Ft Lauderdale was a good stop! We got lots done…new air compressor installed for pilot house air conditioner and ordered a new mattress for our bed. This is a travel day….We left at 7:32 am and we traveled 45.2 nm. Along the way we saw lots of outrageous houses.
The most outrageous was Mar a Lago. Nuff said there…. We arrived at Old Port Cove Marina in North Palm Beach at 3 pm. For those of you reading that are not familiar, our boat is a trawler and not a go fast boat. 35 to 50 miles of travel a day is normal.
It was a little windy as we were docking at Old Port Cove. Mike thought Joe was going to hit the sea wall. As he has done the whole time we have owned BalaHula, Joe put her right where she needed to be. Joe is doing great driving the boat! It’s a little nerve wracking to me. Leann applauded him after we had docked. Old Port Cove is a very nice area. We walked around the marina and decided to just eat at the restaurant at the marina. We were expecting rain…more rain. It had rained during the day. It was a soup and salad day…That’s what we all ordered. The next day we cleaned the inside of the boat and did laundry. Leann had made plans for us to meet looper friends of theirs, Marylou and Bill for lunch. They met us at our marina and were kind enough to drive us to the restaurant in shifts. The ladies waited at the marina while Bill drove the guys to the bar b que joint. While waiting Marylou and I had a great conversation. We learned we had a few things in common. Afterwards Bill drove us to the grocery to get a couple things we needed then back to the boat to clean more…we were full from lunch and didn’t cook dinner. Early to bed….tomorrow is a travel day.
We passed by Tiger Woods estate on our way and many big homes.
Thursday February 28th we left at 8:44 am and arrived at Peck Lake at 11:36 am. A short 19.8 nautical miles. Rowe Boat and BalaHula rafted up. There was a nice beach area at Peck Lake. Leann had read about Peck Lake on a looper website. It seemed to be a popular anchorage. Lots of boats already there, another 55’ Fleming and another Sabre which had 7 smaller boats all rafted up to him. They needed more anchors out as they were drifting.
I started feeling bad, sore throat maybe a fever and getting congested. Joe got our dingy down and he…Mike and Leann took a dingy ride to the beach. I took a nap. Leann had put a roast in her crockpot that morning. We enjoyed roast, carrots and potatoes for dinner.
Beach lookin North 
Beach lookin South 
‘Friday March 1st we left Peck Lake at 8:26 am and arrived at Ft Pierce at 11:33 am 23.4 nm. At City Marina we were put on dock J. Rowe Boat was directly across from us at a different dock. We met at the Tiki Bar and took LIFT to Archie’s for lunch.
Leann and Joe
We would not recommend this place to anyone. Our waiter was waiting on too many tables. Joes drink order was wrong and it took way too long to get our food which arrived cold. I wasn’t feeling well so we didn’t walk around much. Joe made a reservation at Cobb’s Landing at 7 pm. Again, we weren’t very hungry so Leann and I split a grilled artichoke, Joe had shrimp risotto the rest of us had soup.
Joe and Mike waiting for their Crab Benedict 
Saturday morning farmer’s market was the reason we came to Ft Pierce…and Leann had heard the crab cakes were delicious. So, we got up and met at 8:15 to go to the farmers market. We walked around to see what all they had. Joe and Mike has the Crab Cake Benedict. They both said it was delicious. We bought pastries, I got some fresh mushrooms and rainbow carrots. Oh yes, I bought uncooked crab cakes to have for dinner Sunday night. We were expecting someone at our boat and had to get back. We were planning on going to the Seal Museum in the afternoon. We had too many things going on and had to postpone our visit, the Rowe’s went without us. We were going to have docktails but one of the couples was having dingy issues and thought it would be best to cancel for today. We certainly understand dingy issues! Several people had recommended A12 Buoy for dinner, we took a LIFT vehicle there…1.5 hour wait to be seated….no thanks. We walked back and ended up eating at 2nd Street Bistro. Mike and Leann gave us a card that brought tears to my eyes. They have been with us on this journey since February and Sunday morning they would be leaving to go home. They told us we had graduated! 😉 The original plan was to travel together up to Canada, they would go toward the Atlantic we would go to the Great Lakes. Life gets twisted sometimes and this was one of those times. We will sure miss them! However, Leann will continue to be our social director. 🤣 She meets people through NEBO or talks to them on a looper board and if they are doing the loop this year she tells them to look for us.
We got up early to see Rowe Boat off. 6:15ish and they were gone. We had an easy day, cleaning and laundry. I made a big pot of Bolognese sauce this morning. I froze half…..I got a text and a call from friends back home to let me know an old friend lost his wife today. So Sad! It prompted a text to Ralph, someone I had worked with at WVLK Radio. Ralph said they were only 14 minutes away. So, he and a friend came over for a visit. What a nice surprise.
Barbara, I love your posts…the many pics enhances the posts! Best wishes. We cannot wait to get to your boat. I ran into Paul Hornback last week in Frankfort and he said he is hoping to meet up with you on Mississippi. I told him I cannot wait that long!
I’m glad you are enjoying! We are looking forward to you and Debbie joining us. By that time all the kinks should be worked out…I hope!!! Get down here!!
Hey Barbara, I sure have enjoyed your travels as I sit in KY in front of my fireplace. Not sure why we are not in condo on the beach??? I read them to Jim hoping he will get so inspired??? Today he reminded me that he and Ralph were in the National Guard together for 6 years.
Remember you are having a great time for a lot of us left on shore. Write more. It’s a good read.
I’m glad you have enjoyed our blog. I certainly am glad not to have been in the cold cold weather in KY this year! It’s hard to blog everyday. Once a week is my norm.