You CAN Go Back

We have done a couple of repeat trips in the boating world the past few days. The first one was taking the kayaks back to the south fork of the St. Lucie River. This time we went the opposite way, looking for the alligators we had heard frequented the area. Unfortunately we didn't see any, but did see turtles.

The first part of the trip was through residential areas so there was lots to see. The second part was back to nature and mangroves. We didn't make it all the way to the end, because it was getting too warm out and we ended at a crossroads in the river and didn't get want to lost. This trip is best left for winter cold fronts.

Today was perfect for heading back down to the St. Lucie Inlet and the clear water of our new found mangrove island. This time we brought toys with us in Coqui...snorkeling gear and my kayak! We went around to the west side of one of the little islands and had a blast swimming and paddling. Dave even found quite a few fish along the mangrove roots, including several large snook.

There is nothing like being able to see your anchor line underwater from the bow of the boat.

Almost the whole time we were there there, this Great Blue Heron sat watching us. I guess it was used to people, because as the day went on, more and more boats arrived. 

That was our cue to leave and head back to the launch ramp via the backwaters, 'reading' the water and finding the deeper channels. Now we will be back to motorcycle trips, bicycle riding, and power walking, since all the launch ramps will be closed Saturday and Sunday. Smart move by officials since the sandbars are wall to wall people on the weekends. We have even noticed an increase during the week with many people out of work and kids out of school. We definitely distance ourselves more than others. Hope it works and keeps the virus away.

Tahiti Beach West

We have discovered another clear water swimming hole, even closer to home. We took our powerboat, now named Coqui after the tree frog that hops from place to place (also matches little Coquina, our 15 ft. sailboat), from the ramp at the east side of Stuart's Indian River bridge, down to the St. Lucie Inlet area. While exploring the canals and coves, we found a sandbar right off the inlet, that was crystal clear on the incoming tide, and deep water running next to it. It reminded us so much of Tahiti Beach off Elbow Cay in the Bahamas, except the Stuart bridge was in the background.

Dave even found this mature queen conch!

We also found a hermit crab that took over a small conch shell.

Instead of palm trees like on Tahiti Beach, we had a mangrove forest. 

The sand was gorgeous and there were trails through to the other side.

There were also huge yachts going in and out of a very elite residential marina.

Now we are content to have had another boating adventure, just in case the authorities do close down the boat ramps. I imagine that will happen on the weekend when all the sandbars are normally packed.

Early Morning Paddle

Since I wrote last, all the ocean beaches have been closed down, because too many people were congregating together. Since authorities only closed a few at a time, it made people get closer and closer as the areas got smaller. Now everyone is going out in their boats, but still they are congregating on the sandbar party spots. This has required that some of the launch ramps to be closed, which may mean that more closures will follow. Tomorrow we will go out in the powerboat, in case they do that. Meanwhile, this morning was perfect for kayaking. We have to start early because this week is predicted to be sunny and a wonderful 83-89 degrees! We launched at a small beach on the Indian River at the east end of the Jensen Beach causeway, and it sure was calm.

Our destination was Nettles Island (seen as all the houses in the distance), led by my buddies the pelicans, who were diving for breakfast.

However, we didn't make it that far because we found other canals and places to explore before reaching the island. This included this nature preserve that opened into a cove.

Then we found a couple of communities where anything goes as far as housing is concerned. There were new buildings, travel trailers, 1960's trailers with additions, and everything in-between, all tucked in close together. It reminded us so much of the Florida Keys.

This one looked like a trailer that had been built around and then raised up precariously...

This toy hauler trailer would work perfect for the two of us, complete with big fridge, washer/dryer, and a complete workshop.

I have seen owl statues to keep birds from landing on posts, but how about a penguin?

A Riff Raft! We used to have a party raft like this when we lived in the Keys, although not quite as elaborate.

Owners of a Boston Whaler Rage Jet Boat retrofitted it into an outboard motor powered skiff...

This Bounder motorhome was our favorite sight of the day, with its name...

We may be doing more and more kayaking to get out and exercise and enjoy the fresh air. Hopefully this was just the beginning and all the water access sights don't get closed. It is still a crazy time right now, but we are being good about social distancing and yet still enjoying ourselves. Hope you are too!

A Little Piece Of Paradise

We are hoping that the best way to stay healthy is fresh air and sunshine, which we have plenty of here on the Treasure Coast. Yesterday we launched the skiff in Fort Pierce and headed out the inlet on an incoming tide. The water was the amazing blue-green that we were used to seeing in Abaco.

