May 2025 – Exhale on the Water

Shrimp, Shrimp, Shrimp!

Charleston, SC

It was a delicious Charleston Bloody Mary – the perfect breakfast on a rainy sunday morning! Look at those yummy olives! We recommend the Blind Tiger! 36 Broad St, Charleston, SC 29403; check out the critter friendly patio dining.

Fun historic trivia from their website: The term “Blind Tiger” was coined in the late 1800’s to describe the illicit drinking and gambling establishments rebeliously opening their doors as temperance legislation swept across the country. The first “Blind Tigers” in South Carolina sprung up in 1893 as a defiant rebuttal to the “Dispensary” laws.

Welcome to new boater friends, Hilary and Duane Steinroeder on Rightview, yes, you can find her on AIS now!

Thanks to Hilary, we found Rainbow Row. It was worth the walk, although it would have been nice to skip the drenching down pour!

Spanning from 79-107 E Bay St, Charleston, SC, Rainbow Row is famous for the longest intact stretch of 18th-century Georgian row houses. The houses are joined by common walls, but the roof lines – and the colors – vary. Local Legend suggests the bright palette was intended as an aid to navigation, to help drunken sailors determine which house they were supposed to sleep in!

History Trivia – If you are curious about the individual homes, click here for Wikipedia details!

Shrimp Time! Leland Oil Marina, McClellanville

And then there were shrimp boats . . .

We tied up at Leland Oil, excited to connect again with Tiki Queen. We have been friends with Karen and Leland McClellan since we did the loop in 2018. Thank you both for inviting us to your sweet home, designed by the ever young, ever talented Leland.

This brick treatment is called weeping mortar. Zoom in and you can see the bricklaying technique that intentionally allows the mortar to seep out. More than just aesthetic (yes, I think it looks REALLY cool), the method prevents water from infiltrating the foundation and basement – you are very clever Leland!

Check out their garden – with an abundance of amazing veggies and fruits.

Thank you Karen and Lee for spoiling us with an unbelievable shrimp dinner.

FRESH McClellanville shrimp, prepared by Karen McClellan. Yummy.

Ready for more shrimp stories? Did you know that McClellanville was one of the many back drops for the 1994 oscar winning Forrest Gump – including the devastated shrimp fleet that smashed ashore? Click here to watch the very short but very memorable Bubba Gump shrimp scene from Forrest Gump (1994) – brilliantly based on the true story of Hurricane Carmen (1974), which destroyed every shrimping boat in Bayou La Batre except for one boat – the Jenny [YES, the surviving boat was really named the Jenny!!]. Forrest Gump fans remember the lovely Jenny (Robin Wright).

Click here to enjoy a fun song from the Forrest Gump soundtrack, “On The Road Again“, performed by the Highwaymen: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson.

Georgetown, Harborwalk

Georgetown is quaint, with fun local stores and excellent restaurants. Looking for customized embroidery? Try the Harbor Shop in Georgetown, where K.K. whipped up these hats for us.

We are happy to report the George Hotel is finished. We heard the food is amazing, but it’s a little pricey.

Wacca Wache (WW) Marina

Outriggers Bar & Grill (at the edge of the marina) is under new management with a delightful upgrade in the menu as the kitchen offers a nice selection of fresh fare.

You can sit inside, or bring your dog(s) and sit under the massive tree.

Boater’s Tip – Marina prices (per foot) and fuel prices (per gallon) at WW are OFTEN the lowest in the region. Call ahead and check! The staff is skilled and their banter is amusing – all good clean fun. If you time it right, there is live music under the majestic shade tree. We strongly recommend this stop.

Myrtle Beach Yacht Club

Finally, a lighthouse for our subscribers. This stop reminds us of loyal crew member Craig Adford and fellow looper Bruce Peck, SeaTrek. Sorry Bruce, no lemon drop martinis this time.

