Our first stop is Ft. Pierce, FL after leaving Stuart and heading north on the ICW. This is our first visit to Ft Pierce City Marina. The Marina is quite large, with new floating docks that were replaced in the last couple of years, after their old docks in the outer harbor were destroyed from multiple hurricanes in 2004. They also have placed a system of islands to protect the docks (the squiggly lines). The Marina is located in the center of town, where the Farmers Market is held in the park every weekend and there are restaurants, bars and a rehabbed grand concert theater.
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Mosquito Lagoon the purple pin is
where we anchored |
Our next few nights, we enjoy anchoring out in new spots along the ICW. The Dolphins & Manatees were abundant & enjoying the nice weather. Our most interesting anchorage was in Mosquito Lagoon, where the land narrowed between the lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. The Lagoon was quite large, without much protection but it wasn't windy. We were all alone and we took the dinghy to that narrow piece of land separating the lagoon from the ocean, tied up our dinghy & walked over to the ocean. The water colors were striking with shades of blue & teal. The single lane road dead ends here & this beach area is a park. There is a wooden stairway leading to the beach and there is even a bathroom. What makes this place interesting, is that we found out, if you walk to the left of the stairway onto the beach, it's a family beach but if you walk to the right it becomes a clothing optional beach. Alas, there is no sign telling you this, but I'm here to tell you, it is fact and it wasn't a pretty sight. I'm not sure why it is that most people don't get comfortable with their bodies until they are old and flabby?
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| Yes, I have my clothes on! |
Hammock Beach Marina & Resort, Palm Coast is one of our favorite stops and we were welcomed by Neil, a great Harbor Master. We scored a primo dock on their face dock which afforded protection from the wakes of the ICW but yet we were able to enjoy the view of all the boats passing by. We stayed for 2 glorious weeks, swimming, biking and exploring. My niece Wendi, Tadd & Samantha visited for the day so we went to the main resort where we lunched, swam @ the pool and lounged on the beach.
The ICW north is very scenic along this stretch-nature on the west side with beautiful homes/ mansions along the eastern shoreline. Our next stop, St Augustine-we can't pass by without stopping here for a few days to take in the hub-bub of the town and also to check out possible storage places for our boat this summer. New friends, Hope, Kevin & their quiet dog, Windy who we met @ Hammock Beach joined us in St. Augustine and we celebrated her birthday by going to OC Whites for dinner.
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it wasn't raining but it provides
some shade |
Our next & last stop for awhile is on the Ortega River in Jacksonville. We will stay @ The Marina at Ortega Landing for the month of June then move Day Dreams a short distance up the River to Lamb's Marina July 1. This is our third stay @ Ortega Landings; we really like it here. We are close to my niece and her family and this marina is also close to stores, restaurants and Starbuck's. There is a pool, hot tub and a warm welcoming staff. They hosted a Memorial Day potluck and then their signature event: The Great Steak Out and we were lucky enough to attend both.
We took our dinghy out the Ortega River & up the St John's River almost to Downtown Jacksonville to watch P1 boat races. It was hot so we only stayed long enough to watch 2 heats.
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| halftime entertainment |
We need to document some of our family & friend milestone events. Congrats to all!
Doug's Godson, Paul Douglas graduated from Hillsdale College-we are so proud of this fine young man and so pleased to be a part of his life. Thank you to Craig & Cheryl for that!
Mojgan one of our friends, wrote an article that made it into Section A of USA Today-Way to go Moj!
This is a beautiful picture of my loving Aunt and cousin Diane. The photo was taken last October on Aunt Annette's 95th Birthday.
And speaking of Aunts.....I'm not a Mom, but I'm proud to be an Aunt. Sorry this could never be me because I can't cook!
Our newest Life Changing event and soon to be our next grand adventure is purchasing a brand new 25 foot Coach House RV, The Platinum 241. We just picked it up from Nokomis, FL and we will be prepping to take it for a 3 month spin. Of course, we are not ready to give up boating, so this RV will be a summer thing to take us to the many inland National Parks that we are lucky to have in our beautiful country. In the fall, we will store the RV and get back on Day Dreams to continue cruising until next summer rolls around.
