Thursday, February 2, 2017

Fort Pierce, boat inspection and wonderful to be back in Florida

We left winter in New Hampshire.
Looking out over the Piscataqua River and Portsmouth snow.
 Grand kids building 3 snowmen in front of the house.

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We climbed back on board and immediately felt great to see beautifully refinished floors in the cabin.  The entire interior had been cleaned thoroughly and we were ready to move 3 tubs of belongings back.

All of the work was done by Whiticar Boat Works in Fort Pierce and we were more than satisfied with the quality, on time and in budget results.  They did a considerable amount of work to Drew's exacting requirements.  One item wasn't as Drew expected and they are coming back to redo the topping lift, making the line longer still and figuring out why the anemometer is not working.   Tom Berryhill of Whiticar took us to lunch to review the bill and answer any questions about the job, a first for any job we've ever had. 

Right now Drew is replacing the corroded propane locker latch.  



He'll spray it with CRC to keep off the corrosion and include that as part of our maintenance program.  

Yesterday while Drew listened to Sunrise Labs meetings online I took the day to explore with our rented car.  First over to the beach to see which might allow dogs.  The park ranger recommended one about 12 miles away, Walton Rocks.  The Water at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park was pretty cold since it's been 40 degrees the last 3 nights so no swimming yet. We had the heat on last night.

Then I drove up to Vero Beach, a place we've frequented the last 2 nights because of $5 movie tickets.  We saw La La Land and  Hidden Figures, 2 movies that certainly earned their Academy Award nominations.  

I drove up to Vero today to see McKee Botanical Gardens, started in 1939 as an 80 acre tropical wonder financed by a Cleveland industrialist named McKee.  The old movie reel really showed off an amazing place.  I walked through the now 18 acres and recommend a stop here.


 Hall of giants.  This beautiful building houses the largest mahogany table in the world, built for the 1903 St. Louis Exposition for the celebration of 100 years since the Louisiana Purchase.




Sean Kenney is an artist who brought lego animals to McKee gardens.
See these:
hummingbird at a flower

 monarch

praying mantis
 snake and frog
Woman gardener






The garden itself was a wonderful peaceful walk.  Not much in flower at this season.  The design of garden is lovely with many little surprise glades and features throughout.
A chair.

The waterfall wall

 tropical lily pads about 18"-24" in diameter

The bamboo pavilion

Not sailing but a great gardening diversion.  I miss my gardening but still participate on the boards of the Piscataqua Garden Club and New Hampshire Master Gardeners Association keeping my hands clean, but my heart in nature.

 At the end of the day the three of us went to Walton Rocks Beach to give Mazu a free run and a happy time. Note the long shadows as we walk south gathering a few shells.


We ate dinner at the marina restaurant, but a bit cold so Mazu waited outside patiently.



Of course at the very end of the day the sunset over Harbor Town Marina, one that gets high marks from us.  We are looking from our slip on Fiji dock #48




1 comment:

AgentTwombly said...

More fun than hauling wood, huh? We miss you!