Day 4 at N.P.B.

Same location...different day...

Here's hoping that all of you that celebrate Easter had a very enjoyable one.  Sunday mid-afternoon I received the following two pictures from home. Jeremy said, and I quote 'Blasted kid won the tee game on his very first try. I tried a hundred times!'. I responded 'I knew he was a genius'. I might be a little partial......

This little guy is celebrating his first birthday tomorrow!! Happy Birthday Little Man!!! Miss them both. Thanks for indulging me.

Here Tim and Joe are patiently waiting the arrival of a shuttle van to take us all to the mall this morning. The couple that we hope to travel to the Bahamas with told us about the shuttle, since they have taken advantage of it while here. Really nice service. Barbara made the call to reserve the van today. We tagged along.

After visiting Radio Shack for a single side band radio, we stopped at the food court for lunch. Right before calling the the van to come fetch us, the guys stopped in for a little ice cream.

One of the things we have needed to do was pull out the entire anchor rope to check it out, check its 'tie-down', check the locker, clean the locker, etc.. Well, today was the day.  As it was almost all the way out, we had to stop so Joe could perform some rope maintenance. A little background is required here. Before we bought Maggie Mae, Tim paid to have a survey performed on the boat. One of the items needing attention was a soft spot on the bow deck. We paid to have this 'spot' fixed. It appears to all of us that the method of repair was to drill holes in the deck and shoot fiberglass in the holes to firm it up. This soft spot was an area roughly 2'x3', right under the anchor windlass, therefore right over the locker where the anchor rope is kept, coiled nicely. All well and good right? Sure. That is until the repairmen don't care about their work and let the soft fiberglass resin fall through the holes, landing on anything and everything inside the locker. Yes, including the rope.  And, what happens to fiberglass resin as it cures? Right. It becomes very hard and is nearly impossible to remove. Just ask Joe. The fresh water fill is also in the area where the deck was repaired. Right after we bought the boat, we had to replace the actual through-hull fill sleeve, because the water pipe that attaches to it had been separated and damaged enough not to be fixable. We think another case of a repair gone bad by poor workmanship. Below is Tim pulling the anchor rope, while I operate the windlass and Joe works to free the rope from inside. Jim and our new friend John watch from the walkway. By the way this is the ONLY time Jim sat down today. I didn't get any more pictures, but he spent at least 5 hours sanding on the back teak stairs. A continuation of the job he started yesterday. They will be amazing when he is done. We feel a little bad that he joined us a week ago today and the weather has kept us from our journey. Poor guy. We keep putting him to work! We also did a little more boat waxing, a little more painting of numbers, etc.....

Here Joe is working on removing resin from the anchor rope.

There are all types of rules and regulations for traveling in and out of the U.S.  Tim is the expert, and has an appointment on Wednesday regarding some type of decal we need when we come back from the Bahamas. The place is about 4 miles away. Rather than ride a bike, or pay $28 for a taxi, he decided to get a rental car for 24 hrs. That way we can do more grocery shopping, he can drive to his meeting, and hey, maybe we can do a little site seeing. We've seen Rush Limbaugh's home via aerial satellite photo. It's not too far from where we are. 

N. Palm Beach, Day 3...

Well, we're still here. Not much has changed regarding our boat and the weather forecast.  On the bright side, we (mostly the guys) have been busy catching up on all the little things that need to be done. All of them, aesthetic in a nature.  Tim and Jim gave the starboard side of the boat a good scrubbing yesterday. Jim worked on black scuff marks. All 3 of the guys got some sun yesterday. 

When we got up this morning the temperature was 65 degrees, and it was cloudy. Been that way most of the day.  Tim began a fiberglass repair on a ding in the swim platform that was there when we bought the boat.  Here he is painting the numbers '38' on the starboard side. The port side numbers were painted in Fort Myers.

During a break earlier today we watched this guy filet several, very large fish.  None of us knew what they were, and Jim decided he wanted to go have a look.  He didn't find out much, as he said there was a language barrier.

Joe is hard at work waxing the boat.

