IT’S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL

It's a world of laughter

A world of tears

It's a world of hopes

And a world of fears

There's so much that we share

That it's time we're aware

It's a small world after all

It's a small world after all

It's a small world after all

It's a small world after all

It's a small, small world

There is just one moon And one golden sun

And a smile means

Friendship to ev'ryone

Though the mountains divide

And the oceans are wide

It's a small world after all 

When we left Vero Beach after our road trip back home we slogged our way as far as New Smyrna Beach.

We realized that Obsession really needed to have her bottom cleaned. Andcwe found we had gotten some dirt/bad fuel. 

The marina there called a diver for us, and he was there the next morning in time for us to leave and continue our trip north. We traveled past Cocoa Beach, then Titusville, and

through the Haulover Canal and on to Daytona.

We figured we’d be alone a good portion of this trip, but soon we found that it is truly a small world. 

We pulled into St. Augustine and met up with Ingrid and Fred (Solaris) at OC Whites where the bartender informed us he was from Seekonk, MA. 

The day we left St. Augustine there were about 4 other boats leaving at the same time. We were all headed to Sisters’ Creek Free Docks near Jacksonville. 

A young couple, Brandy and Travis Lee, (Gypsy North) with the cutest and happiest 11 month old baby boy and a precocious and darling 4 year old girl were there too. 

They followed us the next day to Cumberland Island where we ran into Pat and Dave Tye (Blue Moon) whom we had met in Marathon in February. From Cumberland Island we worked our way through the swamplands of Georgia with Pat and Dave, fighting off swarms of green flies. (I thought we killed them all-NOT)

South Sapelo ariver Anchorage

 Skull Creek Anchorage

 A few nights of anchoring out after long days of travel, we finally made it to Isle of Hope Marina in Savannah, GA. 

After a quick message to our friend Melvin Aboard Belle in Puerto Rico we hooked up with a master marine electrician, Mark Rocha, Aboard his NP43. (is it a coincidence that his NP 43 is for sale and he wants a sailboat?)  He efficiently diagnosed our battery issue and masterfully negotiated the delivery of a new battery in record time. 

With Pat and Dave we took advantage of having the use of a loaner car and spent an enjoyable evening exploring the Savannah waterfront and a few local pubs. 

A car makes  shopping a simpler chore too. So we were ready for a few more days of travel and anchoring out, except the night dockside at B & B Seafood (oh the SHRIMP)!  and we finally reached Charleston, SC. At Church Creek we said “see ya soon” (we don’t say good bye) to Blue Moon and as it turned out followed a boat from Block Island to Georgetown, SC where we enjoyed a date night, dinner out and a show “Sandy Toes and Salty Kisses”. 

Four or five days of hot, muggy weather and we were in desperate need of a place to “chill”. Osprey Marina in Myrtle Beach provided the perfect respite the next day, complete with golf cart transportation, a delivered pizza, air conditioned Captains Lounge, a free breakfast, and...goats!  On to MBYC to see Carol Chace, toast her birthday, her retirement, and a new boat. We can hardly wait to see Carol and Bill again up north this summer. 

A few more long. hot, humid days and nights and we finally reached Oriental, NC. All along the way we passed or were passed by a Mainship 40, “Plan B”, and a C & C Landfall 43,  (they bought their boat in Warwick, RI  but live in Ontario, Canada). “North45”. We all met up dockside at Oriental Marina and Inn.

After a swim in the pool, we spent an evening  of catching up at the Tiki Bar revealed that Steve and Sue Aboard “North45” spent time with our friends Merri and Doug “Purdy Suite” and Michelle and Dave “Half Baked” in the Bahamas.

 Oh, and I can’t forget to mention that the marina manager at Oriental Marina and Inn is originally from Bristol, RI and worked at the Hyatt on Gat Island in Newport before it was sold to Gurneys. It’s a small world! 

I 

The next day Ken and Carol Aboard “No Schedule” , another boat that we have played hopscotch with for a few days traveling North, arrived and we spent a pleasant evening on the lawn talking boats. 

