt off the boat. It gets so covered with salt that sticks to everything. Celebrated our 45th anniversary had a very nice dinner at the Yacht Club, a little late but that was OK.



April 11th:
There are alot of bridges in the Daytona area most we can get under. Cruising in the Tomaka Basin it is slow going no wake zones, nice homes all on the one side of the water way. Going into Halifax Creek, nice not much to see a few dolphins.  Lots of sailboats on the water going North. Going into San Sebastian River to Hidden Harbor Marina. It is way up the creek, yes at the very end. Haven't been here before but the price is right so we will see. We weren't sure about where we were tied, the mud on one side and the bow forward.  There were friends docked here with us and helped turn Miss Cameron around by hand. Something we had never done before. A real challenge turning a 37' boat around by hand in 5 feet of water. Now we can leave in the morning with no problems, bow facing the channel.  We were close to St. Augustine Old Town and walked to the town for dinner with friends. The winery was right across the street from where we were docked but was not open. Shucks!!



April 12th:
Left early this morning hoping to stay out only one more night then into Fernandina Marina for the MTOA meeting.  We are in a trawler caravan on the ICW. We met up with several other MTOA friends going the same way. Slow going again today, no wake areas, but did see several nesting eagles. The wild life is very abundant on the ICW.
We will continue and update all our activities in about a week please check again. :-)

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter at Dragon Point, Fla.

                                                             Dragon Point, Merritt Island

We cruised across the Indian River very windy with white caps and waves coming across the bow. Our MTOA flag staff bent over and thought we lost it. That would have made the 5th flag we have had to purchase. We are a flag a year boat, but that keeps them looking crisp.
Passing Sebastian which is a big fishing area, not seeing many out today, but some people camped out on a few islands. Also passing Melbourne area which takes us into Banana River which is Merritt Island where Dragon Point is the entrance. Was a landmark hugh green stucco dragon but over the years it has fallen apart.  Nice area with several marinas, nice homes and a 7' swing bridge that opens on demand when going into the cove.
We are hoping for calmer water today, heading to Ttiusville area and will anchor again. We thought we were going to be at Daytona today but someone not sure who miss calculated miles.
Oh, well we are in no hurry and really don't have a schedule.
The day was good. Nice weather, little wind, with no white caps. It does seem strange though, no colored eggs, chocolate bunnies, but we had some awesome dolphin shows beside our boat. For us that could make up for no chocolate bunnies.
We pulled into Tittesville for fuel. Dennis was getting nerveous, as we are still not sure our fuel gauge works. I won't tell you what the $ was but it should get us back to Charleston. Dennis figured we get just a little over 2 miles per gallon. Now that makes you feel real good, but also consideres we have 2 engines and run the generator at every anchorage.
We cruised through Haulover Canal very pretty area a lot of people enjoying the day fishing, swimming and also a manatee area which we saw several.
We are anchor in an cove area Mosquito Lagoon( no mosquitoes yet). Making a nice Easter dinner no frozen dinners tonight.  Next stop Halifax River Yacht Club/ Dayton. 
  

Friday, April 6, 2012

Treasure Coast Stop!

The ICW from North Palm Beach up through Juniper is one of the pretties section we have seen.  It has beautiful homes with nice boat docks some beach areas and a bit of wildlife in between several marinas and waterfront restaurant's.
ICW goes from wide open to narrow and always something to see. This morning we had a dolphin show right off our starboard side, that just makes your day. The end of Hutchinson Island is Fort Pierce where we anchored in a nice cove early afternoon.
We made our way into Vero Beach which is a very nice marina for a few days. There is shopping close by with a FREE bus that comes to the marina and takes you to the Beach or inland to shopping centers.  Several friends from Marathon are also in the marina nice to see people you know. We plan to leave Saturday morning and anchor out for a few nights and go into Halifax River Yacht Club which is Dayton Beach area.

We are taking our time going north and seeing several places we marked when we were cruising last year.
Today is quite windy and the boat is bouncing around in the slip. Once the fenders are set so the boat doesn't rub the pilings, the wind shifts and the fenders need resetting. Too much work.
One of Dennis' working friends and wife are coming by tonight and go to dinner. This should be fun as we have known them for several years.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Good bye Bridges!

We untied lines this AM at Lighthouse Point after spending several days with my Aunt Jean. 
She drove us to Target, Dollar Tree, Publix and several other favorites, several times,  to restock supplies for Miss Cameron.  It is strange to be in a car, also shopping in the other stores besides K-Mart and Walgreen's.

We made our way under 14 bridges and only 6 had to open for us to get through. We also met another boat that was in a marina close to us in Marathon. They gave us a call on the VHF and said they remembered seeing our boat on one of their walks around marina. Small world, but that's what cruising is all about.

   It's is slow and going but you do see some of the most beautiful homes and hugh boats to match.  We have forgotten how much new construction is still  being built, someone has money.

We are anchored this afternoon in a cove off North Lake Worth, one where we anchored before going south. We traveled 35 miles today. Doesn't seemed like much but it was a long day when you have to deal with several bridges and mostly no wake zones.


Sorry these are so blurry
Our Port engine tach went out today, actually it didn't work when we left Lighthouse Point. Dennis thinks it's a loose wire on the alternator. Will check it out when the engines cool off. If this is all the mechanical problems we encounter this will be a great trip.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The Big City

We did pull out Tuesday 8am with help of friends and throwing flowers for good luck. Our cruise was smooth going out on the bay side then came the crab pots.  Thought they were all pulled out for the season but alot are still there.
It was interesting traveling back now for you know what all those islands you are passing on the starboard side. Went through mangrove areas they are very pretty and peaceful great areas to fish also.
We anchored in Tarpon Basin which is at the beginning of the Keys North. Friends from the marina on Kindred Spirit III/ Laura and Bill Bender left soon after we did and anchored in the same area that evening.  We are going to follow them out Wednesday morning.

Wednesday was a very windy, wavy day crossing Barnes Sound and Card Sound the waves were coming over the bow and splashing the front windows (not my favorite).  We had forgotten how long and wide Biscayne Bay is, not much to see except a few go fast boats.
We are following Kindred Spirit t0 a new anchorage for us in the Miami area.  Venetian Causeway you turn starboard before you get to the cruise ship area but where we are anchored you can see the ships leave.  There must be several celebrities live in the area because there are a lot of tour boats cruising by this this afternoon.  It is different to see big tall building and lots of cars, not any in Marathon.

We are pulling anchor this morning and making our way under several bridges to Lighthouse Point ( Aunt Jean's) for a few days. To enjoy family and restock several things we could never find in Marathon or to expensive. 
We will head out again April 3rd.
Much love to family and friends, Miss Cameron