Ft Pierce with Friends
09 April 2017
Becky
Saturday April 8, 2017
I'm up at 6:00 to start the coffee and do my prep work for an offshore run. I wake Robert at 6:45. He enjoys a hot shower.
Susan and Elden come by to help us cast off. We top off the fuel tank, refill the cooler with ice, visit the marina restrooms one last time, and walk Maggie.
We head out the Ft. Pierce Inlet at 8:00. It's not too bad, but certainly not as calm seas as predicted. Seas are forecast to diminish later in the day, so we press on. We motorsail with the jib for several hours, making less than 5 knots. UGH!
By 1 pm, the sea state improves just slightly, so I brave going inside to make lunch. I do the "wave dance", trying to time my maneuvers between swells. Mission accomplished with only dropping one fork!! Roast beef, boiled eggs, salad, cheese, and fruit for Robert. Just roast beef and crackers for me. Maggie opts for just a few sips of water. We're making better time now that we aren't beating in the waves.
Robert spots a big sea turtle off our port side, but by the time I move from my "wedged in spot" on the starboard side, it has disappeared. Later, same thing with a pod of dolphins.
After lunch, we take turns napping. The weather is lovely; warm, sunny, with a light breeze.
So far today, we've only seen 4 other boats. Seems nice not to have to worry about bridges, boat wakes, and jets skis.
Late afternoon we see 2 big cruise ships head out a Cape Canaveral. AIS info gives stats on the Disney Cruise Line, heading to Tortola as 1.4 nautical miles in length, and 120 ft. wide. Wow!!
The Carnival Cruise Ship info shows it to be moored, but making 14 knots. Crazy!!
The wind begins to clock to the east, so we raise the mainsail and gain almost a knot of speed.
I finally spot a couple of sea turtles, and some flying fish.
Robert sees more dolphins, but I missed them again.
Dinner is beef, barley, and lentil casserole with spinach and cornbread.
The sunset tonight is gorgeous!! We settle in for a long night. I think it's gonna be a chilly one. Think I'll snuggle down in the cockpit, under my favorite blanket , and watch the stars pop out and this big moon watching over us.
Robert takes first watch. I try to sleep, but just can't. I doze in short spells, but finally give up.
On my watch, it's relatively quiet. A couple of big ships pass by, but miles away. I pass the time reading; and snacking!
About 4:30, I wake Robert to take my place; finally, I feel like I can sleep. I actually crawl in our bed ( ah, it feels heavenly). I sleep for 3 hours!!! Hooray!
I awake to the smell of coffee. YES!!
We talk with Don and Judy on the phone. We're planning to catch up with them in Jacksonville,FL and buddy boat offshore for a couple of days!