SHIP'S LOG:
The most eventual thing that happened today was the weather! MY friends at NOAA have been predicting for the last few days that there would be a 40% chance of rain on Thursday afternoon. Well, we certainly got RAIN!
I had just finished lunch and was getting ready to do a little more work on the dinghy, when this trawler comes by and the owner, Bob from Kentucky, wants to know if it's alright to anchorage. I told him that it was "free" and as he started to move off, he said "Look at that sky!" Well to the west, the horizon was black and I mead black. You have probably seen storm clouds like this when it has been a really hot and humid summer day. They were black and threatening. They were more than " a 40% chance of showers" in a big way.
I flipped on the weather radio and got the "spotter Activation squeal" from NOAA and the announcement of our impending doom. Well, not that bad, but " winds to 60 mils an hour, torrential rain, nickle size hail, and . . . . the most danger will be from the frequent and numerous lightening strikes." NOAA has such a way with words! "Perfect Peter", the computerized voice of NOAA said that the storm would last from 12:15 to 12:45 and they were right about that. In between, we got everything they predicted as well. Before the first real gust hit, the boats were oriented South West and the first real 50-60 mile an hour gust laid every boat over on its side. I went over almost 30degrees, pretty close to putting a rail in the water. I got into my rain gear, put on my PFD( Personal Flotation Device) and started the engine. I kept thinking about the White Squall/ Micro Burst up in Ft. Pierce. This was almost as bad, not as long, but the "nickle size hail" made it worse.
It rained so hard I could see 30 feet, not even Bob's trawler who was perhaps that far when he dropped the hook in a bit of a rush to get it down before the storm. Talking afterwards, he thought he dragged in the blow but it didn't look so and since the weather has "moderated," he'll stay where he is.
In the end, it was the most rain I have seen at one time since Ft. Pierce and it washed all the salt and dirt and other detritus from the boat. And then the sun came out! AHHHHHH!
Put another 2 layers/coats of liquid electrical tape on the dinghy leak. I think that it may be holding completely now. It will get another couple of layers tomorrow.
I got a call from Bob & Olga - the oar has arrived but the meds had not, so I called the prescription company to find out when they would arrive. I had ordered them on March 2nd and was told they would arrive at Olga's in seven(7) days. Long story short, they were going to arrive not today, not tomorrow but on Monday. I talked with the rep to see if anything could be done to see if they could speed up the process. They said to talk to UPS who was handling the shipping and they said that the request had to come from the shippee. So I went back to the prescription company and talked with three representatives, they like to call them "advocates" - I think they like the term because they sure don't know what it means - and found out that they felt there was nothing that they could do to get the meds to Connecticut any fast. CONNECTICUT??!?!? I explained to them that when I ordered the meds, I told the "advocate" who took the order that they were to be shipped to Ft. Lauderdale. I confirmed this later with another "advocate" who called to confirm the correctness of the order. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida not Connecticut. I got kicked up several more "advocate levels," all the while trying to explain that , "No, I wasn't planning to spend a month in Ft. Lauderdale, " " No I wouldn't be able to be in Connecticut to receive the shipment," " No, I couldn't guarantee that I could be at a particular place at a particular time because I was traveling by boat" they really didn't seem to grasp that, and on and on. The upshot is that they will "try" to overnight a new order to the Ft. Lauderdale address and I wonder how long I would have hung around waiting for the package they wasn't coming? Nothing like a Major "Whoopsie" after a storm to make your day!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
HAppy Ash Wednesday
SHIP'S LOG:
As I mentioned before, Internet access down here in the Miami Anchorage leaves a lot to be desired. After trying for almost an hour last night to get a Blog out, I gave up in frustration and went to bed. Tonight, the Internet access seems a little bit more reliable . . . perhaps.
I made a shear pin out of a piece of stainless steel rod I found in my "What Not" locker. I have no idea where it was from or what it was for, but it fit(the right diameter and cut to length) and so the outboard is up and running again. More shear pins await me in Ft. Pierce and so if this one holds all should be well in that department in the future.
I have been trying to plug the slow leak in the front tube of the dinghy but nothing I try works completely. My latest effort involved using liquid electrical tape. It slows the leak down considerably but doesn't quite stop it all the way. As a result, I am trying to apply several coats/layers in the hope of stopping it completely. If not, Dave Dixon ie. "Dr. Fix-It" will have to make another "house call" once I get back up to Beaufort, SC.
