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).
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!
Exhale on the Water 