Fort Pierce

      We are now in Fort Pierce, Florida. We've been here more than a week but the internet ate my first attempt to update this blog.

      When we left Charleston it was still a little rough out on the ocean so we went down the ICW. We stopped in Bass Creek about half way to Hilton Head. The next day the weather dramatically improved and we were able to head out of St Helena Sound to the ocean. We had a somewhat nice overnight passage to St Augustine, FL. Not great but not bad.

     We got in at 0900 the next morning but couldn't get to the City Marina moorings because the Bridge of Lions Bridge would not be opening due to a 5K Race. It opened at 1030 and we were secure for a nap and lunch by 1100.

     We saw a UConn WBB game on the marina lounge TV and had a little tourism walk.

     The next day we headed south on the ICW and ended up in New Smyrna for one night. Then it was a trip past the Kennedy Space Center to Eau Gallie and the Banana River. We anchor inside the river around from Dragon Point.

     Our last day before Ft Pierce was an adventure. Several thunderstorms crossed the waterway in front of us and we were feeling pretty lucky. Oops. Nope. We got hit by several cells with serious downpours and near zero visibility at times. We got soaked but but we were never in serious danger. OK, maybe a little.

     Since we got to Fort Pierce it's been pretty windy. Not every day but most of them. We were anchored outside of Faber Cove across the Indian River from the Ft Pierce City Marina. Some nights it was pretty rough. After a week the forecast got really bad. Thunderstorms and tornadoes. We decided to go to the marina for a night. It was very tough docking due to the wind and then, of course, the wind died and it got sunny. The day was pretty nice and we got laundry and shopping done. And a little sleep.

     It didn't rain until early in the morning but the marina let us stay until after noon. It was windy again of course.

     This time we went into Faber Cove for the first time. Very calm and comfortable in there, no matter the wind direction and speed. There is a private dock that cruisers have been using but I talked to the supposed owner and he isn't pleased but didn't threaten to call any authorities. We can't find a place to park so we won't be using it much.

     Speaking of parking... we have car to park while we're here. Courtesy of our friends Mike and Carol. Originally from Conn. but now they only have a boat up there.

     Having a car for shopping is a great benefit, one we really appreciate. We also get to have their advice and help with boat issues and several dinners, including Thanksgiving. We had a great Thanksgiving with them, their family and other friends. Much to be thankful for.

       Here are some photos from Ft Pierce. We finally went to the SEAL Museum there.

These are the two Apollo capsules that were used to train the guys who would secure the flotation  collars to the actual Apollo Program capsules when they landed in the ocean after a mission.

 And this is the Medal of Honor memorial.

     The museum covers the entire history of what are now called SEALS, from WW II through the OBL mission and the events depicted in the movie Captain Phillips.