Southport Morningstar

Well hello Tra Sea! Thanks, Tim, for meeting up on the one whistle.

Tim Harris, Tra Sea, named for Tracy Harris (not pictured)

Southport, NC

Say hello to Mark Cardone, Rick’s very FAVORITE neighbor, who used to live across the alley from us in Belmont Shore, CA, lovingly referred to as his “brother from another mother”.

After escaping the hustle and bustle of CA, Mark and Linda have created a serene oasis

surrounded by deer, which Linda definitely feeds!

Although Buttercup wasn’t too sure about the cats

we enjoyed the Friday (usually Sunday) gravy.

Mark Cardone, Mary S, Capt. Rick, Linda Palmer and Buttercup

Celebrating Milestones: Birthdays – May 29, Joe Solari (80 young) and Doug Belknap; May 31, Pamela Ledward; June 1, Craig Adford, Mark Marlow and June Bug Skyllar Gill; June 3, Lorrie Swink

Reminder – June 7 is national donut day!

Next Up: Carolina Beach Marina

Just a sweet old song

Oyster Bay Yacht Club, Fernandina Beach, Florida

We stopped at our final Florida Council Club – located at the northern tip of Oyster Bay Harbor, in north east Florida – Oyster Bay (OB) Yacht Club. True to their name, we confirmed OB serves Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc.

But no, Gail, we did not get to enjoy one of our favorite white wines since the yacht club was closed to visitors and members – reserved for a wedding. A big thanks to OB club members from M/V BadLad, Kemper and Anne Harr, who gave us a personal tour of the community. Congrats on your new Sabre!

At some point, the wedding party came to us! This photo is for Phil, our favorite wedding crasher.

Georgia on my mind

We said goodbye to Florida, for the summer, followed by a sweet hello to Georgia. This is for Mark C, a perfect fit for his smooth voice. Go ahead, sing along.

Ray Charles – Georgia on my mind.

Jekyll Island, GA

Some of our boater friends (DB) prefer to blast past GA. Not us. We enjoy the slow journey of the ICW, preferring to stop along the way. Just look at that smooth water! Full disclosure, this Jekyll Island photo was taken shortly after a formidable thunder and lighting storm.

Boater’s Tip: Zachry’s Riverhouse is found just above the marina, tucked between the trees. The food is good, and the beer is cold.

Zachry’s taxidermied critters are often dressed for the season. Not entirely sure what they are celebrating this time …

Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island

At the end of the island we discovered ghost crabs. This little character was roughly 3 inches in total.

The ghost crab has phantom-like moves. Their pale coloration, which matches the sand, makes them difficult to spot, and they can quickly disappear into their burrows at the slightest disturbance, capable of moving at speeds up to 10 mph – that’s faster than Exhale at her best speed!

Thanks to Samantha (boss lady at Jekyll) we took the courtesy car to Driftwood Beach, aka the boneyard. Notice the massive trees compared to Capt. Rick, who is slowly walking by!

The beach’s apocalyptic landscape made it a unique filming location for the long running (2010-2022) TV show “The Walking Dead”, and it was the backdrop for a plethora of movies, like “The Tomorrow War” 2021 with Chris Pratt, “X-Men:First Class” 2011, “Red One” (2024), and more.

Here’s a shimmering moon photo for Dave Lubs from my new iPhone.

Brunswick, Golden Isles, GA

The marina was very quiet. Just a short run from Jekyll to Brunswick, time for a fun boat name. Embracing Diversity with our critter lovers, this is for Ynot!!

Boater’s Tip, when you check in tell the dockmaster the number of passengers on board to get a $5 coupon per person for the adorable Coastal Coffee shoppe, where they serve a delicious chicken salad croissant sandwich.

Kilkenny, GA

This is for Tracy Harris, and Lola, who have a love hate relationship with this stop. A few sections of the dock have recently been repaired, but it’s still a wobbly walk from our boat to the shore.

