Voyage 2005-2006: Chapter 4

19 Feb 2006, Fort Pierce: The Dogs of I Dock, 27 28.030 N/ 080 19.660 W

We have been here six weeks and we (and Moony) are anxious to leave 'Dodge'. However, there are some benefits here on I Dock of Harbortown Marina. They got dogs here! Coby, the Great Dane, strolls down the dock several times a day with his parents. He is huge but not scary. He lives on a large Canadian flagged catamaran on the other side of I dock. He really likes Ann and tolerates Bob. Sadly, they will be leaving on the last week of February. Hope we leave before they do!!!

Willie (pictured), Felicia, and Rodney are crew of SV Aanoosh. They get excited anytime folks walk by their boat. Coby takes delight in stirring them up when he walks by. Kip has trained them to do their business on a rug at the bow of the boat. Gosh, wouldn't be great if our 'kids' would do the same. It is amazing that Kip (singlehander) is so successful in cruising with the dogs (and Rumsfeld, the cat). Sadly, they will leave in late February.

One of our favorite pooches is Bailey, one of the dock master's dogs who lives on a trawler here at Harbortown. We see Bailey almost every day and he as glad to see us as we are him. Bailey loves to be scratched! He and Ann bonded instantly and we wags his tail as soon as he sees her. Bailey is one of our favorites! He lives at the Marina so he will be around when we leave.

On SV Antares live 4 cats and a dog. Ramsey is a 14 year old German Shepard mix who is as friendly as can be! He is seen walking a couple of times a day on the dock and the adjoining grounds. He, Coby, and Bailey are tempted by the cat food that is left for the Marina cats. Most of the time they resist the temptation. You would never guess that Ramsey is 14 years old. He is very active (but quiet) and 'frisky'.

27 Feb 2006, Fort Pierce: the final weeks?, 27 28.030 N/ 080 19.660 W

Where do we start? Moony received the rebuilt/rebuilt motor and it was towed back to the marina. It was Friday and there was no real test performed. The tide was too low to get Moony back in her slip so she was towed to the fuel dock. Too noisy!! The next day, the crews of Jule III, Dances with Dragons, and Moony decide to tow her back by dinghy. Sounds easy but not! Moony went aground a few times, Wolfgang was almost dragged out of his dinghy several times, and then we went aground again. Thanks to the dinghy drivers (Wolfgang, Wayne, and Doug from a Canadian boat) Moony was back in her slip.

Another day, another test. More smoke is not greeted well by the folks on 'I' dock or the Diesel Shop. Everyone is depressed. The Diesel Shop checks out all of the possible problems and focuses on the injectors and the injector pump; both which were rebuilt by an outside company.

More waiting! We have learned to entertain ourselves. We are good friends with Allen, Matt, Ray, and Sharon of Enterprise rental cars. We traveled to Vero Beach and Cocoa Beach several times. We shopped, ate, ate, shopped, and had a pretty good time considering the circumstances. The next motor exercise is scheduled shortly. Please pray for us!