Projects, Pot Lucks and Hot Licks, on the Ball

North America » United States » Florida » Vero Beach
March 13th 2010

Published: March 18th 2010

Friends have been giving nudges, wondering where we are. So it's time to check-in while we can, before we start cruising again. We're still in Vero Beach, on a mooring ball, quietly working on 'projects', a boater term for 'fixing the boat'. Anyone who has ever had a boat (or car, motorcycle, house or cottage) will understand perfectly. Although the boat may work well, there is always a list of... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 50, Displayed: 21

Comment Follow (2) Message

Chris, Frank and

MELODEON

With a crew of 3, Frank, Chris and Ginger Bear, MELODEON left Fraser Park Marina in Trenton, Ontario, Canada in 2009. Like many aquatic snowbirds heading south, MELODEON voyaged through the Erie Canal, the Hudson River, the Atlantic ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway until reaching sunnier shores in Florida and the Bahamas . 2011-12 is MELODEON's third cruising season, with the last two trips spent lingering in the sparkling waters and peaceful havens of Grand Bahama Island.... full info

Blog Options

Top Photos Blog Map

Print Version

[blog=481960]

[blogger=142956]

"See you later"

Boaters don't say good-bye. We'll see you soon.

Anne and Bob, Seasoned Sailors

Dinghy visits are huge in cruising life. People drop by and chat. Great way to develop lasting relationships.

Ellen and Thisbe

We miss you and Dave's guitar playing. Hope to see you this summer.

Anne, Crystal Persuasions

This talented lady keeps busy making lovely silver jewellery.

Julie, Joanne and Toby

These three VSP add so much to the quality of life for cruisers, from Happy hour to UU gatherings.

CLODs

Cruisers Living on Dirt. Friendly people who have a wealth of cruising knowledge to share.

Bottoms up on the Dinghy Dock

Dinghy = car and dock = parking garage. You leave a dinghy length rope so more dinghies can fit in.

Lin and Paul, Fast Friends

Hello and farewell at the dinghy dock. Thanks for making the quick dash across Florida for quality time.

Before sunrise

Sunrise over Vero Barrier Island

...from the City Marina

Gliding out before daybreak

Cruisers love to get an early start so they can tuck in before dark.

Hardly rains here,

...but sometimes it rains for 2 days. Good time to do the dreaded paperwork and sorting.

Brent, the Carpenter

...hates the cold, so he kindly stocked us up with scrap wood from his shop.

This can broke Brent's fall

...when he was blown off a roof 22 days ago. Last Aug. he had a heart attack and a stroke. Might be time to go fishing?

Scrap wood from 3 cabinet shops

...plus scavenging island deadfall got us through the really cold days last month. Beware oleander and 'poison wood'.

Lawnbowling, alive and well.

Haven't seen this sport being played in 50 years!

Hitch-hiking Ferns

You know you've gotten somewhere when most of the plants are unfamiliar.

Dune vegetation

Out of state

These trees live north on the ICW but they snuck in here because they're interesting.

A type of trumpet vine?

Sorry, there wasn't room to pack all the Field Guides.

Mangrove Tree

A different concept in trunks and rooting.

18th March 2010

jude
non-member comment

ah que la vie est belle!
Sounds like you have achieved a good balance between work and fun in an environment of adventure. Life is good. thanks for sharing folks.Hugs as always

19th March 2010

Gord
non-member comment

stove cement
Maybe auto muffler cement would work as well?

19th March 2010

MELODEON
Chris, Frank and

Yeh.
A carless world is quite different. So if you get a ride it's Wally Mary or Home Depot. the solution seems to be high heat silcone from the auto dept. at Wally. I feel like an urban ninja detective!!! : )

19th March 2010

MELODEON
Chris, Frank and

Thanks Jude
Let me know if you come over here before we leave. Love C

19th March 2010

MELODEON
Chris, Frank and

Hi Mike
Thanks for staying on watch. All's well. we look forward to your next visit. Trenton wass a wonderful surprise and the next one will be somewhere exotic. I still would like to find one of your star globes but it's an elusive treasure. Looking forward. Locve to Marilyn. CFG

19th March 2010

Kathryn
non-member comment

Great update
Thanks for this glimpse into your world. Still miss you. Grandson Jordan and I have been taking advantage of spring's tease; we're cleaning up debris around the pond. Looks great; wish he was going to be visiting long enough to help spring-ready the flower garden (Jim was right -- it's really too big for me but I love it). I've joined facebook if you're interested I can invite you (or you can request to become a "friend." How weird is that! Love, K.

20th March 2010

MELODEON
Chris, Frank and

Hi Kathryn
Funny world. We can renew our vows of 'friendship' on Facebook! I have friends who keep asking to be my friend and we're even been Facebook friends for years. Think it's their address book talking to my address book. I'll look for you. C

20th March 2010

MELODEON
Chris, Frank and

Kathryn, hi to Jordon
Does he still have his dog... if memory serves... Daisy? C

30th March 2010

Star of the Sea
non-member comment

We Wondered Where You Were
Hi, just had a chance to catch up with you, all three of you. We have been through most of the Exumas following in the wake of our buddy boat OZ. It has been a wonderful couple of months. We are planning to come back to FL sometime in May and will be keeping the boat in Charleston, up the Cooper River. We have been blogging on and on, but I understand the blogstipation quote totally. Peaches and I so much appreciated getting to know you guys a little in Vero and think of you often when we see unusual sails on the horizon. We will go home for the summer as our original plans to plug on to Trinidad were pie in the sky plans for a first outing. We will restart from Charleston and maybe try to see where you all end up..........blaze a great wide trail and maybe we will find you. Best of luck to you and your revamped bateau! Chris

20th April 2010

MELODEON
Chris, Frank and

Star of the Sea
Hi Chris and Peaches. You 2 have done really well... especially by our standards. 5 projects and 20 potlucks really slowed us down in Vero. LOL. We seem to be hanging atound Miami right now so maybe our paths will cross soon. Looking forward. CFG

27th April 2010

Pete Franklin
non-member comment

Where are U
I got a email off the HF radio a while-a-go so is it up and running? Email US.

3rd February 2011

Shirley
non-member comment

Just cruising eh?
I've been looking at blogs to see how others are spending the winter. Cold here and lots of snow this week, so thinking of you in warmer climes and wishing we were there too. Did you meet Three Penny Opera? They were in Vero Beach too. Now in the Bahamas. Take care, enjoy , Shirley

Tot: 0.104s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 12; qc: 25; dbt: 0.0708s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.1mb

Do not copy images or text from this page without requesting and receiving permission. All rights are reserved by the author and photographer.

Contact Chris, Frank and (MELODEON) - a lack of a response does not mean that you have permission to use material from this page.

Projects, Pot Lucks and Hot Licks, on the Ball

Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved