Southern Rendezvous in St. Augustine with the MTOA

Saying goodbye to Danette and Jim

Saturday April 10th we said good bye to Danette and Jim and the quiet dockage in Palm Coast.We were the second vessel in a train of boats. Our destination today was the MTOA (Marine Trawler Owners Association) Southern Rendezvous in St. Augustine. There were an expected 50 + boats and approximately 188 people. St. Augustine Municipal marina was offering MTOA members 7 nights for the price of 5, not to mention that this city is one of our favorites, its always a must stop.  Our timing into the marina was important because we wanted to get past Matanzas Inlet which had been shoaling badly and several boats have run aground. There is also a current that can make docking pretty tricky so, slack tide is best for this feat. We had no problems and soon we were settled in St. Augustine. Next we were on the dock greeting other MTOA members. We could tell this was going to be a great week of fun!!

Our Turtle Badges

Let us take a moment to tell you about this wonderful organization. It's geared for cruisers that travel at 'turtle speed' and enjoy the cruising lifestyle whether you are snowturtles or full time liveaboards. If you need help anywhere on the water,there are port captains only a phone call away and always wanting and willing to help. We have made  many wonderful new friends that when we come into port, they greet us like long lost family. If you cruise and want to join check it out http://www.mtoa.net/ .  Oh yes and if you do join, give them our MTOA number so Dick can earn a yellow turtle!! He has earned three, but shared and gave Elle one ,, isn't that sweet. Oh Yes, one cruiser was a sail boater so come on Harlemites!  Just remember with MTOA your never alone on the waterway!

Working the Dock

OK, back to the rendezvous. Dick went right to work on earning his Emerald turtle pin. He volunteered for dock duty. Because the tide runs so quickly the marina dock master  preferred that volunteers be meeters and greeters rather then handle the lines which was understandable.

Ed & Delores, Elaine & Bud join us
for lunch on the Summer Wind

Elle began her list of chores with laundry and tidying up the boat. The boat needed tidying because we were hosting lunch on board for Delores and Ed from Palm Coast and Bud and Elaine from Diamond Girl . Monday morning  at 8am Elle started earning her Emerald Turtle pin with registration. For those that don't know us, early rising isn't our normal routine, if we are staying put for a few days. However ,,, with the help of the construction machines pounding on the bridge starting at 6 am,,, who could possibly sleep in???

For four days we were busy with with many, many seminars. Some of our favorites were, Active Captain, Engine room class ,Fitness aboard, Northern Right Whale, but most importantly Medical Emergencies aboard your boat. Elle enjoyed the Picture Yourself in Shells craft. Each day was topped with 'social hour' where everyone shared an appetizer and great conversation. Tuesday we were invited out to dinner with the Treasure Coast group. They kind of adopted us seeing as we joined them for lunch in Manatee Pocket when we were in Stuart. Wednesday was the theme dinner 'Lion around in St. Augustine' where PJ's were the formal wear of the event, this was great fun! There was a rooftop PJ social hour and the view was absolutely amazing ( not just the pjs).  No we didn't win the contest but Dick decorated our pj's with stickers of lions and turtles! The competition was just too stiff!!!  Never the less we had a great evening with dancing ,, can you imagine no uncomfortable shoes to worry about! Thursday night was an awards dinner and we both were given our coveted turtle pins.

St. Augustine Lighthouse and Yacht
Club

Friday some of the MTOA members left St. Augustine but there were a few of us remaining. We were all invited over to the St. Augustine Yacht Club for cocktail hour and appetizers. The 'appetizers' (chicken wings, lasagna,salad, veggie sticks, rolls) were free and the drinks reasonably priced.We were welcomed by the group and came out stuffed. Another great night!

Our Party PJ's

Contest Winner
picture courtesy of Linda Getzold

Sarah is into Turtles
picture courtesy of Linda Getzold

Passionata at uhm her best!

Rooftop Party
picture courtesy of Linda Getzold

St. Augustine Municipal Marina &
Summer Wind
picture courtesy of Linda Getzold

Sadly the fun with the MTOA came to an end on Saturday morning. We pulled out shortly after 7 and headed north. Looking forward til the next time we meet.

Sunrise in St. Augustine

And the "Partying" Begins

Haulover Canal

Monday April, 5th we made our way to New Smyrna Beach. We turned off the Indian River and entered the Haulover Canal. Several sailboats were travelling along with us. A lot of these sailboats had been anchored just outside of Titusville for the front row seats of the launch. When we passed the Haulover bridge we noticed that we were now part of the show. On the shoreline were busloads of people watching the parade of boats. One of the interesting 'homemade' boats we've come across was this simple one in the Mosquito Lagoon pictured below.