As I mentioned before, Internet access down here in the Miami Anchorage leaves a lot to be desired. After trying for almost an hour last night to get a Blog out, I gave up in frustration and went to bed. Tonight, the Internet access seems a little bit more reliable . . . perhaps.
I made a shear pin out of a piece of stainless steel rod I found in my "What Not" locker. I have no idea where it was from or what it was for, but it fit(the right diameter and cut to length) and so the outboard is up and running again. More shear pins await me in Ft. Pierce and so if this one holds all should be well in that department in the future.
I have been trying to plug the slow leak in the front tube of the dinghy but nothing I try works completely. My latest effort involved using liquid electrical tape. It slows the leak down considerably but doesn't quite stop it all the way. As a result, I am trying to apply several coats/layers in the hope of stopping it completely. If not, Dave Dixon ie. "Dr. Fix-It" will have to make another "house call" once I get back up to Beaufort, SC.
Three of the boats anchored near me hauled up and headed out today. All three are headed north and I should be following in a few days, once all my packages arrive in Ft. Lauderdale. There will be several stops further on in Florida but after them, then next "appointment stop" is Beaufort,SC.
I am itchy to start the trip back. Once you set a goal and reach it there is sort of an empty feeling having accomplished what you set out to do and you get to wonder about what is next. For me the next is to get back home. My two basic goals were to see Jerry and get to a place where the "water doesn't freeze in the bilge" and I have accomplished both. Truth be told, had the winter been less severe in the North, I probably would have started back already. I am really only holding off until I get my mail and then I will be homeward bound. I am sure that somewhere on the trip home, when I get hit with a sudden unexpected gold snap, I will regret not staying longer, but what the heck, there is no place like home.
It will be a bit strange going over "familiar ground" and some of the places I am not all that eager to see again, like the three "Hell Gates" but there are some others that I really do want to stop and check out. I especially hope that the Dismal Swamp route will be navigable for ABISHAG as I don't know when or if I will have another chance to do it. For now, everything depends on UPS, FED-EX or whoever is delivering the packages. Thursday is suppose to crap out so the earliest departure will be Friday. Like I said, I am getting itchy.
I am itchy to start the trip back. Once you set a goal and reach it there is sort of an empty feeling having accomplished what you set out to do and you get to wonder about what is next. For me the next is to get back home. My two basic goals were to see Jerry and get to a place where the "water doesn't freeze in the bilge" and I have accomplished both. Truth be told, had the winter been less severe in the North, I probably would have started back already. I am really only holding off until I get my mail and then I will be homeward bound. I am sure that somewhere on the trip home, when I get hit with a sudden unexpected gold snap, I will regret not staying longer, but what the heck, there is no place like home.
It will be a bit strange going over "familiar ground" and some of the places I am not all that eager to see again, like the three "Hell Gates" but there are some others that I really do want to stop and check out. I especially hope that the Dismal Swamp route will be navigable for ABISHAG as I don't know when or if I will have another chance to do it. For now, everything depends on UPS, FED-EX or whoever is delivering the packages. Thursday is suppose to crap out so the earliest departure will be Friday. Like I said, I am getting itchy.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Sometime This Week . . .
SHIP'S LOG:
Sometime this week I will be starting my homeward ramble. What will determine the "when" is when the two mail drop/package deliveries make it to Fort Lauderdale. These will include some medication and a brand new dinghy Oar. When I get the word from Bob & Olga that they have arrived, I will make the short trip up to Fort Lauderdale and make the pick up. I hope that this time I will got to Las Olas Marina which is right on the ICW. I am hoping that I will be able to pick up one of their $20/ night moorings. If not I will have to go back to the New River and tie up on the wall again. Las Olas would be better, better access to showers and laundry and a bit less expensive. After that stop the trip will really begin, but slowly.
I have to make one stop at Fort Pierce to pick up shear pins for the outboard. I finally got the size but not from any of the dealers here in Miami, but from the shop that handles the winterizing of the engine up in Mystic, CT. Dana Avery, a real regular guy, could not believe that none of the dealers would give me the specs for something so ordinary as a shear pin nor that the shops were out of them. He didn't hesitate and I had Skip Moss order them for me. Skip works atr the Ft. Pierce West Marine. He couldn't get stainless steel pins so I went with 10 brass ones. When I winterize the engine in the fall, I'll have Dana install a stainless one. Stopping in Ft. Pierce will be a last chance to see Gerry for probably quite a while and to see if Brad ever did get that radar cable run.
