COURAGE’S JOURNEY FROM PROVIDENCE, RI TO KEY WEST, FL
Tuesday October 7, 2014
Weather: 80 Mostly Sunny
Departure: 09:30 from St. Augustine, FL
Revised Destination: Titusville, FL
Marina: Titusville Municipal Marina 7 out of 10 Arrival: 15:30
Distance traveled: 100 Nautical Miles
MUCH TO SEE ON THE ICW!
It was another beautiful day! Admiral Archie thought we ought to push further than New Smyrna Beach and head to Titusville. Captain George followed orders! We shoved off at 09:30 for our first full day on the Florida ICW. The Captain and the Admiral discussed going out into the ocean but knowing First Mate’s Kris’ propensity to seasickness they deferred to her! The ICW was flat and made for a smooth ride. The journey took us from St. Augustine to Ormond Beach to Daytona Beach through the Indian River (yes where the grapefruit come from) into the Titusville/Cape Canaveral area. We stayed at an older but nice, clean marina in Titusville right next to a dog park.
After a long, hot day Admiral Archie was able to take a dip in the kiddie pool. Sorry no pictures, the First Mate forgot her camera!
What stood out on this leg was the wildlife. This section of the ICW is very protective of their manatees! We would have made better time except for all the slow / no wake zones. But better safe than sorry. We saw groups of dolphins for miles. We had them riding our wake. We also saw herons, egrets and pelicans. And at last we saw manatees. The marina is a safe harbor for them. Such sweet, gentle creatures.
There was also a screened porch where we could watch the Cardinals. We walked to Cracker Jacks for dinner and saw the Cardinals clinch the series there. It was a good day on land and sea.
Our plan for tomorrow is to go all the way to Stuart, FL.
Wednesday October 8, 2014
Weather: 80s Partly Sunny
Departure: 08:15 from Titusville, FL Destination: Stuart, FL
Marina: Sunset Bay Marina 8 out of 10 Arrival: 14:45
Distance traveled: 100 Nautical Miles
WE MADE IT TO STUART!
We awoke early so we could see the lunar eclipse and to get an early start on our day. There is something to be said for watching a lunar eclipse from Cape Canaveral! It was a bit cloudy but we can say we saw it.
Today’s plan was to make it to Stuart this afternoon. Stuart, FL is called the Crossroads. From here boaters have a choice of three routes. You can continue down the ICW all the way to Miami and even Key West. You can move outside and navigate the Atlantic Ocean again all the way to Key West. Or you can travel along the St. Lucie River, down the South Fork through the Okeechobee Waterway to Ft. Myers and Florida’s West Coast. It is also the most direct entry point to and from the Bahamas.
As it turns out the Admiral and the Captain rethought their decision to forego the ocean and decided it was a good day to make an outside run. We entered the Atlantic Ocean at the Sebastian Inlet and reentered at the Fort Pierce Inlet.
We are taking to boat to the Hinckley boatyard Thursday for a few repairs and routine maintenance. By making it to Stuart today we can relax at a nice marina before heading to the boatyard. The journey stops here for a short while. Kris will return to St. Louis and Captain George and Admiral Archie are going to take a few side trips to Ft. Myers and Key West by land.
There have been a few questions about Courage and I realized I never supplied details just pictures. The specs:
Make:
Model: Production Year: Single Engine: Propulsion: Steering:
Bow Thruster: Electronics: Accommodations:
Hinckley
36’ Picnic Boat
1998 Hull #73
Volvo 435 HP Supercharged and Turbocharged (repowered in 2006) Jet Drive (no propeller)
Hydraulic Steering or Computer JetStick Control
Electric
Ray Marine Chart Nav, Auto Pilot, Radar
V-Berth, Galley, Vacuum Head
Thursday / Friday October 9-10, 2014
Weather: 80s Mostly Sunny
Departure: 11:30 am from Stuart, FL Destination: Hinckley Marina Manatee Pocket Arrival: 12:00
Final Destination: Jupiter Inlet Colony Distance traveled: A hop, skip and a jump!
WHAT A JOURNEY IT’S BEEN (TO BE CONTINUED!)
We packed up and transported Courage to the Hinckley Boatyard for service. When we return she will be officially named COURAGE!
For the next few days we are staying in Jupiter Inlet Colony with Stephen and Vicki. This house is amazing. It sits right on the Jupiter Inlet overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. As most of you know Jupiter is the winter home of the Cardinals. I hope our visit brings them good luck!
Friday George attended an AA meeting on the “porch”. The porch is an actual porch at the base Jupiter Inlet lighthouse. Jupiter’s most notable landmark is the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, completed in 1860. Made of brick, it was painted red in 1910 to cover discoloration caused by humidity. It is a working lighthouse. We toured the Lighthouse and climbed to the top. The view is spectacular, the grounds beautiful and as this entire trip has been very historical and well preserved.
We are taking two week break on the boat trip. Kris returns to St. Louis Saturday and George and Archie are driving to Ft. Myers to see friends. They’ll be in Ft. Myers a few days and will then travel to Key West. Then back to Ft. Myers and Stuart to continue the journey. It’s a welcome change to stay off the boat but bittersweet as well. We miss it! And it’s sad to think the journey is almost at an end.
So this is Admiral Archie, Captain George and First Mate Kris saying so long for a little while. But stay tuned we’ll be back!
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