No rain today. Considerably warmer, but not hot. We paddled to Hendricks Isle and the Isle of Venice, where the SSCA members had told us we could rent a slip for considerably less. I was expecting marinas, but it turned out they were waterfront apartment buildings that rent the slips in front of their buildings. Most of them rent only by the month, and we're not planning on being here another month. One place rented by the week, at $125 week. That's not much less than we're paying now, and I like it a lot better where we are. We probably won't be here more than two more weeks, so it doesn't seem worthwhile moving.
Roy returned to the boat to work on stuff, and I paddled around. Went across Lake Sylvia and Mayan Lake. I had planned on following the Tarpon River back to the boat, but when I was about two-thirds of the way up it, I came to an impassable barrier. I would have had to crawl through a sewer pipe to go any farther, so I turned around and went back to New River and up that way. It was getting cool by then, so I took a hot shower and relaxed.
The guy on the boat next to us bought the old charts, so now we have a little more room on the boat and we're $200 richer. Of course, it will soon be spent.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Monday, January 30, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
It rained today, cooling things off considerably. We went from too hot to too cool overnight.
Yesterday, our neighbors told us about a grocery store within walking distance, so I walked over there this morning, stopping at a post office on the way. To my surprise, the grocery store turned out to be the first one I had gone to when we were at the mooring! I had no idea it was so close to where we are now. It would have been really convenient when we were at slip 509, right across the river from it, but now it's a fairly long walk, their prices are high, and they don't have some of the things I want, so I'm better off taking the bus to Publix or Winn-Dixie.
I phoned some boatyards in Miami. Found one that might be a possibility. They require you to buy your bottom paint at their store, but they charge less than the other yards I've contacted and their other prices are considerably lower. We might go down to Miami on Tri-Rail in a few days and look it over.
In the afternoon, I rode a bus to Galleria Mall and saw "Nobody's Fool" with Paul Newman and Jessica Tandy. Not much of a plot, but it was entertaining and well acted.
On the way home, I stopped at the library and looked up some stuff. Fortunately, the rain had quit by the time I left, so I didn't get wet. It was pretty cold, though.
Roy put up a sign on the bulletin board for the old inverter that we no longer use. Sold it right away. He also put up a sign for our surplus charts, but no takers on those yet.
Yesterday, our neighbors told us about a grocery store within walking distance, so I walked over there this morning, stopping at a post office on the way. To my surprise, the grocery store turned out to be the first one I had gone to when we were at the mooring! I had no idea it was so close to where we are now. It would have been really convenient when we were at slip 509, right across the river from it, but now it's a fairly long walk, their prices are high, and they don't have some of the things I want, so I'm better off taking the bus to Publix or Winn-Dixie.
I phoned some boatyards in Miami. Found one that might be a possibility. They require you to buy your bottom paint at their store, but they charge less than the other yards I've contacted and their other prices are considerably lower. We might go down to Miami on Tri-Rail in a few days and look it over.
In the afternoon, I rode a bus to Galleria Mall and saw "Nobody's Fool" with Paul Newman and Jessica Tandy. Not much of a plot, but it was entertaining and well acted.
On the way home, I stopped at the library and looked up some stuff. Fortunately, the rain had quit by the time I left, so I didn't get wet. It was pretty cold, though.
Roy put up a sign on the bulletin board for the old inverter that we no longer use. Sold it right away. He also put up a sign for our surplus charts, but no takers on those yet.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
It got really hot today. In the 80's! It's hard to believe this is January.
Roy and I went to the weekly SSCA breakfast. It's at Warner's Cafe, over near State Road 84. The breakfast is scheduled for nine o'clock every Sunday morning, but the first bus on Sunday leaves the terminal at nine. Then when we get to 84, we have to walk half a mile, so it was 9:30 by the time we got there, and a lot of people were leaving, but we got to meet and talk with several very nice people. We found out where the inexpensive marinas are, so we'll check them out tomorrow. But nobody knew of a better yard than the one we've already found -- Lauderdale Yacht Basin.
We were going to buy some groceries on the way home, but the market was farther than I thought, so we returned to the boat. Roy tested the repaired alternator, and I wrote letters. Unfortunately, the alternator got very hot as soon as a load was put on it, so he'll have to take it back to the shop tomorrow.
At three o'clock, we went to Stacey's for lupper. As usual, it was delicious. There's a Winn-Dixie in the same shopping center, so we bought a few groceries. Caught the bus back just in the nick of time. There wouldn't have been another bus for 45 minutes.
Roy and I went to the weekly SSCA breakfast. It's at Warner's Cafe, over near State Road 84. The breakfast is scheduled for nine o'clock every Sunday morning, but the first bus on Sunday leaves the terminal at nine. Then when we get to 84, we have to walk half a mile, so it was 9:30 by the time we got there, and a lot of people were leaving, but we got to meet and talk with several very nice people. We found out where the inexpensive marinas are, so we'll check them out tomorrow. But nobody knew of a better yard than the one we've already found -- Lauderdale Yacht Basin.
We were going to buy some groceries on the way home, but the market was farther than I thought, so we returned to the boat. Roy tested the repaired alternator, and I wrote letters. Unfortunately, the alternator got very hot as soon as a load was put on it, so he'll have to take it back to the shop tomorrow.
At three o'clock, we went to Stacey's for lupper. As usual, it was delicious. There's a Winn-Dixie in the same shopping center, so we bought a few groceries. Caught the bus back just in the nick of time. There wouldn't have been another bus for 45 minutes.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Good day. We got moved over to Cooley's Landing. What a neat place! We have all the facilities, we're close to downtown, and we get to watch all the boats going up and down the river.
I tried to phone boatyards in Miami, but didn't get an answer. Phoned the Post Office and found out both Roy and I have mail. The Post Office closes at two on Saturday, so we made a mad dash for the bus and got to the Post Office at 1:35. Returned to the boat, ate lunch, and read our mail. Too much of it was mail I had sent that was being returned, including a lot of important stuff, such as our boat registration. So now I'm back to square one.
Walked into town to get some groceries at the Winn-Dixie that I thought was on SW 2nd Street. The street names in this town are confusing. Most of them are numbered. The city is divided into four directional sections: southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest. The avenues are perpendicular to the streets, so there are a lot of very similar names. For instance, there's SW 20th Street amd SW 20th Avenue. I figured out this morning that Broward is the dividing line between north and south, and Andrews is the dividing line between east and west, but I need to carry a compass around to figure out where north is. I wandered all over town and ended up at NE 2nd Street and NE 3rd Avenue instead of SW 2nd Street and SW 2nd Avenue. When I finally got turned around and found my intended destination, guess what -- Winn-Dixie is now a parking lot. So I stopped by Uncle Colonel's and bought Kentucky Fried for supper.
I tried to phone boatyards in Miami, but didn't get an answer. Phoned the Post Office and found out both Roy and I have mail. The Post Office closes at two on Saturday, so we made a mad dash for the bus and got to the Post Office at 1:35. Returned to the boat, ate lunch, and read our mail. Too much of it was mail I had sent that was being returned, including a lot of important stuff, such as our boat registration. So now I'm back to square one.
Walked into town to get some groceries at the Winn-Dixie that I thought was on SW 2nd Street. The street names in this town are confusing. Most of them are numbered. The city is divided into four directional sections: southeast, southwest, northeast, and northwest. The avenues are perpendicular to the streets, so there are a lot of very similar names. For instance, there's SW 20th Street amd SW 20th Avenue. I figured out this morning that Broward is the dividing line between north and south, and Andrews is the dividing line between east and west, but I need to carry a compass around to figure out where north is. I wandered all over town and ended up at NE 2nd Street and NE 3rd Avenue instead of SW 2nd Street and SW 2nd Avenue. When I finally got turned around and found my intended destination, guess what -- Winn-Dixie is now a parking lot. So I stopped by Uncle Colonel's and bought Kentucky Fried for supper.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Friday, January 27, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Printed the most recent section of the log. Rode a bus to a copy place that had a special of two cents a copy and printed the ten copies for practically nothing. Unfortunately, the print quality was terrible, but I sent them out anyway. Had a typo in the next to last paragraph; "I" should have been "it".