A little history: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Kilkenny plantation dates back to 1733; once known for summer fishing vacations, the property changed hands many times. The main house is still standing! Overlooking the river, she’s located directly above the marina.

The magnificent structure was neglected for decades, until Henry Ford acquired it in 1930 – properly restoring it as a private home. Click here if you want to learn more. No worry, speed readers – it’s okay to skip the Wikipedia history lesson and just enjoy the photos.

Isle of Hope, Savannah, GA

Traveling north to Savannah, the sky is befitting at the Isle of Hope. Sit back, relax, enjoy the beauty of Georgia.

Boaters Tip: This family run marina provides two courtesy cars – making it easy to explore and provision. Enjoy the food at several nearby restaurants, or drive to the magic of Savannah!

These whimsical critters can be found at at the Driftaway Cafe

Here’s a garden sloth for Alisha,

and some googly eyes for my birthday boy, Zach Silverstein.

Hello Beaufort, SC!

Beaufort (with a view) is a preferred stop! Boaters – tie up securely with sturdy lines, the marina gets a little rough. Kudos to Capt Rick and Tom Matovich who rescued a certain boat that tried to escape.

Within easy walking distance from the Safe Harbor marina is a quaint town. With a lovely array of boutiques, there are numerous retail options on Bay Street – and on the various side streets – including a great spot for a relaxing pedicure :-) Nail Bar on Bay. Walk ins accepted, or book on line.

Old Bull Tavern, Beaufort, SC

And, Beaufort is home to Capt Rick’s all-time favorite restaurant along the ICW. Located at 205 West St, Old Bull Tavern is a must!

Boater’s Tip, plan ahead (at least one week), Click here – and make your reservations on line, request either the Middle Room or the Pizza Oven Room, and definitely order an Old Fashioned!

We were thrilled to see Ashley Moore again, our fav – thanks for remembering us – you look amazing! Can’t believe your little one is approaching 5. Congrats.

On the topic of amazing, introducing McDreamy eyes Derek (for all of you Grey’s Anatomy fans), co-owner and host extraordinaire; thanks for the amazing strawberry corn cake!

Who else has been there: definitely Jeff and Dr. Patty North, Trevor, Tim and Tracy Harris, and Gail and David Bernstein; any others?

We left the dock today at 06:15, as the sun was gently rising. Unexpected bonus for the early start time – on the VHF radio we heard a distinguished, familiar voice – shout out to Lorrie and Rodger Swink on Reality, ships passing at first light!

Next Stop: Charleston, SC

Happy Memorial Day everyone. A sad thank you to all those military men and women who we have lost. Here’s a little photo of my father, who served during WWII.

Celebrating Milestones:

Anniversaries – May 25, Gail & David; May 26, Jeff & Dr. Patty North; May 27, Carly & Brandon

Birthdays – May 25, Zach Silverstein; May 28, Scott Ginsburg; Brennyn; May 29 Doug Belknap; and May 31, Pamela Ledward.

NYT loyalists, Wordle On!

Note to Subscribers: comments encouraged.

Counting Manatees

Mariner’s Cay Marina in Manatee Pocket

During our slow travels on Exhale we love spotting marine life. We have seen awe-inspiring whales, playful dolphins, resplendent turtles, formidable alligators, flying fish, and splendid manatees.

Over the past 9 years we have stayed at the Manatee Pocket marina in Stuart so many times that we have lost count. BUT here’s what I can report, with full confidence: number of manatee sightings in Manatee Pocket = zero, zilch and nada.

On a positive note, at low tide, Buttercup found a new vantage point, she’s sitting on the tv shelf (the tv lowers behind the couch).

Buttercup, keeping a close watch, as the world goes by.

Boater’s Tip: Mariner’s Cay Marina is often windy. With fixed docks, be prepared to tie up without assistance. Consider using Sunset Marina, which is easy walking distance to the bustling little downtown of Stuart.

