A quick check of the weather had us quickly revising our plans to depart St. Augustine. Our offshore weather window would be closing in 48 hours and while this was ample time for our passage to Ft. Pierce, we always like to have a bit of cushion just in case Mr. NOAA's timeline was off. So instead of a leisurely Saturday in St. Augustine, we opted for a pre-dawn departure.
Now, fellow boaters please take note, when departing St. Augustine in the dark beware of unlit red markers - these are also undocumented on our chartplotters. Fortunately, it was an uneventful departure and we navigated our way past them, but a surprise nonetheless. Offshore proved to be our best run yet. Speeding along at an easy 7+ knots. We dropped the hook in Ft. Pierce about 27 hours later.
After a few hours sleep the question became - what next. We were 2 weeks ahead of schedule for our slip in Stuart and a mere 25 miles away. A quick call to the marina in Stuart and we were on our way again. Not to a slip but a mooring ball. That would do us fine for the time being.
On arrival we quickly started to fall into our routines from last season. Friends Eric and Ellen greeted us and Ellen and the Admiral began making plans for morning walks. The Captain and Eric had other pursuits - rib specials from PA's - as our arrival coincided with their anniversary and ribs were $9.99 and drafts $0.99.
Our arrival was also in time for the Stuart Holiday parade which included the local law enforcement, fire department, classic cars, school marhing bands and plenty of floats. The parade must have been a sign for Father Christmas to add a chill to the air as we've experienced near freezing temperatures each of the last two nights and highs only in the low 50's during the day.
Brrrrrr!!
The Admiral
11/24 - 12/9/2010
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