May 2-5, 2014
Friday's morning walk led us under
the bridge and through a darling, well-manicured park. We looped back to Vero
Beach Marina, prepped for a 9:30 a.m. departure in a brisk wind, upped our
speed from 9 to 20 mph to beat the pending storms, and arrived three hours
later in Melbourne. Our welcome packet at Melbourne Harbor Marina included a morning
paper, a list of useful services, and a map of the nearby downtown area which
enticed us to explore.
We grabbed our only umbrella before heading toward town,
knowing that our luck wouldn't hold out all afternoon. We had browsed only a
few shops when we got caught in a torrential downpour for which Florida is
known. We sought refuge in a cute pasta and wine bar, then were suddenly struck
with an 'oh no' moment when I asked Clay, "Did you close up the fly
bridge?" We had locked the boat with closed doors and windows (ac on), but
had failed to close up the fly bridge. I guess I just figured Clay had done it
prior to grabbing the umbrella.
I insisted we head back to salvage
what we could. So, I took off my shoes, harbored my cell phone in Clay's breast
pocket, and we both squeezed together under the umbrella as best we could to
stay as dry as we could and made our way quickly back to the boat, realizing
the task ahead! I had shed my shoes to protect them, opting to go barefoot. The
drainage system (curbs and gutters, etc) are not good in Florida, especially in
'flash flood' conditions such as we experienced. I waded up to mid-calf as we
crossed the street near the marina.
Once we zipped the windows and door
of the fly bridge, we bailed and mopped, sopped and squeezed out chamois cloth
after chamois cloth as the rain continued to fall. Our major concern which got
us up off our rear ends at the wine bar was the nav computer; our plan was to
take stock once we turned the electronics back on. I'm hopeful. On the otherhand,
my tie-dye top wasn't colorfast; my white capris are no longer white but a
mottled green/blue/yellow. Yuk. Trash them (am trying clorox water with high
hopes, but...) We won't again leave the fly bridge open under similar
circumstances! Live and learn!
As we bailed and mopped, we
noted leaks in the canvas; Clay urged me to remember the specifics for
follow-up repair and hoped he still had a can of seam sealer in his stash.
We've been so lucky with the weather thus far...a huge blessing! This event, a
huge mistake. We won't forget again, I can pretty much guarantee.
Clay selected Ichabods, the casual
dining spot bordering the seawall at the marina, for dinner where we enjoyed a
relatively inexpensive meal without having to dress up. With my having ruined
an outfit of clothing today, I guess Clay felt need to do likewise when his
feet slid out from under him, and he saw fit to mop the tile floor with the
full backside length of his new yellow tee shirt and khaki shorts. Our
attrition rate for clothing today was pretty much 100%. Chalk this day up to
experience and one for the record books!
Saturday morning dawned with a break
in the weather and a morning walk out New Haven Avenue, the main street of
downtown. Circling back to the marina we chanced onto a Farmers' Market with
offerings of Avon, Tupperware, and baked goods, but not the huge selection of
fruits and veggies of the Gulf Coast. Our earlier purchase of bagels and
muffins at a popular gathering spot negated Clay's desire for a loaf of banana
nut bread so we made our way back to the boat sans purchase.
My hair had acquired a month's
growth and, after going 10 weeks without a haircut in past months, I decided
that wasn't gonna happen again; I hated looking like a limp rag or a wet
noodle, both of which could describe my appearance 10-weeks post haircut,
especially in Florida humidity. Opportunity knocked when I googled 'hair salons
in Melbourne, FL.' I found Christine at Oggi Salon at a reasonable price and
available for a noon appointment. The pronunciation of Oggi (oh gee) will
forever be reinforced in my mind as I walked away sporting a haircut Christine
(from Massachusetts) proclaimed 'chic' with a HUGE similarity to Jamie Lee
Curtis' style!!!!! I would have never had the courage (guts!) to initiate this
cut on my own (I even had a pix in hand of my Lisa cut), but it's quite
appropriate to my lifestyle. And, it will grow. Low maintenance! I had arrived
at the salon in a downpour and departed in a downpour; I guess the rain isn't
over yet! So we opted to stay put and plunked down another $ for another nite's
stay at Melbourne Harbor Marina.
Clay's willpower weakened Sunday as
we passed the Farmers' Market where he purchased both a loaf of homemade banana
nut bread and a breakfast skillet (I'll leave that to your imagination). I
jogged off to complete my minutes, then circled back to the boat to prep for
departure. Even with 15 mph sustained winds, we were both ready to move on.
Temps had dropped, rains had stopped, and the sun was decidedly shining
brightly. We departed late morning, destined for Cocoa Village Marina.
Now harbored at Cocoa Village Marina
mid-afternoon Sunday, we acquainted ourself with the bus system and boarded at
the senior discount rate of 60 cents each for the short ride across the bridge to Publix. Aware
of the abbreviated Sunday bus schedule, we hurried through the crowded aisles
(when is the last time you saw Clay Logan in hurry mode?), grabbed only the
most necessary of purchases, checked out and breathed a sigh of relief when we
crossed the street to stand at the bus stop a good 5 minutes ahead of schedule.
Frig items stowed, we chose a casual dinner spot from among the many eateries
displayed on our Cocoa Village map, noting the many "Sunday closed"
or "Sunday, abbreviated hours." Norman's Raw Bar seemed to be a
popular gathering spot and Clay's choice, so we hoofed it the short eight or so
blocks for a sandwich (actually wrap for me and patty melt for Clay) dinner.
Monday dawns and in that time frame
we are current in updating you, our friends, with our latest adventures. Walter
scolded me in my last reports saying, "Geez Louise. This old news is
old." So, I've thrown Louise overboard and vowed to keep you current. Or
at least as current as is possible. Can't write about stuff before it happens! P.S. I swear Walter sometimes knows more
about our goings-on than we do, when Uncle Woody reports in to Mary Alice who
is quick to report in to Walter. Woody's info comes from occasional calls to us
and from following us on Eagle Track GPS.
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