Titusville to Melbourne (Dec 7):  Getting close to our final destination, Stuart, we began to get anxious.  From Titusville, we had a straight shot to Melbourne.  We enjoyed the past few days with the wide water surrounding us.  As we approached Melbourne’s marina, we could see that it was hidden in a little cove-like area.  A sailboat entered the marina’s channel just before we did.  We typically don’t like that since they will have priority and we’ll have to sit around waiting for them to settle into their slip.  In this case, the two fellows on board only wanted a couple bags of ice.  We watched the transaction, them load the ice on board and leave the fueling dock.  Once they passed us, we were able to make our move into the slip.  Since the marina is so well protected, there was no issue with wind, and we backed into the slip rather easily. That night, we ate at the restaurant attached to the marina.  Al had an outstanding grouper sandwich.

Melbourne to Ft. Pierce (Dec. 8):  All along, our plan was to make our next stop at Vero Beach.  But, every time I called the marina there, they were fully booked and suggesting rafting up.  We didn’t want any part of it.  So,  we made reservations at Ft. Pierce at the Harborwalk Marina.  It was a longer day.  However the following day would be a short one to Stuart.  In May 2007 when I boarded Mon Amie for the survey, she was moored at this marina in Ft. Pierce.  With a pretty breezy day, I phoned the marina and asked for a side tie rather than a slip.  The bulkhead tie up was a premium cost over a slip which I found rather interesting.  As a marina, this one is nothing to write home about.  It advertises a Publix supermarket being close by ( a LONG walk) and shops which we found to be a couple of yacht sales offices and a marine supply store for Yamaha outboard engines. Suzanne was thinking that shops meant ladies clothing stores or knick knacks.  When we awoke in Melbourne, we were greeted with pea soup fog.  Knowing we had a fairly long day ahead of us, I began to get anxious which always bothers Suzanne.  I took a walk out to a park along side the ICW to see for myself the affect the fog had on seeing ICW marks.  When I returned, I talked to the harbormaster who assured me that within an hour, it would begin to burn off. We finally left Melbourne with some fog, but not until we could see the next series of marks. 

Ft. Pierce to Stuart (Dec 9):  We left Ft. Pierce about 9AM and took our time arriving in Stuart.  Once we entered the Port St. Lucie’s River, I called into the Harborage marina thinking that it was at the base of the first bridge.  As they walked us through the information, we learned that we had overlooked the first bridge on the chart and that the marina was located  at the base of the second bridge.  We backed into our slip (F-120) where we plan to stay for the next three months.  It is located right next to the marina office which is very convenient since the pump out station is right behind us and we won’t have to leave the slip to get pumped out.  We were helped by 5 people who were all very nice and cordial.  The attitude of all the help is very positive.  After checking in and getting a welcome package, we were given a personal tour of the Yacht Club facilities.  That night, we dined at the formal restaurant to end our journey to Florida.