After that, I have to make a stop in Melbourne, sometime between March 20th - 30th. An old friend was discovered living in Melbourne and I will stop and she her and her husband mother. In addition, I want to stop and see Bob and his wife, Chris at the Cocoa Village Marina where I spent Christmas and where they were so helpful and generous. It is just norht of Melbourne. After that, I want to stop in St. Augustine to see another friend who is living there as opposed to the west coast. I thought they were around Tampa and was much disappointed to find out that I had missed them. There are also MArtha and Rich in Palm Coast who demand a visit and who am I to refuse.
Once Florida is done, there are no more "planned visits" until Beaufort, SC. I will stop and see Guy McSweeney and Dr. Fix-it. I finally discovered the slow leak in my dinghy and did my best to fix it, but it will need an expert's hand and that means a stop in Beaufort to see Dr. Fix-it.
The water police around here were especially active on Sunday, stopping anyone on a PWC who was even thinking about exceeding the speed limit in the manatee zones and flagging every powerboat except for the really big adn really expensive ones . . .that are usually the biggest noise and wake makers.I have yet to understand how they apply laws down here.
I would have thought that the Miami area, especially right here between Miami Beach and Miami would have no problems withe cell phones or internet coverage. WRONG!!!!!!! It is awful and not every dependable. Calls get dropped, are garble and sometimes go to the wrong number. The internet covere3age fades in and out. This is the third time I have tried to type and post this blog. This place has nothing to recommend it . . .except the weather.
Sometime this week I will be starting my homeward ramble. What will determine the "when" is when the two mail drop/package deliveries make it to Fort Lauderdale. These will include some medication and a brand new dinghy Oar. When I get the word from Bob & Olga that they have arrived, I will make the short trip up to Fort Lauderdale and make the pick up. I hope that this time I will got to Las Olas Marina which is right on the ICW. I am hoping that I will be able to pick up one of their $20/ night moorings. If not I will have to go back to the New River and tie up on the wall again. Las Olas would be better, better access to showers and laundry and a bit less expensive. After that stop the trip will really begin, but slowly.
I have to make one stop at Fort Pierce to pick up shear pins for the outboard. I finally got the size but not from any of the dealers here in Miami, but from the shop that handles the winterizing of the engine up in Mystic, CT. Dana Avery, a real regular guy, could not believe that none of the dealers would give me the specs for something so ordinary as a shear pin nor that the shops were out of them. He didn't hesitate and I had Skip Moss order them for me. Skip works atr the Ft. Pierce West Marine. He couldn't get stainless steel pins so I went with 10 brass ones. When I winterize the engine in the fall, I'll have Dana install a stainless one. Stopping in Ft. Pierce will be a last chance to see Gerry for probably quite a while and to see if Brad ever did get that radar cable run.
After that, I have to make a stop in Melbourne, sometime between March 20th - 30th. An old friend was discovered living in Melbourne and I will stop and she her and her husband mother. In addition, I want to stop and see Bob and his wife, Chris at the Cocoa Village Marina where I spent Christmas and where they were so helpful and generous. It is just norht of Melbourne. After that, I want to stop in St. Augustine to see another friend who is living there as opposed to the west coast. I thought they were around Tampa and was much disappointed to find out that I had missed them. There are also MArtha and Rich in Palm Coast who demand a visit and who am I to refuse.
Once Florida is done, there are no more "planned visits" until Beaufort, SC. I will stop and see Guy McSweeney and Dr. Fix-it. I finally discovered the slow leak in my dinghy and did my best to fix it, but it will need an expert's hand and that means a stop in Beaufort to see Dr. Fix-it.
The water police around here were especially active on Sunday, stopping anyone on a PWC who was even thinking about exceeding the speed limit in the manatee zones and flagging every powerboat except for the really big adn really expensive ones . . .that are usually the biggest noise and wake makers.I have yet to understand how they apply laws down here.
I would have thought that the Miami area, especially right here between Miami Beach and Miami would have no problems withe cell phones or internet coverage. WRONG!!!!!!! It is awful and not every dependable. Calls get dropped, are garble and sometimes go to the wrong number. The internet covere3age fades in and out. This is the third time I have tried to type and post this blog. This place has nothing to recommend it . . .except the weather.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Miami Vice or Where Was Horatio Cane When I needed Him?