Here is Jim working hard.  He took it upon himself to get our teak ladder from the aft deck to the swim platform up to snuff. It had been varnished in the past and most of the varnish was either worn off or in big flakes. He thought it would look better if it was cleaned and sanded and oiled.  So far, he's almost done cleaning it.  Been at it at least 2 hours today!  Thanks, Jim!

We're probably headed back to La Bamba tonight for dinner. Had spaghetti in the boat last night. And a big breakfast this morning. It's always nice when we get to go out to eat!

NORTH PALM BEACH

Stayed in Ft Lauderdale until Friday morning.  The heat exchanger was repaired(kind of) and reinstalled.  The repairman sealed several leaking tubes and told Tim that while it would last awhile, he might want to order a new one.  Since we had a rental car until Thursday afternoon we were able to go out to eat and to West Marine, Lowes, etc.  The guys got the new plastic bench seat 'reinforced' with wood. You see, I guess it isn't really designed for a couple of grown men/women to sit on. A couple of 48" 1x3s later and it should hold its shape now. A couple of windows were caulked/sealed, where leaks had sprung up, and other odds and ends were taken care of. 

Friday, we were underway a little after 0800. Jim's first experience on the ICW. Tim quickly broke him in with his first 1hr shift being right after Tims. Jim is a quick study and as long as he doesn't get distracted by lizards, or eagles, will be a great addition to 'the crew'!  Tim had touched base, through a AGLCA website, with another couple who are wanting to cross to the Bahamas. They just happen to be staying at the North Palm Beach marina, approximately 55 miles north of Ft Lauderdale.  Since it's always a good idea to cross open water with another boat, Tim decided we would head there and wait out this 'unusually bad' (according to the locals) Gulf Stream weather. Right now it looks like it will be at least Thursday before weather turns in our favor. But, you know what they say about weather. It can change at a moments notice, so we will be prepared to go at any time.

 Thursday nights approaching storm.

Water tower we passed several times while out and about in our rental car.

Jim's first mechanical task. Hold the door up.

Before we left Friday morning, we had fuel delivered to the dock. We tried this earlier in the week, but the boat was in a slip too far for the fuel hose to reach....AND the starboard engine was disassembled awaiting the repair and reinstall action of the heat exchanger. In other words, the boat couldn't be moved closer, SO we had to wait. Topped of both tanks before heading to North Palm Beach.

This 100'+ boat! from Jamaica was tied up on the end of the dock next to ours. Sometime overnight the bow came loose and the guys noticed it while we were preparing to move for fuel. Both Joe and Jim walked over to try and get the attention of someone inside. No one responded, but another boat owner got it secured until someone from the office could be notified, when they arrived at work.

A 'fixer-upper'!

It took about 9 hours to get to N Palm Beach. Although we do travel slowly in an effort to get the best fuel efficiency possible, we were slowed this day by the number of bridges we had to navigate under.  I'm guessing 25+.  Not all required an opening for us, but the majority of those that did were timed on the hour/half hour or :15/:45 hour. They are supposed to be timed so that if you travel at just the right speed, you can get through them painlessly. In most cases this was true, but unusually high winds and tides AND some unusually rude/inexperienced captains made it less enjoyable. 

Here are several of the bridges we passed under.

For Jessica, and all cat lovers out there 😍

Traffic near one bridge. Oh, and remember that rude captain? Yep, that's him right in front of us (when his place in line was right behind us earlier...).

The entrance to North Palm Beach Marina on the left. We didn't have to go through the bridge beyond!

Not too many restaurants near by. We broke out a bike for Joe to ride, while the rest of us walked. 

Joe and Jim at La Bamba Mexican restaurant. Good food! We were all pretty full when we left.

IF we do anything exciting and new in the next few days, I'll be sure and let you know.  

A special note. The crew of Maggie Mae is now being watched over, from heaven, by one of our most faithful followers. We love you Pidge!

