April 9, 2022 Leg #11 Fort Pierce to Melbourne, FL

Today started out beautiful and calm. We departed Fort Pierce Marina at 8:25 only to have to wait for the North Fort Pierce Draw

Bridge to open at 8:45. Glen stated that he won’t complain again about waiting for our hometown bridge in Charlevoix to open after all the bridges we have waited for and will wait for as we continue North.

The area travelled was shallow and littered with small islands with white sand shoals that families played at and camped. These photos are not zoomed in. The shoals are just beside us.

As we were underway Glen got an alert of tornados further North of where we would be stopping. About noon on the Indian River (ICW) the winds naturally started kicking up. It was so strong that it created a keeling that allowed fuel to flow from one tank to the other and that created a list. By the time we reached the Melbourne Harbor Marina we were attempting to dock in 34 mile an hour wind. I was prepared for a starboard tie on a T-dock, but the harbor master wanted to put us in a 23’ slip for more protection with a port tie up. So, I’m switching all the lines and the fenders to the port side. After two attempt to enter a slip against the wind and currents we opted to take the T-dock instead. Sooo, switching back to a starboard tie, I hastily moved lines and fenders again. Glen managed to bring Saunter about and alongside the dock. But the wind pushed us in hard and I, in my haste, didn’t have the fenders positioned correctly and we took a hard hit, leaving Saunter with her first scuff of the trip. Most of it buffed out but add one more repair when we get home. We were both upset at the mishap but It was another lesson learned for both of us. DON’T RUSH THINGS.

While in Melbourne, another Looper asked if we were having fun. I shrugged my shoulders and said yes, for the most part. She wasn’t and I felt bad for them. They were taking the boat a few miles further north and heading home for Easter. I don’t think they will continue their journey. I’ve been thinking about that for a few days now. I feel that often people may enter this adventure thinking that it is a vacation. Yes, they will see beautiful parts of the country, meet lots of people, eat, drink and travel but let me say, this is no vacation. It’s exciting, stressful, stressless, frustrating, fun, educational, work, challenging, etc. It’s an adventure and you never know what’s around the corner. Whatever is coming at you, it will have to be dealt with. There is still cooking and cleaning, chart plotting, weather watching, planning your next dockage, navigating, engine and system maintenance and repairs, dog walking, laundry, provisioning, and on and on. So, if you want a vacation, hop on a cruise ship. To answer her question, after a few days of contemplation, we are having fun. Glen and I went into this with realistic expectations. We get stressed, I deal with anxiety each time we prepare to dock or depart. I don’t think that will ever change, but I deal with it.

Also here was Rebecca James from Clewiston, and Now or Never from Fort Pierce.

Melbourne Harbor Marina is a very nice stopover in a quaint little basin with secure docks, friendly staff, a couple of restaurants and lots of play area for the dogs. My only disappointment was their boaters’ facilities. They could use some updating and cleaning.

Saunter at Melbourne Harbor Marina.

Here's a couple of Osprey photos for fun: