6/17/15: Time is flying here in the boatyard. We decided to go ahead and do our major cleaning now instead of waiting till we get back in August. When I say major cleaning I mean MAJOR cleaning. 

On top of that we are having the boat painted. Twelve Stones will hit the water looking like a new boat.

Check back in a few days for pictures of all that we have accomplished. 

6/1/15: Green Cove Springs, Florida

We had planned on catching up with lots of family & friends while we were here but since arriving in Green Cove we have been busy everyday with boat chores. 

We did take a day off and visit with some of the family. I can’t believe we haven’t seen them for over a year!

Today we pulled Twelve Stones out of the water for minor but necessary stuff. Mainly we are fixing all the things the marina in Fairhope, Al. did wrong or just plain failed to do. Nice to know we can rely on and trust Tom at Holland Marina here in Green Cove.

Once we get back in the water we are headed north to spend some time in North Carolina. 

We are blessed to be able to live this life.

5/14/15: Beach Marina, Jacksonville ICW – Green Cove Springs, Fl. – 45 NM

We left Beach Marina around 6:45 am this morning traveling with the current & ran around 8.5 knots. There was little to no wind which added to our speed. 

Commercial traffic on the St. Johns was almost nonexistent, we only saw one Freighter heading into Jacksonville.

It is so nice to be back on our beloved St. Johns River after being gone for over a year.

On 5/7/15 we left Ft. Myers traveled 367 NM and arrived at Holland Marina (hollandmarineboatyard.com) in Green Cove Springs 7 days later.Tom Holland is very familiar with Great Harbours and does excellent marine work. We will spend a week or so here getting routine stuff done and have Tom fix what Fairhope Marina on Mobile Bay messed up.

While here we hope to catch up with family and friends that we haven’t seen for over a year. 

Lots to do and excited. Then its off for another adventure as we head north.

Thanking God for protection over the last year and a safe return to our home port.

5/13/15: Daytona Beach Halifax Marina – Beach Marina, Jacksonville ICW – 72 NM

We had planned on anchoring about 8 NM north of St. Augustine but arrived at that location around 2 pm. The wind and tide were in our favor most of the day so we continued on.

This trip has been one of pure relaxation. 

We saw numerous Dolphins, Manatees, and a beautiful Eagle. 

This is what pleasure boating is all about!

5/12/15: Melbourne – Daytona Beach Halifax Marina – 76 NM

Today was another beautiful day on the water. Or original plans were to anchor out in Daytona but the weather forecast forced us into the marina. We really like this marina because it is an easy in and out. 

Ike enjoying the ride.

5/10/15: Ft. Pierce, Fl. Anchorage – Melbourne Harbor Marina, Fl – 39 NM

God continues to bless us with great weather and smooth water. 

We were underway before 7:00 am just as the sun came up. 

Sun coming up over the Ft. Pierce anchorage.

Most of the day the water was smooth but a few miles outside of Melbourne the wind picked up and by the time we arrived around 1:00 pm the wind was clocking SE 10-12 knots. 

A calm ICW north of Ft. Pierce

The weather forecast predicted SE winds at 17 Knots with gust to 24 Knots to start around 2 pm in Melbourne. So the long day yesterday paid off making today a short run. The marina is somewhat sheltered from the winds except a strong SE wind which is exactly the direction the wind was coming from.

We will stay at Melbourne for 2 days which will give us time to visit with our dear friends Linda and Denny from Michigan who spend the winter in Florida.

We have really enjoyed the last few days on the water and looking forward to many more days on the water.

5/9/15: Clewiston, Fl – Ft. Pierce, Fl. Anchorage – 2 locks & 77 NM

We left early this morning for our Lake Okeechobee crossing. The water was smooth making it the best crossing we have ever had. 

Calm waters of Lake Okeechobee

Both locks opened right when we arrived so there were no lock delays which inspired us to push on past our original anchorage spot at Jensen Beach to Ft. Pierce. We had anchored at the Ft. Pierce anchorage before and found it to be a good spot.

The St. Lucie River served up whitecaps reminding us that each body of water brings it challenges. 

