Friday, December 10, 2010

Day Nine-Friday Dec 10

 Friday Evening....
We arrived in Stuart this afternoon about 4:00.   Today's run down the "ditch" was really enjoyable.   There were only one or two bridges to deal with and not many areas with restricted speeds.   The sun was warm and temps got up to the 70s.  We were able to clean of isinglass bridge windows while underway. They get coated with salt etc  making it difficult to see nav aids and other boats.   We covered about 120 miles in great conditions. Toys has performed well the whole trip and today was no exception.  Great boat! Kelly Jo made a video of several dolphins playing in our bow wave.   She will try and post the video on the blog tomorrow for all to see. 

Tonight we went to Mario's (a local family style Italian restaurant) with Beth's sister and her family.   Great food and great company.  Everyone came back carrying a box of leftovers...so much food!

Tomorrow morning we will exit the "ditch" at the St Lucie inlet and make our final leg to Fort Lauderdale and Toy's winter home.   With any luck we should be there by early afternoon.   Gloria has generously arranged to provide a car for us to use while at the slip.   THANKS GLORIA!!!  Once we get the boat tied up and secure we need to start a complete cleaning process so the boat will be in tip top condition for next weekend. 

I hear it snowed up in Maryland today.......

Captain David





We looked closely at the conditions out in the Atlantic this morning and have decided to run inside for a least a few hours.   The winds are still in the 20's and the waves are in the six foot range.   This would not be a comfortable ride.   Overall this weather pattern has added two or three days to our schedule.  Running inside the "ditch" is slow going but safer for boat and crew.  We are now at mile marker 875.  Fort Lauderdale is at 1065 just a little less than 200 miles away now.  We will probably stop one more time in the West Palm area before making it to our final destination in the New River on Sunday.

So this morning we will wash off the soot that blew down from the forest fire yesterday evening.   Take our time getting out to the first bridge (NASA Highway Bridge) which does not open until 8:00am.  Then continue south and monitor conditions on the outside for an opportunity to duck out and make better time.   We still plan to be in Stuart tonight at the Loggerhead Marina.

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