Weather

"I cannot command winds and weather."

                                              Horatio Nelson

 

Somehow, weather seems so much more important on a small boat.  Cece and I live by it, and move by it now.  For three months, we have traveled south, trying to keep up with acceptably warm temperatures.  We've lived by a 45 degree rule (If nighttime temps drop below 45 degrees, we tie up at a marina and swallow the higher cost to plug in the heater).  If small boat advisories (winds over 25 knots) are forecast, we stay where we are.  And, when heavy rains come, we would much rather hunker down in the cabin with some hot tea, than sit out in a wet cold cockpit.  We have become fair weather sailors.

 

 

 

I write todays blog from Eau Gallie, Florida.  We are holed up for three days waiting for stormy weather to pass.  Heavy rain throughout the day has resulted in a Scrabble challenge day with periods set aside for boat cleaning and laundry.  We are also starting to catch up on our reading.

 

Of course, the big news up north this week has been the blizzard that struck DC, Baltimore, and New York.  The same storm crossed Marineland, FL. where we were docked, and brought with it high winds, storms, and colder temperatures (40s - 50s).  But, behind the storms a high pressure system has allowed us three good days to continue our passage south.  We've run short days (7 hours), and stopped in South Daytona Beach, Titusville, and now Eau Gallie.  The Space Coast of Florida has proven to be a beautiful environment whose waterways included the Halifax River and the Indian River.  Much of the shoreline is lined with palms and tropical vegetation of all sorts.  These waters are dense with birds, pelicans, and dolphins.  The daily runs have gotten progressively warmer, and we're beginning to think that colder temperatures may finally have been left behind. Of course it is almost February.

 

The shoreline south of St Augustine is full of coquina rock - not your usual white sandy beaches of Florida.

 

We were able to watch the trainers with the dolphins at the Marineland research facility. It was a crummy weather day as you can tell by the sky.

 

This little fella wanted to join us for lunch!

 

Just hanging out in someone's front yard.

 

For friends that wonder what a boat day looks like underway, the routine has become set.  We'll climb out of our berths about 30 minutes after first light.  After checking boat electrical systems (refrigerator, anchor lite, heating systems, etc.) we start the day with our weather apps and a cup of coffee.  Breakfast and boat preparation follow, usually with a 9:00 departure.  Cece loves to start the day at the helm with her hot tea, and usually communes with the waterway till about noon, siting interesting birds and each pod of dolphins. The undeveloped areas of the waterway are best for these observations.  We will trade rolls about noon and Bob will take the helm.  We try to either anchor or pull into the slip by 3pm.  This allows us time to explore the area were we will dock. We will explore the area usually till sunset, which this far south is now 6 pm. Then there are chores around preparing dinner.  Our evenings are spent reading, playing Scrabble or, if we have any reception we will catch up on e-mail or even Dowton Abby, or college basketball. Of course this pattern will change when we arrive somewhere where it is warm enough to stay put.  That means the water has to be 70 degrees and the air at least 75degrees.  Until we reach that mecca, this daily routine will hold.  

 

Searching for the land of warm breezes and palm trees!!!