"Homemade houseboat"

Well we pulled into New Smyrna Municipal marina and our plans were to spend two nights. One of the highlights were our friends Al & Fran were coming to the Summer Wind. We went out for a lovely Italian dinner and it was a fantastic evening. Great to be with you both Al & Fran thank-you!

Al & Fran with US

On Tuesday morning we walked down the dock to come across this vessel being pumped out. It's a twin engine boat and the owners had been planning to go on a trip. Sunday morning they had come down to their boat to find it had been sunk. You can see where the waterline had been. It's a total write -off! The owners later learned the cause of the flooding a 1inch hose let go in the live bait well. The coast guard was supervising the clean up to make sure no oil or pollutants went into the water because on top of the flood damage they could be fined thousands for polluting.

Broken Hoses make us Shudder!!!

Summer Wind's buddy
 boat Peace

Wednesday April 7th we slipped the lines off the dock and headed out. Our next adventure was the Pre-Rendezvous MTOA (Marine Trawler Owner's Association) party in Palm Coast. In Palm Coast there are several MTOA members that have homes with docks. The Palm Coast group arranged dockage  for MTOA members that were heading north for the Rendezvous topped off with a great (Birthday & Anniversary) party at Sarah and Phil Lowes'. Our dock hosts were Danette and Jim whom were absolutely wonderful. We tied up next to their Ocean Alexander trawler Peace where we spent three days. Thank you so much!!!

Danette & Jim

Happy Birthday and Anniversary!!

Space Shuttle Discovery Lift Off

Early Morning Vero Beach

Early Morning Saturday April 3rd we let the line drop from our mooring ball in Vero Beach. We were up early enough to catch this beautiful sunrise. Our stop today was Dragon Point one of our favorite anchorages. We thought the anchorage would be crowded because the shuttle was scheduled to launch in only a few days. When we arrived we were pleased to see that there was definitely plenty of space

Shako

In the afternoon we were relaxing when we heard this "Ahoy Summer Wind". Wouldn't you know there was a 1999 Heritage East circling. The ships name was Shako and aboard her were Jon and Edy.

That evening we were treated to a wonderful sunset.Shortly after sunset we heard another "Ahoy Summer Wind" only to find MTOA members Bill and Ann Feller outside in a dinghy just dropping by to say hi! The last time we had seen them was in the  Erie Canal , they were on the great loop. The day was warm and the nights warm enough to have the windows open. Finally its only taken til April to get to the Florida weather we all know and love!

Sunset at Dragon Point

Sunday morning we were up rather lazily, the Sun rose well before we did. Our trip today was rather a short journey. We were both excited to be heading to the Canaveral Barge Canal. Space Shuttle Discovery was scheduled to take off 6:21 Monday morning and mother nature was more then cooperating!  Our stop was the Harbortown Marina, where we fueled up at $2.89/gal (prices starting to climb) and stopped for the night. Low and behold we tied up at the dock and shortly we heard "hey are you turtles?' Small world more turtles!! That evening we gathered around the pool and the topic was the shuttle and where would be the best spot for viewing.

Turtles by the Pool!

Well, two crews were brave souls and headed out at 5am to go down the canal!! Are they Crazy! But we have to admit they have excellent shots! Monday morning at 4am would you believe there were deep voices outside the boat, they were too excited to sleep! When I (Elle) went outside to make sure everything was alright they said 'how nice our boat was!' AT 4AM!!!!!

Well 6:21  came and we were standing on top of the sun deck waiting. There was a couple in the slip over from us who also had the TV on and we could see when the shuttle was counting down. They announced the space station was cruising over head and we were able to see it.  When lift off started we weren't sure where to look but shortly  there was absolutely no question the sky lit up a bright yellow like the sun was shining in the dark! A few seconds later Dick said,hey I don't hear anything?  Then a few seconds after that a rumble began and the sound wave hit us! Summer Wind literally vibrated. Both of us held on! It was absolutely amazing! The shuttle disappeared into the sky and for about an hour later the plumes of exhaust smoke could be seen.

Shuttle Discovery Lift Off

The Trail of the Gases from Discovery

Leaving the Canaveral Barge Canal

Shortly after daybreak we untied from the slip. Good thing we cleared most of the bridges on the Indian River and the Canaveral Barge Canal because we heard that most of the bridges were under 'curfew' and wouldn't be opening on schedule  because of the heavy traffic from people returning from the launch. Some bridge tenders told cruisers they would not be opening until approximately 9:00 am.

 As we were heading down the Indian River, Dick spotted another Heritage East. We discovered the boat was Banyan, on board were Bob and Karen and family. Dick carried on a conversation over the radio and asked Bob to send in an article for the newsletter. Wouldn't you know ,,, he did and its great!   This is the second time we've come across them on the Indian River. Last year Banyan was the committee boat for a sailing race.

Banyan

Our destination for the day was New Smyrna Beach Municipal marina.