Beginning in the Spring of 2011, this is a story of a journey in our 36' Heritage East Trawler as we cruise The Great Loop, a circumnavigation of Eastern North America, along the shoreline of the United States and Canada - truly a trip of a lifetime.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Days 53-60 Norfolk, San Antonio, Ft. Myers
Well, after an enjoyable 5 days in Norfolk at the AGLCA Rendezvous, we detoured back to San Antonio for a week for a couple doctor's appointments, hair appointments, etc. and spent time with family and friends. We arrived back on the boat last night and have spent the day unpacking, cleaning up and grocery shopping. After one more day of preparations, we will be on our way again and since we're unable to cross Lake Okeechobee due to the depth of the water, it's out to the gulf and down around the tip of Florida. We anticipate 3-4 nights before going around and starting up the eastern side. More later in the week.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Days 44-52 - Ft. Myers & Norfolk
Today is Tuesday, May 17th and we have been in Norfolk, VA attending the rendezvous of the America's Great Loop Cruisers Association since Friday, the 13th. It's been a very informative seminar and we have met a lot of great people here, some who are in the process of cruising as we are, some who have already completed the loop and some just beginning to plan.
Our original intent was to leave Ft. Myers, go through Lake Okeechobee and leave the boat in Stuart on the east coast of Florida. The plans changed after talking with the lockmaster who told us the water was too shallow for our boat to get through. Therefore, Mike had to spend time getting the correct information we need to go around the tip of the state. Thus, we left the boat in Ft. Myers to attend this seminar. Now it seems we'll be getting back to the boat later than anticipated since we're heading back to San Antonio for a medical appointment. Once that is taken care of, we'll be going back to the boat to pick up where we left off. I probably won't be adding anything to the blog until we get back so stay tuned.....
Our original intent was to leave Ft. Myers, go through Lake Okeechobee and leave the boat in Stuart on the east coast of Florida. The plans changed after talking with the lockmaster who told us the water was too shallow for our boat to get through. Therefore, Mike had to spend time getting the correct information we need to go around the tip of the state. Thus, we left the boat in Ft. Myers to attend this seminar. Now it seems we'll be getting back to the boat later than anticipated since we're heading back to San Antonio for a medical appointment. Once that is taken care of, we'll be going back to the boat to pick up where we left off. I probably won't be adding anything to the blog until we get back so stay tuned.....
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Days 42-43 - Venice, FL to Ft. Myers
We left Crow's Nest Marina about 6:45 AM as we knew we'd have a long day ahead of us. It was a good day - lots of beautiful scenery but HEAVY boat traffic coming into Ft. Myers. It was like a freeway for boats - unbelievable! The only incident we had was when someone called us on the VHF and said our anchor had fallen! Right in the middle of that boat freeway. Mike handed the wheel to me and he ran down to watch as I brought it up with the windlass and also tried to keep us from hitting anyone which was a feat. We had a lot of rude boaters pass us during the day without slowing down causing the boat to toss around everywhere and we think that's what caused the anchor to jar loose. Mike said that happened to him in the gulf because the boat was being pounded by waves. Anyway, that behind us, we headed for the Ft. Myers Municipal Marina and arrived about 4:00.
We went to church this morning and rode our bikes about 4 miles to West Marine. The ride was along this beautiful street lined with large palm trees planted by Thomas Edison who had his winter home here as did Henry Ford. Since it's Mother's Day, I was given the go ahead to shop a little and really enjoyed it since I am the super shopper and haven't had my fix lately. We rode back and stopped at CVS to fill a couple prescriptions and decided to buy a few staples and looked like the Beverly Hillbillies riding back with bags everywhere.
We had intended to leave this evening toward the first lock across Lake Okeechobee but we were told here that we'd better call the lockmaster. We're very disappointed because he told us we'd better go around because the water is just too shallow. This is going to set us back 4-5 days because we were hoping to be in Stuart to leave the boat while we fly to Norfolk to attend the AGLCA Rendezvous May 14-18. Not sure what is going to happen. Stay tuned......
We went to church this morning and rode our bikes about 4 miles to West Marine. The ride was along this beautiful street lined with large palm trees planted by Thomas Edison who had his winter home here as did Henry Ford. Since it's Mother's Day, I was given the go ahead to shop a little and really enjoyed it since I am the super shopper and haven't had my fix lately. We rode back and stopped at CVS to fill a couple prescriptions and decided to buy a few staples and looked like the Beverly Hillbillies riding back with bags everywhere.
We had intended to leave this evening toward the first lock across Lake Okeechobee but we were told here that we'd better call the lockmaster. We're very disappointed because he told us we'd better go around because the water is just too shallow. This is going to set us back 4-5 days because we were hoping to be in Stuart to leave the boat while we fly to Norfolk to attend the AGLCA Rendezvous May 14-18. Not sure what is going to happen. Stay tuned......
