Cruising with Steadfast

 We left at o’dark thirty (actually 5:45 AM)… well before 1st light.  Long day, and wanted to make sure we arrived before dark at Key West, 93 NM to our south.  It was a little spooky in the dark, but once the sun came up, smooth sailing.  We cruised a little faster than normal (again, long day), and arrived Key West at 4:15.. 10.5 hour run.  The gulf was beautiful, saw a dozen or so commercial fishing boats, and the high speed ferry that connects Marco Island to Key West.  For us… it was a big open water crossing, about 40 nm from shore.  All went well… here is today’s  Track .

 Nice trip to Marco Island today… 1st real day in the Gulf of Mexico.  Some swells and breeze… but uneventful trip.  Here is today’s  Track

 We have had a few nice days in Fort Myers Beach.  Our friend Denton arrived (he’ll be with Jim on board when Gwen heads back to PA in a week), and had nice visits with Aunt Carol, who lives in Fort Myers.  We had great dinner with her at the Pink Shell Resort Marina (really good Italian Restaurant) one night, and a super lunch at The Green Flash on Sanibel/Captiva.  Fort Myers Beach is CROWDED, at least during the day!  2.5 mile DRIVE from Publix Grocery back to the boat took 1.75 HOURS!  Still and great time was had by all.  Tomorrow we head to Marco Island!

 Relaxing morning, departed at 8:30 for short run to Fort Myers Beach.  (Great visit with friends on “Theodore” another NT 37, they left at 7:00 as they were headed up the Lake O… we’ll meet them again in Savannah).  We took our time slow cruising to Pink Shell Resort Marina (very nice)… short run and we wanted to time arrival with slack tide.  Here it today’s  Track .  We’ll be here for a few days as we’re visiting Gwen’s Aunt Carol in Fort Myers.  

 Nice easy run to Fort Myers… “down hill” from Lake Okechoobee… 1.2 g/hr yielded 1.7 kts while yesterday it took 5.2!  We arrived about 1:00, just as the sun was coming out.  Two locks, one opening bridge… no issues.  Here is today  Track

 We left Sunset Bay Marina at 7:00 in the rain… and in continued much of the day.  Should have thought more about it in advance… but the entire trip up the St Lucie river, and then the St Lucie Canal to the East side of the Lake was “uphill”.  We had 3 locks to traverse, and the last one (very near final destination) closes at 5:00… meaning if you’re not in the lock by 4:30… you’re waiting to the following morning.  So… we poured on the coals, and consumed over 2x normal fuel just to maintain normal cruise speed.  Once we got to the lake, no more current to fight, but… we did have fog, rain, and oh yeah… 35 kts of wind on our beam.  It was “sporty” to be sure.  Made it to the last lock with 40 minutes to spare (wouldn’t want to call it any closer).  “Next time” we should consider staying farther up the Lake O Waterway… maybe Indiantown Marina (not much there… but better positioning).  No Track today… NEBO bug.

Short run to Stuart today.  Lazy morning, great breakfast out at Sunrise Cafe in Fort Pierce… fitting since today’s destination is Sunset Bay Marina & Anchorage (we’re at the marina).  Here is today’s  Track .  Caught a couple glimpses of Manatees, but no photo opportunities.  Today is Cooper’s 8th birthday!  Noteworthy:  We left the ICW today, and entered the Okeechobee Waterway!  Tomorrow (a longer day), we do several locks, and cross Lake Okeechobee.  We’ll do some exploring… may update later on.

 Nice trip to Fort Pierce (could consider a stop in Vero Beach on a future trip).  We fueled at Fort Pierce City Marina… not too bad… 1st fuel since we left VA!  Hightlights were Opti fleet and also a brief Manatee spotting at the fuel dock… so brief, no photo opportunities of the Manatee… but he/she was BIG.  Here is today’s  Track

 We enjoyed our stay in Cocoa Village (but maybe 1 day would be enough).  Highlight of day 1 was watching SpaceX launch (and landing)… very cool to be this close (see pictures).  Highlight of day 2 was dinghy excursion up the “barge canal”… got gas for the dinghy, and a nice lunch at the Dolphin Waterfront Bar & Grill.  Here is our dinghy  Track .

We had a smooth trip to Cocoa Village Marina yesterday.  Here is today’s Track .  For much of the trip we could see the hugh building that are part of Cape Canaveral Kennedy Space center, and we hope to see a launch while we’re here. We had dinner at Hogan’s Irish Pup… exceeded expectations… great Roast Beef Sandwhich, and Balsamic Brussels! (you can guess who had what).  Nice walk around town… very cool hardware store that’s been open since 1885.