Heading into St. Lucie Rive with weekend boaters coming at us.

After 11 ½ hours we arrived at our anchorage with a 15 Knot wind. Anchor set on 1^st try and the hold was great. The breeze afforded us the opportunity to sleep with all the windows open which we really like. Good night sleep. Thanking God for another safe day on the water and safe anchorage.

Sunset view at Ft. Pierce anchorage

5/8/15: River Forest Yacht Marina, LaBelle, Fl. – Roland Martin Marina, Clewiston, Fl. 1 lock & 23.20 NM.

Most people don’t call this a ‘destination’ stop but we sure do. Floating docks well protected behind the lock walls and southern charm. The store has unique gifts and the outdoor restaurant screams ‘southern Florida.’

The channel is well protected along the rim and is teaming with alligators, birds, and turtles.

You never know what you will see on the water!

We saw alligators.

5/7/15: Ft. Myers – River Forest Yacht Marina, LaBelle, Fl. – 2 Locks & 35.30 NM

We arrived at Ft. Myers in December with plans to stay a month, go to the Keys, then the Bahamas. Well that never happened. We settled into Ft. Myers, got our yearly Doctor visits out of the way, and just relaxed. It was a much needed rest after the loop.

Today we left Ft. Myers. We are rested and ready to get back onto the water. We decided to make the first two days short days since we hadn’t been away from the dock in 5 months. This turned out to be a great plan.

Beautiful day on the water.

The first day we went through 2 locks ( a dolphin played inside one of the locks) and boy did they seem easy after the ones on the Erie Canal and Canada.  We docked at the River Forest Yacht Center which is mainly known for its inside yacht storage. Hundreds of boats each year make their way to this location, get hauled out of the water, and stored in a large building. It was impressive the size of the boats stored here.

Entrance to River Forest Yacht Center

4/10/15: Ft. Myers Yacht Basin, Ft. Myers, Florida.

We have had a great winter here in Ft. Myers. This appears to be the place to not only meet new Loopers as several have come and gone but to also hook up with old friends as they pass by on their way either east or west.

We celebrated Easter with Joe & Connie (Chesapeake) and Barb & Ross (Attitude Changer). Menu: Ham, yams, mashed potatoes, rolls, green beans, and pie. Location: On the dock, where else!

Barb & Ross on Attitude Changer were here for a couple of weeks & we celebrated her birthday with an old fashion Shrimp Boil.

Barb with one of her famous Pineapple Upside Down cakes. She makes the best! 

What great memories.

We have seen several Great Harbours either at the marina, passing by, or anchoring out. Traveling together and heading to Lake Okeechobee for a crossing, Seven Tenths (GH47), At Last (GH37), and Lo Que Se A (GH37) stopped at the marina for a night. It was good to catch up with other Great Harbour owners.

This GH47 was anchored out in front of the Ft. Myers Yacht Basin

We arent sure which GH47 this was.

We made a road trip over to the East coast to see Steve & Shelia aboard Pura Vida. They are Loopers we first met right after we left Chicago.They will cross their wake in Michigan. We assured them the best is yet to come as they continue north on their Loop adventure.

Godspeed our dear friends.

3/8/15: Ft. Myers Yacht Basin, Ft. Myers, Florida.

The weather, the great service here at the marina, and the weekend events in downtown Ft. Myers keep us here at the dock.

We continue to see fellow Loopers as they come and go here at the Ft. Myers Yacht Basin. We have also seen several Great Harbours since we have been here. Nice to see other Great Harbours and their owners.

The Edison Light Parade is a yearly event and we had a front row seat this year.

Several of us climbed aboard Chesapeake to watch the parade and fireworks.

Thousands of people attend the weekend events.

An Edison Light Parade Requires a Lightbulb.

Parade Fireworks

We entered Ike in the ‘Mutt Strut’ event and he won 1^st PLACE in his category. Of course he did! We are proud parents…LOL. 

Ike ready for the Mutt Strut

The Jockey Looks Scared!

Relaxing before the event.

Ike Won 1st Place In His Category...ahhh