Leaving Stuart--really--and on to Vero Beach on the Northern trek home

Leaving Stuart in the morning dawn

Other than practicing our golf swings at Eagle Marsh and playing a couple of sorry rounds of golf there, I have been working on the navigation for the trip north.  We left today—Tuesday—and the wind gods smiled—heading up to Vero Beach to stay at the Loggerhead Marina there a few days as part of our month contract. 

First, some unfinished business.

 

We did spend a delightful day a few Sundays ago at the winter homes of Thomas Alva Edison and Henry Ford who lived next door to one another along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers. They were rather good friends, although a generation apart. Edison bought his  property first, built another house next door for his friend and partner, and set up laboratories all over the place, growing everything from Banyan trees for rubber, to bamboo for light bulb filaments.  He constantly worked on his inventions, often devoting 80 hours a week to his projects.  But he had a lighter side.  He loved music.  He met his second wife after some years as a widower with young children to raise.  Twenty years younger than he, she loved to play the piano and sing.  He was enchanted and asked her to marry him.  She turned out to be the perfect mate for him, raising his children and the ones they had together, accompanying him on his favorite “camping” trips with Ford in his Model T “camper,” and receiving the many guests who visited this  “rock star of inventions” at his winter home.

Ford had worked for Edison’s early electric companies, and admired the elder genius.  He had enjoyed his visits to Edison’s Ft. Myers place and bought the property next door.  He, too, had a musical side. His mother taught him to love music at an early age. His favorite entertainment was to clear the furniture out of the living room and invite his guests to partake of authentic square and folk dances.  He would teach the steps and everyone was to join in.  

 

Another favorite diversion for the vacationing Ford was to invite Edison and other pals to go “camping” in the Everglades.  The two were dressed in coat, vest and tie with bowler hats, and their auto was followed by a whole entourage of maids, valets, cooks and the tent guys.  The two titans of industry found beautiful orchids among the tropical flora and fauna there, and brought many back to their homes where they flourished, having been attached to palm trees in the front yard.  You can still see them today.

The museum across the street is also the home of the world’s largest Banyan tree.  At one time it had been hoped it would be a good source of rubber for tires, and of national security interest during two World Wars.  In the museum are many exhibits of Edison’s career, Ford’s autos, and wonderful photos of each of them as boys and young men with their families as well as their inventions.  The museum and house visits are definitely good ways to spend a Sunday morning.

I told you about the terrific dinner we had eaten the night before the museum visit at the “Sandy Butler” on the way to Fort Myers Beach.  Well, here is a photo of the dinner I lovingly described in the preceding blog.  Our meal on the way back to Stuart on Sunday was at a “Country Kitchen” home cooking spot on a back road.  We lunched on the “world famous Broasted Chicken” with mashed potatoes, etc.  I prefer the Sandy Butler myself.

Glen is ready to get on home.  I guess I am as well.  Stuart had lost a bit of its charm the second time around.  It must have been the terrible East winds we endured (or the pump out we had to wait a week for), but we just didn’t get into the scene there. 

We will miss Julie, our favorite bartender at "The Splash Poolside Cafe." And we enjoyed running into Carolina Moon’s crew—Bejay and Mike—whom we had met at River Dunes in Nov, and again at St. Augustine.  So we had several delightful meals together at the Grille, Mulligan’s and Wahoo’s, with Mike regaling us with his fabulous sailing stories.  They left for Lake Worth and the Bahamas this week, too.

Grand Harbor at Vero Beach



Snowy Egrets with very fluffy feathers and funny feet



Sevilla at Loggerhead, Vero Beach



Nuclear Power Plants on North Hutchinson Island

Getting to Vero Beach is a piece of cake.  Only 35 miles or so up the Indian River; calm winds, a cool 59 and bright sunshine at the start.  We got up to six knots as we motor-sailed with the jenny out from Fort Pierce Inlet to the first Vero bridge. 

Loggerhead Marina is located about 3 miles past the second bridge at milepost  948.5.  It is a lovely facility with a protected harbor, surrounded by varying styles of beautiful homes—all with pretty tile roofs, some single family, but most were some kind of townhouse or condo, all done in similar harmonious colors, and manyed with water views.  The development is Grand Harbor.  The gorgeous landscaping is full of Hibiscus, Bouginvilla and palms.  Two golf courses look very challenging, yet peaceful and inviting in the evening light as we walked the neighborhood. 

The only problem for boaters is that once again you need a vehicle.  It’s not like the city marina with free bus service.  We were in a guarded, gated community several miles out of town.  We’re only staying Tuesday night, however, so transportation isn’t a problem for us.  We were not impressed with the level of service that we received from the staff, either.  We were trying to leave before eight, and even though there were guys around, since they didn't "open" until eight, Glen had to stand around to wait for ice, etc.  He wasn't happy. 

Wednesday, it’s up the river to Cocoa Beach where we’ll anchor out for the night.  Once again we 'll pass under the Eau Gallie Bridge, close to where my parents used to live in Satellite Beach.  I wrote about the visit to their home in an earlier blog.  I’m sure I will feel something special again when we see the familiar bridge.



Good-bye to Jensen Beach



                 Hope all is well and that the weather where you are is good or getting better.

Maureen and Glen

Vero Beach, FL

March 15, 2011