On the way back, I stopped in the Public Library and wandered around goggle-eyed. Never in my life have I seen such a library! It's eight stories high. You can stand in the center of the ground floor and look all the way up. Everything is high tech. There are zillions of computers, there's a restaurant, a stamp machine, a gift shop, an auditorium. There are probably even books around someplace.
I went to the library to try to find out if there's going to be an AARP 55 Alive course in the area in the near future. I had a perfect opportunity to take it last fall in Fairhaven, but I didn't realize my three years were up until I got my insurance bill. If I take the course every three years, I get a 5% discount on my insurance, so now I'm kicking myself for not taking it.
The Fort Lauderdale Library told me to call the Lauderdale Lakes Library, so I did. They gave me another number to call. Found out there'll be a class in Coconut Park February 16th and 23rd. Trouble is, I doubt that we'll be here then. Still, there's a chance that we might be, and it's only $8, so I'll probably register for it.
Roy talked with the Dockmaster and found out there might be an opening at Cooley's Landing tomorrow. That will be terrific if we can get in there. We'd be right by the restrooms, showers, and laundry instead of having to walk a mile each way.
On the way back, I stopped in the Public Library and wandered around goggle-eyed. Never in my life have I seen such a library! It's eight stories high. You can stand in the center of the ground floor and look all the way up. Everything is high tech. There are zillions of computers, there's a restaurant, a stamp machine, a gift shop, an auditorium. There are probably even books around someplace.
I went to the library to try to find out if there's going to be an AARP 55 Alive course in the area in the near future. I had a perfect opportunity to take it last fall in Fairhaven, but I didn't realize my three years were up until I got my insurance bill. If I take the course every three years, I get a 5% discount on my insurance, so now I'm kicking myself for not taking it.
The Fort Lauderdale Library told me to call the Lauderdale Lakes Library, so I did. They gave me another number to call. Found out there'll be a class in Coconut Park February 16th and 23rd. Trouble is, I doubt that we'll be here then. Still, there's a chance that we might be, and it's only $8, so I'll probably register for it.
Roy talked with the Dockmaster and found out there might be an opening at Cooley's Landing tomorrow. That will be terrific if we can get in there. We'd be right by the restrooms, showers, and laundry instead of having to walk a mile each way.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
We found the biggest and nicest Boat/U.S. store we've ever seen. It's just a few blocks from here. They have the bottom paint we use for $98.85 a gallon, so we can buy it right there.
While Roy bought out the store, I made some phone calls to try to find a boatyard that doesn't require buying all your materials at their store. Found one called Lauderdale Boat Basin. Went over there on the bus and got their rates. It's not the best-looking yard, but it's ok. I also stopped at Riverbend Boatyard, but they don't allow pressure-washing.
There's a pretty branch post office a couple of blocks from here, but they don't have General Delivery, so I rode the bus several miles to the main post office. Went through the "other" Fort Lauderdale. Not everyone in Fort Lauderdale is a millionaire. As Roy always says, the janitors and dishwashers have to have a place to live, too. We didn't have any mail, but I got the phone number, so we can call before we go out there again.
After lunch, Roy rode his bike to the alternator repair shop and brought the alternator home. He had tried out the spare alternator, and it worked fine, so now we have two good alternators again, the batteries are fully charged, and life is back to normal, whatever that is.
We rode the bus to a discount marine store we'd heard about. Had to walk a few blocks after we got off the bus. Passed another discount marine store, called Boat Owners World, so we went in there. They had a lot of stuff at good prices, so Roy bought some things. Then we went on to Sailorman, the store we'd originally set out for. It's huge! They have a lot of used things as well as new. Roy wandered around goggle-eyed but didn't buy anything. I bought a guide to the Virgin Islands at a $2 discount.
We found a closer bus to go back on than the one we had come on. In fact, it turned out we were only a block from West Marine, so that's really handy, having all those marine stores so close together.
While Roy bought out the store, I made some phone calls to try to find a boatyard that doesn't require buying all your materials at their store. Found one called Lauderdale Boat Basin. Went over there on the bus and got their rates. It's not the best-looking yard, but it's ok. I also stopped at Riverbend Boatyard, but they don't allow pressure-washing.
There's a pretty branch post office a couple of blocks from here, but they don't have General Delivery, so I rode the bus several miles to the main post office. Went through the "other" Fort Lauderdale. Not everyone in Fort Lauderdale is a millionaire. As Roy always says, the janitors and dishwashers have to have a place to live, too. We didn't have any mail, but I got the phone number, so we can call before we go out there again.
After lunch, Roy rode his bike to the alternator repair shop and brought the alternator home. He had tried out the spare alternator, and it worked fine, so now we have two good alternators again, the batteries are fully charged, and life is back to normal, whatever that is.
We rode the bus to a discount marine store we'd heard about. Had to walk a few blocks after we got off the bus. Passed another discount marine store, called Boat Owners World, so we went in there. They had a lot of stuff at good prices, so Roy bought some things. Then we went on to Sailorman, the store we'd originally set out for. It's huge! They have a lot of used things as well as new. Roy wandered around goggle-eyed but didn't buy anything. I bought a guide to the Virgin Islands at a $2 discount.
We found a closer bus to go back on than the one we had come on. In fact, it turned out we were only a block from West Marine, so that's really handy, having all those marine stores so close together.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Roy rode his bike to Cooley's Landing and took a good shower, while I updated the log. When he got back, I took a shower and washed my hair. What great showers! Plenty of hooks to hang your clothes on, benches to sit on, plenty of hot water, everything clean and warm and well-lighted and comfortable. What a contrast to the place in St. Augustine, where the showers were in a cold, dirty, cinderblock barn of a building!
I talked with a guy who had been here many times. He warned us not to go to the Chinnock Boatyard. He said they were a bunch of thieves. He spoke well of Summerfield and Lauderdale Boat Basin.
After lunch, we rode the bus to the hospital where the talk on knee problems was to be given. We stopped at an upholstery place to get information about having an awning made. They gave us the name and phone number of a place to check with, so we'll phone them tomorrow.
The lecture was interesting but not really helpful. Roy said he already knew everything the doctor said. The talk lasted longer than we had expected, so by the time we went to a Publix and bought a bunch of groceries, it was 6:45, and the bus was running only once an hour, so we had to sit on a bench in the cold for 45 minutes waiting for the next one. Yes, at night it feels cold even in Southern Florida. We didn't get home until eight o'clock, so by the time we ate supper and watched the taped news, it was way past my bedtime.
I talked with a guy who had been here many times. He warned us not to go to the Chinnock Boatyard. He said they were a bunch of thieves. He spoke well of Summerfield and Lauderdale Boat Basin.
After lunch, we rode the bus to the hospital where the talk on knee problems was to be given. We stopped at an upholstery place to get information about having an awning made. They gave us the name and phone number of a place to check with, so we'll phone them tomorrow.
The lecture was interesting but not really helpful. Roy said he already knew everything the doctor said. The talk lasted longer than we had expected, so by the time we went to a Publix and bought a bunch of groceries, it was 6:45, and the bus was running only once an hour, so we had to sit on a bench in the cold for 45 minutes waiting for the next one. Yes, at night it feels cold even in Southern Florida. We didn't get home until eight o'clock, so by the time we ate supper and watched the taped news, it was way past my bedtime.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Right after breakfast, Roy and I went looking for a place to tie the boat where we'd have electricity. There appeared to be an empty slip at the City Docks across the way, but the Dockmaster wasn't in her office. I hung around waiting, while Roy returned to the boat, as he had so much to do. While I was waiting, I phoned the main office of the Dockmaster and was told we could have slip #509 on the south side of New River. I zoomed back across the bridge and caught Roy just as he was getting in his Royak. We immediately headed out to New River.
