Traveling the ICW, it had been  several days since we had actually pulled into a marina, and walked on dry land. Fabulously located a 2 minute stroll from Vero Beach Marina, was an excellent dog parks. Robert Earl was like a Sailor on Shore leave!

My hat is off to Captain Tom for bringing Southern Trawl safely into the extremely narrow slip. Winds had been gusting so hard for days, that our aft Bimini zipper had gotten strained, and pulled loose.  We had temporarily tied it off. As we left the ICW, and made our entrance into the marina, we had not only high winds, but also strong current. Tom held her steady and slow, as we entered the narrow fairway, and turned into our slip. Having twin screws helps ( forward on starboard, and reverse on port) will give you a nice turn to port, but without the benefit of bow or stern thrusters, he managed to avoid making contact (within inches) of the dingy hanging off the back of the catamaran, docked directly across from our slip.

NO ROOM TO SPARE !

Our 3 days at Vero Beach Marina were filled with busy chores, and seeing the charming city of Vero Beach. In our chaotic haste to leave Folly, we had left quite a few maintenance items undone, planning to take care of them downriver.  Now was our opportunity, like filling the water tanks…

SIMILAR BUT NOT THE SAME! CHECK AGAIN!

SOOOO EASY TO MAKE A DISASTROUS MISTAKE !

Fortunately we were able to make contact with a canvas repairman , who came to the marina, picked up our aft bimini canvas, and promised to get the repair done, and return it to us within “a day or so”.  We also had ordered a few Ford Lehman Diesel engine parts, and had them shipped ahead to this marina. They arrived the next day.

We were especially happy and proud to celebrate our 8th anniversary, 2 nights in a row, while eating and dancing the night away at The Riverside Restaurant,  made famous in Jake Owen’s “ Barefoot Blue Jean Night”.

Chores complete, ( for now), and the Bahamas calling, we left Vero Beach and continued down the ICW.

When you anchor out, pictures can not capture the magic of the night sky, and incredibly bright stars, as nightfall and peaceful solitude descend. Venus, always following the sun, was as bright as a flare on the charcoal canvas. Orion showed bright even at dusk. Pleiades, Cassiopeia and Taurus the Bull were vibrant along with a million of their brilliant counterparts. Only a bit of distance highway noise dared intrude on the tranquility.

Next morning we were Anchor up at 8:30 and headed to Jupiter, West Palm, and Old Port Cove Marina.  The staggering wealth that is found along this route seems to be never ending. Each palatial home is dwarfed by the next.

5 years ago, we crossed over from Lake Worth Inlet to West End, on Grand Bahama Island, which is located at the western most end of the string of islands leading to the Abacos. We enjoyed waiting for the winds to lay down at Old Port Cove Marina in North Palm Beach.  Our experience had been so positive, we decided to stop in there again. Boy have things changed ! The ante has been elevated to cater exclusively to the upper, upper, upper crust. Somehow they let us slip in…

Southern Trawl, in all her humble accouterment, pulled in proudly, right beside the gleaming decks, polished stainless, of these multimillion dollar yachts.
The names of a few of the vessels, as you can see, gave hint to their possible owners. Professional Baseball players, NASCAR drivers perhaps?

Did I mention golfer ? When we disembarked, who should I see peeking at us from the end of the dock, but Tiger Wood’s magnificent $20 million dollar, 155 ‘ yacht, Privacy!

Previously, we were welcomed by very generous and friendly locals. Understanding our predicament, they offered us a greatly reduced “monthly rate” for the 10 days, while we were rendered dockside by the weather.  The marina has been bought out by a new group called “Safe Harbor Marina”.  When we inquired about a possible reduction in nightly charges, we were abruptly told, “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, but our rates are our rates $$$!
Well… that settled that.  We walked to dinner and enjoyed wonderful fresh seafood at Cod & Capers. It is a fresh seafood market that also serves lunch and dinner.

$80/lb Colossal Stone Crab Claws.  No problem when you own a $20M yacht !

After dinner we walked back along the dock and headed to board Southern Trawl.

“ Hey Honey, don’t get confused, that’s not Southern Trawl, we’re docked a little further down the dock!” We bid our goodbyes to lovely Old Port Cove Marina and headed south.
Since all of the Abacos suffered considerable damage during Hurricane Dorian, we have decided to continue further down the ICW, and cross over from Ft Lauderdale to Bimini, then hop directly to the Exumas.  That means we need to move further south to Fort Lauderdale, before we crossover.  The ICW from Palm Beach to Lauderdale down, gets horribly crowded with pesky speed demons and 14+ bridges that we need to open. They open haphazardly, sometimes on the hour, or 1/2 or 1/4 hour, or upon request.  It is a huge dilemma, whether to try to sit here and wait for calm seas to hop slightly off shore to go to Lauderdale, or brave the annoyances of slow and frustrating ICW traffic.  We’ve decided to spend at least 1 night at Riviera Beach Marina while we decide what to do.
Ill leave you with a few shots from Peanut Island and Riviera Beach. We feel like we’ve left the ritzy country club, and are now hanging out at the corner bar!

This looks just like a day at Folly Right?…NOT!