For us, a visit to Stuart equals time with Marty and Anders, fondly referred to as Meanders! Because of them we purchased our first trawler, NP4906, delivered in April 2016. Keeping with our special tradition, we enjoyed a fabulous Thai meal, at Krua Thai (click here) including the best curried duck ever!

Hey Caryl, are you familiar with Big Fred, the staghorn fern? Located in Titusville FL, he measures a total of: 88.5 inches in diameter (that’s almost 7.5 feet) and 278 inches in circumference (That’s 23.16 feet around). For more random details about Big Fred, click here.

Not sure if this Stuart fern has a name, but thought you might appreciate the photo of this healthy, mega fern.

Vero Beach Yacht Club

Shout out to the general manager, head chef and head bartender at Vero Beach Yacht Club for the friendly chatter and bubbly on Mother’s Day. Boater’s Tip, if the yacht club cannot accommodate your vessel, we recommend you stay at the adjoining Vero Beach city dock where you will find plenty of lizards. This multi-colored lizard is a Peter’s rock agama, also known as a rainbow lizard.

Eau Gallie, Melbourne FL

Melbourne is well worth the stop, although the Eau Gallie Yacht Club is closed on Mondays. We enjoyed reconnecting with consummate sailors Brenda and Phil Spletter – another day of spoiled attention for Buttercup!

After hours of heavy rain, it was a quiet evening as Exhale sat all alone on the south dock. Sorry, Phil S, unlike our adventures in Rockport, there was no opportunity to crash another wedding in a certain yellow slicker. We can try again the next time we meet up!

Red Sunset for Finny

This is for you, little sister.

Smyrna Yacht Club

How old is this club? Dating back to 1928 it is fast approaching a 100-year milestone!

Smyrna Yacht Club made history in 1932 as the host of an international sailing regatta with participants from the US, England, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden & Cuba. The grand prize was the tall silver Lipton Cup Trophy, designed by Sir Thomas Lipton, which is now permanently on display in the Club’s trophy case, it is the only one in Florida.

History Lesson: Lipton® Tea traces back to Sir Thomas Lipton (1848 – 1931). After opening his first grocery stores in Glasgow in 1871, he saw the profit potential in this deliciously aromatic beverage and bought a number of tea fields in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). His key to overwhelming success was direct sales – pissing off the Brits when he refused to sell through their middlemen at “tea auctions.” Lipton’s trademark slogan was “Direct from the Tea Gardens to the Teapot” which also meant a significant $ gain into his Lipton bank account.

As a yachtsman, Sir Lipton was not so successful – he lost 5 straight America’s Cup races. For the Spletters, and all of our other sailors: To learn more about Lipton and his part in the first of the J-Class, click here.

Fun architectural detail about the club, I like the “mushroom” accent found in the grand entry-way!

The club logo, a signature sideways “S”, is for Ray Houle, fondly referred to as “Sideways” for a certain boating maneuver, without thrusters, that he absolutely mastered!

Admiral Buttercup liked this stop!

Halifax River, Daytona Beach

And now a photo for the Aussies – look at that light in our salon! The stowaway is ever present. Come join us!

We had an exceptional evening at Halifax River Yacht Club. Capt Rick was very excited to be served liver and onions, for our subscribers it’s one of those menu items that makes you smile, or, very likely it makes you cringe; thus it’s not easy to find! It’s also a dish that is not easy to prepare – be assured, the chef at Halifax got it right!!

Camouflaged Tesla tank. Starry Night wrap makes it almost tolerable. Almost.

Palm Coast Marina

And now for a well disguised Yuengling, aka PPW, according to David Hendry.

Boater’s Tip – the 5th Element serves up fresh, delicious, authentic Indian food. Disregard the never ending bollywood dancers streaming in the background. Worth the walk to the European Village Palm Coast.

Beach Marine, Jacksonville.

