The Yellow Brick Road

We hauled anchor at 9:15 this morning a bit late but hey we're not living a schedule here. Anyway I didn't sleep that well last night....there were trains going by about every 30 minutes, which surprised the heck out of me, first time we've heard any trains and this seemed an unlikely place.  I'll have to research that one...

We travelled through Lake Worth following the Intracoastal waterway into what is best described as a canal.  It was a little like going from the North Channel into the Colony Canals (for all of you Algonac natives), except it was about 200 feet wide, still not what I expected.  All of a sudden we were in a narrow waterway with small condos, houses, and boats, North Palm Beach.  We felt like we had left Oz and returned to Kansas!

This leg lasted about an hour with 5 or 6 bridges (who's counting anymore, too many)  clearance for us, then we came to Jupiter.....yup you guessed it, we are back in Oz again.  After awhile they all look alike but your head is still spinning around trying to see it all.  We travelled a bit farther and were back in Kansas but only for a short time....it's back to OZ in technicolor!  Jupiter Beach and Hobe Sound....very beautiful large rolling lawns from the water up to houses that were set on the top of the ridge, quite a change from everywhere else where the houses have been practically in the water!  Remember the Billy Idol song "Money,Money"?, well I could here it blaring from the heavens as we cruised by these.

Back to bridges...we were able to clear all but one today and it was opening when we got there.  The bridge situation is entertaining.  Everyone on channel 9 on the VHF asking for passage and since there are so many bridges so close together there is lots of radio traffic.  I have mastered the art of bridge opening and have become the "bridge person" on this trip.  I have listened to everyone else and have gotten my own lingo going..."Atlantic Avenue Bridge, Atlantic Avenue Bridge, this is the northbound motor vessel Sea Angel requesting passage on your 10:15 opening". the bridge tender will then say "roger that Sea Angel I'll be opening in 20 minutes."  Then I say "Roger That"  (can't you just hear me saying that) and after we go through the bridge I call back and say "Atlantic Ave Bridge Sea Angel Clear, thank you." and they usually say thank you captain, have a nice day.  CAPTAIN....my 2 seconds of Glory.

We decided to stop early today because we made as much time in 4 hours today as we did in almost 7 yesterday, due to no waiting for bridge openings and having the tides push us along.  Yeah!  Like I said we don't have a schedule, so we can stop and smell the roses. We are anchored in Peck Lake,  where you can go ashore and cross the small barrier Island to the Atlantic.  There are a lot of boats here tonight...seems to be a favorite spot.  Night and day from yesterday....superyachts to mangroves.

Oh no,  just heard the train go by.......I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!