Merry Christmas

Happy Holidays to all of our friends and relatives.

Day#107 - Vero Beach

After a great night sleeping on land, we got up to enjoy another sunny and warm day. Gail took Britta and I shopping to the Outlet Mall in Vero. Britta had fun shopping at the JCrew store. Of course, I found a couple things. It was so much fun to be able to get out and enjoy a day of shopping with the girls. Scot went back to the boat to check on things and to pick up more items that we needed. Britta is enjoying riding one of Jim's bike around here.Went out for pizza and enjoyed a little keg of Oberon that Ryan gave us last fall for our trip.

 

Lots of things to catch up with, especially all the mail since last September that my sister Sally has graciously kept for us.

Day#106 - Ft. Pierce

Finally arrived at Ft.Pierce around noon. Had to tie up to a wall with a stiff wind against us. Thank goodness the guys from the marina, who looked like pirates, helped us dock on a wall while "searching for a better dock". Scot walked around the marina and finally came back and said that there was a possibility at a slip inside, out of the wind. We inched our way to the slip and amazing our boat did fit, but we aren't leaving the slip anytime soon. While we were docking, Britta was so excited to see lots of manatees, even a mother with two babies.  Guess we're lucky to find a slip around here!
Gail and Jim came to pick us up with his truck and moved into the beach house behind their house.

Captain Scot and Second Mate Britta

Manatees swimming by our boat.

Invited Sally to come for dinner at Gail and Jim's. It was so exciting to see her after 2 years!

Day#105 - Manatee Pocket

Up at 7:30 am and Scot made delicious omelets for breakfast and went on a nature hike over the St. Lucie Lock. Left around 10:00 am and went through St. Lucie Lock, about 8 feet down. Cruising on the canal again and enjoying the beautiful houses and wild life once again. Then we get to Roosevelt Bridge near Stuart that needed to be opened. While the bridge was opening, a guy with a backpack jumped over the middle of the opening. So then the bridge stopped opening and we had to wait for a couple of minutes for the bridge to continue opening for us to go through. That was a little excitement for us and the bridge master. Now we are traveling on the St. Lucie River which was very windy to cross heading right into the winds that were probably 15-20 mph. Britta and Scot did their homework and picked out our anchorage for the night, Manatee Pocket. Anchored and went ashore to find a marine consignment shop and a bar called "Coconuts". Well, it was almost 3:00 pm and happy hour specials were in effect! Went back to the boat and did some research to find a slip while we're in Vero. We will be staying at Riverside Marina in Ft. Pierce.

Day#104 - Stuart, FL

St. Lucie Lock

This is the life!

Up at 7:00am to start the day opening up the Port Chosen Bridge which was opened manually....poor guy working so hard for us.  Cruising across  the Lake Okeechobee was a bit windy, but scenic traveling around the rim route. It was great to get to the Port Mayaca Lock to travel on the canal again and out of the wind. Checked out an anchorage which would of been a nice short day, but was not available anymore due to buoys shutting off the entrance. Continued on the jungle cruise, we called Indiantown Marina, but they didn't have any slips available. Ended up docking at a campground near St. Lucie Lock. Met some nice people, George, who lived in Michigan City for a year, but now lives in Nebraska. Also Joe & Connie who were heading to Ft. Myers. Very quiet night for sleeping which doesn't happen very often.

Day#103 - Point Chosen (Torry Island)

Tried to leave the Lollipop Canal, but Scot couldn't pull up the stern anchor. He had to use the winch at the bow to pull it up. Low and behold, our anchor was inside a very large truck tire. After beaching our boat,Scot lowered the anchor and pulled a couple times and finally the tire came loose.


Free dock in Torry Island



On our way, we were looking for alligators and wild life because this leg of the trip is like a jungle cruise. Went through Moore Haven Lock which had only one exit gate working. That was pretty "tricky" especially with the current. Trying to find an anchorage with no luck, we pulled into a city dock in Torry Island near Slim's Fish Camp. We inched our way in to a free dock and tied up for the night. No electricity or running water, but they did have some restrooms available. It was so fun to watch the swamp boat activity here.

