January 1 & 2, 2018 - Ibuprofen please
Steve and I decided to stay on the boat until launch. We have power therefore we were able to plug in the heater if needed. We worked non stop to get the boat ready since launch is tomorrow. We removed everything from storage which had the kayak, dinghy, fenders etc. Good thing we brought our pick up truck to transport it all to the boat. We washed and bleached every inch of the boat. In Florida, you have to be careful for cockroaches. Apparently, they climb up the straps which tied down the boat during hurricane season. You only need to clean the boat with bleach every 6 months to prevent mold. Very interesting how certain things are different when storing the boat in Florida where it is so humid. You do what is needed though to keep your boat clean.
At night, both Steve and I are reaching for the Ibuprofen. You sure get a workout going up and down the ladder to load things up.
January 3, 2018- Change of Plan
GaYa was supposed to be launched today however due to a huge cold front and 35 mph winds, we decided to postpone it until Saturday.
In the meantime, we have the boat all clean and provisioned. The only thing that needs to be done is load the frozen which is in Nicky's freezer all vacuumed packed and dairy products, vegetables and fruit. That will be loaded at the Riviera Beach marina when we launch.
We could of stayed on the boat on the hard since we have a heater and hydro however we did not refuse Nicky's offer to stay there until we launch.
The marina will let us store our pickup truck for free while we are in the Bahamas. We bought a cover for it so that the salt does not rust it and keeps it protected.
Now we get to enjoy our grand children for a couple of days instead of day care.
January 4, 2018 - Is there a doctor in the house?
Good thing we stayed at Nicky and Brent's. Poor Lyla came down with a cold and wasn't feeling good. She took advantage of Gpa's snuggles all day and Gpa caught up on his sleep.
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| Parker was everyone's Doctor. |
When Brent later came back home in the evening from work we watched Nicky and him mounting his photos to get ready for his art show this weekend. Check out Brent's photography at
http://www.banature.com/
January 5, 2018 Friday
Spent the day with the grand children. For dinner we went with Brent and Nicky and visited Meghan, Ryan, Lou, Gretchen, Ava, Evan, Marianna & Marcus. We sure appreciated Lou's wonderful meal. We went to the boat to sleep around 8:00pm.
January 6, 2018 - Almost forgot we were in Florida
Even with the heat running all night in the boat, it was sure cold this morning while I laid snug in bed. I didn't want to get up but we needed to get mobile since the boat was going in the water today. At least once the sun came out, I thawed out. All these record cold fronts are what most Floridians aren't used to. I don't even like it. I sure pity our families and friends in Canada and US although they have warm clothes to wear.
Went for pancakes at McDonalds on the corner of Ave East and US1 this morning. The reason I give the location was because I was very impressed in the act of kindness I witnessed while eating my breakfast. A man walked in looking like he hasn't showered in a while and walked over to a table with a Ziploc bag filled with medication (at least that is what it looked like) and laid it on the table. He then walked over to the side of the ordering counter and asked the cashier if he can speak to the manager. He asked her whether they would have some food to spare with a proud look on his face. They never blinked an eye and handed him some kind of breakfast sandwich. He then proceeded to his table and ate it exclaiming how good it was.
I was really impressed. Nice to see there is still kindness around us. It must be an impoverished area since a young man told Steve the other morning that he was hungry and asked if he had money to spare. It was cold that morning. Steve handed him $5 and he rushed inside to buy breakfast.
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| A bird was so cold he did not want to fly off the car |
After breakfast, we bought groceries and then headed to the boat to prepare it for launch. We didn't go in until 1:30pm and everything went smooth. We motored nearby to the Ft Pierce City marina where we are staying for tonight. We will leave early tomorrow morning to get to Riviera Beach Marina in Palm Beach.
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| We were able to store our truck at the marina for $25/mo. She is nicely tucked away |
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| We are so excited that GaYa is back in the water |
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| Off we go on our adventure.... |
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| Staying at Ft Pierce marina for the night |
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| Seagulls warming up in the sun on our way to eat at the Tiki Hut |
January 7, 2018
8:00am- As planned we left Ft Pierce and heading down the ICW to Riviera Beach Marina in Palm Beach. With the wind at our backs and the sun sunshine, it warmed up to a point that we did not feel chilly.
