Cruising The East Coast

We had a FABULOUS weekend at the Moorings Yacht Club in Vero Beach for the FCYC Meeting -- joined with our great friends Willy & Caryn Bain! Caryn & I started the weekend right (Friday morning) with massage & facial, followed by a delightful lunch with our boys on the beach. Saturday was an eco-cruise with an extremely knowledgeable lady from the Environmental Learning Center in Vero. Saturday night was the "big doin'" at the Club and we had a delightful time!!

Sunday morning, Ivory Lady departed @ 7a headed for Eau Gaille Yacht Club and brunch with a couple we met on Saturday evening. While weather appeared threatening, we were actually perfectly timed to avoid all the bad weather and only had a few drops of rain along the way. What a Spread -- best we've EVER seen!! And, what a surprise, Jann connected with Jeff Shuman, EVP of Harris with whom she had worked closely during her tenure there. Sunday evening provided us a glorious sunset




Then a HUGE highlight -- we left Eau Gaille @ 6:45a and had a front row seat for the Shuttle Endeavor liftoff at Cape Canaveral. What a sight! We were about a mile from the launch pad!

LIFT OFF!








Endeavor In Flight!

Endeavor into the Clouds! Unfortunately, there was a thin cloud cover, so she disappeared within a few seconds!

And, then, of course -- the smoke plume and the percussions (both sound and feel) arrive many seconds later!

About 5 miles north of the Cape is Haulover Canal, separating the Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon. It is a gorgeous natural area and DEMANDS an idle speed through the canal.

As we entered the canal, we were greeted with
a bird "surfing" on a floating log.

Then, what a joy -- and justification for the idle speed -- three manatee playing in the canal right beside us!

It was a relatively long day -- 83 miles -- and we arrived at Halifax River/Daytona Beach about 3:45p. Rinsed the boat and settled in for the night. Off to St. Augustine tomorrow!

Time Flies!

Here it is Wednesday, May 11 -- a week since we leave Marathon! We've had simply gorgeous weather, Ivory Lady is behaving like a Lady and the Captain & Admiral are enjoying life to its fullest!

Since our last posting, we journeyed from Miami (Key Biscayne) to Ft. Lauderdale (Coral Ridge YC) on Saturday with sightings of two manatee, stingray and flying fish. On Sunday we were joined by our dear friend Judy Ambury for the trip to Boca Raton (Royal Palm Yacht Club on right). The journey up the Intracoastal Waterway is so enjoyable with all the HUGE boats and homes lining the way. Lots of bridges, but fortunately, we don't require many to be opened as we can drop the mast/antennae and make it under 18 feet.

On Monday, we continued our journey to Jupiter (this is us leaving our slip in Boca) where we enjoyed Admiral's Cove so much that we stayed another day. It's a huge development with amazing homes, great pool & hot tub and a delightful harbormaster (Lee). That allowed our good friends, Tom & Marie Smith aboard Adventure to sync up with us for a lovely dinner last night.

Today was another "slow day" with many no wake zones for manatee, so the 34 miles took us almost 4 hours. Lots of good memories in these parts, as this is where we found Ivory Lady just over a year ago!! As we came through Jupiter, we again marvel at the beauty of their lighthouse.

We are now at Harbour Ridge (clubhouse on left), up the north fork of the St. Lucie River, with a cold iced tea in one hand and a good book in the other!!

Tomorrow we head out early -- in hopes of making the 7:30a or 8:15a bridge opening @ Dixie Highway -- otherwise, we're there until after 9a, due to limited openings during rush hour.

Destination tomorrow is The Moorings Yacht Club in Vero Beach, about 45 miles. We visited there on the way down last fall and it is a FABULOUS facility, thanks to hurricane insurance!! We'll be there for the weekend for the FCYC (Florida Council of Yacht Clubs) meeting, where we'll be joined with our great friends, Willy & Caryn Bain, along with Tom & Marie, Joe & June and Tony from our Marathon Yacht Club family! Lots of fun to be had -- more later, dear friends!

The Journey North

Ivory Lady is Headed North!

After an absolutely fabulous winter with great weather, good friends and lots of visitors, Ivory Lady with Captain Bill & Admiral Jann started the trek north on Wednesday, May 4 -- by heading west! We couldn't resist participating in the Bahia Honda Fleet/Fun Fleet Cruise, which took us about 1 1/2 hours in the opposite direction from our ultimate target. We had a great two days, used my Valentine's Day gift of anchor bridle and spent two glorious nights "on the hook".

This morning, we hoisted anchor shortly after 7a. We had intended to go "outside" which would take us up the Atlantic and perhaps catch the gulfstream for a 3-4knot push. In checking the weather, however, the winds were unfavorable and the stream had moved about 10 miles further out. So, we ducked back "inside" which brings us up the Gulf and Florida Bay to Key Largo and then around the peninsula to Miami.

As we cruised through Key Largo and Jewfish Creek, we passed good friends, Tom & Marie Smith aboard Adventure, who are headed to Hilton Head SC for the summer. We plan to sync up with them in the next couple of days and actually spend several days together next weekend at the FCYC meeting at the Moorings Yacht Club in Vero Beach.