FT LAUDERDALE

FT LAUDERDALE/HOLLYWOOD

After crossing Biscayne Bay and driving through the heart of Miami, we arrived at the Loggerhead Marina, Hollywood, FL, Monday mid-afternoon. The trip was uneventful and the boating traffic was considerably less than last year. Last time we boated through Miami  it was, not only a Sunday, but Cinco de Mayo as well. Busy!!! So, we were pleased with our rather uneventful trip.  

Tim was able to secure us a rental car to use mainly to pick up Jim from the airport, but also to provision, drive engine parts to the repair shop, etc.  The whole rental car business is a story best told by Tim and also told in person. So, I won't attempt it. Suffice it to say the iPhone maps app was wrong, Enterprise rental is swamped with all the GM recalls and people getting temporary loaners/rentals, and some face-wearing humble pie. We have a car. That's all that matters. 

Sunday night the when the guys checked out the starboard engine, they determined that it was losing antifreeze somewhere. So, Tuesday morning they pulled the heat exchanger, anticipating that was where the leak was occurring, and took it in for pressure testing and hopefully repair. We are hoping to hear back from the repairman yet today. Assuming it's repaired Tim will have it installed in short order. 

Our biggest issue, at this point, is weather. Gulf Stream weather, to be exact. It's predicted to be too rough to cross to the Bahamas through Sunday. So, we are contemplating taking Jim back south, possibly back to Marathon, just so we're not sitting around.

Pictured below is Miami during the day.

A simple yacht....

There were 4 cruise ships tied up in Miami by an inlet to the ocean. When there are cruise ships in port, all other traffic is prohibited. We heard the Coast Guard forcefully admonish a fishing vessel attempting to enter through the inlet. Took several attempts to get his attention on the radio, but he eventually answered and turned his craft around. The CG doesn't mess around.

Our sunrise Monday morning....

UPDATE FROM MAGGIE MAE

The seas were calm enough for us to depart Key West on Friday morning.  A&B Marina only sells diesel fuel so we headed over the the City Marina to take on 100 gallons of gasoline and pump out.  While we were there we 'overheard' a crew on a sailboat talking about their new purchase.  Their sailboat had been on an anchor ball for the previous 3 years and they were getting if ready to take it to Tampa. From Key West to Marathon is about 55 miles.  We went on the outside of the islands and dealt with 1'-2' seas.  All in all, it was a nice journey. In this part of the trip we deal with crab pots quite a bit, so a watchful eye is always required.
Before we left Key West we went back to BO's restaurant so Joe and I could try the world's best hamburger.  It was pretty good, I must say.  Below, Tim is taking in the local scenery while waiting for his burger.

 Some more beautiful flowering bushes. 

 On Thursday night we went back to Mallory Square.  There was a Carnival Cruise ship preparing to depart just as we arrived.  While sitting on the sea wall, watching the sites, this gravely voiced gentleman asked the 3 of us to please move down about 3' so he could set up his 'area'.  We obliged and continued watching the cruise ship pull in their ropes.  In a few minutes, Mr. Gravely-voice begins to holler at the people wandering around in an effort to gather an audience.  Once the cruise ship was away, we turned our attention to this gentleman.  Turns out he is a sword swallower.  Has been for 45 years, 35 of which he has spent in this very spot.  He celebrated his 63 birthday last December.  He spent about 10 minutes getting his audience ready and then about 15 seconds swallowing the sword.  Here are before and during pictures of his feat.

No wonder his voice is so rough.  What a way to make a living.  We decided he probably has a day job.....

There is a courtyard full of bronze busts, we ran across on our way to dinner.  Key West Memorial Sculpture Garden.  It contains 36 busts of Key West's most influential people.  http://www.keywestsculpturegarden.org/bust.htm

 We ate dinner at Red Fish Blue Fish restaurant.  We ate there last year when John and Sammi Moors were with us.  I ordered the same shrimp basil salad.  It was yummy!

 This is the cruise ship that was pulling away when we first arrived at Mallory Square. The 4 days we were in Key West, I believe we saw 3 cruise ships.

 One of the many bridges that span the different keys.  Pretty sure this is on our way from the outside to the inside.

 The waters are so clear down here that it is possible to see the bottom quite often.  And the colors! Amazing.