Day #102 - Lollipop Canal, FL

So sad to leave Ft. Myers, but have to get going if we want to be in Vero Beach and Sebastian by Christmas. Took off around 7:30am. Our marina friends were all waving good-bye. Thanks to Maureen and Mart that helped us with our dock lines.
Beautiful ride down the river and thank goodness the sun came out and warmed us up. Went through a couple locks. With Britta aboard, it sure is nice to have an extra hand around.

Good-bye Legacy Marina....We love you guys!

Swing Bridge

Anchored at Lollipop Canal around 3:00pm and played Scrabble. There were farms around and the cows would come down to the canal for a drink. Cooked steaks on the grill and buttoned up because the bugs were so bad.

Day #101 - Happy Birthday Nancy

What a way to celebrate your birthday......fun in the sun!

Britta and I rode our bikes and went shopping downtown at a couple of the clothing stores. Came back and had lunch, swam in the pool and social hour @ 5:00pm We also rode our bikes to the Edison/Ford mansion estates to check out the Christmas decorations and beautiful surroundings. Scot made stuffed green peppers and garlic bread for supper. Opened presents and had a night cap on the upper deck to view the lights and stars. What a special day.....thanks to everyone for their birthday wishes.

Day#100 - Christmas Dinner - Ft.Meyers

Yea, Britta finally arrived @ 7:00 pm just in time to enjoy the dinner at the marina. She met all of our friends and we shared stories. Thank you to Corynn who picked her up at the airport and delivered her to Joe's Crab Shack, next door to the marina. Sat on top deck and enjoyed the Christmas lights and stars that were out last night.



Mart, Maureen, Tracy, Tom & Nancy

Really feels like home tonight!

Day#99 - Ft. Myers

Children's christmas trees displayed at Edison's Garden

It was a little windy but still warm day down here. Worked around on the boat getting ready for Britta to come. Did get some more excercise by riding bikes around town and Publix, of course. We're spoiled around here. Had another social hour @ 5:00pm with some marina people that are left around plus our friends from the boat "Carina". Then back to the boat, made dinner and bed by 8:00pm.

Day#98 - Ft. Myers

Beautiful sunset

On our bikes again exploring the area and of course another trip to Publix. We did  take a dip in the pool and soaked up the warm sunshine, while reading our books. Scot still spends time in the man cave and keep finding things to work on, not surprising while living on a boat.


Some of our friends that we met earlier, boat name "Carina" pulled in yesterday which was a nice surprise. Another social hour @ 5:00pm, but our group is getting smaller because of people are flying home for the holiday. Scot fixed stuffed peppers for dinner..delicious.

Day#97 - Ft. Myers

Oh, what fun with our new friends from Legacy Marian.

We were invited to a Happy Birthday Bash at "Beers Of The World" @ 6:00pm. We will be celebrating  Mike's  59th birthday which is actually Thurs., but the Christmas pot luck is here at the marina. Wow, what a celebration of beers! Then pizza and salad was delivered from a restaurant nearby. We had about 30 people show up and Mike picked up the tab!  Thank goodness we bought him a six pack of red strip beer, his favorite.

Claudia, Mike and his sister. 

Many people at the marina are flying home for the holiday. We are looking forward for Britta to join us here  @ Ft. Myers.

Day#96 - Ft. Myers

Finally made it to church during Advent @ St. Francis Xavier and sat with friends from the marina.
Cloudy day with a little rain off and on. Biked through town for some excercise and explored again.
Joe's Crab Shack, next to the marina,  had a grease fire and there were lots of firetrucks that assisted.