Boater’s Tip: Windward, The Wharf is so unremarkable I did not take any photos, but we DO appreciate the floating docks at Beach Marine, finally.

These fire red flowers are for Alisha, Holly, and Zach – just because. And that’s a wrap for this week!

Celebrating Milestones:

Happy Birthday Chris Moles! 63 on Monday, May 19;

Celebrating Life: Carol Lee Mayo. You are loved!

Next Up:

Oyster Bay Yacht Club, at Fernandina Beach. I don’t expect to find the Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that Gail and I enjoy, so much, since the grapes are grown in the Wairau Valley within Marlborough, New Zealand. But one can hope!

Yes, Gail, we are definitely Heading North!

Tribute to an Alaskan Legend

Dan Seavey – the Patriarch of the Seaveys – passed away this week. A young 87, he is already missed.

Words cannot express the loss of this great man. Deepest condolences to my high school friends – Dan and Shirley‘s three children – Mitch, Tracie and Darian Seavey.

Dan’s greatest pride was his family. His son Mitch is a 3-time Iditarod champ; he holds the Iditarod race speed record of 8 days 3 hours 40 minutes and 13 seconds to cover 1049 miles by dog team, from Anchorage to Nome. His team’s running speed averages about 8 miles per hour, very similar to our trawler speed. Mitch also holds the Iditarod record as the oldest winner, crossing under the Nome arch at ages 45, 53 and 57!

Dan Seavey’s grandson Dallas (Mitch’s son) holds the record for the most wins, a total of 6 as of 2024!

In the words of the great patriarch: “Take care of your dogs, and they’ll take care of you.”

In 2016, Dan was inducted into the Iditarod Hall of Fame for his work as a patriarch, a pioneer, and a preservationist for the Iditarod. Racing the Iditarod was more than a hobby for the Seavey family, it was their life. Dan was instrumental in getting the race started. By 2025 there were 4 generations of Seaveys involved in the great race.

The Iditarod provided the following in his honor.

Personal Connection: Dan Seavey was my favorite teacher at Seward High in Seward, Alaska. To pass the final exam of his “Environmental Ed” class we had to build our own shelter, start a fire without matches, melt snow for water, and then spend a frigid winter night on the snow pack! It was a memorable experience under the stars. Although some of us were actually within walking distance of home, no one dared to leave, so everyone passed!

In 2015, during an extended visit of my AK family {3 of this bloggers 4 siblings, plus numerous offspring, still live there}, Susan and Mike Gillespie, Capt Rick and I had the privilege of spending time with the Iditaride dogs in Seward. We also spent time at the homestead of Dan and Shirley, his sweet wife of more than 59 years; I recall Shirley served us her amazing lemon cake! Shirley passed in 2017.

To complete this tribute I am offering a special bit of music, click here to listen to a Seavey favorite from the Nitty Gritty Band, “Mr. Bojangles”.

This 1970’s hit sends me back to my days in high school, hanging out at the Seaveys home. It’s okay if you shed a tear and grieve with me.

To learn more about the legend, click here. Thank you Toni Reitter for the beautiful stories. Follow Toni here: https://www.instagram.com/tonichelle/#

Rest in Peace OG, sending a warm hug to Shirley.

@mitchseavey, @seaveydanny, @tonichelle, @mitchseaveysididaride

The Key Largo Queen

A truly iconic steamboat, the original African Queen is docked in the Marina Del Mar Marina in Key Largo, FL, which is part of the Holiday Inn Complex at mile marker 100. Yes, she could use a coat of paint!

No, the classic movie was NOT filmed in Hollywood or in Florida, it was in fact filmed in the Belgian Congo also known as German East Africa. The boat was transported to Key Largo in 1982. A few years ago we blogged about spotting her on the waters, in the distance. This time, we were able to get up close to take a proper photo.