SHIP'S LOG:
Today should have been a fairly uncomplicated day, "should have been" being the operative words. The weather was not bad but the wind was supposed to get rather severe in the afternoon. SO I decided that it would be a good time to go get the shear pins rather than keep waiting for Bruce to go and get them for me. I have after all but waiting for a week almost. So I got in my dinghy and headed for the Watson Park Public Boat Launch. This would save me $16.55 or what it would coast me to become a member of the Miami Yacht Club for another day.
I docked the dinghy and chained it up and walked about a mile and a half to the elevated free train on 2nd Avenue. While waiting for the train, a gust of wind blew my favorite hat, the one from Venice onto the tracks, mere inches from the live third rail. Well so much for that hat. There was no way that I was going to jump down and get it.
The rest of the trip was uneventful until I got to River Marine, the local Hinda Outboard Deal. I asked for 10 shear pins figuring that too many was better than too few. And that's what they had, too few. In fact, they had none. It is a very common item for a shop that specializes in outboard motors, but they had none and had no idea when they would get any more in.
Back on the train and back to the Miami Anchorage. Now, the wind that had been forecast had kicked in and was straight out of the east, right on the nose from where the dinghy was to ABISHAG. It would be a fair workout rowing out to ABISHAG about a mile away but I have done it before(Fort Pierce). As luck would have it the dinghy was there but some lowlife had come by and had stolen one of the two oars. Not both, just one. If he had had a real need, he would have taken both. In this case he was just a punk who wanted to do something mean and taking one oar was enough mean for him. I check the bushes and the trash cans on the chance that once he had taken it, he simply toss it but the search revealed nothing. I would have to try and paddle out with one oar.
Inflatable dinghies row terribly, I am not sure exactly why, but rowing is a joy compared to trying to paddle one. It didn't help matters that the wind was on the nose and hitting 25 in the gusts which were frequent. For every foot I gained on ABISHAG I lost one and went sideways another. It was not a fun experience at all to say the least. They only good thing was that I was able to flag down and get a tow from one of the guys at anchor whom I had met and shared a few beers with. Rick towed me to ABISHAG and said, "Welcome to Miami. Now you've lost your virginity and joined the ranks of boaters who have been ripped off. Everybody gets something stolen in Miami."
I got back and spent sometime on line and on the phone trying to track down a replacement oar. I think I have a line on one and will know for sure tomorrow. Once I am sure, it will be a "simple" matter of getting it delivered to where I can pick it up!Perhaps today was the sign that it is really time to go. But for now, I am "trapped" aboard ABISHAG and it is raining. There perfect ending to the perfect day!
Today should have been a fairly uncomplicated day, "should have been" being the operative words. The weather was not bad but the wind was supposed to get rather severe in the afternoon. SO I decided that it would be a good time to go get the shear pins rather than keep waiting for Bruce to go and get them for me. I have after all but waiting for a week almost. So I got in my dinghy and headed for the Watson Park Public Boat Launch. This would save me $16.55 or what it would coast me to become a member of the Miami Yacht Club for another day.
I docked the dinghy and chained it up and walked about a mile and a half to the elevated free train on 2nd Avenue. While waiting for the train, a gust of wind blew my favorite hat, the one from Venice onto the tracks, mere inches from the live third rail. Well so much for that hat. There was no way that I was going to jump down and get it.
The rest of the trip was uneventful until I got to River Marine, the local Hinda Outboard Deal. I asked for 10 shear pins figuring that too many was better than too few. And that's what they had, too few. In fact, they had none. It is a very common item for a shop that specializes in outboard motors, but they had none and had no idea when they would get any more in.
Back on the train and back to the Miami Anchorage. Now, the wind that had been forecast had kicked in and was straight out of the east, right on the nose from where the dinghy was to ABISHAG. It would be a fair workout rowing out to ABISHAG about a mile away but I have done it before(Fort Pierce). As luck would have it the dinghy was there but some lowlife had come by and had stolen one of the two oars. Not both, just one. If he had had a real need, he would have taken both. In this case he was just a punk who wanted to do something mean and taking one oar was enough mean for him. I check the bushes and the trash cans on the chance that once he had taken it, he simply toss it but the search revealed nothing. I would have to try and paddle out with one oar.