This is an excellent location. It's protected from the wind, we didn't have to go through any bridges to get here, it's close to downtown and all the buses, and it's only half a mile from Cooley's Landing, where the showers, restrooms, and laundry are. They're really nice ones. After lunch (cooked in the microwave), I bagged up the laundry and carted it over there. What luxury having the entire laundry to myself!
I phoned several other boatyards, but they all seem to have the same policy of insisting you buy your materials in their store, and they all charge the same amount for bottom paint. We might end up going to Miami to haul out.
Roy has removed the alternator and will take it someplace for repairs tomorrow.
What luxury having electricity again! You never miss the water till the well runs dry, to coin a phrase. We turned on all the lights and the heater and the microwave and the hot-water heater and the TV and the VCR. The weather has turned cool, so it felt good to have the heater on.
Tomorrow afternoon, we're going to a free lecture on knee problems.
This is an excellent location. It's protected from the wind, we didn't have to go through any bridges to get here, it's close to downtown and all the buses, and it's only half a mile from Cooley's Landing, where the showers, restrooms, and laundry are. They're really nice ones. After lunch (cooked in the microwave), I bagged up the laundry and carted it over there. What luxury having the entire laundry to myself!
I phoned several other boatyards, but they all seem to have the same policy of insisting you buy your materials in their store, and they all charge the same amount for bottom paint. We might end up going to Miami to haul out.
Roy has removed the alternator and will take it someplace for repairs tomorrow.
What luxury having electricity again! You never miss the water till the well runs dry, to coin a phrase. We turned on all the lights and the heater and the microwave and the hot-water heater and the TV and the VCR. The weather has turned cool, so it felt good to have the heater on.
Tomorrow afternoon, we're going to a free lecture on knee problems.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Monday, January 23, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
First thing after breakfast, I rode the bus to a boatyard that had been highly recommended. I should say, I tried to ride the bus. The bus took me to the right street, but when I walked down the street trying to find the boatyard, I ended up at the river, on the wrong side. There was no bridge, and I wasn't wearing my water-walking shoes, so I had to walk the six or seven blocks back to where I'd gotten off the bus and then walk five or six blocks to Davie Boulevard, where I could have gotten off the bus in the first place. Then I walked six or seven blocks to the Davie Boulevard Bridge, getting there just as they were about to open it. Eventually it closed, and I got to the other side. Then I walked another five or six blocks down SW 15th Avenue until I came to another dead end. There are so many canals in this city, that you can't go very far in any direction without coming to water. So then I had to zig right and zag left to get to Summerfield Boat Works. It looked like a very good yard, and their prices, under Plan A, were excellent. The catch is that we would have to buy all our materials from their store, which wouldn't be so bad except the kind of bottom paint Roy wants to use costs $185 in their store. We can get it for half that at West Marine, but if we bring in supplies from elsewhere, they put us on Plan B and the rate immediately goes to $700! Roy didn't like this arrangement at all when I told him about it, so I'll phone a bunch of other yards and get their rates. We can't get into Summerfield's before Friday anyway.
After lunch, I rode the bus all the way to the end of the line. Went past miles of beautiful beaches. A lot of people were sunbathing, and some were in the water. On the way back, I stopped at a Publix Market to buy some groceries, but it wasn't as good as the ones farther north.
Roy continued working on the installation of the new batteries. These will be dedicated to starting the engine and not used for anything else. He wired up the new isolator he bought at West Marine. Shortly before seven, he started the engine. Instantly, we smelled something burning and the cockpit filled with smoke. Roy turned everything off and investigated. He finally determined the alternator was fried. So now we not only have batteries that are nearly dead, we don't even have a way to recharge them other than the wind generator and the solar panels. Fortunately, the wind has been blowing pretty hard, and it was a sunny day, but we don't dare use any electrical appliances, including the refrigerator, and we only have one light on.
Another sailboat came in and dropped anchor, as there are no more mooring buoys available. The skipper was single-handing. When he went someplace in his dinghy, his boat began to drag. Every time a gust of wind hit it, it dragged more. It was headed towards another sailboat and eventually the bridge, so Roy called the Coast Guard on the VHF, and they sent a boat out. Just before the Coast Guard arrived, the guys on the boat next to us, that the Pelagic was dragging towards, returned to their boat and did what they could to prevent a collision. The Coast Guardies didn't seem to know what to do; they just went around in circles. Then the Pelagic's owner arrived, moved her to a new location, and dropped two anchors, which seemed to hold. Another crisis ended.
After lunch, I rode the bus all the way to the end of the line. Went past miles of beautiful beaches. A lot of people were sunbathing, and some were in the water. On the way back, I stopped at a Publix Market to buy some groceries, but it wasn't as good as the ones farther north.
Roy continued working on the installation of the new batteries. These will be dedicated to starting the engine and not used for anything else. He wired up the new isolator he bought at West Marine. Shortly before seven, he started the engine. Instantly, we smelled something burning and the cockpit filled with smoke. Roy turned everything off and investigated. He finally determined the alternator was fried. So now we not only have batteries that are nearly dead, we don't even have a way to recharge them other than the wind generator and the solar panels. Fortunately, the wind has been blowing pretty hard, and it was a sunny day, but we don't dare use any electrical appliances, including the refrigerator, and we only have one light on.
Another sailboat came in and dropped anchor, as there are no more mooring buoys available. The skipper was single-handing. When he went someplace in his dinghy, his boat began to drag. Every time a gust of wind hit it, it dragged more. It was headed towards another sailboat and eventually the bridge, so Roy called the Coast Guard on the VHF, and they sent a boat out. Just before the Coast Guard arrived, the guys on the boat next to us, that the Pelagic was dragging towards, returned to their boat and did what they could to prevent a collision. The Coast Guardies didn't seem to know what to do; they just went around in circles. Then the Pelagic's owner arrived, moved her to a new location, and dropped two anchors, which seemed to hold. Another crisis ended.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
In the morning, we paddled a couple of miles up the ICW to Birch State Park. Unfortunately, there was no place to land or tie up. The park has a cement wall all along the edge of the water. There are no ladders or ramps or even toe-holds. At best, we might have been able to grab an overhanging branch and pull ourselves up to the top of the wall, but getting back into our Royaks without tipping them over would have been a problem. Roy turned back, but I went all the way to the far end of the park, hoping I'd find a way to get in, but I didn't. Then on the way back, about a quarter mile south of the park, I saw a tiny beach with soft sand. I don't know how we missed it on the way up. It was easy to pull up there, and we could have walked through the woods to the road and over to the park, but since Roy had already gone back, I didn't bother. I needed to buy groceries anyway.
On Sundays, the buses run only once an hour, so when I missed the bus going to the store, I walked instead of sitting around waiting. It was a mile or two. The store was expensive, so I only bought the essentials. I was hoping I wouldn't miss the bus back. Luckily, there was a bus stop right in front of the store. The bus was coming as I walked across the parking lot, so I ran to the sidewalk and waved. To my joy, the bus stopped. Then I was afraid of overshooting the stop near the bridge, since I'm not familiar with the area yet, so I pushed the signal when I thought the bus was nearly there. Turned out it was a stop too soon, but that was no big deal; it was only one block to walk.
When I reached the dinghy dock, I saw Roy paddling to the boat. He saw me and returned to the dock. I was stunned when he told me he had rented a slip across the way at the city dock. He didn't tell me we needed to go there to use the electricity because the batteries were nearly dead. Instead, he said he thought I wanted to move to a dock. I had said several times that I wanted to stay at the mooring until we moved to a boatyard, so I got pretty upset and angry. Roy went back across the bridge, cancelled the reservation, got his money back, and paid for another night at the mooring. It wasn't until several hours later, when it was time to fix supper, that he told me I couldn't use the microwave because the batteries were almost dead. If I had known there was a compelling reason to move to the dock, I would have gladly assented. Anyway, Roy cooked supper in the pressure cooker on the propane stove, and tomorrow morning, we'll either use the propane stove again or go to McDonald's for breakfast.
