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Published: December 21st 2010
Marguerite Goes To Town
Frank and Chris motoring with skipper Geoff Cooke to the Jacksonville Marine Christmas ParadeWoohoo! Dec. 1st is the first day of the boater friendly half year in the south. That doesn't mean there can't be a severe storm, but the chances of the tropical variety are very slim. There haven't been any serious warnings in Florida for weeks. Now we start with the winter gales and chilly (read COLD) weather with wind warnings at night. That's only fair for December. It's strange to have a 60 degree Fahrenheit range,; more continental weather than coastal. We have had weather in the 80's one day and 20's F with hard frost warnings the next night. Hard frost is at least 4 hours below 27F. Considering our Canadian context... we are NOT complaining. Just happy when the sun shines.
The diesel stove was lighted for the first time in months this week, not because we were cold but because we wanted to cook a turkey. At $ .59 /lb. why fight it? This will be out third turkey day, counting our 2 chances to celebrate Thanksgiving. Good thing we love turkey. No comments please. : )
HOT and TIMELY TIP on the turkey theme. The diesel stove needed TLC from Frank since it
Cabbage Turkey
You saw it first on MELODEON! hasn't been used for months. The turkey was ready but the oven wasn't. Personally, I avoid plastic wrap and giant cabbage leaves were available. Soooo I swaddled the bird in cabbage and cooked it the same way, when the oven was ready. No basting until it was time to come out. It roasted brown and juicey in record time. The leaves turned to charred parchment and came off perfectly. The turkey was the BEST ever!
We are still paticipating in boatyard life in Jacksonville and taking advantage of the resources of a big city. What a luxury to be able to get around, order and pick up the parts we need without having to take 3 buses, walk 15 miles or beg favours from 'wheely' endowed strangers. Soon we will store our truck and make the transition back to boat, dinghy, feet and bikes. Hopefully, storing the truck will also help us shed the 10+ extra pounds we picked up by living the land life. right now we are just happy to gobble up as many carbs as we can to keep warm.
Being in Jacksonville have given us the opportunity to sample some of the
Sunset on Jacksonville Proper
Waiting for the parade to start terrific festivities and cultural aspects. One weekend we helped a friend take his boat to the Riverside Centre downtown. What a thrill to be part of a marine Christmas Parade, complete with dozens of decorated boats and the best fireworks display these jaded eyes have ever seen. The 'oo's and ah's' were totally genuine. Thanks to Geoff Cooke and his lovely Alden 47', Marguerite, for a memorable evening and the chance to send you these shots of a water parade.
Since the cold hit we took a quick road trip south to Indian Town to see another working boatryard. Driving 4 hours south literally put us in another climate zone. Some of the pictures are here so we can all remember what WARM looks like.
Winding down on the last of our mechanical and maintenance chores, we are trying to restock and refit the boat while waiting for the cold fronts (from Canada no doubt) to pass. With luck, laundry and couple more quick trips to... you know, West Marine, we will be back in the water soon, heading south.
In case we don't find another wifi spot or the time to use it,
Spectators in Jax
Hunkering down for the Marine Parade and fireworks we wish you all the very best of the season. You can bet your Christmas booties that you are missed more than ever as we plunge into the holidays. Cheers from the MELODEONS!
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Chris and Peaches
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We're in Vero and miss you guys
We got into Vero on Saturday and didn't feel like we were back because your red boat, complete with dog wasn't there to greet us. Hope your prep is done. Your pictures were awesome. Where are you heading first? I know you are going to the Abacos ultimately. Let us know when you are close. Did you see the lunar eclipse last night. Lots of people were out on deck, it was crystal clear here with no wind so the boats were sitting quietly. Miss you both, hope we catch up with each other soon!