Inflatable dinghies row terribly, I am not sure exactly why, but rowing is a joy compared to trying to paddle one. It didn't help matters that the wind was on the nose and hitting 25 in the gusts which were frequent. For every foot I gained on ABISHAG I lost one and went sideways another. It was not a fun experience at all to say the least. They only good thing was that I was able to flag down and get a tow from one of the guys at anchor whom I had met and shared a few beers with. Rick towed me to ABISHAG and said, "Welcome to Miami. Now you've lost your virginity and joined the ranks of boaters who have been ripped off. Everybody gets something stolen in Miami."
I got back and spent sometime on line and on the phone trying to track down a replacement oar. I think I have a line on one and will know for sure tomorrow. Once I am sure, it will be a "simple" matter of getting it delivered to where I can pick it up!Perhaps today was the sign that it is really time to go. But for now, I am "trapped" aboard ABISHAG and it is raining. There perfect ending to the perfect day!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
And They Even Get Bad Weather Down Here . . . . Sometimes
SHIP'S LOG:
Yes, earth shattering as it may seem, they do get bad weather down here in Miami. Well, not bad as in 84 inches of snow and temps in the teens, but they do get bad weather. The last couple of days are perfect examples.
We have had two days of rain. well, maybe that is not exactly right. We have had rain on two days. Yes, that is more accurate. Still in all that is more rain than I have seen since Fort Pierce! Now, it wasn't much rain, maybe a 1/2 inch or so, maybe more, but it all came down in a rush, like 30 minutes. And it was cold, too. I mean for the last two days the temperature never even reached the 80's, never got higher than 79. This is not what I expect in Florida, especially in Miami. Can you believe it, 79 degrees. That's only about 8 degrees warmer than the water I have to swim in. It should be at least in the 80's . . . the air not the water.
And the wind. For the last two days it has been a steady 15-20 with gusts in the 30's. I want calm tropical breezes, not wind that in which you can race a sailboat. Tropical breezes just wafting through the air and cooling me down when I have the energy to get out of the sun.
Truth be told, the last couple of fays and the next couple of days will all be about the same, 20% chance of rain( though it has actually turned out to be 100% as it has rained both days and I expect the same for the next two. ) The wind has been gusty and out of the N/NE. Any gust that can lay ABISHAG over has got to be 25-30 and we've been experiencing such gusts about every5 minutes or so. Tuff to keep one's Rum Sour from spilling. It has also been rather overcast and is expected to continue, so while the temperature hasn't been awful, the wind, humidity and lack of sunshine have made it seem cold, well at least cooler than it has been.
The Miami anchorage is thinning out a bit. There is actually a large hole in the center as boats that have been here awhile are starting to move out. Based on the weather in the Gulf Stream, I doubt that they are heading east! It must then either south or north. I have a feeling that it is probably north. Now that we are in March(It is officially Spring in the Country of Georgia as of March 1st)people are going to begin to make the slow trek north. Most of the yearly snow birds, keep their boats in south and are probably heading north to make arrangements for summer storage and perhaps to do some work on their crafts. we have had two pretty good "summer" months this winter and it is probably time to "take the money and run."
I will probably be off next week sometime. Yes, I know that the Ides of March are not next week, but I have a package to pick up in Fort Lauderdale and when the word comes that it has arrive I will naturally go and pick it up and Fort Lauderdale in North of Miami and so rather than go and come back, I will just go. It's one step on a journey that is , according to the GPS 1483 miles long, just the first step. Strange as it may sound, I am as itchy to get back as I was to get down. That "Travelin' Jones" has got me I guess. And that is why I want the weather to get back to where it was. I need to even out my tan!
Yes, earth shattering as it may seem, they do get bad weather down here in Miami. Well, not bad as in 84 inches of snow and temps in the teens, but they do get bad weather. The last couple of days are perfect examples.
We have had two days of rain. well, maybe that is not exactly right. We have had rain on two days. Yes, that is more accurate. Still in all that is more rain than I have seen since Fort Pierce! Now, it wasn't much rain, maybe a 1/2 inch or so, maybe more, but it all came down in a rush, like 30 minutes. And it was cold, too. I mean for the last two days the temperature never even reached the 80's, never got higher than 79. This is not what I expect in Florida, especially in Miami. Can you believe it, 79 degrees. That's only about 8 degrees warmer than the water I have to swim in. It should be at least in the 80's . . . the air not the water.
And the wind. For the last two days it has been a steady 15-20 with gusts in the 30's. I want calm tropical breezes, not wind that in which you can race a sailboat. Tropical breezes just wafting through the air and cooling me down when I have the energy to get out of the sun.