On Sundays, the buses run only once an hour, so when I missed the bus going to the store, I walked instead of sitting around waiting. It was a mile or two. The store was expensive, so I only bought the essentials. I was hoping I wouldn't miss the bus back. Luckily, there was a bus stop right in front of the store. The bus was coming as I walked across the parking lot, so I ran to the sidewalk and waved. To my joy, the bus stopped. Then I was afraid of overshooting the stop near the bridge, since I'm not familiar with the area yet, so I pushed the signal when I thought the bus was nearly there. Turned out it was a stop too soon, but that was no big deal; it was only one block to walk.
When I reached the dinghy dock, I saw Roy paddling to the boat. He saw me and returned to the dock. I was stunned when he told me he had rented a slip across the way at the city dock. He didn't tell me we needed to go there to use the electricity because the batteries were nearly dead. Instead, he said he thought I wanted to move to a dock. I had said several times that I wanted to stay at the mooring until we moved to a boatyard, so I got pretty upset and angry. Roy went back across the bridge, cancelled the reservation, got his money back, and paid for another night at the mooring. It wasn't until several hours later, when it was time to fix supper, that he told me I couldn't use the microwave because the batteries were almost dead. If I had known there was a compelling reason to move to the dock, I would have gladly assented. Anyway, Roy cooked supper in the pressure cooker on the propane stove, and tomorrow morning, we'll either use the propane stove again or go to McDonald's for breakfast.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
After lunch, we paddled up the New River to Cooley's Landing. It was farther than I remembered. At least it seemed farther, because we were fighting the current all the way plus being thrown around by the wake from passing powerboats. The trip back was much easier and faster. We were looking for boatyards but only found a couple and didn't like either of them. Roy had talked with someone who told him Summerfield's was a good yard, but we didn't find it. Monday, we'll look for it by bus.
It's warm and sunny and beautiful here. We keep seeing pictures on the television news of the torrential rains and terrible floods in California. We hope our families and friends aren't having any problems.
It's warm and sunny and beautiful here. We keep seeing pictures on the television news of the torrential rains and terrible floods in California. We hope our families and friends aren't having any problems.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Friday, January 20, 1995 - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Yay! We're in Fort Lauderdale! We made it, in spite of the miserable bascule bridges. When I was on watch this morning, whenever we approached a bridge that was closed, I turned the wheel over to Roy. I guess that was cheating, but I just couldn't deal with it. My depth perception is too poor and my mechanical ability is too limited to maneuver the boat in a narrow channel, backwards and sidewards and around in circles, while waiting for the bridge to open.
The boat traffic around here is horrendous. Huge power yachts whoomping up and down the channel. Speedboats zooming in every direction. Sailboats bouncing around in the wake. Everywhere you look -- boats, boats, boats.
We had hoped to tie up at Bahia Mar, as we did in 1993, but then in was off-season and now it's the heart of the high season. We couldn't even find out what their rates are now, but we're sure they're more than we want to pay, and they didn't have any openings anyway, so we went to a little cove near the bridge where the city rents moorings for $10 a night and tied to a mooring. It's very convenient. There's a dinghy dock close by and a bus goes right down the street here to downtown.
We hadn't had lunch, and there's a Stacey's here in Fort Lauderdale, so we decided to go there for lupper. We rode the bus to the downtown terminal and bought weekly passes. Then we rode another bus to Stacey's, which was right on the bus route. We were delighted to find it was just as good as the Stacey's in Norfolk, so we pigged out. Also bought our senior discount cards for 1995.
There was an Eckerd Drugstore nearby, so I bought a few things. Then we took buses to West Marine and bought a Bahamas chart book and a bunch of other stuff.
When we got back to the dinghy dock, we met another cruising couple, Larry and Linda Cohan. They're very nice. Larry had been an officer in the Navy and was stationed at Yerba Buena during the 70's. He came over to our boat later in the evening and visited for a while.
The boat traffic around here is horrendous. Huge power yachts whoomping up and down the channel. Speedboats zooming in every direction. Sailboats bouncing around in the wake. Everywhere you look -- boats, boats, boats.
We had hoped to tie up at Bahia Mar, as we did in 1993, but then in was off-season and now it's the heart of the high season. We couldn't even find out what their rates are now, but we're sure they're more than we want to pay, and they didn't have any openings anyway, so we went to a little cove near the bridge where the city rents moorings for $10 a night and tied to a mooring. It's very convenient. There's a dinghy dock close by and a bus goes right down the street here to downtown.
We hadn't had lunch, and there's a Stacey's here in Fort Lauderdale, so we decided to go there for lupper. We rode the bus to the downtown terminal and bought weekly passes. Then we rode another bus to Stacey's, which was right on the bus route. We were delighted to find it was just as good as the Stacey's in Norfolk, so we pigged out. Also bought our senior discount cards for 1995.
There was an Eckerd Drugstore nearby, so I bought a few things. Then we took buses to West Marine and bought a Bahamas chart book and a bunch of other stuff.
When we got back to the dinghy dock, we met another cruising couple, Larry and Linda Cohan. They're very nice. Larry had been an officer in the Navy and was stationed at Yerba Buena during the 70's. He came over to our boat later in the evening and visited for a while.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 1995 - On way to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Today was my turn to go aground. We were approaching a bascule bridge, and Roy was talking with the bridgetender on the VHF. I was straining my ears, trying to hear what the bridgetender said, instead of watching where I was going. Actually, I wasn't going much of any place, as my speed was down to about half a knot. The boat managed to drift over near the bank and go bloomp. Roy was hopping mad, but he calmed down when I reminded him he'd gone aground a couple of days ago. We weren't hard aground, and Roy soon had us back in the channel.
There are an awful lot of bridges in this part of the ICW. Farther north, many of the bridges are high enough to go under, but down here they're nearly all low, bascule bridges. One would think there would be consistency in their procedures, but each one seems to be different. Some bridgetenders are nice and open the bridge when they see us coming. Others make us wait ten or twenty minutes. Some open on demand and others follow a rigid schedule. Some open every fifteen minutes; some open every twenty minutes; some open every half hour. Some bridgetenders respond to a whistle, but most insist we contact them by radio. Some don't bother to respond when we try to radio them. It's a mess. Bascule bridges are what I hate most about the ICW.
We didn't get quite as far as we hoped today, due to all the bridge delays. The sun was going down, so we ducked into a little cove that was supposed to be seven feet deep and dropped anchor. Roy didn't put out much chain, because he was afraid we might swing into some pilings. The boat turned around, so we were facing out, which was convenient. Roy dropped a weight off the stern, so we wouldn't swing any farther.
There are an awful lot of bridges in this part of the ICW. Farther north, many of the bridges are high enough to go under, but down here they're nearly all low, bascule bridges. One would think there would be consistency in their procedures, but each one seems to be different. Some bridgetenders are nice and open the bridge when they see us coming. Others make us wait ten or twenty minutes. Some open on demand and others follow a rigid schedule. Some open every fifteen minutes; some open every twenty minutes; some open every half hour. Some bridgetenders respond to a whistle, but most insist we contact them by radio. Some don't bother to respond when we try to radio them. It's a mess. Bascule bridges are what I hate most about the ICW.
