- Anam Cara
- 2023
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- Cruising 2015
- Cruising 2014
- Cruising 2013
- Cruising 2012
- Cruising 2011
-
Chicago to Florida 2010
- Cortez
- Marathon
- Ft. Pierce & Ft. Lauderdale
- St. Augustine
- Charleston to Cumberland Island
- Beaufort to Charleston
- Hampton to Beaufort
- New York to Hampton
- Hudson River
- Erie Canal
- Port Clinton
- Port Huron
- Charlevoix to Port Sanilac
- Manistee to Charlevoix
- Holland to Manistee
- St. Joe to Holland
- Hammond to St. Joe
- From the Boatyard to the Water
- Summer 2009 North Channel
- Summer 2008 Lake Michigan
- Summer 2007 To Chicago
- April 2007 Sarasota
- Buddies for Bob
- Mike's Motorcycle Journals
- Contact Us
December 4, 2012
We are on our way to Banana Bay Marina in Marathon, Florida. Our projected arrival will be the middle of next week. Looking back at the first journal entry for 2012, we were in Banana Bay, which brings us in a full circle.
We last wrote in October. Since that time considerable and few things have happened, it is a bit of a paradox.
We left North Myrtle Beach in a hurry to reach a southern city with easy access to an airport. We selected Jacksonville, FL, because the rudder repairs made in Jacksonville needed to be checked and Francie needed to go to Indiana to help her parents out for a few weeks.
While in the boat yard in Jacksonville, Mike stayed on the boat while the bottom was painted and the rudder checked. He also did his own version of the Karate Kid “wax on - wax off” twice around the boat. Francie arrived back to the boat a little more than 5 weeks later just in time to save Mike’s sanity. He was doing the grocery shopping twice a day just so he would have someone to talk to. A couple of days after Francie’s return, we started south. We plan to visit friends along the way. Like I said earlier, considerable and few things have happened since our last journal entry.
December 14, 2012
After 5 days on the ICW and 1 day in the ocean, we finally arrived in Fort Lauderdale. We anchored in the Middle River about a ½ mile from our friends, Ken and Steve, whose dock we used to get ashore. Their house became the stopping point for our friends and family. Saturday, they generously invited Kathy, a dear friend from Chicago, our son Jim and his girlfriend Lisa on a 4 hour tour of Ft. Lauderdale’s canals. The canal is bordered by humongous homes and motor yachts, as well as stretches of nothing but mangroves and trees.
Sunday we said goodbye to friends and prepared to leave. Early morning found us pulling anchor and headed for the ocean. Much to our surprise and contrary to the multiple weather reports, we were greeted by strong head winds and large waves. After a gallant try, we decided that the best course of action was to return to the anchorage.
December 20, 2012
We spent almost another week in Ft. Lauderdale before a decent weather window opened up for us to head south on the “outside”. Continuing on the ICW from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami is out of the question because there is a 55ft. fixed bridge we cannot get under.
We left Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday at 5:45AM and motor sailed for most of the morning as we headed for the anchorage at Rodriguez Key. We were able to roll out the job and sailed close hauled for several hours in the afternoon and dropped the anchor before dark. The next day the waves were a little calmer and we sailed all morning till we crossed into the Gulf where we spent a couple of hours dodging crab pots before we reached the marina. It was great to arrive at one of our favorite places and be greeted by friends!
We are pleased to be at Banana Bay Marina in Marathon. Mike has been riding his bike and Francie is swimming every day in the heated pool. Jim and Lisa will join us for Christmas where we will continue our “Daffy Doug’s Dollar store” gift exchange. This year each gift must begin with the 3rd letter of the person’s first name. It’s really all about the smiles and the laughter!
We wish you joy and peace and a Happy New Year!
Posted December 20, 2012
We are on our way to Banana Bay Marina in Marathon, Florida. Our projected arrival will be the middle of next week. Looking back at the first journal entry for 2012, we were in Banana Bay, which brings us in a full circle.
We last wrote in October. Since that time considerable and few things have happened, it is a bit of a paradox.
We left North Myrtle Beach in a hurry to reach a southern city with easy access to an airport. We selected Jacksonville, FL, because the rudder repairs made in Jacksonville needed to be checked and Francie needed to go to Indiana to help her parents out for a few weeks.
While in the boat yard in Jacksonville, Mike stayed on the boat while the bottom was painted and the rudder checked. He also did his own version of the Karate Kid “wax on - wax off” twice around the boat. Francie arrived back to the boat a little more than 5 weeks later just in time to save Mike’s sanity. He was doing the grocery shopping twice a day just so he would have someone to talk to. A couple of days after Francie’s return, we started south. We plan to visit friends along the way. Like I said earlier, considerable and few things have happened since our last journal entry.
December 14, 2012
After 5 days on the ICW and 1 day in the ocean, we finally arrived in Fort Lauderdale. We anchored in the Middle River about a ½ mile from our friends, Ken and Steve, whose dock we used to get ashore. Their house became the stopping point for our friends and family. Saturday, they generously invited Kathy, a dear friend from Chicago, our son Jim and his girlfriend Lisa on a 4 hour tour of Ft. Lauderdale’s canals. The canal is bordered by humongous homes and motor yachts, as well as stretches of nothing but mangroves and trees.
Sunday we said goodbye to friends and prepared to leave. Early morning found us pulling anchor and headed for the ocean. Much to our surprise and contrary to the multiple weather reports, we were greeted by strong head winds and large waves. After a gallant try, we decided that the best course of action was to return to the anchorage.
December 20, 2012
We spent almost another week in Ft. Lauderdale before a decent weather window opened up for us to head south on the “outside”. Continuing on the ICW from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami is out of the question because there is a 55ft. fixed bridge we cannot get under.
We left Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday at 5:45AM and motor sailed for most of the morning as we headed for the anchorage at Rodriguez Key. We were able to roll out the job and sailed close hauled for several hours in the afternoon and dropped the anchor before dark. The next day the waves were a little calmer and we sailed all morning till we crossed into the Gulf where we spent a couple of hours dodging crab pots before we reached the marina. It was great to arrive at one of our favorite places and be greeted by friends!
We are pleased to be at Banana Bay Marina in Marathon. Mike has been riding his bike and Francie is swimming every day in the heated pool. Jim and Lisa will join us for Christmas where we will continue our “Daffy Doug’s Dollar store” gift exchange. This year each gift must begin with the 3rd letter of the person’s first name. It’s really all about the smiles and the laughter!
We wish you joy and peace and a Happy New Year!
Posted December 20, 2012