RANDOM HISTORY LESSON: Curious about the boat? The Congo African Queen was a 30-foot steam boat built of riveted sheet iron in 1912 in the United Kingdom for service in Africa on the Victoria Nile and Lake Albert – where the African Queen was filmed in 1950/51. Originally named Livingstone, she was built for the British East Africa Railway and was actively used from 1912 to 1968.

In 1951, the classic movie won 4 oscars [a special year for more than one subscriber], and, the film left an indelible print in the minds of many. We are curious, what’s your recollection? Do you smile with approval at the feisty courage of Kate, or do you recoil from the thought of leech infested waters? I relish in the memory of watching the movie with a special someone. Comments are encouraged!!

If you have not seen it yet, it’s well worth streaming (try Amazon Prime or YouTube). Here’s the IMDB description of African Queen, loosely based on actual events: In WWI East Africa, a gin-swilling Canadian riverboat captain {Humphrey Bogart} is persuaded by a strait-laced English missionary {Katherine Hepburn} to undertake a trip up a treacherous river and use his boat to attack a German gunship.

Key Largo American Legion

Post #333 is roughly 500 yards from the PilotHouse Marina. Open to the public, we stopped in for a very inexpensive delightfully cold beer. On the wall were post plaques from every state, including Alaska. Stepping inside the old post was a nostalgic moment for me because my dad, a WWII vet, belonged to American Legion Post #5 in Seward Alaska. It was easy walking (or stumbling) distance from our house. Do you remember, little sister Finny?

While drinking a cold beer I wondered, was it a good time to learn the NATO phonetic or Pilot’s alphabet? If you are a pilot, like Craig Adford, or a SeaBee, like Sideways, using the pilot’s alphabet is standard radio chatter. For others it’s a way to sound cool. Let’s be cool together.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our Vets for their service, and for their sacrifice.

Kentucky Derby Time

On Saturday, the Run for the Roses reminded us of our Kentucky based friends. This year the race was a mud-filled track, what a mess! Congrats to Jockey Junior Alvarado and Sovereignty for your first win!

A Blast from past Derbys, hello Gail Bernstein, Dale Morgan and Ann Hughes

F-1 Races in Miami

Do you favor the racing team of Red Bull? McClaren? Mercedes? Whoever your prefer, the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix was projected to have around 284,000 attendees, a record high. We often follow the races on F1-TV, typically cheering for a certain team – that did not fare well in this race.

Why did we really care?? because of the massive influx of boaters for the three-day event – think LOTS of mega yachts – the Miami marinas were booked well in advance and well after the May 2-May 4 event. That means we had to skip staying at Miami for now. Tip for boaters – research the local events – to either join in or avoid.

Key Biscayne

We spent one night in Key Biscayne, where the sunsets are spectacular. This is for Finny.

Miami Skyline

AFTER the crowd cleared from the Miami F-1 race, we slowly traversed to Lauderdale, enjoying the familiar city skyline.

Lauderdale – exquisite family time!!

Buttercup was eagerly awaiting dinner guests at the Lauderdale Yacht Club!

Special guests included the insanely talented Alisha Silverstein and her highly-skilled genius brother Zach Silverstein (this blogger’s A to Z), who are working on a new tv show based in Miami. The exquisite Holly Pilato-Scharnweber, loyal Buffalo Bills fan, and former Commodore’s Ball escort, is also on the crew.

We were very excited to host dinner on board: grilled steak (perfectly rare), Alaskan smoked salmon, roasted potatoes, fresh veggies, and a yummy salad.

Zach Silverstein, Alisha Silverstein, Holly Pilato; dinner on Exhale

MORE family stuff, just in time for Mother’s Day. Proud momma plug: In December of 2024 Alisha, Holly and Zach wrapped an incredible movie – filmed in Morocco. Last year, this blogger witnessed the phenomenal setting first hand. Final Production efforts are now underway by Angel Studios. In Theaters beginning Dec 19, 2025, let’s go see Zero A.D.!! Here’s the trailer. https://youtu.be/vWVQYdAUvb8?feature=shared. Before kings and empires feared Him, a tyrant sought to erase Him. Click here for a Special Cinema Moment, introducing Zero A.D.

