Closing Doors

March 12: After a slow marathon, highly focused, not leisurely at all, trip down the ICW from Palm Beach and up the New River to the Safe Harbor Fort Lauderdale Marine Center, we are now docked. We are the only sailboat in this part of the marina and we are so small compared to the yachts around us, that, per Dave, "We look like somebody's dinghy." Had we known what we were facing in the New River, I don't think we would have attempted to get to this marina. The river is narrow and winding with a decent current and lots of bridges that need to be raised. It is lined with big boats, waterfront restaurants and beautiful homes. It is also clogged with sight-seeing and party boats. But, I must say, it is very nice being here. After the long, hard day, it was quite pleasant to step off our boat and into the restaurant. According to Dave, the coconut margarita was very good.

It was not our intention to be in this place, at this marina, at this time, but... once again... boat life...

I shall begin where I left of my last installment of the Aevitas (mis)Adventures...

We spent a few nights on a mooring ball in Jensen Beach. It was a pretty good spot, easy access to land for the dog-beast. The only down side as a mysterious noise in the night... like an electronic device kind of sound... almost like a pump switching on and off. I got up to investigate and couldn't find anything. It sounded like it was coming from the bow locker, but when I opened it, it didn't quite sound like it was there and there was nothing in the bow locker that would make that sound. Eventually, the noise stopped and I went back to sleep. Next night, same thing, but this time, Dave heard it too. He also went to investigate and couldn't determine the source. We decided it was not coming from our boat, but from somewhere underwater and the vibration/noise was traveling through the water to us. So many weird new experiences one has when living on the water.

The Jensen Beach food highlight (because food has become an essential component of this adventure) was schnitzel and beer at The Hoffmann Schnitzel Haus. It was excellent. If we ever end up in Jensen Beach again, we will make a return visit.

The trip from Jensen Beach to Palm Beach was lovely, mostly serene, not too stress-

inducing. Like previous stretches of the ICW, we passed fancy mansions and wildlife refuges. There are several Safe Harbors in the Palm Beach area, but, the Palm Beach Boat Show is later this month and they are mostly booked. We lucked out and got a spot at the Safe Harbor New Port Cove in Riviera Beach. Docking at New Port Cove Marina was the trifecta of docking hazards: bad wind angle, opposing current and shallow water. As an added bit of amusement, we had to stern in to a narrow slip with very high fixed docks and lots of constraints on maneuvering: narrow channel, monster yachts, fishing boats, and round tiki bar boats. After many attempts, a couple of dock bumps (thank goodness for padded dock edges and boat fenders), and a little freaking out on my part, Dave did it! I was so impressed that he kept trying. I was ready to throw in the towel and anchor somewhere after the first three tries.

While a decent spot, the marina is not a destination spot like the one in Fort Pierce. It is set up more for working fishing and diving boats and for weekend boat warriors. But, it has two big plus factors: free laundry (!) and walking distance to the grocery story. Our couple of days in the marina were spent on chores: laundry, inside boat cleaning, grocery shopping replacing engine hoses, working on the outboard motor. The hose replacement is the latest attempt to solve the incessant leak.

Riviera Beach/Lake Worth/ Palm Beach is a good place to spend some time. The Blue Heron Bridge is one of the best diving/snorkeling places in the US and there is a manatee education/protection place (Manatee Lagoon). This will be a fun place to explore with clear blue water! Sandy bottom! Beautiful! We moved to a nearby mooring ball when our marina time was up.

And then, just like that, circumstances changed. Our first night on the mooring ball, we took the dog to the beach for pre-bed walk and she was attacked by another boat dog. A big german shepherd came or nowhere and assaulted our gentle Sofie. The other dog's owner tackled his dog, hustled the dog back to his boat and took off as we were checking over Sofie's injuries. It was dark and hard to tell for sure the extent, but she was walking fine. It turned out she had one decent bite wound that required a vet visit. The next morning Dave took us to shore in the dingy and I took her to the vet via Lyft. They had to put her out to clean the wound and stitch her up. We had her stay the night in the vet hospital because we it was too wind and rocky for a dinghy ride back to the boat for her.

When we picked her up the next day, she was groggy, but good. She ate her dinner and took her meds with minimal complaint. That night, our boat keel was resting on the bottom during the lowest point of low tide. We were in water that was a bit too shallow for comfort. The next morning, we decided two things: 1. we needed to move to deeper water and 2. taking the dog to and from shore was requiring her to move more than seemed wise for her to heal up. A marina would be a better option for the dog. We called all over and could not find an opening in the Palm Beach area. The Palm Beach Boat Show was still messing up our lives.

We called the vet about a little swelling and leakage from her wound and was told that was normal. We decided to go to Fort Lauderdale, down the ICW, since we could get a spot at the Safe Harbor Fort Lauderdale Marine Center. It was a very long journey. The upside was the dog couldn't move about much since we were underway and the ICW was very docile; there were no waves to deal with other than the wakes from passing motor boats. It was a pretty easy day for her, not so much for Dave who had to navigate the bridges, boats and the infamous New River.

Now, I am back to where I started, March 12: the day the dog's stitches all disintegrated. Her wound reopened and she was very uncomfortable. We rented a car and took her back to the vet in Riviera Beach. Sofie had to be re-stitched and they added a drain.

Given to dog's situation, the Bahamas are a no go and we decided to return to Hampton. What a complicated set of logistics!

We had the vet keep the dog overnight on the 12th and returned to the boat in Fort Lauderdale. On the way, we called Charlie and Heather to see if they were ok with Sofie and I staying with them while she recovered and Dave got the boat back to Hampton. Being the very awesome folks they are, they were good with it. Then Dave called Captain Jeff with a destination change: Hampton. I got busy packing for what could be a long stay waiting for Dave and Aevitas to get back.

I rented a second car, picked up Sofie at the vet and headed north. Did I mention that Sofie now had a drain sticking out of her side? And, that the drain needed to be removed in 2-3 days? Sometimes things work out OK... I was able to get an appointment for Friday morning with a vet she had been to in Richmond when we were working on the Bahamas Pet Permit. I could stop on my way to Washington.

I got to Hampton on the 14th before the marina closed, just in case the car needed to be jump started since it had been sitting for six weeks. Yes! The car stared! The next bit of things working out was that Steve, our boat neighbor in Hampton, returned from a grocery run as I was shifting gear from the rental car to our car. He graciously agreed to help me with the car shuffle. Another big "Thank you" to a kind soul and to the Universe for providing what was needed.

March 15: It was a good thing Sofie had another vet visit. The drain was unintentionally stitched in with one of stitches that was supposed to be closing the wound. The vet had to remove the outer layer of stitches to remove the drain and found that the stitches weren't holding the edges of the wound together. The nonfunctional stitches were replaced with staples. Hopefully, the third time is a charm. Sofie is now resting comfortably, without her cone, on the bed. I think she is happy to be out of the car.

On Dave's end, he met up with Captain Jeff and found a third crew member. They are heading out early tomorrow morning (March 16) and hope to get to Charleston. They will need to wait a couple of days for a front to pass through and then they can get around Hatteras. Dave and Aevitas may be back in Hampton by March 23.

I'm sending lots of "Please" and "Thank you" thoughts to the Goddess of the Universe.

The Bahama door closed for us for this year, but there is always next year. And the closing of the Bahama door will undoubtedly mean the opening of a different door. In the meantime, we can enjoy spring in Virginia.

Live is never dull. Oh, and, the leak is fixed!