10:00am- We went thru a series of bridges. At mile 981, the Jensen Beach Causeway Bridge and the Ernest Lyons Bridge at mile 984.9 at Seawalls. After crossing the Jensen Beach Causeway, Steve decided to put up the main sail.
It felt good having the sun shining on my face.
11:40am- Steve requested the Hobe Sound Bascula bridge to open since there is only a 21 ft clearance. We tried catching up to 2 sailboats but didn't make it. Now that we went thru the bridge, we have 6 miles to the next bridge to catch up.
It started raining.
Funny to see a golf course while we were motoring. Golfer were out even in the rain.
12:30 - We arrived at Jupiter at ICW 1002 and crossed the Jupiter Island bridge at mile 1004.a12:45. Two sailboats where now following us.
12:45- arrived at the Federal Bridge at mile 1006. 2 where Steve requested another opening. Went by the lighthouse just before the bridge.
While we were waiting for the bridge to open, a sailboat approached us and said they remember us from last year. There boat name was "Resolve". They remembered us travelling with a boat called "Willowmina ". We don't remember. Maybe they are getting us mixed up with someone else.
1:30pm- Crossing the Indianatown Bridge at mile 1006.3. This bridge opens every hour and half hour.
2:00pm- Crossing the Donald Ross Bascula Bridge at mile 1009.3. This bridge opens every hour and half hour.
2:30pm- we made it at the PGA bridge at mile 1012.6 which opens on the hour and half hour
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| We thought this was an interesting name for a boat |
2:45pm- Crossed the Parker (US1) Bridge at mile 1013.17 which opens at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour.
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| Parker Bridge |
3:30pm- Arrived at Riviera Beach where we will stay until we cross the Gulfstream. Really windy right now.
Dr Jim was on his boat so Steve stopped to talk to him on our way back from checking in.
January 8, 2018
Steve made a decision and said Thursday is the day we will leave for the Bahamas.
Today was get ready and stock up the boat before leaving. Nicky was kind enough to lend us her car so we can get our last minute things. We even dropped by there to do a last load of laundry.
After we picked up the kids from school, and ate dinner at the Riviera Beach marina restaurant. Brent met us there after work.
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| Lyla doing the lemon challenge |
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| Parker trying the lemon challenger |
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| Nicky and Brent |
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| Last meal for at least a couple of months |
7:30pm- We said our last good byes to Nicky, Brent, Lyla and Parker.
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| Our last goodbye hugs before we sail away |
January 9, 2018- More goodbyes
Our morning was very productive. We took out the anchor and chain and washed inside the compartment. Steve also marked the depth on the chain.
While I cleaned inside the boat, Steve also replace the Velcro around his hatch which holds the screen on.
2:30pm- Lou, Gretchen, Marianna and Marcus dropped by to see the boat and to say Bon Voyage.m it was nice to see them before we set sail.
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| From left: Lou, Marcus, Gretchen and Marianna |
5:30pm- Duane and Donna took Steve, Dr Jim and I out for dinner. We all wanted to get together before leaving early Thursday morning.
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| /From Left: Dr Jim, Duane, Donna and Steve |
January 10, 2018 - Last day in Florida
It is time to make sure everything is loaded battened down and ready to go since we will be crossing the gulf stream at high tides Thursday morning at 4am. It will be an exciting long 2 day journey .
12:30pm- I made a few small meatloaf in preparation for our coming meals. I figured I didn't want to cook if the seas are a little rough. According to Steve they won't be however I still want some premade meals. Thought I would start with that anyways.
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| My small meatloaf and two huge meatballs. |
Very humid today at West Palm. Kevin and John who will be crew for Dr Jim came by today to look at our navigation plan since they will be leaving across the Gulfstream the same time as us. We want to be on the same course pass Memory rock unto the Bahama flats. We plan on being on the Flats by noon Thursday. We will anchor at that time and continue the next morning toward Turtle Cay. At least that is the plan.
5:00pm- Went to the marina restaurant and spent the evening with Duane and Donna and Chloe, their dog. Afterwards, we gave them a quick tour of our boat.
9:30pm- After Facetiming Nicole and Natalie, we made sure to go to bed early so we could wake up at 3:15am.
8:45- Steve figured he might as well fish while we are motoring. The water temperature is only 60.6F. Won't be going in anytime soon. Temperature is around 70F. It is quite comfortable especially with the sun shining on us.
