Finally Underway

2-2-16 Hey we’re finally on Mango and moving south. We had dockage at Fort Pierce thru the 2-15 but felt is was time to get our butts heading south. We left Harbortown Marina at 10:00 and started motoring down the ICW with the tide for the first mile or two, after that the currents were going both ways depending on our location. The one thing that was against us the whole way was the wind. The wind blew straight out of the south for the most part between 10 and 15 knots all day. The motoring lasted until about 3 pm as we set Mango’s anchor down in Peck Lake right off the ICW in 9 feet of water. 

Once we were sure the anchor was secure I dropped the dinghy and Karen and I set off for the beach. The beach is just over a spit of land that separates the calm ICW from the rolling Atlantic Ocean. From our anchorage we can hear the waves crashing onshore from the SSE winds. Once we land the dinghy it’s about a 50 yard walk to the beach through the sand dunes and mix of Mangrove and Palm trees. It’s absolutely beautiful as we mostly have the beach to ourselves other than a few gulls and other shore birds. We walked down the beach dodging waves looking through the sand for shells and sand dollars.  After a while we found ourselves sitting on the beach watching boats in the distance bobbing around fishing. Sue and Jimmy from Soul Serenade came and sat down next to us and we talked about plans for the next day. Before we knew it 5 O’clock was here and it was time to make our way back to Mango before darkness set in. 

Karen's 201# 3 month old friend Leo strolling the decks.

Soul Serenade invited us aboard for a sundown cocktail and we chatted and watched the sunset. Sue made some wonderful fajita’s and we had a great time. We got a tour of Soul and once again I started to get the 2 foot-itis again. It’s really amazing how much more room 5 feet gets you aboard a sailboat. But we’re very happy with Mango.

Darkness set in fast along with an increase in wind, we were in bed early only to be awaken at 2300 hours to horns blowing. Karen and I both lept out of bed and flew into the cockpit to checkout the situation and make sure we weren’t the cause of the horns. Thank god it wasn’t us. A catamaran must have dragged anchor into or near another cat. As I cleared my eyes and figured out what was going on with all the lights behind us I suddenly thought that my current state of wardrobe gave another definition of term cockpit, not even sailing pants on tonight. We returned to bed only to rock and roll all night.

Morning came with the sound of the Karen’s alarm set for our 8 AM departure, however along with the alarm we noted the howl of the south wind. Karen mentioned it may be a good thing to spend the day here at the Peck Lake anchorage and move south tomorrow when the wind is lighter. I agreed. We let Soul Serenade know our plans and they decided to move south and visit some friends nearby. Hopefully we’ll catch up with them later this week.

Karen and I visited the beach and met a couple from Alaska (Lisa and Jim) who spend the winters down here on their sailboat. Jim is an adventure photographer who was cleaning the barnacles off the bottom of his new dinghy. He stated the dinghy was only about a week old and the growth on the bottom was incredible. The two of them have a business they run up in Alaska during the tourism season and close up in November. Very interesting people to speak with.

Finally a great day to be at the beach and what I view.

I tried my hand at fishing today and was skunked. I’ve decided that I need live bait, everyone I spoke with told me that shrimp is the only thing they use, so I’ll get some soon. At least the weather is great, mostly sunny and about 80, winds SSE at 15 to 25 knots.

Evening came and Karen recognized some people we met in Fort Pierce entering the anchorage, I called them on the radio and directed them on how to enter without running aground. Don and Michele on S/V Hemera got anchored and later went over to say hi. They are traveling aboard their boat to Cuba to attend their sons wedding. These two have sailed all over the place on their old 29 foot boat and have tons of experience. It was nice to see hear about their travels in the Atlantic and tap into their thinking on how to travel to Cuba. Being Canadian they don’t think too much about it but I think it would be great to be their before Cuba gets its first Walmart.

We retreated back to Mango for dinner and then listen to the #3 rated Iowa Hawkeyes play Penn State in basketball. Wind has died to 5 to 15 and quietness has come over the anchorage other than the faint roar of waves crashing on the beach. Good Night All ! 

Locals rafting to their home. They lashed plastic containers together to
form a raft.

This is their home. I can see why some people want to take away
anchoring rights. I'm sure they don't have regular sanitation services.