Spring, 2016

May 31, 2016 Tuesday

Today we went 56 miles to St. Augustine, FL. We ran on the inside today. It was very hot and humid. We didn’t do much today except try to keep fluids flowing and not work to hard. We were a long way from main dock in St. Augustine so didn’t do much walking. No pictures today, not much to see.

May 30, 2016 Monday - Happy Memorial Day to all!

Hallelujah flying platinum Looper Flag

We went 38 miles north to Daytona today. The waterways were very busy. We did pass Lorelei IV (a looper boat we traveled with on the Ten Tom this past fall). We talked with them on the radio. The trip was slow as we had a number of manatee areas and sited a number of them but again the camera was not quick enough to get a picture. We also had to fight current for about 20 miles which really slowed us down. Today was a day for seeing wildlife: manatee, dauphins, 1 large turtle, pink spoonbills, herons and pelicans. There were supposedly eagles in one area, but we didn’t spot any. We wove our way among islands today which were very pretty. The first picture is a manatee (only see the circle where it dived under). The second picture was of an island of birds (there is a spoonbill in there somewhere). The third picture is Hallelujah at dock in Halifax Marina – Daytona, FL. We are proudly flying our platinum looper flag.

Island with lots of birds.

We had to watch for these circles and then go very slow so we didn't hit a manatee.

May 28/29, 2016 Saturday / Sunday

We moved north to Titusville, FL (we wanted to go further, but couldn’t get reservations). We stayed two nights as this is a holiday weekend and we couldn't get reservations north of here. There was virtually no traffic on the ICW and there were light winds off the ocean so the trip up was very pleasant. We took time to do a few items on the boat. Barb spent time updating the DeFever rendezvous registration materials and paying bills. The weather is getting hotter so we need to start moving more quickly north. We had lots of dauphins today. They came to play but Barb had difficulty getting pictures as they move faster than the camera shutter. But they were fun to watch. We also saw a very large alligator in the marina, but we didn’t have a camera with us – he was floating around among the fairways while we walked along the piers. Last time here we saw manatees, but not this time.

May 27 Friday

Hallelujah at dock in Eau Gallie marina.

We cruised 38 miles north today and stopped in Eau Gallie, FL to see looper friends – Kate and Gordon Nissen on Viking Star. We again had dauphins running with us. In the afternoon we took our new dinghy out for a spin – it was great to have the bimini as the sun was really hot! The dinghy goes faster than Barb wants (got it to 18mph and she said that was fast enough). We spent the evening with Kate and Gordon which was great. We also stopped to see her mom who is doing really well at 93. Kate and Gordon gave us all sorts of information about new places we want to explore this summer. So now Barb has more planning to do on places to see :)

May 26, 2016 Thursday

Did 44 miles to Vero Beach and a marina we liked in 2011. We only spent the night here but we found that we weren’t the largest boat around – see the picture. We had a relaxing cruise up the ICW with dauphins running with us. Sorry no pictures – I can’t catch them jumping. The pictures are of us in our dock (with Intrepid beside us) and looking out towards the ICW (we came under the bridge).

Hallelujah at dock - we really aren't that big! this was a monster beside us!

Looking out at the ICW from the back deck of the boat. We came under the bridge and then turned into the marina.

May 24/25, 2016 (Tuesday/Wednesday)

We did another 70 mile day – really tired! We had 3 locks today – Moore Haven lock on the west end and two locks on the east end of the lake. The lake was calm but we had a pleasant breeze during the 40 mile crossing. The St. Lucie canal was very hot and the winds picked up all afternoon. We arrived in Stuart with a dock assignment, but requested the long A pier wall as the winds were whipping at 25 mph. and turning against the winds into a dock would be difficult for us. We were very happy on the wall. We met Nelson Hallman (a DF 44 owner) briefly and took an extra day to re-acclimate ourselves to the boat and veg out for a day! We needed the rest. The pictures are some sites we saw while crossing the lake and a picture of the wall dock that we were on. It was a long walk to shore but we did it a few times. Also walked around the marina but didn’t leave the grounds.

Leaving the Moore Haven lock and entering the rim of Lake Okeechobee.

This is the beginning of Lake Okeechobee. Lots of weeds - the lake isn't very deep here.

