Lion's Paw arrived safely in Boot Key Harbor on December 8 after an overnight run from Fort Lauderdale. We had initially planned for stops in Miami and one of the Keys along the way, but we had a weather window that encouraged us to just go for it and get there. It was indeed a pleasant motor-sail, with the wind clocking and strengthening to push us along as we rounded the curve at the bottom of Florida. However, the 50-mile run down Hawk Channel was chock full of trap floats - a challenge to dodge after the moon set and they became nearly invisible.
We had hoped to run outside pretty much all the way from Vero Beach - day runs, ducking in the various inlets at night. However, a 30 knot squall that hit right as we were about to haul anchor in the pre-dawn at Fort Pierce made a leisurely breakfast sound like a better idea. One act of "wussy-ness" led to another, and so we just ended up motoring down the ICW through the Palm Beaches and Lauderdale. We spent two pleasant days on a stopover and nostalgia trip in Fort Lauderdale, tied up on one of the City's mooring balls behind the Las Olas Avenue Bridge, in the heart of mega-yacht and mega-house territory. It was fun to sit in the cockpit and watch the boats cruise by down the ICW. Unfortunately, the old home town is not very accommodating to less-than-mega-yachts or mega-bucks.
So now Lion's Paw is tied up at Key Marathon, at least for a while. There are many interesting short trips to contemplate in the area, but first there are all those boat chores/repairs that have been blown off for the past month while we were in transit. But at least shoveling snow is not on the list...........
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Well, we can see palm trees, but the breeze is not that balmy yet. A cold snap has followed us most of the way from Hampton VA to Vero Beach FL, where we are on a mooring amongst others of our kind (cruising boats headed south for the winter) for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Lion's Paw departed Hampton on November 7. Most of the trip has been slogging down the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), with plenty of company. However, we did get in two nice offshore runs; from Beaufort NC to Georgetown SC, and Beaufort SC to Fernandina Beach FL. This saved some time and fuel, and let Lion's Paw strut her offshore stuff (if not exactly deep ocean, at least out of sight of land). These were good runs, in spite of the crew having miserable colds (can't sleep anyway, may as well be up all night dodging ships). With some of the blustery winds lately, we have even gotten in some nice downwind jib sailing on the ICW.
Lion's Paw was looking forward to passing through the historic Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine. Unfortunately, the bridge is under re-construction, and thus not very photogenic. It made for one of the more anxious moments of the trip so far, as we had to hold station in the channel waiting for the bridge opening, and 3-knot currents were dragging us down on the bridge, likely exacerbated by the constriction in the channel by the temporary bridge structures. Alas, Lion's Paw backs in reverse like the proverbial drunken elephant in the best of circumstances, and was having none of it in a 3 knot current. But we cleared through without mishap, and contemplated a different strategy (that does not include being under control in reverse) for next time.
Other than the usual sorts of adventures with dragging anchors, thick morning fog in the Carolina Low Country (worth it for the beauty), and "parallel parking" at fuel docks in high winds, the trip has been relaxing and enjoyable so far. (We have yet to have the inevitable adventure of running aground in the ICW.) There have been many pleasant anchorages along the way, and it's been fun to watch the climate change as we move south. The best places are the unusual surprises, like Jone's Fruit Dock - a local orchard owner who lets folks use his dock overnight (for a mere 10 bucks, $13 if you want to plug in an extension cord). Free coconut included.
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12/10/2008 | Michael Johnson (staff att floatingzoo dott com)
I'm glad to see Lion's Paw out cruising again! My dad was the original owner of Lion's Paw (formally known as Sea Fever prior to being named Elsha). We sailed her from Surrey, BC to New Bern, NC via Mexico and Central America over a 3 year period back in 1987, '88 and '89. Keep up the blogging! I'm enjoying reading about your adventures.
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At the end of May, Lion's Paw set sail in Chesapeake Bay to support the Golder Trust for Orphans. Anita and Ray from the old hometown (Denver) arrived to a hot summer Bay day. The next day was stormy, however, so the full crew headed for an "educational tour" of Jamestown. Sailing later that week as the weather improved included a night at anchor near historic Fort Monroe (with steaks on the BBQ), and 3 days of great sailing in 5 to 15 knot winds where Lion's Paw could strut her stuff (and did very well). The highlight was chasing down the tall ship Kalmar Nyckel out of Delaware, who managed to outrun us with several acres (it seemed) of canvas aloft on her square yards for a downwind run. After enjoying Lion's Paw's delightful sailing and comfortable accommodations, Anita and Ray departed with even more enthusiasm to pursue their dream of cruising under sail in a few more years. As a result of the trip, a generous donation was made to the Trust to support ongoing projects which assist orphans in sub-Saharan Africa.
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