We didn't get quite as far as we hoped today, due to all the bridge delays. The sun was going down, so we ducked into a little cove that was supposed to be seven feet deep and dropped anchor. Roy didn't put out much chain, because he was afraid we might swing into some pilings. The boat turned around, so we were facing out, which was convenient. Roy dropped a weight off the stern, so we wouldn't swing any farther.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 1995 - Jensen Beach, FL
After breakfast, Roy assembled his bicycle and rode across the bridge to the grocery store, while I got back in my Royak and paddled over. This time, I went around the south end of the island instead of the north end. I was delighted to see a lovely public park right on the water's edge. There were ladders going down into the water, so I had no problem landing. Pulled my Royak up onto the grass and attached it to a post. There was even a shaded bench to sit on while I took off my waders and put on my shoes. The road out of the park led right to the shopping center, less than two blocks away. There was a Publix market as well as the Winn-Dixie, so I went there, because the prices are lower. Roy had already been and gone by the time I got there, but we'd agreed ahead of time what each of us would get, so there was no duplication, except for broccoli, which looked so good, Roy couldn't resist getting an extra bunch.
The temperature must have been in the eighties. I was plenty warm in my shorts and short-sleeved top. I thoroughly enjoyed paddling back and forth across the river, and Roy enjoyed riding his bike. We'd have liked to spend a week here, but if we're ever going to get to Aruba, we've got to get going. Besides, we'd have been broke in a few days in this place.
I wanted to go for a swim in that big, beautiful swimming pool, but the water was heated only by the sun, and even though the air was warm, the water wasn't exactly hot. I stuck in a big toe and quickly pulled it out. Then I stuck in the other toe and pulled it out. I finally got brave enough to walk down the steps until I was in water up to my knees. Then I decided to give it up and take a warm shower instead.
After lunch, we departed. Even though we'd gotten off to a late start, we covered thirty miles. We found a place to anchor near Jensen Beach. A number of other sailboats were anchored there, too.
We're surprised by the number of freight trains in Florida. We've heard more freight trains going by in the past few days than in the previous several years. On the other hand, we haven't seen any barges, so apparently they move freight by train instead of barge down here.
The temperature must have been in the eighties. I was plenty warm in my shorts and short-sleeved top. I thoroughly enjoyed paddling back and forth across the river, and Roy enjoyed riding his bike. We'd have liked to spend a week here, but if we're ever going to get to Aruba, we've got to get going. Besides, we'd have been broke in a few days in this place.
I wanted to go for a swim in that big, beautiful swimming pool, but the water was heated only by the sun, and even though the air was warm, the water wasn't exactly hot. I stuck in a big toe and quickly pulled it out. Then I stuck in the other toe and pulled it out. I finally got brave enough to walk down the steps until I was in water up to my knees. Then I decided to give it up and take a warm shower instead.
After lunch, we departed. Even though we'd gotten off to a late start, we covered thirty miles. We found a place to anchor near Jensen Beach. A number of other sailboats were anchored there, too.
We're surprised by the number of freight trains in Florida. We've heard more freight trains going by in the past few days than in the previous several years. On the other hand, we haven't seen any barges, so apparently they move freight by train instead of barge down here.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 1995 - Vero Beach, FL
The weather keeps getting warmer and warmer. Today was actually hot. There was no wind at all. The sun was shining brightly, the sky was blue, the air was clear. A perfect day, except for one minor, unpleasant incident.
We needed fuel. Diesel is expensive in this state. We'd seen several signs advertising diesel for nearly $2 a gallon, so when we saw as sign for diesel at $1.39, we figured we'd better get it. The sign pointed to a marked channel and said the channel was eight feet deep. Apparently that meant eight feet at high tide, because it was actually six-and-a-half feet deep, but that was okay. We chugged slowly up the channel, looking for the fuel dock but not seeing it, although we could clearly see a Texaco star. It looked as if we'd have to go straight in to find the fuel dock, and there wasn't much room to turn around or maneuver in, so Roy decided to get out while he could. We were just about at the end of the narrow channel when he swung the boat to port to start a U-turn. Immediately, we were aground. He gunned the engine and turned the wheel to starboard. Slowly, very slowly, the bow began moving, but as the bow turned back into the channel, the stern swung in the opposite direction out of the channel, so we were still stuck. When the bow was free, it occurred to me that a little extra weight on the bow might help raise the stern enough to get it off the ground, so I walked up to the bow. Right away, the stern pulled free. Roy said my weight didn't have any effect on it, but it seems awfully coincidental that we got loose as soon as I went up to the bow. Anyway, we were free, Roy completed the turn, and we headed back to the ICW.
The rest of the day was delightful. We're getting into the ritzy part of the state now. We passed mile after mile of beautiful water-
front homes, each one more palatial than the one before. The weather was so warm that I dug out my summer clothes and packed away my winter clothes.
Evening was approaching when we reached Vero Beach. We were wondering where we were going to spend the night and where we were going to be able to get fuel. The ICW is a narrow channel surrounded by very shallow water. There aren't many places where a boat that draws six feet can pull over and anchor. Then Roy saw a sign for the Riomar Bay Yacht Club that said "Fuel Dock" and "Transients Welcome". It also said "8-Foot Channel", but after our previous experience, we were a little leery. I radioed the club and was assured there was plenty of water. He said we could tie to the fuel dock. Diesel was $1.319, and dockage was $1 a foot. It looked like a really nice place. The depth gauge kept showing less than six feet, but apparently there was a lot of silt that gave a false reading. We didn't have any problem reaching the fuel dock. Filled the tank and then pulled the boat to the other end of the dock for the night.
What a beautiful place! Really luxurious. We don't mind paying $1 a foot when we get something for our money. The restrooms and showers are the nicest we've seen in a long time, there's a big swimming pool and tennis courts, the landscaping is attractive, everything is first class.
The first thing I did after paying was take a shower. After two nights of anchoring out, that felt really good! I put on a pair of shorts and a light, short-sleeved top. It's summer in January!
While I was taking a shower, Roy was changing the oil and making a big mess, but not as big as he used to make. I needed to buy some groceries and get out of his hair, so I got in my Royak and paddled across the river. The dockmaster had told me there was a Winn-Dixie on the other side and to go up any of the canals. I went up two canals, but didn't see any sign of a supermarket. Worse, I didn't see any place to land. Everything looked like very private property. The walls of the canals went straight up, with no toe holds or steps or anything to hang onto, and even if I'd managed to climb up the wall, I'd have been in somebody's yard. It was getting dark, so I decided to hightail it back to the boat and try for groceries in the morning. It's a good thing I headed back, because it was getting so dark, I had a hard time finding the boat. Roy turned on the masthead light, and that helped.
By then, Roy had cleaned up the mess and taken a shower, so he was feeling good again. We strolled around the neighborhood, looking for a place to eat. There was a restaurant at the yacht club, but it looked too ritzy for us. We could see through the windows that all the men were dressed in suits and white shirts and ties, and the women were in fancy dresses. Even though Roy and I were wearing what we considered our "good" clothes, we looked like bums by comparison, so we tried to find a place to eat where we'd feel more comfortable. It was a beautiful residential area, with expensive houses and lovely grounds. The air was fragrant and cool. The trees here are so magnificent! They're not only tall but also vast. They spread their branches all over the yard. We don't know the name of these trees, but we certainly admire them.
We walked to the highway and saw a great many banks and some small shops, but no restaurants of any kind, so we returned to the boat and ate what we had.
We needed fuel. Diesel is expensive in this state. We'd seen several signs advertising diesel for nearly $2 a gallon, so when we saw as sign for diesel at $1.39, we figured we'd better get it. The sign pointed to a marked channel and said the channel was eight feet deep. Apparently that meant eight feet at high tide, because it was actually six-and-a-half feet deep, but that was okay. We chugged slowly up the channel, looking for the fuel dock but not seeing it, although we could clearly see a Texaco star. It looked as if we'd have to go straight in to find the fuel dock, and there wasn't much room to turn around or maneuver in, so Roy decided to get out while he could. We were just about at the end of the narrow channel when he swung the boat to port to start a U-turn. Immediately, we were aground. He gunned the engine and turned the wheel to starboard. Slowly, very slowly, the bow began moving, but as the bow turned back into the channel, the stern swung in the opposite direction out of the channel, so we were still stuck. When the bow was free, it occurred to me that a little extra weight on the bow might help raise the stern enough to get it off the ground, so I walked up to the bow. Right away, the stern pulled free. Roy said my weight didn't have any effect on it, but it seems awfully coincidental that we got loose as soon as I went up to the bow. Anyway, we were free, Roy completed the turn, and we headed back to the ICW.
