TwoGether

Tuesday 12/27/11.  The highlight of the day was Linda and I walking to the Sunglow Pier and having lunch at Crabby Joe’s.  They had a delicacy on the menu I haven’t had in years…Frog Legs.  Linda made a feast out of two appetizers; fresh shrimp and chicken wings.  It was neat watching the different fishermen carry their gear through the middle of everything on their way to the pier.

Wednesday 12/28/11.    We took a taxi to Sea Love Boat Works because the repairs were finished and they were ready to “splash” us. Their mechanic, Craig Olsen, was in Orlando for the day so I asked if I could pull the props and replace the zincs.  The zincs are expendable collars of zinc that mount in front of the propellers for corrosion protection.  The zinc will corrode before the aluminum, thus protecting the aluminum outdrives.  George gave me permission and I went to work.  After pulling the port side props I noticed that there was a torn seal on the inner prop-shaft.  This really needs to be fixed.  Arrangements were made to have Craig replace the seals tomorrow.  Linda called back to the Days Inn and got a room.

Thursday 12/29/11

Linda, from Sea Love, picked me up on her way to work. Craig replaced all the prop-shaft seal on both out drives.  The work was completed by noon.  Then I offered to take him to lunch and we wound up at the Boondocks.  They have a fresh fish sandwich on a bun as big as a Whopper and the ½ inch thick fillet hangs out all the way around. GOOOOD!  After lunch George and his crew put TwoGether back in the water and we tied her up for the night.

There is another enterprise taking place at Sea Love.  Gary SwanHart, who is retired from law enforcement, makes outdoor furnishings with a life guard or surfer motif.  They are quite the item and are well built.  Gary’s business is called Lifeguard Lifestyle.  The deck at Sea Love has many samples of his items to enjoy as you watch the boats go by.  Gary was kind enough to give me a ride back to the motel.

Friday 12/30/11.    We got an early wake up and walked to Burger King for breakfast.  You can only take so much BK in a week!  We were checked out of the hotel in time for Linda, from Sea Love to pick us up and take us to the boat works.  I think if you look up “sweetheart “in the dictionary you would probably find her picture.  She has really been a life saver during this down time.  The two Linda’s really took to each other. 

By 10:00A we were refueled and on the way south.   Ponce Inlet has what I think is the prettiest lighthouse in Fl.   It is made of a brown brick and stands so majestically in the distance.  It is in a state park and is open to visitors.  As we left the Ponce Inlet area Linda tried to take a few pictures of it.

Soon after getting back on the ICW there were Manatee zones.  Putt…Putt…Putt… for over 15 miles of minimum speed.  It would be great if you ever saw a manatee.  We haven’t seen one yet.  I’m starting to think this zone thing is a compromise between the tree huggers (or manatee huggers) and the boating community.  But I’m all for saving them and must admit it would be heart breaking to know you hit one.  I remember in my teens one surfaced when my family was anchored in the Caloosahatchee River.  It hung around the boat eating water hyacinths then disappeared as quietly as it had appeared.

 

The waterway takes the Mosquito River for about 15 miles then you cross over to the Indian River through the Haulover Canal.  The cut is very narrow and on the Mosquito River side there were people fishing in everything from kayaks to 20 footers.  I was so intent on not running over the fishermen that I passed the entrance and had to circle back to enter the cut.  There is a draw bridge on the cut which opens on demand except it is closed during a space shot. I imagine that because the vehicle traffic is so heavy they want to keep it moving.

Speaking of draw bridges; just north of Titusville, FL is the Florida East Coast Rail Road Bridge (Jay Jay RR Bridge).  This is a remote control bridge.  There is usually no bridge tender present.  The note on the chart reads; “The bascule span is normally in open position, displaying flashing green signals for water traffic movement.  As a train approaches, signals change to flashing red, siren gives four blast, pauses, and repeats four blast etc.  After an eight minute delay, the bridge lowers and locks if scanning equipment revels nothing under the bridge.  When the train has cleared, the bridge span raises and signal changes to flashing green for water traffic”.

We anchored for the night just outside the channel about a mile south of the bridge.

Titusville Anchorage:          N28° 38.635  W080° 48.538

Saturday 12/31/11.  We woke up to a clear crisp morning with a light breeze.  In the distance you can see the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center.  The Indian River is 121 miles long and 1 to 2 ½ miles wide.  Our trip will go about 115 miles of it.  The channel is straight for long distances and the markers can be quite a distance apart.  Because the channel is so far from shore there are no slow speed zones.  We are making good time.  Linda was fascinated at how they have these large electric lines strung across the river. 

We have made good 57 miles today.   All along the river there are spoil islands where the material dredged from the channel is laid.  Many of these have been around for years and have a real growth of trees.  You can boat out and have your own private island.  There is one of these islands just a few hundred yards from where we are anchored.  We can smell the smoke from the camp fire. 

Sebastian Anchorage         N27 52.583   W080 29.189