On to Vero Beach

We made it up to Vero Beach in enough time to go ashore for lunch then catch the free bus into town for a quick supply run to West Marine.  I like to visit other stores and chat with fellow associates.  David likes to keep the boat in great shape and always have spares on board so we both enjoy the trip.  We really liked what we saw of Vero and plan on coming back on our trip home and spending more time exploring.  The people all seemed so friendly and helpful in the marina, in town and even on the bus.  A very pleasant stop.A real bonus was the Nina and Pinta replicas came and stayed at the city marina so we were able to see them up close and personal. 

On our way up from Peck Lake to Stuart.  This marks the end of one body of water and the
start of the St. John's River.  

One boat is headed out St. Lucie Pass into the ocean on the Okeechobee Waterway.  The pass is too shallow
and hazardous for our tastes so we only pass it by.  The other boat is headed south on the North-South ICW.
This is always the spot where we turn west and head for our home waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  Entered new
territory north of this juncture.

This was just the boathouse for the manor on shore. 

I bet the company who put in this screening loved the job.  An essential part of
the Florida lifestyle is screens to keep out the mosquitoes!

They were remodeling this house, adding a second floor.  I suppose
they needed a bigger house to match their huge boat.

Mama feeding her chicks.

The park at the Vero Beach City Marina.  Everything was nice about this place.

We both were struck by the beautiful symmetry under this bridge.  It was a short
walk to lunch and this was on the way.

In the city mooring field, you have to be willing to allow another boat to
raft up to you.  We've never encountered that policy anywhere else.  It must be
to allow for transients to find a spot when so many are permanent live-aboards
in an area.  

One of the bus service's waiting areas.  Nice buses and all free.  This
place is amazingly visitor friendly.

A view from our mooring ball.  We were at the extreme end of the field.

Blue Moon on the last available ball on the last row in the field.  We were
glad to get it.  The entire area is very well protected and no wakes allowed.

One of the many small islands where sand has been deposited during dredging.
That extra sand is called spoil so these are spoil islands.  If the sand and muck is high enough
then plants become rooted and hold the islands in place.

The Vero Beach YC was closed the day we were there so we only
have pictures.  They are next door to the city marina so easy distance.

I like their motto "For fun and friendship".  That should be any club's goal.

We saw dozens of rowing teams along the way.  The waterway is
a popular spot for northern schools to train during their spring breaks.

We passed this on our way to lunch and wonder what the story is on the
setup.  An office, a place to put and unruly student?  You can make up your own story.

The ships are impressive in their full sailing regalia.  I wish we could see
them flying all their canvas.

Not sure where the Santa Maria is but two were better than none.