 From Key West to just south of Miami (where we are today/Sunday) there were several shallow and narrow passages.  As long as you stay in the marked channel, you're OK.  Here you can see sand just to the left of the red marker.

 We anchored just off Key Largo Saturday night and the guys finally had time to get our anchor situation worked out.  Tim bought a plow anchor and we installed it before we left Maryland, earlier this year.  The couple of times that we tried to deploy it, we never could get it to catch.  So, at those times, we pulled out the old anchor to use.  I think everything is working as it should be now.  At least it worked today. :)

 One of the passageways from Card Sound into Biscayne Bay.

 Ran across this interesting place earlier today.  Upon further inspection it appeared to be a restaurant with a little hotel next door, complete with docks right up to your hotel room door.

 Once we arrived at our current anchorage (just south of Miami/Biscayne Bay) the guys decided to get the dinghy out and exercise the motor.  It has been awhile and the fuel in the motor is over a year old.  Tim got it going and drove it around the boat and up to inspect the anchor.  We're hoping that we never need it for anything other than going to shore.

 Joe is our designated cook/grill master.  He grilled our hotdogs today for lunch and our steak for dinner.

 Tim getting in the water for the first time in 2014.  We are anchored in about 7'-8' of crystal clear water.  Both of the guys snorkeled for awhile today.

 Joe getting his feet wet.  He found an area fairly close to the boat that contained some pretty interesting vegetation (tree looking plants and lots of sponges).

 This boat was anchored by us near Key Largo Saturday night.  We first ran into them at the gas dock, Friday morning when we left Marathon.  They were fueling and there was no other room on the dock, so we idled in place for about 10-15 minutes waiting for them to finish.  Once they departed we pulled in and began to fuel.  The gas attendant, a really pleasant lady who we remembered from last year, explained that the reason it took them so long was because they were from Germany and their credit cards weren't working.  We've seen this boat every day since.

 Another boat that was anchored near us Friday night.  It's a really nice trawler, but we could never figure out who made it. 

 We're looking forward to our friend, Jim, joining us tomorrow evening.  It's funny.  We all knew he was flying in on the 14th, but until an hour ago we thought that was Tuesday.  Like Tim said when he called Jim earlier, it's a good thing we're ahead of schedule.  We're about 50 miles from Ft Lauderdale, where Jim is flying into, so we'll be there waiting for him when he arrives.  Our plan is to head to the Bahamas as soon as good weather allows.  The only thing we have to do is take on a few more provisions and possibly deal with one bent blade on the starboard propeller.  Oh, and the starboard engine is using antifreeze, so there's that..... Well, that's all for now.  We'll see you all tomorrow.

THURSDAY, PART II

A bunch of the pictures we took Tues/Wed didn't show up in Tim's email until after the previous post.  Not much narrative to add, other than I forgot to mention we toured the Mel Fisher Shipwreck Museum. (I keep calling it the Mel Gibson Museum.....)  Anyway, it's a very interesting museum and contains lots of information about artifact rescue and reclamation.  Worth the trip/$$.
FYI-Captions are underneath pics below.

Took this panoramic photo the first morning here. Drinking my coffee and looking around. We are blessed.

Outside West Marine. They have moved to a newer/bigger location since the last time we were here. Very nice store and full of so many items, a trip up and down each aisle is often required.

Me and my sponge-bob buddy, near Mallory Square.

An empty Mallory Square.

Sitting on the waterfront watching a local fisherman.  This little fish put up a good fight and bent the fisherman's fishing pole enough that we thought it would be much bigger.  He threw it back in.

The guys.

The Captain and his sponge buddy.

Mel Fisher Museum

A before and after on the helmet.

More before and after items.

This guy was just hanging out about half way through the tour.

Again, really worth the trip. Read more.
http://www.melfisher.com/default.html

One of the locals.

Pretty foliage.

Joe's buddy(ess).

Tim saw this. Thought it was funny. Enough said.

Hand feeding beautiful rooster.

Pretty blossoms.

And, back home. Our little buddy, enjoying the warm grass while Papa tills the garden.