The friends we’ve made on this trip are truly special. We share laughter, tears, hopes and dreams. After all is said and done we all live under the same bright moon and shining sun.  We won’t let the high mountains or the wide ocean divide us. We offer smiles and friendship to all. 

IT’S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL

Sunset Belhaven,NC

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

Vero Beach Boardwalk and breakfast at Mulligans

Getting to know you

Getting to know all about you

Getting to like you 

Getting to hope you like me

Since we left West Palm and headed north we have traveled all the same waters we traveled on the way south. We stopped in one different anchorage (Peck Lake). 

Sunset Peck Lake

We thoroughly enjoyed Vero Beach this time around. It has earned the nickname “Velcro Beach”. We think we understand why!!

After talking with several other liveaboards here in Vero Beach we decided to give Obsession what is lovingly called a “Spa Day”. A plug in dockside to perk up the batteries, and a chance to fill up water tanks, pump out the heads and maybe even a little scrubbing. We chose the days based on the weather-it was supposed to rain hard and blow on Good Friday. 

The Nina and Pinta

So we took a slip right next to the Nina and Pinta. A little schmoozing with other cruisers, and an evening chat with the crew of the Nina and Pinta, then a movie on board were some of the highlights of our time dockside. 

. James took on Mr. Manatees burger challenge.

The free buses in Vero make it easy to get around. We enjoyed a late breakfast/lunch after a leisurely walk along the boardwalk on the Oceanside, and another day we poked into a few shops. 

 The day before Easter we enjoyed an evening of music at a church within walking distance of the marina, and returned to the boat for one of the most gorgeous nights of our stay here. 

A nice breeze, hardly any bugs and a chance meeting of another ICW traveling couple that we have crossed paths with since October and never met in person. 

Janet Roessler-NOT Janice Roehr

After an emergency trip for some dental work, we prepared to leave Obsession Vero Beach for a week or so while we drove a rented SUV back home to put our condo back in order for a new renter.

ZIN traveled with us back to Fall River in our 

rented Dodge Journey

The 

 We arranged our visit home  to coincide with the implosion of the Cooling Towers at the coal plant across the river. 

There was talk that our condos will increase in value the minute they were imploded. So, it got us thinking. 

We really do like itin Vero Beach. Could we get to like the winters here, and the summers in Newport? Could we sell our condo, buy one in Vero, keep Obsession in Newport for summers aboard, and make FL our home of record?   

A condo unit that’s for sale in Vero Beach, on the water, corner unit, $159,000.

Our road trip included a drive over/through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel,

 a ride on the Lewes/Cape May Ferry across Delaware Bay

and a scenic drive (with no trucks) across the Garden State  Parkway. I know I complain about NJ a lot, but this one they got right-give the trucks their own highway! We cleaned out the storage area, moved furniture back home, enjoyed the implosion party at The Landing, visited some of our favorite restaurants, saw some friends and relatives, and lastly spent 3 nights home, in our own bed, in our lovely condo that we really DO like. We talked a lot about what improvements we’d make when we return home. 

We hopped back into the car, and headed south with plans to visit Kenny and Rachel in NC. 

The Kentucky Derby (what a fiasco) and Prom Night were on our agenda.  Then on to Atlanta where Eva opened up her home to us for a night after a delicious and fun dinner of catching up on news. 

We had the rental car for a few more days in Vero which allowed us to re-provision Obsession and enjoy a few nights with Debbie and Mike from Catalina 42 “Resolve” and Loree and Bill from Sea Wolf. 

The friends we have met on this trip will always hold a special place in our hearts. 

Getting to know you 

Putting it my way 

But nicely 

You are precisely 

My cup of tea. 

Obsession in Vero Beach

May 8, 2019

NEWS UPDATE FROM COSMO

Cosmo reports on his “vacation” in West Palm Beach while we were away in Newport. 

“Welcome home, Janice and David! While you were back in Newport enjoying some time with family and friends,  Zin and I were holding down the fort Aboard Obsession in West Palm Beach. I know you were a bit nervous leaving Obsession, but David did an excellent job of securing Obsession to the mooring and making sure all the lines, halyards and sheets were cleated off properly.

