Florida - Part 2

Friday Oct.19--the day we had originally planned to cross over to the Bahamas--we pulled up anchor instead, and motored over to Old Port Cove Marina--at the north end of Lake Worth, where we intended to take a slip and wait “in comfort” for the next available weather window to the islands.

This too ended up being a good choice. Despite currently undergoing extensive renovations, this marina is still “top notch”.  Our slip was in an excellent location with easy access out, floating docks, electricity, Wifi, Cable TV and immaculate toileting/showering facilities.  There are extensive walking paths through lovely landscaped grounds and the entire boating and condo community is “gated” so there are no security problems.  A humungous West Marine “flagship” store is only a short walk away as is a delightful French restaurant, Starbucks, Publix, clothing shops and assorted restaurants.  But best of all has been the proximity of our RMHYC friends, Margo and Dennis, whose condo actually overlooks our boat in the marina.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!  We could’ve sulked about being stranded here in a virtual “urban” environment and paying stiff marina fees instead of walking the sugar sand beaches and splashing in the turquoise waters of the Bahamas for free, but we decided to be happy and grateful that we CAN afford to enjoy everything this place has to offer and that we have good friends here to enjoy it with. And we did!  Virtually every day we’ve been able to do something with Margo and/or Dennis.  There have been drinks and hors d’ouevres up at their place and swimming in their pool on hot days.  We’ve been out to restaurants for lunches and dinners.  And Margo and I have hit all the clothing stores finding lots of bargains with accessories to match.  While we were hitting the shops, Vince was finding lots of little last minutes boat things that needed repairs and so we both were happily occupied for most of our stay.  And then Hurricane Sandy materialized offshore!

When THAT happened, we were doubly glad that we had missed the Oct.19th window.  From the comfort of our cozy cabin we were able to watch on TV as the hurricane moved right over the Abacos and the marina where we spend the winter!  We got daily reports from boating friends who HAD crossed over when we hadn’t and whose boat was tied up at their marina slip at the RMHYC throughout the storm.  How foolish we had been to put our boat in the water so early in the season.  Duh?! Obviously there was a REASON why we hadn’t seen any other cruisers out here!  It is hurricane season dummy!!  And here we were, off our safe secure perch “on the hard” (which we pay premium money to have because it IS secure in a hurricane) stupidly sitting in the water which, only by sheer chance, is missing that huge hurricane!  Had it veered a little more to the west, instead of to the east, the marina would’ve made all the boats leave their facility--which is what they DO in a hurricane--and we would’ve been “out” in the storm!

We have certainly learned a hard lesson THIS year.  And now that we look back on our past trips, realize that EVERY year a hurricane HAS passed us by at this time.  We will not be in a hurry to leave “early” in future and will take the time to enjoy autumn in Canada before heading south at the end of October.  And we will leave our boat “on the hard”--either in Florida or in the Bahamas--until we are sure that no more hurricanes threaten. As Hurricane Sandy ran parallel to the coast of Florida we were hit with tropical storm force winds.  Margo and Dennis had offered us refuge in their condo for the night but we decided to ride out the 50knot winds in our own boat.  Aside from the howling and intermittent downpours of rain, it was not an uncomfortable experience at all. In fact, it was rather fun--snuggling up inside, with stormy weather outside-- knowing we were securely tied up in a safe slip.

On Thursday Oct.31st we drove into Stuart with Dennis and Margo to meet with the RMHYC “fleet” and enjoy dinner and drinks with them at “Duffy’s”.  There were over 30 members in attendance and we had a great evening catching up with news and seeing  our “winter friends” again.  A new “weather window” is opening for Monday and Vince and I are once again making plans to leave.  It will be interesting to see what happens THIS time.