Clank

Today is January 9, 2016

Coordinates 2912067N, 8100408W

Daytona Beach, FL

Mile 831

We are in Daytona after a delightful time in St. Augustine with friends. We waited out a storm that caused treacherous conditions, including wind that made very high waves and uncomfortable traveling.  As you already know, two sailboats escaped their moorings and ran into the bridge causing snapped masts and costly repairs.  One boat did not have anyone on it and was owned by a local person, the other had two people onboard from Pennsylvania that are okay.

Two sailboats against the bridge. They are sitting in front of a 200' yacht
I believe someone wanted to see a picture of the two boats together

Gracie and Ginger once again pulled at our heartstrings to get another animal, we even briefly considered a Chihuahua, Rob’s suggestion!  We quickly abandoned that idea after reading about their personality and needs.  

It all started with a walk for the sake of exercise and to look for used DVDs.  We walked into a used book store even though it was unlikely that we would find any DVDs.  We did find movies but they were $5.99 and the most we had ever spent on one was $2.99. A stylishly dressed, bubbly, older watcher over the book kingdom,at least in this store, told us that we could find more movies in a thrift store where she also volunteered.  You can see where this is going at this point but, I have a need to tell you anyway. The proceeds from the thrift store go to a “no-kill animal rescue” and they have 3 kittens in the store. 

Am I reading too much into this, I don’t care.  The kittens were actually 8 months so I don’t know if that is still a kitten. They are siblings, one tiger and two black, so beautiful, there is also a kitten with the name Princess Buttercup in foster care.

We were introduced to a handsome dog. He came up to me immediately and raised his paw for me to shake.  He was calm and so engaging. Someone had dropped the dog off at the shelter. Fran, who works at the shelter, thought that the people probably captured the dog knowing that he was being abused.  When something like this happens Fran looks for any notice that a dog is lost and the owners are in search of their pet. Now that I think about it I don’t know what she was going to do with the information.

We left St. Augustine without a cat or dog.  Now we are in Daytona at a marina and there is a "tiger" cat named Marina that has a special place in the hearts of all who work here. I am just going to get a darn cat and be done with it.

I had lots more to tell you but it seems to have taken second place. Last night we were looking for an anchorage when we hit pay dirt.  We hit dirt and now we are going to pay. After we churned our way out of 0.7 on the depth finder we heard a terrible clanging chain like noise coming from a propeller or engine.  Rob still wanted to anchor and I wanted to go to a nearby boat yard or marina.  We headed for Daytona Marina and Boat Works where the boat was pulled with the Travel Lift. Again a couple of great guys immediately went to work diagnosing the problem and how to solve it.  Before we knew it we were on a great face dock at their marina.  A face dock is a long dock/wharf that boats are tied to unlike a finger slips, we are very close to all the services.  Here we sit while they do the work but, I don't mind at all.

Linda Jean waiting for the Travel Lift

We thought we were going to have to spend the weekend in a boat barn on water (see the buildings behind Kevin), but Kevin motored us to the marina with his barge. Once a beautiful party boat.

Funny story.  One of the guys is from Vermont which is neither here nor there, well maybe it is.  He pointed out to me that the bathroom and showers were behind the bush. Maybe you can fill in what I thought that he meant, the nice facilities truly are behind the bush. 

The problem turned out to be the spurs (cutters) that are mounted on the propeller shaft. Their purpose is to cut lines from lobster traps if you accidentally snag one.  Our cutters were broken, the propellers were slightly bent and are sent out for straightening. Another drop in the financial bucket. We were warned that there is always something to fix on a boat.

Prop removal

The work will be done probably by Tuesday and we will be back on the ICW.

Today we walked the 7.0 miles to Jo-Ann's Fabric to buy supplies to make curtains for the aft cabin. We walk as much as we can to make up for days on the water that we can't.

Made bread last night and here is what happens if you leave out the paddle.

I appreciate my blog friends so much, especially at times like these just knowing that I can tell you the story makes the story laughable.


Tricia