Truth be told, the last couple of fays and the next couple of days will all be about the same, 20% chance of rain( though it has actually turned out to be 100% as it has rained both days and I expect the same for the next two. ) The wind has been gusty and out of the N/NE. Any gust that can lay ABISHAG over has got to be 25-30 and we've been experiencing such gusts about every5 minutes or so. Tuff to keep one's Rum Sour from spilling. It has also been rather overcast and is expected to continue, so while the temperature hasn't been awful, the wind, humidity and lack of sunshine have made it seem cold, well at least cooler than it has been.
The Miami anchorage is thinning out a bit. There is actually a large hole in the center as boats that have been here awhile are starting to move out. Based on the weather in the Gulf Stream, I doubt that they are heading east! It must then either south or north. I have a feeling that it is probably north. Now that we are in March(It is officially Spring in the Country of Georgia as of March 1st)people are going to begin to make the slow trek north. Most of the yearly snow birds, keep their boats in south and are probably heading north to make arrangements for summer storage and perhaps to do some work on their crafts. we have had two pretty good "summer" months this winter and it is probably time to "take the money and run."
I will probably be off next week sometime. Yes, I know that the Ides of March are not next week, but I have a package to pick up in Fort Lauderdale and when the word comes that it has arrive I will naturally go and pick it up and Fort Lauderdale in North of Miami and so rather than go and come back, I will just go. It's one step on a journey that is , according to the GPS 1483 miles long, just the first step. Strange as it may sound, I am as itchy to get back as I was to get down. That "Travelin' Jones" has got me I guess. And that is why I want the weather to get back to where it was. I need to even out my tan!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
RAIN!!!! Well, Possibly.
SHIP'S LOG:
Today was another one of those day . . . you know what I mean. A good day to sit around and enjoy the sunshine an do lots of nothing. Unfortunately, I also had to go and do some shopping. So, since I am still "sear pin-less," I took ABISHAG on a three mile cruise up to South Beach and dropped the hook and then rowed the mile up the Collins Canal to Publix. Before I went there, I did a little stroll to the local CVS to pick up a few items that are actually cheaper there than at Publix.The CVS is about 5 blocks south of Publix on Alton Avenue in what you might call a very "avaunt garde" section. One of the stores I passed was a second-hand clothing boutique called "Out Of The Closet" which also offered free HVI Testing.
Miami broke some kind of record with the temperature today and the row to and from where I had anchored ABISHAG got me rather overheated. So after I got back to the "Free" Miami Anchorage and had stored all the stuff, I went for a little swim. Just me and the dolphins . . . or so I thought. I was approached as I swam by a manatee. It was the size of a couple of sofas and about as ugly as you can imagine. Of course, all the stories about mermaids are attributed to sailors long at sea who spy a manatee. Take it from me, you would have to be at sea a LLLLONG time to see a manatee and come up with mermaid.
We are going to get socked with a front passing tonight(they always seem to come at night) and there will be a lot of wind and quite possibly 1/4 inch of rain. The wind just did a 180 from South to North so the front is definitely here. It will make for an anxious night and probably not one of a lot of sleep. But the holding is good and things should be just fine.
In about 2 weeks or less, I will begin the long trip back. Me and the spring weather will travel together so it might be awhile before I get back.The ICW has no secrets for me now and there are some places I really want to see. It should be a rather interesting trip back.
Today was another one of those day . . . you know what I mean. A good day to sit around and enjoy the sunshine an do lots of nothing. Unfortunately, I also had to go and do some shopping. So, since I am still "sear pin-less," I took ABISHAG on a three mile cruise up to South Beach and dropped the hook and then rowed the mile up the Collins Canal to Publix. Before I went there, I did a little stroll to the local CVS to pick up a few items that are actually cheaper there than at Publix.The CVS is about 5 blocks south of Publix on Alton Avenue in what you might call a very "avaunt garde" section. One of the stores I passed was a second-hand clothing boutique called "Out Of The Closet" which also offered free HVI Testing.
Miami broke some kind of record with the temperature today and the row to and from where I had anchored ABISHAG got me rather overheated. So after I got back to the "Free" Miami Anchorage and had stored all the stuff, I went for a little swim. Just me and the dolphins . . . or so I thought. I was approached as I swam by a manatee. It was the size of a couple of sofas and about as ugly as you can imagine. Of course, all the stories about mermaids are attributed to sailors long at sea who spy a manatee. Take it from me, you would have to be at sea a LLLLONG time to see a manatee and come up with mermaid.