Friday, May 6, 2011
Days 39 - 40 - Venice, FL
It's a rainy Friday and we're sitting here on the boat while the new inverter is being installed and hoping the Lake Okeechobee is filling up with this rain. Otherwise, we will have to go around the tip of Florida adding days to our trip.
Yesterday after the mechanic came to the boat, we used the bikes here at the marina and rode into the old city of Venice which is quite charming. While riding we saw an old entrance to what used to be an ArmyAir Base probably from WWII. The mechanic just told me that this used to be the winter home of the Ringling Bros. We walked the main street into a few shops and I bought a beautiful mermaid figurine sitting on a large shell. I have the perfect spot for her on the boat. We think we rode about 4-5 miles.
This is a popular spot and the restaurant is crowded for lunch and dinner. We had dinner last night in the lower level called the Tavern and it was very good.
I'm still trying to figure out how to get my photos to load and so there are a few I was able to load out of sequence but that's better than nothing.
Hopefully, we'll be able to leave tomorrow morning for Ft. Myers and we'll need to leave early as it's going to be a long day.
Yesterday after the mechanic came to the boat, we used the bikes here at the marina and rode into the old city of Venice which is quite charming. While riding we saw an old entrance to what used to be an ArmyAir Base probably from WWII. The mechanic just told me that this used to be the winter home of the Ringling Bros. We walked the main street into a few shops and I bought a beautiful mermaid figurine sitting on a large shell. I have the perfect spot for her on the boat. We think we rode about 4-5 miles.
This is a popular spot and the restaurant is crowded for lunch and dinner. We had dinner last night in the lower level called the Tavern and it was very good.
I'm still trying to figure out how to get my photos to load and so there are a few I was able to load out of sequence but that's better than nothing.
Hopefully, we'll be able to leave tomorrow morning for Ft. Myers and we'll need to leave early as it's going to be a long day.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Days 36-38 - Tarpon Springs to Venice, FL
We stayed an extra day in Tarpon Springs and rode bikes to the post office and grocery store and beyond. It appeared to us that it's a very poor city. We left the marina early and decided to go farther than Sarasota in order to get to Ft.Myers in 2 days. Traveling through this portion of the intercoastal waterway was very beautiful - the water was gorgeous and the homes spectacular, however there were many sections that were very narrow as well as confusing. We came close to running aground a couple of times and had to watch the markers very carefully.
We stayed Tuesday night in the bayou near the Vinoy Hotel and intended to dinghy ashore but ended up staying on board as Mike had to take care of some business. We ate dinner and sat in the flybridge looking at the beautiful lights of the city all around us. We were getting ready to hop into bed and heard a loud boom. There was smoke coming out of the compartment housing the inverter and it looked like our boat was on fire! Fortunately, that wasn't the case but we did lose the inverter.
Yesterday we left about 8:00 AM and headed to Venice, FL and are currently at the Crows Nest Marina which is very close to the Venice Inlet from the Gulf of Mexico and because of that, it was extremely difficult getting into a slip. We had a mechanic on board this morning and we've ordered a new inverter which will be installed tomorrow so this afternoon we're using the marina bikes and checking out the small town. It's beautiful here and I want to check out the beach later. It looks like we'll be here another day and night and then head to Ft. Myers and from there hopefully across Lake Okeechobee if the water levels are high enough. If not, unfortunately we'll have to go around Florida which adds another 206 miles. Stay tuned......
We stayed Tuesday night in the bayou near the Vinoy Hotel and intended to dinghy ashore but ended up staying on board as Mike had to take care of some business. We ate dinner and sat in the flybridge looking at the beautiful lights of the city all around us. We were getting ready to hop into bed and heard a loud boom. There was smoke coming out of the compartment housing the inverter and it looked like our boat was on fire! Fortunately, that wasn't the case but we did lose the inverter.
Yesterday we left about 8:00 AM and headed to Venice, FL and are currently at the Crows Nest Marina which is very close to the Venice Inlet from the Gulf of Mexico and because of that, it was extremely difficult getting into a slip. We had a mechanic on board this morning and we've ordered a new inverter which will be installed tomorrow so this afternoon we're using the marina bikes and checking out the small town. It's beautiful here and I want to check out the beach later. It looks like we'll be here another day and night and then head to Ft. Myers and from there hopefully across Lake Okeechobee if the water levels are high enough. If not, unfortunately we'll have to go around Florida which adds another 206 miles. Stay tuned......
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Days 34-35 Tarpon Springs
Well, I had the rental car company pick me up at the marina after watching Mike and Captain Butch Farless pass through the cut from the intercoastal into the gulf. I started wondering if I had made a mistake after talking with Butch because he was telling me how beautiful it is out there with all the stars, etc. Anyway, I felt kind of lonely on the drive down to Tarpon Springs but stopped for lunch along the way and also found this little used bookstore where I discovered several books by my new favorite author - Lee Child. Yea! I have already finished 2 of his books in the last couple of weeks and have gotten into the Jack Reacher mysteries.