This 160' expedition yacht, called the Compass Rose, grabbed our attention. On board it had an exotic looking motorcycle, a couple of flats boats, a 29' Yellowfin, and a sportfishing boat with tuna tower. We looked up the specifics on the yacht and the sportfisherman gets launched by hydraulic lowering and raising behind those massive stern lock doors. Gee, if we had the money, it looked like something we would own with all the toys, except it was lacking a sailboat!

Another big yacht we saw in port was the 250' Titania...

It was so calm out that we motored out to the sea buoys in the ocean, just to say we could. View looking back in the inlet...

We did some backwater exploring and found a little piece of paradise up one of the creeks by the state park. The entrance was tricky with deep water close to shore on the east side, but a shoal on the west side. The current was flying, but the water was clear and warm and inviting...Dave couldn't wait, and the spot we anchored in was 10ft. deep.

There was a sandy shoal that people were walking around on, so we both had fun walking up current, then jumping in the water and floating back to the boat. You had to make sure you were in line with the boat though, because if you missed it, or the line we had trailing off the stern, it was a hard swim back.

I think we have found a favorite new spot, and it is closer to home than Peanut Island. The tide has to be coming in though, or else the water goes back to its usual brown. What a great excursion! 

Craziness

It has been a long week between Dave being sick with his head cold and then me coming down with the same sinus virus. Then of course the Coronavirus pandemic on top of everything! Although supplies of so many items are flying off the shelves everywhere in the U.S. now (why toilet paper?!), I actually made it to our Winn Dixie Grocery Store today and they were quite stocked up with most items. If we need to stay away from people, we are now set. However, the weather here is beautiful and perfect for being outside where the sun is shining and hopefully keeping the virus away. We will avoid crowds, but will take motorcycle rides, swim in the outdoor pool, and hopefully take our boats out. Today we headed down to Sandsprit Park, to see if the pandemic has made a difference with people's plans. The boat launch parking lot was packed, plus there were still small groups having parties. and others lined up along the waterfront watching all the boating activity.

And wow, the weekend boaters were definitely out with this being THE spot to watch it all. This is the junction of the ICW/Indian River, St. Lucie Inlet, Manatee Pocket, and the St.Lucie River that heads west to the Okeechobee Waterway.

Then there were the parties out at the Sandbar with boats, kids, and dogs galore. I don't know about the people, but the boats seemed to be practicing 'social distancing.'

As usual, the Monk Parakeets, which look like small green parrots, were oblivious to all of the activity and continued their own craziness of flying between trees, calling to their mates, and building nests.

These are definitely crazy times we are in right now. Stay healthy everyone!

Water Music

It is hard to believe that it has been a week already since we went to a Fleetwood Mac tribute band concert at Indian Riverside Park. The event is called Music at the Mansion, since it is on the property of the Tuckahoe Mansion. The venue was gorgeous overlooking the Indian River, as boats motored and sailed by, pelicans flew overhead, and fish jumped out of the water.

Crystal Visions played a variety of music which appealed to the wide range of ages of people who attended. This will probably be our last concert, since it is time to avoid large crowds. As it is, Dave picked up a head cold and I am now following him around with Lysol and whatever hand sanitizer I have, which appears to be the last bit left in the world. 😉 Our concert attendance sure was fun while it lasted though.

Bottom's Up

I found the photos below on Dave's phone a few days ago. Terri took them back when she and the family were visiting here. Dave, Ken, Noah, and I tried doing underwater handstands in our community pool. I think we would do great at synchronized swimming (although Noah could use a bit of practice 😉)!

Pool Shark

Sorry, this post is not about a shark in our pool, but a shark in the billiard room! When our brother-in-law Len was here visiting, he and Dave decided to try out our community billiard room and pool tables. Both of the guys claimed they hadn't played in years (I knew Dave hadn't since at least 1980). Dave found out the hard way that Len used to play pool for extra money when he was in college (a long time ago too 😉) but he certainly hadn't lost his touch for winning. He got better and better each of the three nights they played, 'allowing' Dave to win just one game. They sure had fun playing.

Footnote: When I Googled pool shark, it told me that it could also be pool sharp. However, this is Florida, so shark is definitely more appropriate!

Our Picks

We were so impressed with the Elliott Museum that we returned with Sue and Len to show them the great exhibits. There weren't as many people visiting on the day we went, so we were able to sit in front of the 3 level car racking system and choose a few vehicles to come down on the robotic tray for display.

Dave chose the 1931 Ford Model AA Milk Delivery Truck and I chose the little 1975 Citicar.

Dave was funny pretending to be the school bus driver. "Sit down! No yelling! No chewing gum!"

We are still excited to return to the museum later this month when the British Motorcycle display rolls into the building.