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Admiral's Log Sunday, August
2nd. Admiral Shelley flew from DC to Miami and
then caught the FL Key Shuttle Service to Key Largo on Sunday
afternoon with plans to push with the two Captains (Michael and Rob)
from the dock early Monday morning .
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Photo 1
Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009
2:44 PM
Subject: RE: OUT OF OFFICE: August 3 until August 17
Shelley:
Be sure to watch out for sunburn. And mosquitoes. And alligators.
And hurricanes. And pirates. And
have fun!!!!
Bill
Sent: Sunday, August 02, 2009
8:40 PM
Subject: Miami Vice
Well, as the sun sets here at the marina, I have seen pirate flags on
dive
boats....filled with some VERY scary looking people...felt the
bites of many,
many mosquitoes...seen sting ray beneath the boat.....walked to the
'Conch
Restaurant' for slice of key lime pie..YUMMY...and, the topper is the
little dog
here in the marina yard that wears a sun visor! Michael even got
photo as
proof! I kept thinking that it sure would make good alligator
bait...which we
have not yet seen any!
If all goes well, we should be off after sunrise and heading to
Miami and make
our way thru numerous draw bridges. The bridges are the biggest
hurdle and
potential drawback for the day. Miami, here we come.
Ships ahoy, from Key Largo, mates!
The Admiral
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009
8:41 AM
Subject: DAY 1 -- AM: Delay in heading off to Miami
Hmmmm....Admiral Log, Day 1....sunrise has come and gone and we
still remain
at pier. Three problems have been encountered so far, and
marina
mechanics are working toward the resolution of at least two of them:
1. Engine starter (for starboard engine) 2. STB'D alarm going off
when
igniting engine...which means oil...yet oil levels are fine.
Computer system
has now been hooked up and diagnostic underway 3. BIGGEST challenge
at the
moment is that from the Flying Bridge, the gear control is
unreliable. Gear
control seemed to have mind of its own when it took control over
human and
lurched us forward when WE were down in the cabin area. NOT a good
thing!
Replacement of this control is necessary...yet this marina does not
have such a
part in stock and is checking to see where part might be found.
Thus, for the moment, the 'Admiral' is sitting with legs dangling
over the
edge of pier picking up someone's wireless and taking advantage of
the
wireless to send out this update.
According to boat guys...bananas on a boat are bad luck. I did a
quick sweep
of the refrigerator and found apples and oranges, but no bananas.
Hopefully
better luck is just around the bend and we shall soon be heading
upstream.
All for now, mates!
The Admiral
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Photo 2
Admiral’s Log Monday, August
3rd. Sunrise and all was well…until we
attempted to leave and the boat had a mind of its own….the gear
control system acted on its own rather than under the control of the
Captain. Thus, for one additional day, we sat at portside in
Key Largo for repair to be completed (Photo 1). My job on that
day was to stay cool and calm so as not to upset the Captains (Photo
2).
Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009
6:13 PM
From: The Admiral
Just another day in paradise! The needed boat part arrived by
pelican at 4pm and by 5pm we APPEAR
to be all set for sunrise departure. We have paid our slip bill,
done a dip in the water to suffice as our
'bird bath' and are now going over navigation charts.
Fingers crossed that we shall be heading out and south in the
morning. I'll be sure to send the dolphins
up, if help is needed!
Now, where IS that margarita!
Sent: Mon Aug 03 18:25:40 2009
From: Bill
South? South? Did she say SOUTH?
No more margaritas for you, Admiral.
Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 6:28 AM
From: The Admiral
Just having that cup of 'joe' while captain and crew ready the lines
and check systems. I hope we shall
be heading NORTH, shortly!
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Admiral’s Log
Tuesday, August 4th,
we once more repeated the process of up pre-sunrise to check out
systems, turn on engines, pause….and yes, all systems were go.
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Photo 13
We untied ropes, stowed them and we were off, in time to capture
sunrise as we left Key Largo (Photo #13).
Photo 15
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Photo 20
August 4th was to find us making headway…at approximately
10-12 mph...and Captains Mike and Rob (Photos #15 and #20) were
getting the hang of handling the boat and each other.
Photo 27
It was thrilling to see the first big city in front of us – Miami
(#27) – and knowing too that this was to signal the first of many,
many, many drawbridges that we would encounter as we ‘strolled’ up
the coast of FL.
Photo 50
Photo 80
Two of those drawbridges are shown in this collection (#50 and 80).
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Photo 82
The Admiral
kept close watch on how the boat was being handled by the Captains and
now and again had to get an attitude to keep them in line (#82).
