Showing posts with label March 2016. Show all posts
Showing posts with label March 2016. Show all posts

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Marineland, FL - Days 2 - 5

In the middle of our first night here, Charlie was back at the ER. I had to wait until early afternoon to get a rent car to join him. Kidney stone, UGH! Charlie was released later in the day but still doing awful. Garmin and I were able to run across the street to the beach for 30 minutes to grab several beach photos and were fortunate to visit with Loopers Ron and Vicki, aboard Sea To See, for several minutes on the boardwalk. Our shared conversation really relieved some stress for me as I was very overwhelmed worrying about Charlie and feeling helpless in helping him (it's no secret that I'm an Artist and the most NON-Medical personal alive). Angels are even boaters. The next day, fever and horrible pain was at a maximum so we decided to rush back to the ER. After a long and painful week and three ER visits later, Charlie is finally feeling human again! Another moment of comfort was when Geraldine and Alan, aboard Stray Cat, docked here yesterday. (That made me feel in such good, familiar company.) Winds were fierce as we didn't expect anyone to enter this small port, more less, them! So nice to see them here. Whew! Big thank you to Loopers John and Sandy, aboard No Schedule, for making themselves available to be on-board our boat, if needed, to head to Jacksonville. Big thank you again to Denise and Paul Magnus, aboard Orion, and Loopers Cathy and Michael, aboard Trawler Life, for offering assistance. Fortunately, we will once again head north tomorrow on our own. Loopers really pull together! AGLCA is really a great organization, connecting people who support and look after each other on the waterways. We have learned that, not only fellow Loopers, but boaters everywhere are always willing to be of assistance to each other.  It's been an amazing experience sharing the waterways with such great people from all walks (floats) of life along our adventures. The boating community is awesome!



Great to see John and Sandy, aboard No Schedule, again! We hadn't seen them since Fort Myers Yacht Basin!


Loopers Ron and Vicki, aboard Sea To See, at port in front of us. I really enjoyed hearing of their travels and home port of Orcas Island.


The 'Real Feel' felt every bit 94 degrees in Marineland, Florida Wednesday.



Enroute to the ER, I found it odd that I'm on the bridge having to wait on boats to go past, instead of being on the boat causing the traffic delay!


And......again. Hoping the third time is the charm!


Evidently, Charlie's morphed into ET.










Sunday Farmer's Market right at the docks! Gold Loopers, Glen and Jill were at the market and saw our Looper flag so they stopped by to say "hello"! Their M/V Last Dance is docked up north while they winter at their home here in this area.


We'll explore this area next fall when we return as we didn't have much of an opportunity to this time. 

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Marineland, Florida

We threw the lines at sunrise and traveled 72.1 NM up the Indian, Halifax, and Matanzas Rivers along the ICW. We saw more sunken vessels along this stretch than any other, along our Loop!  We are docked at Marineland Marina, Marineland, Florida.


I love bascule bridges....


....and am fascinated with the gears.



Wide water along the Indian River.


Haulover Canal. Luckily, the "fish kill" was not present anywhere since we were south of Titusville.


Almost reminds us of the Georgian Bay ?!









We eked through the most heavily occupied Manatee Zone we've sailed through to date. The Haulover Canal was packed with them. We were very careful, having to keep our boat at a standstill many times, waiting for them to move so we would not hurt one.



NASA radar. 



Charlie says this is a stork?! 


Local Law Enforcement making sure the fisherman under the bridge are legit! Thank you!


New Smyrna Beach






Kayak-er taking a rest along the shoal, or, perhaps "beached" from the strong north winds.


Ponce de Leon Lighthouse.



Heading up towards Daytona Beach.




12 people on board, including a child!...Are we the only ones concerned?!



We love the beautiful decorations on bridges that are only seen from the water!




Some people have no problem "airing their dirty laundry in public" while underway, literally.





Thank you "Mr. Bridge Repair Guys" for keeping these lift bridges functioning! 


Floating Condos.


Garmin is enjoying the scenery!










Pppffftttt!


Charlie has such a keen eye for wildlife! Deer sighting!










Who knew?!


Love the Dolphin cut-outs along the boardwalk railing!


Close up of the dolphin carvings along the boardwalk rails.


Garmin does "the boardwalk"!





At Port.


Garmin found Geocache "Safe Harbor" which had a travel bug inside! We will take it with us on our adventure north and log its progress!