We turned to enter the lake from the rim and this is the Clewiston lock.

Sunset Marina in Stuart FL. We had a long walk to shore each day. Also note the new dinghy :)

May 23, 2016 Monday

Up early today and off the dock at 6:40 (only 10 minutes late). Did a final house check and Barb had the last opportunity to pick up anything she still wanted (yes there were a couple of items on the want but not necessary list). The weather cooperated and the ORtona lock was open so we made 64 miles to Moore Haven, FL (the west side of Lake Okeechobee). The day was cloudy so it wasn’t so hot and there wasn’t much wind. As most of this run was in fresh water, we didn’t have current to content with. We were pleasantly surprised to have Mint Julip (Alaskan 55 – a DF boat) pull into the city dock shortly after we arrived. Pam and Bob are friends from Cape Coral and they were on their way home from the Bahamas. We had dinner with them and a lovely couple from Australia who just completed the loop. So the dock was looper strong with two gold and one platinum flag flying.

The house dock is empty and the house is shuttered.

Hallelujah and Mint Julip on the Moore Haven city dock.

May 19 - 22, 2016 (Thursday - Sunday)

While we were gone, a new davit instillation began. Dave spent Thursday and Friday working with the installer. The new dinghy arrived Friday afternoon. We had to make a quick trip to the state tax office to get the title and documentation work completed. The dinghy was legal on Saturday. Barb spent Thursday and Friday packing, shopping, and moving things aboard. Multiple swims were required as the temperatures were in the 90’s and dew point was high. Saturday and Sunday entailed even more shopping and loading of the boat. We finished most all of the packing and closing of the house by Sunday evening so went out for dinner to celebrate our leaving the next morning.

May 15 - 18, 2016 (Sunday - Wednesday)

It is May and we have three weeks till leaving (we hope). The last of the boat to do list is being completed. It is time to clean the boat inside and out. We are starting our count down list on the house and our boat preparation list. Shutters are going up, rooms are being cleaned and furniture is being covered. Lots of “stuff” to stock aboard since we literally cleaned it out last fall. Food and supply lists are being made and shopping is started. We have communicated with fellow boaters ahead of us and starting to plan our float itinerary – where we will go and where we will stay. Of course this itinerary is just a plan and very flexible. We spend the early a.m. working on the boat – the weather is hotter. We take a mid-morning swim to cool down and then do things around the house. Of course we need an afternoon swim also – the water is wonderful! Most of our friends have left for the north so not much entertaining.

Picnic in the Smokey Moutains, missing are Andrew and Alva.

Andrew's graduation (Andrew with Grand parents, parents and Aunt Teresa and Alva

May 1 - 14, 2016 (Sunday - Saturday)

Hallelujah at her best - all painted, waxed, varnished and sitting pretty at the dock.

The gardenia tree blossomed! Yes things are growing! :)

April, 2016

April came in strong with warmer weather – but not much rain. We continue to work on painting various parts of the boat with Bright Side – fly bridge seats, upper deck rails, and upper deck teak trim. We also sanded and varnished the stairs to the fly bridge. We were able to complete all painting and varnishing by the end of the month. We also did manage to get a few other smaller projects completed in the engine room. We ran up to the condo and had dinner with good friends. Barb is busy working on sewing projects for the boat – bag for the dinghy anchor, bag for spare anchor chain, and a new bow flag staff cover. She did manage to take another quilting class – landscape design. This art form of quilting is much different from anything to date. Of course it is not completed and will wait till fall.

March 1 - 31 (Tuesday - Thursday

On March 1, we picked up Hallelujah at Owl Creek Boat Works and took a ride with Jeanette. She returned to Maine on the second. Hallelujah is looking fine but needs a little cleaning. We started with our painting and varnishing list this month. We removed, sanded and repainted the aft deck white walls. We also started sanding and varnishing the eye brow teak trim. We have started to whittle away at our growing boat to do list so we are ready to travel this coming summer. We did take time to have company this month, a small DeFever party and our favorite boating group. Barb continues to quilt – the Irish Chain quilt top was completed. Barb took a class on paper piecing and liked this form of quilting. Another project to finish in the fall. She is also working on hand sewing the binding on a split rail lap quilt she made for the boat. As always, the website didn’t get updated. Sorry no pictures.