St. Augustine to Vero Beach, FL

Our beloved staysail in the trash in Beaufort, NC. We cut off several pieces large enough for tote bags.






Leaving Beaufort, NC, January 11, 2009.




Founded in 1564, St. Augustine is America's oldest permanently settled European City. It is a charming and quaint city with grand architecture serving as tributes to past explorers and entrepreneurs. The founder, Ponce de Leon, was sure he had discovered the Fountain of Youth; with a visit to St. Augustine, you too can sip water from this famous fountain.


Braving the unusual cold wind, we shopped, dined, and appreciated the varied architecture. We enjoyed dinner at the Habana Village Cuban Restaurant. We opted for Lechon Asado, meltingly tender roast pork marinated in lemon and garlic. Luis Mario and his Latin jazz added to the lovely evening. Had we not still been tired from our three-day passage, we would have joined others on the dance floor.

After such a great dinner, we retired early with plans for leaving for Vero Beach Sunday morning. Bundled up in the cold morning air, we left the marina around 8:30 headed for the 5-8 foot swells in the ocean. Just as forecast, the waves soon subsided and we were on a comfortable passage.

By afternoon, we shed layers of clothes and relished being in a light shirt and pants plus we rolled up the 'glass' to enjoy the typical Florida climate. Sailing about three miles off shore, we were able to see land and buildings -coastal cruising is great. Hope we can do more of it. Another beautiful sunset to enjoy! The north wind was light, so we motor sailed.

Soon after sunset, as we sailed further offshore to go around Cape Canaveral, we again donned as many layers as we could. We found out a rocket was to be launched that night. Around 8:00 p.m. the Cape Canaveral watch officer hailed a vessel 35 miles south east of us. The vessel was too close to the area from which a rocket was to be launched before midnight; the watch office gave him a course to follow that would put him out of the area. He also said the large rocket should be sighted from as far away as Miami on such a clear night. We certainly wanted to see the launch. At midnight, Channel 16 announced that the rocket would launch in one minute. Viewing the rocket launch from out boat was amazing. The rocket seemed to go right over our boat. Pretty Cool!

The light wind changed to S-SW so we were still motor sailing. Sunday morning, around 8:30, we put down the main sail and made our way though the Ft. Pierce inlet and onto the ICW. Fort Pierce is about 14 miles south of Vero Beach, which is on the ICW; therefore, we had to go back north on the ICW. Another inlet, Sebastian, is closer to Vero Beach, but mariners are cautioned about its "Monster Hole" and strong current. Fort Pierce looks very inviting; the day was warming quickly and anglers and boaters seemed to be everywhere.

We had a short delay in being assigned a slip in Vero Beach Municipal Marina (busy place). As soon as we were safely in a slip, plugged in, and finished with paperwork, we walked a short distance to a great little waterfront restaurant under the bridge, the Riverside Cafe. We even finished our first 'coldie' before Happy Hour began at 4. After steamed mussels, conch fritters, spinach salad, and tuna sandwich, we waddled back to our boat. We chose sleeping over catching the sunset.

After a good night's sleep, we're ready to begin a few boat projects and to have a long visit with our friends: Nancy and Jim on S/V Solitaire and Di and Jay on S/V Far Niente. Their boats are on a mooring ball in this marina. Both couples now own places here in Vero Beach.

We'll also be making plans to cross the Gulf Stream and visit the Bahamas!

P.S. Forecast for this area for tomorrow: the worst arctic cold front in five years.
Gads! Cold weather has followed us since we left Deltaville!
Luckily, here in beautiful Florida, it shall quickly pass.