We are going to get socked with a front passing tonight(they always seem to come at night) and there will be a lot of wind and quite possibly 1/4 inch of rain. The wind just did a 180 from South to North so the front is definitely here. It will make for an anxious night and probably not one of a lot of sleep. But the holding is good and things should be just fine.
In about 2 weeks or less, I will begin the long trip back. Me and the spring weather will travel together so it might be awhile before I get back.The ICW has no secrets for me now and there are some places I really want to see. It should be a rather interesting trip back.
Monday, February 28, 2011
You Can't Fix Stupid!
SHIP'S LOG:
I think it was a comedian by the name of Ron White who came up with the phrase and i would have to day, based on the last two days that I would have to agree completely.
INCIDENT #1 I needed to go to a marina for a "Pump & Dump." one that I should have taken care of sooner. But I waited until Sunday when seemingly everyone with a boat is out using it. I had to pass under the Venetian Causeway Bridge West to get to the only marina in the immediate area that said they had a working pump-out. I was a couple of hundred yards away from the bridge and I called the tender so that he would know that I was coming. I asked him if he could see me and he said "Yes." I did this to give him a heads up because the toll station to get onto the Venetian Causeway is just beyond the bridge and there can be a rather long line of traffic stretching over it. I just wanted him to know I was approaching and was looking for an opening that would be "minimally invasive." I was still some distance away when he hit the lights and opened the bridge. He kept the bridge up for a minute and then closed it back down. I was about 50 yards away. So I called him again and asked for an open "at his convenience." And he went off on a toot, saying that if I made an appointment for the opening I should be there to take advantage of it. And to show me who was in control, he made me sit there until I was joined by several other boats also asking for an opening. I was trying to help him out and he just seemed to take it the wrong way.
INCIDENT #2
The way into the marina for the "Pump & Dump" was down a narrow channel. I actually had to wait, idling in the ICW, until the boats already at the dock began to leave. I got the "ALL CLEAR" from the dock boss and proceeded in. Now in most cases, people in boats tend to pass each other like they do in cars, left-to-left(port to port). A "Gentleman boat operator," coming out of the marina decided that it was the perfect time to talk on his cell phone. With his cell phone in one hand and a beer in the other, an a boat full of friends and family, he started right out of the marina right down the center of the channel so that there was no way I could pass him and stay in the channel. I had to wake him up with blasts from my horn before he realized what he was doing and moved over. And did he give me the dirtiest look. ( I also got the finger from the woman I took to be his wife.)
INCIDENT # 3
Heading back through the same bridge as in Incident #1, I parked 30 feet off the bridge and made my call. Another sailboats was on the other side, about the same size as ABISHAG, and we would pass through together, no problem. The bridge went up and we both started through when a obviously brain dead individual on a Personal Water Craft decided that this would be the perfect time to also got through. AS we two sailboats were between the fenders under the bridge, he came around from behind the other sail boat, cut in front of my bow, passed down the portside and cut in front of the other sailboat's bow, all the while looking back obviously towards some friend also on PWC that hadn't followed him.
INCIDENT#4
Heading back up the Venetian Causeway toward the Miami Anchorage, I came upon a 40-45 motorsailer puttering along in the channel . . . . SSSSSLLLLOOOOOOWWWWLLLLLYYY. The entire deck of the motorsailer was covered with people all drinking and having a great time, including those who where sitting "on the pilothouse" with their legs dangling down in front of the helm(steering) station, and all those on the fore deck in front of the pilothouse. The motorsailer was just weaving all over the place and though I looking, I can't say for sure that I saw anyone on the wheel. I had to duck and dodge to get by, and I just missed colliding with the motorsailer. One of the young ladies offered me a drink.
INCIDENT#5
This one happened today. A couple of kids, mid to late teens, were out windsurfing. Now if the wind is right, you can get a windsurfer up to some pretty respectable speeds. It also can be not the most agile and maneuverable craft and they can get out of control quickly if you loose your focus. For these reasons, they are safest in open water with not a lot of obstacles . . . .like moored boats, especially those with dinghies tethered of the back. And with the foolishness and impetuousness of youth, these two windsurfers took off from the beach through the mooring field and almost made it. One T-Boned a hard dinghy, driving his sailboard through the side, impaling the dinghy while the owner watch from the cockpit. The second lad was luckier as he hit a soft dinghy which only catapulted him and his board 20 feet up and 30 feet out. Neither was really hurt, except in the wallet, though for some reason, I don't believe that they learned much from the incident.
