Entering Lake Worth on a nice Friday, oh my….
Our day at Old Port Cove Marina accomplished several last minute tasks like troubleshooting the Captains cell phone (which he uses for anchor alarm and back up navigation) which wouldn’t charge, last minute grocery run, and laundry.
Thanks to Carolyn on Patriyachtik who has the same phone we were able to deduce that only a new charging cord was needed, whew! And thanks to a helpful shuttle driver from the marina he was able to find one while I did the grocery shopping.
We intended to anchor out just off the Lake Worth Inlet Friday night, but as the winds picked up we opted to tie up at Riviera Beach. Coming into the main lake basin we were all a little overwhelmed by the hoopla. It wasn’t’ long before we decided we needed to join in and the afternoon was spent at Peanut Island where we gave the dinghies their final pre-departure check out.
It was agreed to leave at first light about 6:30. The Captains had a tough night sleeping anticipating the departure. I wish I could say the worst of it was the trip out the inlet where the seas were backing up and coming fast while we negotiated the channel with a massive freighter, but the rest of the journey was rough, and long. About 70 miles, a lot of it in seas where you just had to hang on. The gulf stream and the waves were at odds making it an unsettled sea which kept us churning. It didn’t look as fierce as the Ablemarle Sound did, but it was relentless and we had water back up in our sinks (no damage, just uck), so it must have been big. Of course as uncomfortable as it was, we were never in danger as long as we stayed in our seats. And there were never less than 3 vessels within sight, we had regular check ins with our buddy boat Patriyachtik and listened to them check in with a Defever group they had met while waiting to cross.
The seas finally calmed just 15 miles from the island and we enjoyed an escort in from squadrons of flying fish. The journey was not so terrible we couldn’t enjoy the beautiful deep blue of the clear ocean water or the lovely aqua reflected in the clouds above the Bahama Bank once we got close enough to see land.
Miles Day 7: 4 Crossing miles day 8: 70
Weather: Warm and sunny, south winds about 11mph
This captain was the last in and first out, he backed out of the narrow channel before turning around. Glad we were in early.
Another early start, but one that didn’t need to be. I had called Port Mayaca Lock just before they closed for the day the night before to confirm their locking schedule since they are repairing manatee screens and have just 3 openings a day. The fellow who answered told me they would be on demand, meaning whenever you get here.
Well, Jim Healy called at 7:00 and we called on our way across the lake and got only an 11:30 opening. So, the upside was we got great sunrise shots (we left anyway having already prepared the boat) and with a headwind our slow speed didn’t make for the extremely hot crossing we had last year.
Is it just me? I always wonder if they will get the bridge working when I see them repairing it.
Bridge closures seemed to be the theme of this run. The bridge immediately after the lock was down with a repair crew on the top of the bridge. We idled for about 10 minutes waiting for it to go up. Interestingly enough, there were very few birds to be found on the east side of the lake.
Another short wait at the St. Lucie lock then a run into the St. Lucie River. A stop we didn’t make last year was Sunset Bay Marina where we took a mooring ball (preparation for the Bahamas). They have an extensive mooring field.
Sunset from Sunset Bay mooring field.
Manatee Pocket, I am starting to use the Waterway Guide on line fuel pricing to source the best prices for diesel.
Off a little later the next morning. Continuing in the path taken last year with a detour into Manatee Pocket for cheap diesel at Mariners Cay Marina. Then soon after we were in new territory (to us anyway) heading south on the ICW.
It was a beautiful day with a run through some exquisite waterway, Hobe Sound, Jupiter, then into Lake Worth where we turned north to Old Port Cove Marina to meet up with a looping couple we plan to cross to the Bahamas with.
It was sweet to see the water turn to turquoise with white sand beaches. Something we hope to see a lot more of.
Lake Worth
Miles Day 5: 53 Day 6: 26
Weather: Warm and sunny, south winds about 11mph
Just like old times, leaving at sunrise.
The alarm was set for a relatively early start. We cast off and headed east. Hoping to get as far as the west side of Lake Okachobee, but in no hurry.
The river was quiet and the scenery interesting and pretty in parts. Ortona Lock was waiting for us and we rose 8 feet. A call to Indiantown confirmed they were busy and we won’t know if they have a spot for us tomorrow night until the morning. A call to Roland Martin in Clewiston confirmed they had a spot for us. We missed stopping here on the loop transit and figured we should check this much discussed marina out. The Captain likes a good tiki bar and they are known for theirs.
The only glitch of the day was the railroad bridge in Moore Haven right before the lock. It is usually open, but not today, a crew was working on it and we idled in the wind for 10-15 minutes before it finally opened.
I hate a closed bridge with no tender or opening schedule.
The rest of the days run was on the rim canal along the western edge of the lake. The bird life was abundant. I set a goal to get only bird action shots having a slew of birds by the waterway pictures.
The marina is a face dock in a narrow channel behind a “hurricane gate”. The gate was open and we were in early enough to have an easy time docking. The dock filled by nightfall and the last boats in were typically squeezing between a couple already there.
We were met on the dock by Bob a fellow looper we first met in Mackinaw City and have bumped into along the way. He is waiting on parts and working his way through the tiki bar menu without complaints. He stopped by to invite us for dinner with a couple he cruised the Chesapeake with, Peg and Jim Healy on Sanctuary. We had heard them on the radio following us and I thought the boat sounded familiar. Jim posts frequently on several of the lists we follow. It was nice to put a face and some background with the name over dinner. Of course we picked their brain about stops in the Abacos in the Bahamas and got a few other gems as well.
Tomorrow’s path.
Sanctuary behind us.
Miles Today: 47
Weather: Warm, windy, partly cloudy
Leaving Legacy
When we completed the Loop back in November, it was our intention to stay close to the dock for the rest of the season before the Infinite Sea went on the hard for the season. But always on our mind was, “What’s next?”
We tossed around the idea of cruising the Caribbean after the crew of Front Page returned with tales of their adventure and started doing some research. But clearly that was a few years off and the question we couldn’t answer was, how would we adapt to weeks on the hook without TV or Internet?
When the Captain proposed we try it out by cruising to the Bahamas before putting the boat on the hard, who was going to say no? Certainly not me!
So the date was set and preparations made. The boat was ready having been prepared for the loop a few minor mechanical questions reviewed with the mechanic, the oil changed. A months worth of meat and non perishable staples loaded aboard (tough after spending a few months trying to pare down the lockers).
Then the night before our departure the Captain is writhing in pain…… A night in the ER kills the pain and nets us a diagnosis of a kidney stone. To go, or not to go???
After consulting with the urologist we evaluated. The pain was gone, the stone was small and almost to the bladder at the ER, it may be gone or it may move again. We have a week before weather allows us to cross. No sense sitting on the couch, there are doctors in Stuart too if necessary.
Interesting boat heading west. Looks like sailing hull with electric retrofit, speculation is electric powered as this is way more solar panels than what you’d need for the appliances.
Alligator seen in the river below the lock (in brackish water) unusual.
So we are off, first stop Hidden Island near Alva, FL. 20 miles east on the Okachobee Waterway. We are glad to have a chance to say goodbye to our friends from the Cape Coral Cruise Club and then enjoy this serene island for a few restful days before moving on.
View from our back deck at dinner, serene.
Miles: 19
Weather: Sunny, hot, highs near 90
Travels of the Infinite Sea 