We decided to head up to Cooley's landing - the marina up New River. The other boats Cee Jem and Dharma are there as well as other cruisers.....we felt a little lonely on the wall downtown as we were surrounded by large powerboats....most just for sale. Also, it's great to be able to get off and just walk a few steps to the laundry, be a little irresponsible with natural resources (let the water run when you wash your hands, leave a light on, etc) - as you have full acces to water and power. Ahhh - it's a great feeling. We eyed up a few spots yesterday when we were there. Kerry confirmed that they would, indeed, fit us. There is a strong current on this river and the opposing traffic can be as small as a row boat to as big as a mega yacht. There's not a lot of room for error. We called the first bridge while on the wall still to let them know that we were coming through. There are 3 quick bridges in a row. It can be tricky. We landed the boat and had a full day of activity. Dylan walked for about an hour in his walker on the grounds meeting some of the other boaters in the marina. Connor was zipping around on his bike and then we joined him (Dylan in trailer) and headed up to the Science Museum. There were amateur astronomers in front of the museum with their powerful telescopes that they were allowing people to view the sun. There are a few kids now here that Connor can play with so he slowly integrated himself into that group and seemed to be having a great time. In the evening the boaters got together for a Sundowner....bringing snacks, drinks, and conversation. It was finally feeling that we had arrived. It's been a long haul to Ft. Lauderdale. In some ways we feel like we are just starting now. Kerry said that making it to Ft. Lauderdale is just like making it to Base Camp on a mountain climb. There's still so much more to do!
2011-11-25 - in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (up New River)
It was provisioning day - I headed out right away and walked to the grocery store. It's not too far from the wall downtown so it is fairly (by boat standards) handy. I only got to aisle 7 and had to quit - my cart was full. I checked out and headed home. We have so much to do in these last few days before we leave. It's a little overwhelming...but, we push through. I am also trying to source some more feed cans for Dylan. I ended up finding some online from another parent who had a surplus. We are on a great discussion group where we can trade, sell, offer or ask for 
equipment. It is quite handy. So, I am reminded as I was trying to set up payment to her on Paypal how difficult or sometimes impossible it is to operate on a boat. For some reason I
equipment. It is quite handy. So, I am reminded as I was trying to set up payment to her on Paypal how difficult or sometimes impossible it is to operate on a boat. For some reason I
had to reset my password, security questions, and phone number on Paypal before I could use my account. The first two were fine. The last one, my phone number, proved to me more difficult. They needed to call the number I had on file to verify that that was my number. I first thought that to be impossible as our home phone is basically virtual and only used for messages. But, then I remembered that I do have that phone on board (our cell phone), buried with the things that we won't need until we get home. So, I found it, juiced it up and turned it on. Then, I clicked, 'yes, call me now" - only to get the message 'we don't call cell phones- pick another line'. Ok, now what? I ended up phoning my mom(using Skype on the couture) to ask if she would accept the call from them. She, thankfully, agreed. I hung up and put her number in this time. Then, the screen said, 'enter these four digits when we call. Ahhhhhh!
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| "I lost something.....my second tooth! check it out!!" |
I called her back straight away, but she had already picked up the phone call from Paypal and hung up as she didn't have the code. I told her that I would do it again and then call her with the code. This time the site did not even give me the option of using a phone number for verification. It said that the phone failed and a letter was sent out to my address within 5-7 days with the PIN! I finally asked my dad to send the money on our behalf through his Paypal and I would send the money to him through our bank. Great - solved. After 2 hours of that....Connor and I went to get the second load from the grocery store. We did great - filled up another cart and proceeded to the check out. Upon paying, the cashier looked at me shyly and said, 'your card has been denied - maybe you don't have enough money'. The contents in my cart looked suspiscious - 20 cartons of UHT milk, 4 boxes of diapers, 10 boxes of pasta, 10 boxes of cereal. It had already been a long day. I couldn't really think of what to do. Do I just leave it and go get the other cards....would that help? Then she said, 'you can call the card company if you want to see what the problem is'. My response to that was, 'I don't have a phone'. Well, how strange is that? Again, no cell phone, credit card denied, a cart full of strange items. Anyway, she offered the store phone to call. The problem was cleared up quickly. The credit card company's fraud protection division had put a hold on my card due to very suspicous behaviour and buying patterns. Really? 20 cartons of milk is not normal? All was well, we paid and headed out. The store allowed us to take the cart both times back to the boat with the promiise to bring it back. Pushing a cart through the streets, after having my credit card denied and not owning a cell phone was not good for the ego but it did make for a good chuckle as we got back to the boat!