Just a few minutes later, we had some great traveling companions for about 15 minutes!

We arrived in Key Biscayne about 4:30p and staying at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club just for tonight. Unfortunately, their dockmaster was highly incompetent and the slip was only about 4 inches wider than Ivory Lady, but Captain Bill did his magic again and we are in safe and sound for the night.

Tomorrow is on to Ft. Lauderdale -- short day with lots of "no wake zones" as we cruise up the Intracoastal Waterway.

A Lovely Marathon Season

Last we communicated, we were headed to the cabin in North Carolina for Christmas. This picture says it all:

Didn't take us long to long for the Keys! Flew back to Marathon to find out that Bill had been nominated for treasurer of the Yacht Club. Before the election could take place, the Vice Commodore nominee had to quit and the Rear Commodore nominee was promoted to Vice. Bill was elevated to Rear Commodore and was elected in January. See what happens when you turn your head or miss a meeting? Jann has curtailed her consulting and is contributing much of her considerable talents to the Yacht Club. She has also learned to play Mah Jongg.

Ivory Lady has been behaving quite nicely on the frequent cruises we take with our friends at the club. We had a fun trip to Miami on the boat and then went back soon after to the Miami Boat Show by car. At the show we acquired an anchor bridle and Jann & I really look forward to using it to anchor out in one of the many gunkholes around the Keys. Soon as the wind lays down, we'll get away from the dock and take some pics of the new anchoring device. Until then, we hope your weather isn't too bad and we'll refrain from gloating about ours. It could still take a turn.

December in Marathon - What FUN!

The time has simply flown since our arrival at our Winter Home at the Marathon Yacht Club on Saturday after Thanksgiving. The day we arrived, the "elves" had begun decorating the Club and the fun began in earnest! With the rest of the eastern half of the country freezing, we didn't escape all the cold weather, but here it means you need a sweatershirt!

Last Friday night was the highlight of the year for the Club with the Lighting of the Fleet -- Club was packed and the weather was perfect! We gathered at 5:30p for the Lowering of the Colors with Bridge in their whites; the cannon firng and the music & message in the respect for our American Flag and all we hold dear for our freedom was the great launch for the weekend.

Then at 6:15p, the cannon fired again -- and all the vessels in the marina lit their Christmas lights simultaneously! It was really magical with all lights twinkling against the water and the beautiful sky. Everyone walked the docks with a cocktail in hand and admired the handiwork -- many were very creative.

Ivory Lady

Overall Winner

Greg - Nova - Winner over 40'

We're keeping to our commitment to work out at the local gym -- good thing, as between the parties, the Christmas brunch and the Christmas party this coming Friday, we need some balance! On Saturday 12/18, Bill & I hop an airplane in Key West to travel to the cabin for Christmas. Our dear friend, Bill Wanless, and perhaps our dear nephew, Jim Davis, will join us for the week -- we return on Wednesday, December 29 in time for celebrating the New Year with our friends in the Florida Keys!

Merry Christmas -- and the Happiest of New Years!

The Final Leg

We departed Marco at first light on Saturday morning, as planned. The passage through the "backwaters" of Marco and Goodland were absolutely fabulous!

By shortly after 8:00a, we were at Coon Key Light and headed offshore for the five hour cruise to Marathon. The day was overcast, which made sighting all the crab pot buoys much easier -- combined with calm seas, it made for a most delightful finale to our journey. At about 12:30p, we had the Marathon Yacht Club in our sights!

So, we're "home" for the winter -- with plans to prepare Ivory Lady for the "Lighting of the Fleet" on Dec 10, which is the launch of the Christmas season here! We're returning to Dry Dock for Christmas and returning to Marathon in time for New Years' Eve.

We'll post a few thoughts and pictures as we journey through the holiday season! But, one last picture, from Useppa Island that Bill wanted to share with you!

Thanksgiving @ Useppa Island

We safely traversed the channel out of the Redneck Riviera -- with Touch N Go leading the way.

The 21 miles was rife with wildlife -- manatee, lots of dolphins playing our wake and a flock of white pelicans (quite unique to this area of western Florida).

Useppa Island is a little slice of paradise! We had a lovely evening with Stu & Diana on Wednesday evening and then a delightful Thanksgiving Day, beginning with Willy's infamous cured salmon and then a sumptuous buffet at the Collier Inn, dining on the patio.

Friday morning dawned with clouds and rain -- providing the appropriate weather for our sadness that our week of travel with good friends had come to an end. Ivory Lady departed in the rain for the 60 mile trip to Marco Island Yacht Club and Touch N Go headed north to Bird Key.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is the last leg of our journey (80+ miles of open water across Florida Bay) -- and we are really excited about seeing our friends and settling in for a few weeks at our winter home. We're starting out at first light to take advantage of the most water in the back channel behind Marco Island. We're projected to get the "tail end" of the cold front racing across the US, so we'll have some wind, but should not be much!