I left about 12:15 and got into Tarpon Springs about 7:00 so it was a long afternoon. I had a reservation at the Hampton Inn & Suites and was thrilled that I could watch the entire wedding from start to finish. Also, the next morning I found a TJ Maxx store close by so I browsed through it. I can't buy much because there's no place to store anything!
Mike and Butch told me to expect them about noon and I started worrying as time went on and I hadn't heard anything. Finally Mike called me about 3:30 and told me they would be in the marina between 4:30 and 5:00 so I headed over there. They pulled in at 5:00 and they were two tired and beat up guys. Apparently the wind picked up at 3:00 AM and it became miserable for the rest of the night and day. The waves picked up also from 1-2 feet, went 2-3 feet and finally were 5-6 feet with the boat slamming down after each large wave. Mike had no sleep or food the entire time (about 30 hours) and I was so thankful that I made the choice not to go!
Today we had a friend and his family visit us here at the marina and we walked to a Greek restaurant for lunch and since this is the famous sponge dock area, we browsed through all the little shops. Steve is the guy that Mike crossed the gulf with in his sailboat about 10 years ago. He married his wife Deb who has a daughter now 14 and they had 2 additional children so it was an active afternoon.
We leave tomorrow morning for St. Petersburg
I left about 12:15 and got into Tarpon Springs about 7:00 so it was a long afternoon. I had a reservation at the Hampton Inn & Suites and was thrilled that I could watch the entire wedding from start to finish. Also, the next morning I found a TJ Maxx store close by so I browsed through it. I can't buy much because there's no place to store anything!
Mike and Butch told me to expect them about noon and I started worrying as time went on and I hadn't heard anything. Finally Mike called me about 3:30 and told me they would be in the marina between 4:30 and 5:00 so I headed over there. They pulled in at 5:00 and they were two tired and beat up guys. Apparently the wind picked up at 3:00 AM and it became miserable for the rest of the night and day. The waves picked up also from 1-2 feet, went 2-3 feet and finally were 5-6 feet with the boat slamming down after each large wave. Mike had no sleep or food the entire time (about 30 hours) and I was so thankful that I made the choice not to go!
Today we had a friend and his family visit us here at the marina and we walked to a Greek restaurant for lunch and since this is the famous sponge dock area, we browsed through all the little shops. Steve is the guy that Mike crossed the gulf with in his sailboat about 10 years ago. He married his wife Deb who has a daughter now 14 and they had 2 additional children so it was an active afternoon.
We leave tomorrow morning for St. Petersburg
Days 27-29 - Pensacola Naval Air Station
We left Orange Beach Friday morning about 9:30 AM and were able to get out of that marina and into the intercoastal without a problem but we were holding our breath. It started to get very pretty along the way and I've taken some photos of some of the colorful beach houses we saw at the Alabama/Florida state line which I'm trying to attach without success yet. It only took about 5 hours to get here at the Pensacola Naval Air Station and we arrived early afternoon without incident. We rode our bikes (Dahon Mariner folding bikes which have gotten a lot of attention so far along the way) down to the NEX (Navy Exchange) and walked around. We inquired about the Naval Air Museum and were given wrong directions and tried to find it and it was getting later and later. It got dark and we don't have lights or reflective vests and we asked several people how to get back to the marina and were given wrong directions 3 times! Finally a police officer stopped beside us and told us we needed to have the reflective vests, etc. We told him our story and he was able to correctly guide us back to the marina. I think we rode about 5-6 miles in the dark.
Saturday morning after cleaning the boat and showers, we got correct directions and went to the Naval Air Museum and went on a guided tour. It was very interesting and we took a photo of the airplane George Bush was in when it landed on the USS Abraham Lincoln in 2003.
Mike discovered the Marine Obstacle Course and decided to try it since he said he was the champion back in his early days in the Marines. He ran it but admitted it was pretty difficult but then how many 67 year olds do you think can do it?
Today is Easter Sunday and we went to the church on base, came back to the boat and then rode down to the movie theater to see The Adjustment Bureau. We just got back and plan to leave tomorrow morning for Fort Walton Beach.
Baby kangaroo named Tilly visiting Naval Air Museum
Saturday morning after cleaning the boat and showers, we got correct directions and went to the Naval Air Museum and went on a guided tour. It was very interesting and we took a photo of the airplane George Bush was in when it landed on the USS Abraham Lincoln in 2003.
Mike discovered the Marine Obstacle Course and decided to try it since he said he was the champion back in his early days in the Marines. He ran it but admitted it was pretty difficult but then how many 67 year olds do you think can do it?
Today is Easter Sunday and we went to the church on base, came back to the boat and then rode down to the movie theater to see The Adjustment Bureau. We just got back and plan to leave tomorrow morning for Fort Walton Beach.
Beautiful beach entering Florida
President Bush landed on aircraft carrier
Abraham Lincoln in this plane
Pensacola Naval Air Station
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