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Photo 63
From Miami and
passing through Ft. Lauderdale…yikes, the mini-mansions and yachts
that made our houseboat appear to be from the other side of the
‘channel’ (Photo #63). We heard many shouts as we were passed
by more powerful motor boats, such as ‘Ready for what?” and
people on the shoreline waving at us. Figured that we may not
have the means as some of these folks, but we likely were part of
their conversations during martini time that evening.
Castle Drawbridge
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The Admiral is on deck with attitude.
Photo 91
Admiral’s
Log Wednesday, August 5th…Some
of the most memorable moments thus far have been when we have passed
through what we call the ‘quiet moments’ (Photo #91)…when no other
boat is in sight and there's just mother nature. We have seen every
type of bird imaginable and it's been the quietest, most refreshing
day ... (okay, so I
will admit checking the Blackberry now and again!). Getting the
hang of this and feeling more and more confident with each passing
hour…
So quiet....
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Photo 92
HOWEVER,
speaking of mother nature and quiet moments…unbeknownst to us was
that both those things were working against us and by mid-afternoon,
we no longer had the same power/push from one of the engines.
This is certainly not the way to travel in a boat this size and so
we called ahead to the upcoming marina in Fort Pierce, FL to request
service. And so we limped in. We were told that a
comprehensive check of the boat and service would begin on Thursday
and prognosis would then be determined. We were the talk of this
little service repair marina with many of the locals even powering
by for a closer look and some conversation. (Photo #92)
Admiral’s
Log Thursday, August 6th…Well,
the fortunate side of things was that what was wrong was fixable and
that parts could be ‘overnighted’ from Miami…from whence we had just
come…by Friday afternoon and service rendered that afternoon and on
Saturday. That COULD have meant we got off again by
Sunday…but, wait, now the Captain found that he had to handle a
business matter back in St. Pete on Monday morning. So,
Captain Michael arranged for Enterprise Rental Car to be dropped off
and Captain Rob departed to handle a business transaction with a promise
to be back on Monday afternoon.
Admiral’s
Log Friday, August 7th.
<sigh> So, folks…the weather is great, the locals are
colorful, my hubby and I are getting more tan in color…and learning
more of the ways (or is that waves) of water people…at times, you
just have to go with the flow and the tide.
Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 10:35 AM
Subject: UPDATE -- Ft Pierce, FL
HOUSEBOAT
JOURNEY UPDATE
The longest
part of the trip was expected to be FL due to the number of draw
bridges, manatee zones, and posted speed limits up most of the
coast. HOWEVER, with the minor hiccups encountered and the
added delays in finding parts (within the state)…ordering, waiting
for delivery and then installing…the FL portion of the trip reminds
me of the movie GROUNDHOG DAY
At the moment,
we are docked at the Riverside Marina (primarily a repair shop!),
located in Ft Pierce, FL. We arrived here shortly after 4pm and were
told that at 8:00 this morning a mechanic would be by the boat to
give it a once over. At the moment, it has been determined
that a coupler (something between the ending and outdrive) is needed
for one engine. Seems that the previous owner in wanting the engines
to appear as clean as possible, sprayed a cleaning lubricant that
over time (and heat from engines running for 12 hours a day) has now
eroded the coupler, which needs to be replaced. Michael is
supporting the Marina mechanic by conducting an internet search for
where such a part might exist.
WE (aka
Michael) are now trying to locate the part within the state of FL and
might have found one in northern Miami (sigh…which we passed
through, yesterday – about 80 miles back). We shall now need
to do logistics to see about getting a car and making a part run…or
look to see if next day service via FedEx might be possible!
Meanwhile, we have asked the mechanic to do a close scrutiny of both
engines, generator, etc. so we might identify any other potential
weak spots or areas that could cause concern and give attention.
HOWEVER, because it is Thursday and identified parts are not to arrive
until Friday...work won't get started until Monday (sigh).
We are a
novelty in this boatyard (more like a redneck marina, if you know
what I mean) and meeting an assortment of characters, shady and
otherwise. Folks are wonderful and I do not mean to slam anyone
(but we are not used to going off the front of your boat when using
the bathroom…holding your beer)…just a little different sort of
acquaintances and behavior on the part of these individuals than I
am used to.
Pictures and
journal are capturing this ONE time adventure! NOTE: Did
not take picture of the above!
At least I am
sharing this adventure with hubby!
Sent:
Thursday, August 06, 2009 10:45 AM
Subject: RE: UPDATE -- Ft Pierce, FL
Going off the front of the
boat with a beer in one hand and a fishing pole in the other was one
of the first skills I learned when I moved to Alabama. I’m
pretty good at it, too. Things get complicated only when you
get a strike.
Bill
Sent:
Thursday, August 06, 2009
10:46 AM
Subject: UPDATE -- Ft Pierce, FL
AHHH…did you hear the belly
laugh all the way from FL?
The Admiral
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