Where is GYPSEA?

So with questionable seas and some extra time available today that wasn’t expected, we decided to do a mini first leg of our journey 2.5 hours up to Fort Pierce. We cruised at 18-19 knots most of the way and had to be diligent about checking water depth. Stuart almost got us right out of the gate…really have to hug the markers in most places especially since it was low tide when we left. Had a beautiful ride up the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway). We are at Harbortown Marina right before the Fort Pierce Bridge. During construction of the new much higher bridge the current bridge has limited openings at times due to the work being done. Positioning ourselves so close the the bridge should assure that we will get a bridge opening first thing in the morning and continue our cruise up the ICW…maybe make St. Augustines?…or fingers crossed travel outside on open ocean to make better time.

The boaters we have encountered at the Harbotown Marina have been very friendly! Some irony in this as well. A gentlemen “Speedy” on the dock raced over to assist us when we pulled in and as it turns out, he is a helicopter pilot who knows my brother as they used to have their helicopter organization meetings at the Tewksbury Country Club! What a small world!

Last night Carl and I tossed and turned wondering if we would be able to do this trip justice. As we both scoured countless websites, blogs and videos, we came across internet gold! I found the Facebook group: 2024 ICW Cruising Guide by Bob423 it is teamed with members who have vast knowledge on navigating the ICW. It is a private group. Thankfully I was accepted. I have already received so much great information that either backs up what we have learned or offers advice on how to re-consider some suggestions. People have been so generous with their information, so I now feel like we have someone “holding our hand” if we doubt our navigational skills or just need some prudent advice from those who have done this many times. It is a beautiful night here in Fort Pierce…

Will pass under or have to wait for openings of many bridges while on the ICW. I have a warm place in my heart for these bridges. Approximately 20 years ago we were vacationing in Florida with our children. At the time we were not ocean boaters. We were having dinner near one of the bridges and could hear the radio chatter between one of the boats and a bridge operator. I can still remember the southern accent of the boater as he told the bridge operator he had “the nicest looking bridge on the ICW!”…never would I have thought that we would be boating on the ocean and asking for bridges on the ICW to be opened for us! Feeling very grateful right now.

Power lines (hard to see) coming from St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant

Until tomorrow!