Thank you to all three for making the drive to visit us in Lauderdale! Buttercup said, “Come Back again soon”.

North Palm Beach Safe Harbor – If you travel inside on the Intracoastal Waterway, “ICW”, there are 21 bridges between Lauderdale and North Palm Beach. No surprise, Captain Rick efficiently analyzed the opening times and the distance between each bridge. With a 25-foot air draft, we needed 18 openings.

Note, if there is a tug with a commercial barge the bridge tender will open on demand, off schedule. Thanks to the calcs from Capt Rick, we only had to wait for one bridge. Was it a lazy operator, or was it because of a tug – we don’t know.

Boaters Tip: listen up on VHF Channel 9!

If you opt to stay “outside”, aka along the ocean shore, you are subject to wind and waves – but there are NO bridges. You might already know, Tonto’s Reward greatly prefers to rock ‘n roll on the wild side.

Stuart – Manatee Pocket aka Mariners Cay

We have stopped here, many times, to visit Meanders. Delightful friends, easy stop, worth the trip.

MILESTONES: Birthdays – May 8, Danielle Ginsburg; May 11, Michele May Jackson; Anniversay – May 7, Ray and Caryl celebrated 21 years!

Congrats to Pope Leo. Cool name (same as our oldest grandson!)

Happy Mother’s Day!!

Heading South to Go North

Feels like a Willy Wonka moment when you go backwards to go forward. Strike that. Reverse it. Or maybe it’s a Paula Abdul occasion “two steps forward and two steps back, because opposites attract.”

As Tyler Hendry would say, “ACTUALLY”, the decision to traverse south was driven by the US Army Corp of Engineers, as they intentionally drain Lake Okeechobee, eliminating the option to travel from our home port in Florida in a more direct, linear fashion – to go north.

Wondering how to pronounce Okeechobee? For Brenda – it sounds like one of your mom’s favorite songs – Okie from Muskogee – another classic for Tumbleweed! As one fan quipped on the YouTube website, “Today’s country music stars are not even qualified to shine this mans {Merle Haggard’s} boots”

HERE’S A LITTLE FLORIDA HISTORY: Why do they drain the lake? In 1928 the devastating Okeechobee Hurricane overflowed the lake and drowned 2,500 people! To date it was the WORST hurricane in Florida’s history.

Under the direction of President Herbert Hoover, the feds rapidly stepped in to make sure Lake Okeechobee never overflowed again. Completed in record time, prior to the Wall Street crash of 1929, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a huge earthen dike around Lake Okeechobee.

Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874–October 20, 1964), mining engineer, humanitarian, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and 31st US President.

Now the Lake is drained, each year, in anticipation of the rainy, hurricane season. Seasonal drought in Florida plays a major role in the water levels, but, the annoying engineers are generally in control of the navigational depth.

Relevant boater data: There are two charted courses for boaters, the shortest path cuts across the lake, the second runs along the rim. In the past we have successfully taken both routes. As of April 29 the navigational depth of Route 1 was 5.26 feet; Route 2 was a mere 3.46 feet. The draft of Exhale is almost 5 feet – so that means our boat could dramatically run aground in the rocks. Not a good day.

When we can’t cross Lake O, we take the long way around, heading south from Fort Myers, along the west coast of Florida to eventually go north, along the eastern seaboard.

Fun facts: Lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in Florida (it covers over 450,000 square acres, or 730 square miles) Not so fun fact: Lake Okeechobee is the most polluted lake in Florida. Why? Agricultural runoff, fertilizer in particular, and urban stormwater, leading to algal blooms and high levels of phosphorus. When the lake is drained, the algae thrives in shallow, sun drenched waters.

is there any Good News? Sure – the Lake is home to over 9,300 thriving alligators, some estimates run as high as 30,000 gators in the peak season. Random fact: Herbert Hoover’s son (Allan Henry Hoover) had a gator as a pet.