The rest of the day was delightful. We're getting into the ritzy part of the state now. We passed mile after mile of beautiful water-
front homes, each one more palatial than the one before. The weather was so warm that I dug out my summer clothes and packed away my winter clothes.
Evening was approaching when we reached Vero Beach. We were wondering where we were going to spend the night and where we were going to be able to get fuel. The ICW is a narrow channel surrounded by very shallow water. There aren't many places where a boat that draws six feet can pull over and anchor. Then Roy saw a sign for the Riomar Bay Yacht Club that said "Fuel Dock" and "Transients Welcome". It also said "8-Foot Channel", but after our previous experience, we were a little leery. I radioed the club and was assured there was plenty of water. He said we could tie to the fuel dock. Diesel was $1.319, and dockage was $1 a foot. It looked like a really nice place. The depth gauge kept showing less than six feet, but apparently there was a lot of silt that gave a false reading. We didn't have any problem reaching the fuel dock. Filled the tank and then pulled the boat to the other end of the dock for the night.
What a beautiful place! Really luxurious. We don't mind paying $1 a foot when we get something for our money. The restrooms and showers are the nicest we've seen in a long time, there's a big swimming pool and tennis courts, the landscaping is attractive, everything is first class.
The first thing I did after paying was take a shower. After two nights of anchoring out, that felt really good! I put on a pair of shorts and a light, short-sleeved top. It's summer in January!
While I was taking a shower, Roy was changing the oil and making a big mess, but not as big as he used to make. I needed to buy some groceries and get out of his hair, so I got in my Royak and paddled across the river. The dockmaster had told me there was a Winn-Dixie on the other side and to go up any of the canals. I went up two canals, but didn't see any sign of a supermarket. Worse, I didn't see any place to land. Everything looked like very private property. The walls of the canals went straight up, with no toe holds or steps or anything to hang onto, and even if I'd managed to climb up the wall, I'd have been in somebody's yard. It was getting dark, so I decided to hightail it back to the boat and try for groceries in the morning. It's a good thing I headed back, because it was getting so dark, I had a hard time finding the boat. Roy turned on the masthead light, and that helped.
By then, Roy had cleaned up the mess and taken a shower, so he was feeling good again. We strolled around the neighborhood, looking for a place to eat. There was a restaurant at the yacht club, but it looked too ritzy for us. We could see through the windows that all the men were dressed in suits and white shirts and ties, and the women were in fancy dresses. Even though Roy and I were wearing what we considered our "good" clothes, we looked like bums by comparison, so we tried to find a place to eat where we'd feel more comfortable. It was a beautiful residential area, with expensive houses and lovely grounds. The air was fragrant and cool. The trees here are so magnificent! They're not only tall but also vast. They spread their branches all over the yard. We don't know the name of these trees, but we certainly admire them.
We walked to the highway and saw a great many banks and some small shops, but no restaurants of any kind, so we returned to the boat and ate what we had.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Monday, January 16, 1995 - On way to Vero Beach, FL
This morning, Roy told me to pull up all but ten feet of the chain while he was getting ready. I asked, "Shouldn't the engine be started first?", but Roy told me to pull it up, so I did. There was a strong current, and the boat started drifting. Luckily, it drifted into deep water, not shallow water. Roy soon had the engine started and everything under control, but guess whose fault it was that the boat drifted. Man, even when I obey orders, I'm wrong.
This was another sunny, warm, clear day. There was a brisk breeze out of the west, so we could have sailed if we'd been on the ocean, but there was no good way to get out there. Roy wanted to put the headsail out even there in the ICW, but I talked him out of it. The channel was narrow and shallow, and I was having a hard enough time staying in it with just the engine; sails would have made it twice as difficult. Besides, it was almost time to change course.
The ICW is a lot easier to navigate down here than it was farther north. Or maybe we're just getting better at it. We haven't gone aground once this trip, and we're really making tracks. We've covered more than a hundred miles since leaving St. Augustine.
Went by Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, that we visited with Nancy and Jeanette on our way north. This time, we saw it from the inland side instead of the ocean side.
Florida must be the wettest state in the country. There's water everywhere. Not only natural waterways but also manmade waterways. There are zillions of canals. Practically every homeowner can take his boat to his back door.
This was another sunny, warm, clear day. There was a brisk breeze out of the west, so we could have sailed if we'd been on the ocean, but there was no good way to get out there. Roy wanted to put the headsail out even there in the ICW, but I talked him out of it. The channel was narrow and shallow, and I was having a hard enough time staying in it with just the engine; sails would have made it twice as difficult. Besides, it was almost time to change course.
The ICW is a lot easier to navigate down here than it was farther north. Or maybe we're just getting better at it. We haven't gone aground once this trip, and we're really making tracks. We've covered more than a hundred miles since leaving St. Augustine.
Went by Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center, that we visited with Nancy and Jeanette on our way north. This time, we saw it from the inland side instead of the ocean side.
Florida must be the wettest state in the country. There's water everywhere. Not only natural waterways but also manmade waterways. There are zillions of canals. Practically every homeowner can take his boat to his back door.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 1995 - Ponce de Leon, FL
Calm and sunny this morning. Had no problem leaving the dock. I was on the deck, bringing in a line. Just as I turned back towards the cockpit, I saw what looked like a big swoosh of water, squirting out of the starboard side of the boat. My first thought was the bilge pump was pumping, but then I remembered the through-hull for the bilge pump is on the port side. Then I thought the water had squirted out the exhaust, but that couldn't be either, because the exhaust is in the stern. I couldn't imagine what might be squirting out the starboard side, so I asked Roy if he had done something. He said, "No, but I felt something." Then I realized what it was: the line that had been caught in the rudder had suddenly broken. I pulled what was left of it up on the deck and tied it, so it wouldn't dangle in the water and maybe get caught in the prop.
Well, now the radar and both GPS's are working, but the starboard depth gauge has quit, so I can't use my new technique for staying in the channel. The Loran doesn't work, either, and hasn't for a long time. We thought maybe the battery was burned out, but the radar repairman checked it and said the battery was ok, so now we think the problem's in the antenna. Roy will check it out when we get to Fort Lauderdale.
The trip down the ICW was pleasant. The day was mostly sunny. We saw a lot of lovely, expensive water-front homes with substantial private docks. A sudden squall hit just as we reached Daytona Beach. The sky was black, the wind howled, the rain came down in torrents. Five minutes later, it was gone, and the sun was shining again.
We had planned on spending the night at Daytona Beach, but the marina was too expensive (95 cents a foot), and we couldn't find a good place to anchor, so we continued on to Ponce de Leon Inlet and dropped anchor in eight feet of water.
Well, now the radar and both GPS's are working, but the starboard depth gauge has quit, so I can't use my new technique for staying in the channel. The Loran doesn't work, either, and hasn't for a long time. We thought maybe the battery was burned out, but the radar repairman checked it and said the battery was ok, so now we think the problem's in the antenna. Roy will check it out when we get to Fort Lauderdale.
The trip down the ICW was pleasant. The day was mostly sunny. We saw a lot of lovely, expensive water-front homes with substantial private docks. A sudden squall hit just as we reached Daytona Beach. The sky was black, the wind howled, the rain came down in torrents. Five minutes later, it was gone, and the sun was shining again.
We had planned on spending the night at Daytona Beach, but the marina was too expensive (95 cents a foot), and we couldn't find a good place to anchor, so we continued on to Ponce de Leon Inlet and dropped anchor in eight feet of water.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
As predicted, we had a good storm today. Mailed the logs and bought some groceries. Roy continued working on the batteries.
The storm is supposed to let up tomorrow, so with luck we'll be able to get away. The wind will be 20 knots out of the southwest (on the nose), so we'll go down the ICW. We'll see new scenery that way.