He stowed the generator and strapped OCD in the davits, closed all the hatches except the ones under the dodger, and ran the engine one last time before we left. Zin and I managed ok, sometimes it got a bit stuffy down below, and we had one day that the wind blew hard and it also rained. 

Dean and Sarah Marshall stopped by to check on us, and I heard that Ingrid and Fred were watching too. A small boat to the east of us was spotted wandering around the Inlet, but it never came close to Obsession.

 We could hear the cruise ships come and go every morning and night, occasionally some small boats with teenagers raced by, 

There were many different pleasure craft going up and down the ICW, especially after the Boat Show, so we had plenty to keep us entertained.

And, by the way, I only consumed a small amount of rum and I think Zin found a bottle of Obsession wine while you were away. (If you believe that, go check David’s rum stash in the bilge along side Janice’s wine locker.) 

I heard that you had a great time back in Newport, that the harbor was empty, but you enjoyed the view from 41North 

and your favorite timeshare unit at Long Wharf Resort.

I’m disappointed that you didn’t bring us any lobster or chourico though! Guess I’ll have to wait until June for a taste of those favorites. Speaking of favorites, I saw a picture of Janice with Perrin and Bill, our favorite launch drivers, 

and Mariah and Bob, CJ,  and Harvey and Judy. 

And of course, Peggy and Ralph and the rest of the family were all at the Viking (One Bellevue) for a mini family reunion.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone back home in Newport the end of June. I’ll be sure to find a way to climb into Janice’s laundry bag when they go to their timeshare again on June 24. By then it will be time for my twice yearly bath anyway. That way when she invites friends over for a drink I’ll be somewhat presentable. That’s all my news for now. Thanks for reading.”

Janice’s update. 

We had a great trip from Fort Lauderdale to Lantana, working our way through 20 bridges over the course of 8 hours. And we were happy to drop anchor in Lantana because we wanted to go to The Old Key Lime House for dinner and we also knew that it was going to be windy and rainy for a day or two. So we hunkered down for two nights, made our lists for going home, met up with Mike Mason from BLM who has a condo not far from Lantana, had a delicious lunch and Key Lime Pie at the restaurant, and even performed a rescue operation. 

The short trip to West Palm Beach was uneventful, but we did manage to see a lot of beautiful and interesting boats en route to the Boat Show in West Palm. Luckily we had a private mooring waiting for us, and we were able to spend a few days preparing for our trip to Newport. 

We took an Uber to the train station, rode the Trip-Rail train to the Fort Lauderdale Airport, called the hotel shuttle to pick us up, then took the same shuttle to the airport the next morning. Then in RI we took an Uber to 41North from TF Green Airport, and our Newport vacation was about to begin. Two nights at 41North where we were treated royally by the staff. Then 5 nights in our favorite timeshare unit at The Long Wharf Resort. We had dinners out with my family at Johnny’s and the highlight of the trip for us was dinner at One Bellevue (Viking Hotel) with my parents, my 2 sisters and their husbands and Rosa and Perrin. We met up with some friends who have followed my blog at the timeshare too.  But not every minute of our trip was visiting and eating. I spent a few hours doing taxes and some other errands.  We took one last look and photo of the Cooling Towers across the River from our condo in Somerset. By the time we return they will have been imploded. 

The return trip to West Palm was uneventful and easier knowing how to navigate the train.  

We had only planned to stay in West Palm for a few days, re-provision and then start our trip north on Monday, April 8. We have learned (the hard way) not to travel this part of the ICW on weekends. Too many powerboats and jet skis. Lots of wakes.

But on Sunday we got a call from someone who wants to rent our condo for a few months, so we have to go back to Fall River at the end of April to move furniture out of the storage area and back into the condo. This time we plan to leave Obsession in Vero Beach, and have arranged to rent a van to drive home and use to transport the furniture etc. from the storage area. We will allow 1-2 weeks to get this done. Another adventure, this time by car/van. We hope to leave Vero Beach on April 27 or 28, arrive in Fall River by the 30th, check out the condo and then head back to Vero Veach around the 7th or 8th of May.