Kerry had been at the boat with Dylan. He had patched our bike trailer wheel as well as storing the first load into the boat. It's a big job. I offered to put away the second load if he take both boys to the other boats at the Marina. He was, I'm sure, glad to get off of the boat....and, I was glad to have a bit of quiet time. I joined up with them later in the afternoon and chatted with them until dark. We walked the 3/4 mile home enjoying the Christmas lights along the riverbank and called it a night.
2011-11-22 - to Ft. Lauderdale, FL (mile 1064)
We finally made it to Ft. Lauderdale today! The homes along this stretch are fabulous! There's an incredible amount of money here. Again, we had several bridges to contend with We made all of them with great time today. Some we really had to punch it down to make the opening. If we miss, it's a 30 minute wait. With the current and passing boats in the small channel...you want to time the bridges right. We passed though the final bridge, Las Olas, and grabbed a mooring ball located opposite the marina. It didn't take us too long to get ourselves together to shore. We had another opportunity to try out Dylan's Beach Buggy at the beach. It worked great. The waves, however, were still a bit strong and we couldn't get him in too far. We finally took him out and Kerry took him in the surf. He loved it and didn't get too upset when a giant wave went right over their heads. 
We took a couple of shivering boys back to the boat for a quick change of clothes and then back to the beach for the lighting of the palm trees down the beach front. Afterwards, there was a free concert and bouncy castles in the park down the street. Off we went following the crowds and stopping to check out the street vendors along the way. It was the local concert band playing Christmas songs. I brought Dylan front and centre so that he could see it all. He loves this sort of thing. Soon another family with a boy just a little older than Dylan, 
also with CP came to sit behind us. Their child was so affectionate and the two of them really hit it off. I had a lovely chat with the parents and hope that we can connect with each other again.
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| Dylan's new buddy! |
2011-11-21 - to Lantana, FL (Mile 1031)
In the morning we headed to beach. It was a beautiful beach that we had all to ourselves. The waves were still strong but we enjoyed hanging out on the edge and anticipating which one would take us out! The air is a lot warmer now and the water was actually quite nice. Connor was having a great time until, we think, he was stung by a jellyfish. It caused a bit of a welt but was gone within 10 minutes or so. We headed back to the boat, had some breakfast, and were again on our way. We were trying to get to Boca Raton, but there are so many bridges on this stretch. Some are on request but most are on a schedule: either on the hour or half hour / or quarter past, quarter to. If you miss an opening you need to wait up to 30 minutes. We managed to get within 15 miles of Boca Raton in Lantana. We just pulled off after the last bridge and anchored. After a quick bite and glitter glue craft - we called it a night.
2011-11-20 - to Peck Lake, FL (mile 992)
We tried to head out early from Vero Beach...but, we needed to fill up with fuel before leaving and there was only one space on the dock. Boats kept circling waiting for an opening. We decided to eventually leave without fuel. Now, we were fine without fuel but we needed an excuse to get on the dock to get water. For the last day we had consumed both of our spare jugs and Kerry had already filled and we consumed another more. We were completely empty. Even our power had gone to a minimum. We had run the generator only 2 times while there and only for 30 minutes or so. Being tied to a buddy boat...we didn't feel like disturbing anyone with the humming of the generator. All of our trusted electronics were now flat....we needed to start the engines and get charging! We pulled away and headed for Peck lake. We have been told by several other people that this is a beautiful and must-see anchorage. There is a spot to land the dingy on the inland beach and walk 30 seconds to the ocean side. This beach is only accessible by boat which makes it extra special. Before hitting this anchorage we pulled up into Manattee Pocket to finally fill up with fuel and water! We were back in business. We also popped into the fishing store to see if they had any supplies. We ended up bringing our rod in to see if they could suggest any alterations or additions. There was a young kid in there and he just started to spout off terminology that made our eyes glaze over. He was very knowledgeable..but, for us...keep it simple! We did end up making a purchase of some lures large enough to catch Tuna! yikes. I am still not comfortable with the whole fishing thing. I know that it is essential as fresh food is not as available as here. Once we cross over, it would be great to be a bit more self sufficient. By the time we got to the anchorage at Peck Lake it was pouring rain and nearing dark. We would head over to the beach in the morning to check it out!
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