The storm is supposed to let up tomorrow, so with luck we'll be able to get away. The wind will be 20 knots out of the southwest (on the nose), so we'll go down the ICW. We'll see new scenery that way.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Friday, January 13, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
After breakfast, Roy went to Sears, bought two batteries, and brought them back to the boat in a taxi. He feels a lot better now.
I finished writing the family history for Meghan. If anyone else wants a copy, just let me know.
After putting the final coat of varnish on the toe-rails, I took the log to the place that had the clunky copier and ran off ten copies. It went a lot faster than I had expected, but then I had to collate them by hand. That's what took the time. Anyway, now they're ready to mail.
The radar repairmen came by with the new motor. Our radar works again! So now we're ready to leave for Fort Lauderdale. Paid for our dockage to tomorrow morning, so we can leave bright and early. However, a big storm is expected tomorrow, so we might not get away until Sunday, which is fine by me, as it will give me a chance to take the logs to the post office.
Today was like a day in spring. Delightful. But we keep seeing pictures on the television news of the terrible rain and floods in California. I hope none of you were affected by it.
I finished writing the family history for Meghan. If anyone else wants a copy, just let me know.
After putting the final coat of varnish on the toe-rails, I took the log to the place that had the clunky copier and ran off ten copies. It went a lot faster than I had expected, but then I had to collate them by hand. That's what took the time. Anyway, now they're ready to mail.
The radar repairmen came by with the new motor. Our radar works again! So now we're ready to leave for Fort Lauderdale. Paid for our dockage to tomorrow morning, so we can leave bright and early. However, a big storm is expected tomorrow, so we might not get away until Sunday, which is fine by me, as it will give me a chance to take the logs to the post office.
Today was like a day in spring. Delightful. But we keep seeing pictures on the television news of the terrible rain and floods in California. I hope none of you were affected by it.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
A terrible calamity happened to Roy today. He has spent several days preparing a new location for one of the batteries and getting it over there. The thing weighs 80 pounds, so it wasn't easy to lift it out of its old location, but he finally got it relocated. Then he was drilling a hole through the floor next to the battery. He had to drill up from underneath where he couldn't see. Somehow, the electric drill punctured one of the battery cells and all the acid from that cell leaked out. Roy had presence of mind enough to leave the drill in the hole until he could grab a plastic bucket and set it under the hole, so most of the acid went in the bucket, but some spilled on the boat and on Roy. He had to get that eighty-pound battery off the boat, wipe up as much of the acid as he could, and then take a shower with his clothes on to wash the acid off his clothes as well as himself. Tomorrow, he'll have to take a taxi to a battery shop and buy a new one. In fact, he's going to get two while he's at it. He's always wanted a battery that was used only to start the engine.
Other than that, it was a good day. Even warmer than yesterday. I got another coat of varnish on the toe-rails. Also put a new ribbon in the printer and ran off the first thirty pages of the new log. I hope no one notices that page 11 is missing; I wasn't about to do the whole thing over just because I messed up the page numbering.
Meghan would like information about our family history, so I began writing what little I know. Wish I knew more.
Rode my bike around, looking for a good place to make copies. The first one had a good machine but was too expensive. The second place was cheap but had a clunky copier. Maybe I'll wait until we get to Fort Lauderdale to run off the copies.
Other than that, it was a good day. Even warmer than yesterday. I got another coat of varnish on the toe-rails. Also put a new ribbon in the printer and ran off the first thirty pages of the new log. I hope no one notices that page 11 is missing; I wasn't about to do the whole thing over just because I messed up the page numbering.
Meghan would like information about our family history, so I began writing what little I know. Wish I knew more.
Rode my bike around, looking for a good place to make copies. The first one had a good machine but was too expensive. The second place was cheap but had a clunky copier. Maybe I'll wait until we get to Fort Lauderdale to run off the copies.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
The radar man came by again and was very apologetic. He said first the factory had told him they'd ship the motor Friday. Then they said they'd ship it Monday. On Monday, the told him they'd ship it Wednesday. Now it's turned out, they not only haven't shipped it, they don't even have it and don't know when they'll be able to get it! Terrific. Roy had just about made up his mind to leave without it and try to buy another radar in Fort Lauderdale, when the radar man came back again to say his secretary had phoned around and located one somewhere. Supposedly, it will be shipped today and will get here Friday. We'll wait and see.
In the morning, I applied another coat of varnish. After lunch,I pulled the dirty clothes to the laundromat and washed them. The place wasn't crowded this time, so I had no problem getting washers and dryers. Got back to the boat just before dark.
In the morning, I applied another coat of varnish. After lunch,I pulled the dirty clothes to the laundromat and washed them. The place wasn't crowded this time, so I had no problem getting washers and dryers. Got back to the boat just before dark.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
Florida is really being Florida now. Another warm, sunny day. I applied a second coat of varnish to the front portion of the toe-
rails. In the afternoon, I rode my bike to the library and looked up a bunch of stuff.
Our poor old toaster oven finally gave up the ghost, so we'll have to go to K-Mart and get a new one. Don't know how we'll carry it home on our bicycles. Roy thinks it will fit in his new backpack. I doubt it, but we'll see.
rails. In the afternoon, I rode my bike to the library and looked up a bunch of stuff.
Our poor old toaster oven finally gave up the ghost, so we'll have to go to K-Mart and get a new one. Don't know how we'll carry it home on our bicycles. Roy thinks it will fit in his new backpack. I doubt it, but we'll see.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Monday, January 9, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
The radar man came by. Said the motor had been shipped today, so it should get here Wednesday. Great -- we'd planned on leaving tomorrow. Oh well, at least the weather's nice, so we can get things done. I sanded and varnished the front portion of the toe-rails. Roy was working in the stern, so I didn't want to get in his way. I'll do the aft portion of the toe-rails when we haul out in Fort Lauderdale.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
Clear, sunny, and beautiful, but ten degrees colder than yesterday. I was able to get the last coat of varnish on the upper part of the doghouse, but it wasn't really a good varnishing day. I guess I should have waited, but I wanted to get it over with. Now I can start on the toerails.
Roy has been busy hooking up anchors. We now have two in the bow and one in the stern. Everything we've read indicates we'll need to anchor with two anchors in the Bahamas.
Went over to Mom and Pop's Buffet for lupper. Last one here. If we get the radar motor back tomorrow, we'll leave Tuesday.
Roy has been busy hooking up anchors. We now have two in the bow and one in the stern. Everything we've read indicates we'll need to anchor with two anchors in the Bahamas.
Went over to Mom and Pop's Buffet for lupper. Last one here. If we get the radar motor back tomorrow, we'll leave Tuesday.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
We had a terrific thunderstorm last night. Roy was all prepared for it, so we were able to catch several gallons of water. We really needed it; our tank was almost empty.
The rain stopped early in the morning, the sun came out, and it was another warm, beautiful day, so I was able to apply another coat of varnish. Just one more to go!
The rain stopped early in the morning, the sun came out, and it was another warm, beautiful day, so I was able to apply another coat of varnish. Just one more to go!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Friday, January 6, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
The Weathermaker must have heard me complaining. This morning the wind died down and then shifted to the south, bringing warm air. The sun poked its nose out from behind the clouds occasionally, and the temperature soared about thirty degrees above what it's been. Got all the way up to 75! Now it feels like Florida again.
I was able to apply another coat of varnish. Just two more to go. Also made some phone calls, mailed some mail, and bought a few groceries.
When Roy took the curtain to Nancy, the canvas woman, a few days ago, he asked her to replace both zippers, but she only replaced one, because she thought the other one was ok. It wasn't; it came apart again, so Roy phoned her, and she came over and got the curtain and took it back to the shop and replaced the other zipper. She didn't charge anything for labor, because it was her fault she didn't replace it in the first place. She only charged $5 for the zipper and had it ready by three o'clock, so Roy rode his bike over there and got it.