There were actually more incidents and these were just around me. I can't imagine what went on elsewhere. Then again, you can't fix stupid.
I think it was a comedian by the name of Ron White who came up with the phrase and i would have to day, based on the last two days that I would have to agree completely.
INCIDENT #1 I needed to go to a marina for a "Pump & Dump." one that I should have taken care of sooner. But I waited until Sunday when seemingly everyone with a boat is out using it. I had to pass under the Venetian Causeway Bridge West to get to the only marina in the immediate area that said they had a working pump-out. I was a couple of hundred yards away from the bridge and I called the tender so that he would know that I was coming. I asked him if he could see me and he said "Yes." I did this to give him a heads up because the toll station to get onto the Venetian Causeway is just beyond the bridge and there can be a rather long line of traffic stretching over it. I just wanted him to know I was approaching and was looking for an opening that would be "minimally invasive." I was still some distance away when he hit the lights and opened the bridge. He kept the bridge up for a minute and then closed it back down. I was about 50 yards away. So I called him again and asked for an open "at his convenience." And he went off on a toot, saying that if I made an appointment for the opening I should be there to take advantage of it. And to show me who was in control, he made me sit there until I was joined by several other boats also asking for an opening. I was trying to help him out and he just seemed to take it the wrong way.
INCIDENT #2
The way into the marina for the "Pump & Dump" was down a narrow channel. I actually had to wait, idling in the ICW, until the boats already at the dock began to leave. I got the "ALL CLEAR" from the dock boss and proceeded in. Now in most cases, people in boats tend to pass each other like they do in cars, left-to-left(port to port). A "Gentleman boat operator," coming out of the marina decided that it was the perfect time to talk on his cell phone. With his cell phone in one hand and a beer in the other, an a boat full of friends and family, he started right out of the marina right down the center of the channel so that there was no way I could pass him and stay in the channel. I had to wake him up with blasts from my horn before he realized what he was doing and moved over. And did he give me the dirtiest look. ( I also got the finger from the woman I took to be his wife.)
INCIDENT # 3
Heading back through the same bridge as in Incident #1, I parked 30 feet off the bridge and made my call. Another sailboats was on the other side, about the same size as ABISHAG, and we would pass through together, no problem. The bridge went up and we both started through when a obviously brain dead individual on a Personal Water Craft decided that this would be the perfect time to also got through. AS we two sailboats were between the fenders under the bridge, he came around from behind the other sail boat, cut in front of my bow, passed down the portside and cut in front of the other sailboat's bow, all the while looking back obviously towards some friend also on PWC that hadn't followed him.
INCIDENT#4
Heading back up the Venetian Causeway toward the Miami Anchorage, I came upon a 40-45 motorsailer puttering along in the channel . . . . SSSSSLLLLOOOOOOWWWWLLLLLYYY. The entire deck of the motorsailer was covered with people all drinking and having a great time, including those who where sitting "on the pilothouse" with their legs dangling down in front of the helm(steering) station, and all those on the fore deck in front of the pilothouse. The motorsailer was just weaving all over the place and though I looking, I can't say for sure that I saw anyone on the wheel. I had to duck and dodge to get by, and I just missed colliding with the motorsailer. One of the young ladies offered me a drink.
INCIDENT#5
This one happened today. A couple of kids, mid to late teens, were out windsurfing. Now if the wind is right, you can get a windsurfer up to some pretty respectable speeds. It also can be not the most agile and maneuverable craft and they can get out of control quickly if you loose your focus. For these reasons, they are safest in open water with not a lot of obstacles . . . .like moored boats, especially those with dinghies tethered of the back. And with the foolishness and impetuousness of youth, these two windsurfers took off from the beach through the mooring field and almost made it. One T-Boned a hard dinghy, driving his sailboard through the side, impaling the dinghy while the owner watch from the cockpit. The second lad was luckier as he hit a soft dinghy which only catapulted him and his board 20 feet up and 30 feet out. Neither was really hurt, except in the wallet, though for some reason, I don't believe that they learned much from the incident.
There were actually more incidents and these were just around me. I can't imagine what went on elsewhere. Then again, you can't fix stupid.
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