Cruising with Steadfast

 We left about 9:45 after a 4 mile walk.  Very nice morning in Sanibel (getting spoiled with fresh blueberry muffins delivered to the boat every morning).  In spite of active dredging… we touched bottom on the way out of the marina, and had to take a second run at the inlet… well to the left of center.  Beautiful day on the gulf!  Lots of dolphins swimming along with us.  The entrance to Naples is full of beautiful homes… I think we’re going to get a different view of Naples than we’ve gotten from brief visits by car in the past.  Dinner plans this evening with friends from our Croatia bike tour.  Here is today’s  Track .  Note, alligator pictures are from yesterday’s 15mile bike ride around Sanibel

 So far so good in Sanibel.  Nice bike ride to the light house yesterday afternoon, then a great dinner at Grandma Dot’s.  This morning we were pleasantly surprised to have warm (hot out of the oven) blueberry muffins delivered to the boat (apparently it’s what they do at the marina).  Then a long dingy trip to Captiva Island and wonderful lunch at the Green Flash (Grouper Sandwich and Shrimp Salad).  Here is today’s DINGY  Track .

 We had a nice stay in Fort Myers Beach.  Good visits with Gwen’s aunt etc, and even a visit to Skyline Chili for a taste of Cincinnati!  We like the Pink Shell, nice resort, Breakfast Included, nice Italian Restaurant, nice beach, etc.  On our last night… an unexpected storm blew through (from about 10 to 11:30), heavy rain, and wind well above 30 knots.  We rocked and rolled in the slip, couldn’t sleep till after the storm passed… but in the end all’s well.  And… Tuesday’s morning was very nice (calm after the storm).  We had a nice breakfast, walk on the beach, and then departed about 10:45 for the <1 hr run to Sanibel.  We had some difficulty communicating with the marina on the radio, met a dredge in their channels, and had confusion on which slip they wanted us in… but in the end, alls well.  Looking forward to a couple of nice/relaxing days here in Sanibel.  Here is today’s very short  Track .

48 degrees this morning… felt cold… but no worries, warmed up to low 70s by afternoon. We delayed our departure till 10:00 AM, hoping/waiting for more water… but none came.  Depth sounder was displaying blank or nonsense… and drop line at stern showed 3 feet (we need 4.5).  We made it out of the slip, and out of the marina… pushing mud (thankfully just mud) most of the way.  Other than that… it was a very nice smooth trip down the Caloosahatchee River to Fort Myers Beach.  We’ll stay here for a long weekend to visit Gwen’s Aunt Carol.  Nice Marina, and especially nice that the dockmaster seems to actually remember us from last year (nice to be greeted as a friend).  Here is today’s  Track . 

 We left just before 9. No problem getting out of our tight spot (see pictures of bow and stern).  Nice day, two locks to transits and two swing bridges to open… adds a little time, but no issues.  The second bridge, FORT DENAUD bridge is an interesting swing bridge… the operator has to walk out on to the bridge to operate the controls to open the bridge from the middle of the bridge… so she basically “rides” on the bridge as it opens and closes (typically bridges are controlled remotely from a bridge control room on some fixed part of the bridge… anyway, I’m sure she gets in plenty of steps every day.  Tied up at Sweetwater Landing, slip 21… where we found barely 4 feed of water… expect we’re in the mud a couple of inches… hopefully no issues when we leave in the AM.  Here is today’s  Track

Mostly smooth day.  Had to wait a few minutes for Indiantown Railway Bridge to open (train came through).  The Port Mayaca Lock was just open (no up or down), but still had to communicate with Lock Tender to get permission to enter, etc… very smooth.  Great trip across the Lake (much different than last year).  Smooth trip through WHAT IS NOW THE MOORE HAVEN LOCK... IN 2021 NAME WAS CHANGED TO JULIAN KEEN JUNIOR LOCK... BUT APPARENTLY IT HAS BEEN CHANGED BACK.  Interestingly... it seems the Lock Tender decided not to answer our radio call till the 4th time (we were using the Julian Keen Junior name it had last year (and is shown on app).  Anyway.. smooth trip through the lock.  Seems it was the day for railroad bridges... and we had to wait a full hour for the Railroad Bridge that is right after the lock... communicated nicely on the phone... but still a long delay.  SQUEEZED into our spot on the dock at River House Marina... about 4 ft to spare i...

 After a nice 2 night stay in Fort Pierce (good restaurant at the marina), we got underway about 8:15.  Smooth travels, only had to wait about 10 minutes for Old Roosevelt Bridge to open, and then about 10 - 15 for the St. Lucie Lock… which raised us very substantially… not sure exactly how much… it it looked like at least 10 ft.  The Port St. Lucie Lock Marina and Campground… it actually a National Park, very reasonably priced… only accommodates 8 boats.  Docking was a bit of a challenge… very short finger piers, and had to bow in because of rocky shoreline (bow draws less… so it can get closer to the shore).  After a failed solo attempt… we were and to get in successfully with the assistance of 2 good samaritans!  We’re here for 2 nights… should be a nice restful spot (There is a 14 day limit… and I think that’s what most boats do… because of the low $).  Here is today’s  Track

Nice (longish) day to Fort Pierce.  20kt wind most of the day and fought a little current.  Pushed throttle a little to arrive by 4 for fuel and pump out (Safe Harbor…).  Arrived right at 4, in slip before 5.  Gwen comes back today (hooray) and John head’s out tomorrow.  I really missed Gwen, but it’s been really nice to have John on board.  Here is today’s  Track

 We left about 8:45, smooth exit and trip.  Liked New Smyrna Beach… we should stop there again in the future… neat little town.  We’re docked next to a boat with marking suggesting it was connected to the White House (see photos)… no real connection, and not sure how it got it’s name… something about their name means white… so they called it the White House… had presidential insignia and all!  I included a picture of the salad I had for dinner… just to prove I ate healthy  (at least this once).  Arrived Cocoa Village Marina just before 3.  Unfortunately… no rocket launches while we’re here (other than 1 at 12 am… and we won’t see that!).  Here is today’s  Track

We had a couple of great days in St Augustine, highlighted by best ever Italian dinner at “Saint”, tour of the St Augustine Distillary, excellent polish Kilbasi and perogi lunch at Gaufres And Goods. (Only open for lunch… fantastic).  Also a good dinner at Columbia (good, but not up to Saint standards).  Smooth travel day to New Smyrna Beach (a new port for Steadfast).  Not to mention a visit from Customs and Border Patrol (they do docking practice at St Augustine… I suspect because the fast currents make it challenging) Lots of porpoises, and sighting of the Good Year Blimp around Daytona (we expect preparing for big race on Sunday).   Here it today’s  Track