May 10, 2009

Sigh, our last sunny, beautiful days at Banana Bay.   I finally got to the health food store--and discovered that they make delicious coffee!  Go figure. Also found Anthony’s dress shop in the same strip mall--a nice place to shop! Too bad I don’t need dresses.

On Wednesday we left slip 24 and moved into 23--that is we put the dock on the port side so the davit could reach the Go-Pet, which now is

neatly stored under it’s new cover.  Headed north and made our first stop at the Islamarada city dock.  No concert greeted us this time, but we had a good, healthy walk around the water’s edge before calling it a day.

By noon on Thursday we were in the Jewfish creek--leaving the Keys.  Got a closer look at Stiltsville as we crossed Biscayne Bay, and somehow the combination of light, humidity and sun bathed the Miami skyline in am iridescent glow that was absolutely stunning.  We crossed under the Rickenbacker Causeway, and decided to anchor in front of the Marine Stadium--or what is left of it. The amazing concrete structure was built as a power boat racing venue in the ’60’s.  A floating stage  saw the likes of Pres. Nixon, Sammy Davis, Jr., Phil Donahue, NY Mayor Mario Cuomo, and, most notably, Key West’s Jimmy Buffett. Damage from Hurricane Andrew forced it to close in 1992, and today the Stadium is a graffiti showcase.   Great anchorage, though!

Friday was  a day!  We covered 50 miles--not a lot--but passed under 26 bridges--many of them with timed openings (vs. opening as you arrive and request passage).  Speed up--oops idle speed zone--slow down or we’ll have a 15 minute wait...that was pretty much the day.  One fun thing, though, we were behind a Peterson Fuel Barge for awhile, so phoned and their price for diesel was very competitive--$2.90/gal. + 6% tax.  We made an appointment, and at 1:30 pm made a U turn to raft to the starboard side of the barge while the Baroness was rafted on her port side.  We topped our tank with 200 gal. of diesel, and as we pulled away,  the Baroness’ staff was still watching the meter. The barge captain offered us 8500 gal. of the barge’s 10,000 gal. capacity, so I’m guessing

that the Baroness took in the neighborhood of 1500 gal.  We felt so tiny!

After being told there was no room at two marinas, Del Ray Yacht Club was our stopping point for the night.  Marcel the dock master, bless him, stayed late to settle us in, and then we were off for a swim in the gorgeous Olympic sized pool.  Mmmmmm delicious.

Saturday was everybody’s favorite day to be on the water. We love to see people using the Waterway, the beaches and their boats.  And, boy, did we see them!  We ha a late start, and early stop. By 4:40 we were in Jupiter, FL, again tied up at the local yacht club. They, too, had a pool, and we used it!

Got an early start on Sunday--our lines were off by 7:30 a.m.  Amazing for us.  Today perhaps everyone was having breakfast in bed with mom--or brunch, as it was well after noon when the traffic began to pick up.

We ducked into Vero Beach’s Municipal Marina for the night, and on Monday morning are en route to Cocoa..

And that was our week.  How was yours?