Depart: Vero Beach Private Dock 9:10
Fuel Stop: Ft. Pierce 11:10 to 12:15
Arrive: Peck Lake Anchorage 3:20
Distance: 38 nm
We said farewell to our gracious host this morning and left Vero Beach to head towards our winter home in Marathon, Florida. On our way south, we saw birds and dolphins as well as manatees swimming in the water. The manatees proved impossible to capture on film.
One particular dolphin, however, provided ample opportunities for pictures. He, or she, definitely made eye contact with me several times. Clearly, he wanted to make sure he was being watched as he rolled onto his side and stared up at me. I waved to be sure he knew I was watching intently.
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| Dolphin enjoying our wake |
Besides sea life, we passed a few government vessels including a US Coast Guard boat and a Army Corps of Engineers boat.
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| "Leitner" Corps of Engineers US Army |
As we approached Fort Pierce, we passed Fort Pierce inlet. Had it not been for waves and a need for fuel, we might have gone out on the ocean today via this inlet.
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| Fort Pierce Inlet |
Instead we headed to the Fort Pierce City Marina where we took on 380 gallons of diesel fuel. Our monthly expenses were looking pretty good until that happened! We found the marina to be under construction. They are building a new fuel dock and a restaurant that will be called "Crabby's".
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| At Ft. Pierce marina |
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| New fuel dock |
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| Building to right will contain new "Crabby's" restaurant |
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| Dark clouds rolled in over boats in Ft. Pierce City Marina as we sat at the fuel dock |
As we prepared to take on fuel, we got a pleasant surprise. Elaine and Greg from "Salty Dog", whom we met in Hampton at the boaters' rendezvous, came over to say hello. They saw our boat coming into the marina and came to greet us. While we fueled, I talked to Elaine and told her about our boating adventures since we last saw them in Virginia.
During our time in Vero Beach, Clark managed to install the replacement fuel sensors. For the first time on this trip, we could look at gauges to see how much fuel we had. As I spoke to Elaine, I kept one eye on the pump to tell Clark how much fuel we had added and periodically stepped into the pilot house to check the gauges for percent full numbers. With the headset on, I had to keep muting and un-muting the microphone so Clark would not think I was talking to him while I talked with Elaine. I felt like a juggler keeping all the balls in the air simultaneously.
After the most pleasant hour I have ever spent at a fuel dock, we got underway. Our friend, Don, recommended Peck Lake as a good anchorage. We decided to head for this location just over 25 statute miles further on as our night's destination.
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| Approaching Peck Lake Anchorage |
As we scoped out the anchorage for the perfect spot to drop our anchor, I spotted a bird with its own personal kayak. With the owners away, the bird was clearly in charge and guarding the boats.
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| Bird enjoying a kayak ride at Peck Lake |
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| Blue dot shows our anchor spot for the night |
The map above shows the spot where we dropped our anchor. Note the proximity of the anchorage to the Atlantic Ocean. Although we cannot see the ocean sitting here at anchor, we can definitely hear the surf breaking on the shore.
As the sun set over the anchorage, Clark snagged a great picture!
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| Sunset at Peck Lake situated between Port St. Lucie and Jupiter, Florida |
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