Life Aboard the Nancy Jo: Our Blog of the Great Loop

Claudia & Doris singing "Sisters" 

Sun. night, Scot went with his marina buddies for some cheer and to watch football, while Nancy enjoyed watching "White Christmas" in pj's with her marina buddies. Thanks Claudia and Doris for a "fun" evening!

Day#95 - Ft. Myers

Jarod in the park

Statue of Thomas Edison

Elementary Schools decorated trees on display

Mrs. Thomas Edison in the garden

Ft. Myers downtown

What a great place to be.....there was a "Walk for your Heart" in the park downtown led by Jarod from Subway. Went biking around town to visit the Thomas Edison's/Ford's  Estates.   Also did some shopping because we were out and about. Found an American Legion downtown and had a refreshment there while it rained. After dinner, we walked downtown to listen to some musicians that were playing in the area.

Day#94 - Ft.Myers

Wild women shopping in Naples

Had an exciting day shopping in  Naples today with my lady friends from the marina. Had a great lunch that consisted of blackened shrimp on a pear salad. It was so delicious and so funny that all of us six ladies ordered the same special of the day.
Scot worked on the boat and installed the oil heat exchanger that was fixed by a radiator shop yesterday. Scot also rode his bike about 4 miles round trip to pick up some stern thruster belts for the boat inventory. Then he went to lunch with the other guys today. 
Much warmer today, but a little rain came through Naples this afternoon. Not complaining because Britta said that she had "snow" in Chicago today!
Still cloudy so no stars tonight to make a wish......

Day#93 - Ft. Myers

Potluck at Legacy Marina

Met the ladies from the marina and went to the farmers market. Wow, what a nice selection of fruits and  veggies and at a decent price!  Afterwards we went to a french restaurant and had some coffee to warm us up because it was in the high 50's and breezy.
We had a marina potluck for dinner and six couples attended. It was fun to hear all of their boat stories.  It was still cool and breezy so we ate inside one of the marina boardrooms.
I am so excited because I get to go shopping with "the girls" in Naples and Scot will go out to lunch with the guys tomorrow.

Day#92 - Legacy Harbor, Ft. Myers, Fl

Left our anchorage about 8:00 am. Stopped and got diesel @ Cape Coral for $3.67...the cheapest around...Scot checked everywhere around here.  Continued on the the Caloosahatchee River
in the hot sun and hardly any wind and finally got to our destination, Legacy Harbor around 12:30ish in time for lunch. Went in to register and found out that our daughter, Britta, surprised us and paid for our week dockage here. Scot and I looked at each other and just smiled and I shed a couple of happy tears!
Thank goodness she is coming next week to travel with us across the Okeechobee Waterway. She is flying here next Thurs. and my birthday is next Friday....I can't wait to see her! Then we will take off for the other side of Florida where Gail, Scot's sister,lives in Vero Beach and Sally, my sister,  lives in Sebastian. We plan to celebrate the Christmas holidays, our anniversay  and a couple months before continuing on with our Great Loop Adventure.
What a small world, after we tied up our boat, a couple that we met earlier in TN came over to welcome us to the marina. How nice....It feels like home!

Day#91 - Tarpon Bay, FL

Pelicans

Arrived at our anchorage after a long morning and couldn't believe the boat traffic on the intercoastal waterway. Ate lunch and took the dinghy to the Ding Darling Natural Wildlife Refuge. We were fascinated by the rookeries where the pelicans hung out. After an hour of exploration, we finally arrived at a  station where they rented kayaks and a boat store, but it was too far away from Sanibel Island for shelling. We did find a short cut back to our boat which took off an 1/2 hr dinging back to our boat. It was a beautiful night with hardly a whisper of wind. There was only one more boat beside us that was anchored, but heard that it's the hot spot to anchor on the weekends.