Roy also rode to another part of town neither of us had been to before. He said it was nice out there, and there were a lot of stores. He went there specifically to buy another can of Z-Spar Flagship varnish, which wasn't available around here. He got the varnish and also some wire and a book on metal corrosion in boats. Turned out the radar shop was right next door, so he checked in there. The new motor hadn't come in yet.
I was able to apply another coat of varnish. Just two more to go. Also made some phone calls, mailed some mail, and bought a few groceries.
When Roy took the curtain to Nancy, the canvas woman, a few days ago, he asked her to replace both zippers, but she only replaced one, because she thought the other one was ok. It wasn't; it came apart again, so Roy phoned her, and she came over and got the curtain and took it back to the shop and replaced the other zipper. She didn't charge anything for labor, because it was her fault she didn't replace it in the first place. She only charged $5 for the zipper and had it ready by three o'clock, so Roy rode his bike over there and got it.
Roy also rode to another part of town neither of us had been to before. He said it was nice out there, and there were a lot of stores. He went there specifically to buy another can of Z-Spar Flagship varnish, which wasn't available around here. He got the varnish and also some wire and a book on metal corrosion in boats. Turned out the radar shop was right next door, so he checked in there. The new motor hadn't come in yet.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
The sun came out for a while today, but it was still windy and cold. Too cold to varnish.
Went to the Post Office and was overwhelmed by two packets of mail! Weighed about eight pounds. Took it back to the boat and spent most of the rest of the day sorting, reading, and responding to it.
Went to the Post Office and was overwhelmed by two packets of mail! Weighed about eight pounds. Took it back to the boat and spent most of the rest of the day sorting, reading, and responding to it.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Wednesday, January 4, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
I'm glad I didn't stand in line at the Post Office yesterday; there wasn't any mail anyway.
I always thought Florida was warm and sunny in the winter. Ha! Those first few beautiful days we had were deceptive. Ever since, it's been mostly cold, damp, overcast, windy, and raw. In short, it feels like January. Too cold to varnish. Of course, it's twenty or thirty degrees warmer than Massachusetts, so we're glad we're here.
Went over to the public library and looked up some stuff. It's a nice little library. On the way back, I picked up some groceries.
The radar man brought the radar back and said it works perfectly in the shop. He checked the radar dome and saw that the motor only works intermittently, so that's what caused the problem. He's going to order a new motor and try to get it here in a couple of days.
I always thought Florida was warm and sunny in the winter. Ha! Those first few beautiful days we had were deceptive. Ever since, it's been mostly cold, damp, overcast, windy, and raw. In short, it feels like January. Too cold to varnish. Of course, it's twenty or thirty degrees warmer than Massachusetts, so we're glad we're here.
Went over to the public library and looked up some stuff. It's a nice little library. On the way back, I picked up some groceries.
The radar man brought the radar back and said it works perfectly in the shop. He checked the radar dome and saw that the motor only works intermittently, so that's what caused the problem. He's going to order a new motor and try to get it here in a couple of days.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
Roy had no problem getting out of the work order. We'll probably leave here about Friday.
Roy phoned the canvas woman for her quote on the sunshade, but it was too high ($700), so he cancelled it.
The radar repairmen came by with the new board, but after they installed it, the radar still didn't work right, so they took it in to the shop.
Roy cleaned out the bilge and installed the alarm on the second bilge pump. That's something else he's been wanting to do for years. If the alarm ever goes off, we've got a problem. A serious problem.
The weather was too cold and damp for varnishing, so I spent most of the day programming. Had a couple of weird problems that took hours to find a solution to. One of the solutions I stumbled upon by chance; it wasn't anywhere in the manual. The other problem involved the printer; it kept double-spacing. After studying the printer manual, I realized I must have accidentally flipped one of the switches on the bottom of the printer. Most printers keep those switches tucked safely out of harm's way, but this little thing has them right out in the open where they're easy to touch and not notice.
I rode my bike to the Post Office to see if I had any mail, but there were a thousand people in line buying 32-cent stamps, so I didn't wait. Went to a nearby ATM for loot and then returned to the boat. I'll go to the Post Office tomorrow morning when it's less crowded.
Roy phoned the canvas woman for her quote on the sunshade, but it was too high ($700), so he cancelled it.
The radar repairmen came by with the new board, but after they installed it, the radar still didn't work right, so they took it in to the shop.
Roy cleaned out the bilge and installed the alarm on the second bilge pump. That's something else he's been wanting to do for years. If the alarm ever goes off, we've got a problem. A serious problem.
The weather was too cold and damp for varnishing, so I spent most of the day programming. Had a couple of weird problems that took hours to find a solution to. One of the solutions I stumbled upon by chance; it wasn't anywhere in the manual. The other problem involved the printer; it kept double-spacing. After studying the printer manual, I realized I must have accidentally flipped one of the switches on the bottom of the printer. Most printers keep those switches tucked safely out of harm's way, but this little thing has them right out in the open where they're easy to touch and not notice.
I rode my bike to the Post Office to see if I had any mail, but there were a thousand people in line buying 32-cent stamps, so I didn't wait. Went to a nearby ATM for loot and then returned to the boat. I'll go to the Post Office tomorrow morning when it's less crowded.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Monday, January 2, 1995 - St. Augustine, FL
Finally, the sun came out a little, so I was able to sand and varnish. Also replaced our threadbare flag. Roy continued doing electrical work on the boat. Did things he's been wanting to do for years, such as hooking up the light in the main-cabin compass and installing in the main cabin the fan we bought years ago.
First thing tomorrow morning, Roy will see if he can get out of the work order he signed to haul out. He has decided he doesn't really want to haul out here. The weather's too cold and damp for painting and varnishing. The few other things we need to do, we can do in the water.
First thing tomorrow morning, Roy will see if he can get out of the work order he signed to haul out. He has decided he doesn't really want to haul out here. The weather's too cold and damp for painting and varnishing. The few other things we need to do, we can do in the water.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 1995 - Happy New Year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
As usual, I slept through the arrival of the new year, but Roy stayed up and watched the fireworks.
What a terrific day this was! Everything went right. If the rest of 1995 is half as good as today, it's going to be fabulous.
In the morning, I sorted, labeled, organized, and stored all the charts, which I've been wanting to do for a long time. Roy did some electrical work, such as hooking up the stern light so it can be turned on and off from the cockpit. That will be much more convenient.
At 2:30, we rode our bikes to Mom and Pop's Buffet for a delicious lupper. Yum! Then I went to Radio Shack and was amazed to find the ribbons for my printer. I've gone to practically every Radio Shack up and down the East Coast, and this is the first time I've found them in months, maybe a year or more. And they not only had them, they were even on sale! They only had two left, so I grabbed them both. They were $10 apiece instead of the usual $15. How lucky can I get!
Next I went to the Publix supermarket to get chicken and cereal, and they had dates! Dole pitted dates! So I bought a container.
Got home just before dark. What a perfect day!
As usual, I slept through the arrival of the new year, but Roy stayed up and watched the fireworks.
What a terrific day this was! Everything went right. If the rest of 1995 is half as good as today, it's going to be fabulous.
In the morning, I sorted, labeled, organized, and stored all the charts, which I've been wanting to do for a long time. Roy did some electrical work, such as hooking up the stern light so it can be turned on and off from the cockpit. That will be much more convenient.
At 2:30, we rode our bikes to Mom and Pop's Buffet for a delicious lupper. Yum! Then I went to Radio Shack and was amazed to find the ribbons for my printer. I've gone to practically every Radio Shack up and down the East Coast, and this is the first time I've found them in months, maybe a year or more. And they not only had them, they were even on sale! They only had two left, so I grabbed them both. They were $10 apiece instead of the usual $15. How lucky can I get!
Next I went to the Publix supermarket to get chicken and cereal, and they had dates! Dole pitted dates! So I bought a container.
Got home just before dark. What a perfect day!
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