Well we made it to Vero Beach just in time for Christmas.
We had not decorated for the holidays and with it being almost 80 degrees and sunny it was not feeling quite like the Christmas for us Northerners. What to do? Put up a Christmas tree. OK, the boat is not that big so we settled on a small Xmas display instead.
We are staying in a Suntex Marina (formerly Loggerhead Marina). Suntex’s HQ is in Texas and they recently purchased 11 Loggerhead marinas in Florida. The marina here is surrounded by high-end condos in a gated community. They have a beautiful pool and waterfall as well as a captain’s lounge where the captains enjoy coffee together each morning.
The trip South down the Indian River from Melbourne Beach to Vero Beach started with a beautiful sunrise.
Followed by large homes and the occasional trawler passing by.
The highlight of our stay was getting to spend time with Kelly’s Auntie Lori and her husband Jim who have an amazing home here in Vero Beach. Thanks Auntie Lori & Jim for being such great hosts! Here is a selfie from happy hour with our waitress Savannah (whose personality matched that beautiful smile).
The weather has been warm and sunny but Chief Martin Brody and Happy don’t seem to mind.
PS. Don’t tell them it’s not real grass in the cockpit.
We have been hearing about the 8 degree weather back home so we hope all our friends back home are staying warm.
Coinjock Marina is a great place to stop along the ICW. The Sandbar even had an Xmas tree up.
Too Early?
While we were at the pier a 1998 Bayliner 4788 arrived during the night and as they passed us we saw the severe damage to their bow.
Hope Nobody was Injured
It was a reminder about how dangerous boating down the ICW can be (especially when traveling at night). I hope nobody was seriously hurt. After having a crash like that you’d think you’d stay far away from everyone but as they passed us I thought for a second that they might hit us.
Yikes – This Pic Snapped Out My Pilothouse Window!
At that moment I went out in my PJs and attached two fenders to the canal side (just in case 😉 )
When we left Coinjock Marina it was foggy.
Coinjock Pier Looking Off our Stern
Even as we headed down the canal we had to rely on our radar to see any far out vessels.
Fog Was Worse Than This at Times
As you travel down these canals you will find homes along the canal and people going about their daily business.
Me Waving from the Pilothouse to the Locals
As we traveled along we saw several boats anchored just outside the channel. Being anchored well after sunrise is a sign that someone is having a peaceful morning enjoying their coffee.
Peaceful Morning on Anchor
We continued South down the North River and into Albemarle Sound. There was not a single boat to be found in the sound. We had the crossing to ourselves. While approaching the mouth of Alligator River I saw, what I thought were boats but upon closer binocular examination, I see they are some sort of mini islands? I’m not sure of their purpose? They look to big to be duck blinds?
I Need to Figure Out What These Are?
We anchored at the head of the Alligator River as we lost daylight. The anchorage was quiet with no boats passing but the cellular signal was dead. During much of the transit we would see our cell signal go from LTE => 3G => Extended 1X => blank. At times we would be excited to see 3G and upon trying to connect, we’d see the signal instantly drop to “Extended 1X” which did not work at all.
What Kind of Tomfoolery is this?
The Alligator River – Pungo River Canal was long and straight.
I Can See For Miles
Along the banks of this canal you can see the erosion from passing wakes.
Geology Experts of the Future Will be Doing Molecular Analysis on That Green Line
You will see many birds as you float along. It’s a reminder to me to improve my ornithological skills.
Where are my Ornithology experts?
Where is His Beak?
You’ll see other things that you’ll want to stay clear of like …
Fishing Nets
Sticks = Hazard
Are We Too Heavy for This Dock?
At times this can be difficult as you run straight down the sun heading South. While the camera does well looking into the sun, I was struggling at times.
Staring Match With The Sun
We arrived in Hobucken, NC and tied to an old dock for the night.
2 Days Journey
It’s been quiet here except for the passing tug pushing a barge down the river at night. At one point I was staring at a stand of tall trees that were illuminated on the shore and I could not for the life of me see the source of that light?
A Stand of Trees Illuminated
It became apparent moments later that it was the spotlight of an approaching tug and we braced for it’s passing wake.
MV Simple Life 
You must be logged in to post a comment.