Boater’s Tip: Check the depth before you go … Here’s the official website from US Army Corp of Engineers https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml. The Navigational Depth changes daily! And, when the weather is rough, the trough of each wave is dangerously low.

Let’s Travel South!

St. Charles Yacht Club “SCYC”, Fort Myers Florida

Our first stop was maybe an hour in transit, to St. Charles Yacht Club. It’s a place where the lovely Miss Madi Mitchell, SCYC Food and Beverage Manager, delivers Rick’s favorite drink before he has sat down. Cheers to you Madi – best of luck as you finish your studies!

Hello Ray and Caryl – Thanks for joining us at our first stop! It is always a pleasure to spend time with both of you! Buttercup appreciates the attention.

Ray Houle aka Sideways, Caryl Moulder and Buttercup at SCYC

Marco Island Marina

The Marco Island club renovation is done! About those gators – here’s a clever boat name from that marina.

Cape Sable Anchorage

We love to anchor out, especially when there are no other boats around. Cape Sable is highly recommended for a star-filled night.

Safe Harbor Marathon

Boaters take your swim suits – the pool is Capt. Rick’s favorite! Shout out to Donna Wallace and Rebecca Hill who have been known to enjoy the refreshing walk-in bath.

Inspired by David Bernstein’s long walks, we hiked to the Marathon Yacht Club as a tribute to members George and Pat Hospodar. Dinner was fantastic – followed by a spectacular sunset.

This is for Tyler and Morgan.

Pilot House Marina, Key Largo

We will be in Key Largo for three days. The marina restaurant is good, the Happy Hour menu is popular! Don’t be fooled by the open stools, by the time we left the place was full.

It’s also a popular spot for fishing charters.

CELEBRATING MILESTONES:

Birthdays: Belated birthday April 26, Andre Walker; May 8, Danielle Ginsburg

Anniversary: May 7, Caryl and Ray

NEWSFLASH. NEWSFLASH. NEWSFLASH.

Morse Code test: . . . – – – . . .

USCG – Pon Pon, Pon Pon – Urgent Need for Assistance

Typically the blog ends after milestones – but THIS is a really important update from Soundings magazine.

The Coast Guard has proposed removing hundreds of buoys and navigational markers from the Northeast.

The proposal for Maine: over 150 buoys are to be removed or altered!

READ THE ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN SOUNDINGS HERE

PLEASE TAKE QUICK ACTION: Send an email to the Coast Guard today!

They will be accepting comments on the proposal until June 13. All comments must be made in writing. Refer to Project No. 01-25-015. Your E-mail must be sent to: D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil.

To make it easy for our subscribers, here’s the email we sent, PLEASE feel free to cut and paste and resend:

to: D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil

Subject: STOP PROJECT NO. 01-25-015.

Dear Madams and Sirs at the USCG.

We are avid boaters, and we need your help!

Don’t be fooled by “budget cutting” excuses. Removing the buoys and navigational markers costs manpower time and money you don’t need to spend!

It’s simple – buoys and navigational markers prevent collisions, grounding and human tragedy. They save lives.

It is true there are lots of apps out there that boaters use – BUT the red and green markers are the ultimate guide.

The Coast Guard has seven basic missions: Search and Rescue “SAR”, Aids to Navigation “ATON”, Ice Breaking and Ocean Science, Marine Inspection, Law Enforcement, Military Readiness, and the seventh, Semper Paratus-Always Ready for the next mission.

Follow your mission! Protect the mariners on our waterways today. The great Jimmy Buffet understood, and warned his boaters to “make sure to keep it between the navigational beacons”.

Now it’s up to you, USCG, to keep the beacons in place.

Sincerely,

M/V Exhale