Day#90 - Pelican Bay

Another beautiful day in paradise

Got up around 7:00 am and it was a gorgeous morning. Had to open a swing bridge so we got there at 8:25 am knowing that the bridge opens on the hour and 1/2 hour. Thank goodness we were right on time. Tried to anchor at one place but it was too shallow. Thank goodness we didn't get stuck. So we went back North and squeezed our way into Pelican Lake near Cayo Costa State Park. We finally anchored about 11:30ish and ate lunch. We took the dinghy to the state park boat slips and tied up. We had about a mile walk to the Gulf. We did find one very interesting shell similar to a sand dollar but resembles a shamrock. Scot is so good at finding interesting shells. Met another couple on the island that we originally met in Englewood. What a small world. It was very hot  today ....mid 80's and abundant sunshine. Another game of scrabble and Scot won again!

Day#89 - Cape Haze

Looking for shells

Anchored at a beautiful bay in Cape Haze. It had some beautiful houses, manatees and some men working on a seawall which was kind of noisy for a sunny Sunday afternoon. We took our dinghy to Don Pedro State Park and walked the beautiful beach. We did find  some shells and the gulf water was crystal clear. Not many people there because the only access is by boats. We were able to watch the Green Bay Packers vs. The New York Giants. Had  a very peaceful nights rest here and the stars were so abundant!

Day#88-Englewood Beach, FL

Spent another day anchoring out in Englewood. Took the dinghy for a ride through Stump Pass. It was quite windy and busy on the water with boats. We needed to get gas for the motor on the dinghy. Came back to the boat and tied up the dinghy because we were going to make a trip to a local establishment.
Anyway, by the time we got back on the dinghy, the motor wouldn't start....poor Scot...always fixing something around here. He had to change the oil in the dinghy motor too. Guess he had to drain the carburetor out. So now we were ready to head to town. We tied up at a local restaurant called "Flounders". They had a band playing which we thought it would be fun to listen to some music.
We were heading to a table and guess who walked in?  The nice couple "Peggy and Roger" that took up to the grocery store the other day. So we sat and a table and tried to talk over the band's music. Then the band played our favorite song "Moondance" and of course we had to dance.

Stump Pass

What a fun day it was....looking forward to moving on and making more memories!

Day#87-Englewood Beach,FL

Such a beautiful place that we decided to stay another day. Met some friends from another trawler  from Clearwater, and had a refreshing drink with them at the "White Elephant". They are heading down to Ft. Myers in a couple days. It was very interesting to hear all the stories and famous people that live in Clearwater.
Scot is still working on the oil heat exchanger situation. It still is temporary fixed, but hopefully will get parts so he can fix it while we're in Vero Beach for a couple months.

Still enjoy watching the dolphins and manatees that float by every day while I'm reading my book on the upper deck in the nice warm sunshine.

Day#86-Englewood Beach, FL

Got here around 1:30pm and tried to anchor at least 3 times. It's a nice anchorage with lots of sailboat and power boats already anchored here. Was a nice trip down here going through the intercoastal waterways through towns and a canal, where people had chairs set up like a parade would be coming through. Took the dinghy to a restaurant and had a refreshing drink and sat next to some people from Michigan who are wintering down here. I gave them a boat card and we talked about our trip. I asked them where the closest grocery would be and they so graciously offered to take us to Publix which would of been a distance to walk! That was a miracle. We were so lucky to meet them and they just said that they were "paying it forward"! 


View of "Carina" going under bridge in Venice

There are some very nice people in the world, so whenever, try to pay it forward....

Day #85-Ran Aground :(

Well, what a day. Ran aground when we were trying to leave our favorite anchorage yesterday, Nov. 30th. Anyway, after about 4 hours, seemed like forever, we waited for high tide to come in, threw in an anchor and finally got loose. We went back to our anchorage that we left only minutes away.
Got up today around 7:00am, sunrise time, got ready to try to take off again. Make it :)

On our way to Englewood Beach for anchorage tonight. Much cooler today and it was only in the high 40's when we left. Thank goodness the sun warmed us up.