 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
CORAL RIDGE YACHT CLUB'S CRUISERS TRIP TO CAPTIVA ISLAND APRIL 15, 2009
Tom Jantz, Gov. Peter Auerbach, Lynn Jantz, Dolly McBride, Mary Kay Auerbach, Linda Smith, Jim McBride, Ron Smith, Joe & Sue Leddy, Mike & Lauren DePaci and Cindi & Mike Ostrow. Seven brave ships gathered in Stuart, FL to begin a search for a safe route to the west coast of Florida. In preparation for the trip, we gathered on Lynn and Tom Jantz’s vessel, DAMSEL FISH, for lunch supplied by Sue and Joe Leddy who are traveling on GREAT ESCAPE. As there was a lot to discuss, it was decided to meet again later for cocktails on board Dolly and Jim McBride’s ship, MISCHIEF. Dinner was in the lovely main dining room of Harbor Ridge Yacht Club with entertainment by the club’s wonderful Choral Group. It seems that we are well fortified and supplies are abundant so we are ready for our adventure. Mary Kay and Peter Auerbach aboard SEW EASY, Linda and Ron Smith aboard GIDDY UP, Cynthia and Mike Ostrow aboard LUCKY STAR and Lauren and Mike DePaci aboard BADA BING are ready to roll. MISCHIEF OUT. Thursday, 4/16/09 we left Harbor Ridge at 8:45 AM, traveling the St. Lucie River on our way to Lake Okeechobee. After clearing the St. Lucie Lock we continued to the Port Mayaca Lock which was open! We were off and running. The sky was blue, the breeze friendly and it was fun letting the boats run. No one in our group touched bottom (we later learned that someone else had hit bottom twenty times.) Our group thanked Jim & Dolly for the excellent navigation. Reaching Clewiston on the southern side of the lake, we were happy to see that lock open too. The captains backed down a narrow canal and tied up side-to at “Roland & Maryann Martin’s Restaurant and Bar”. That night the group dined at the restaurant and was astounded at the bargain prices. Included was an evening of karaoke provided by the locals. It was a true Heart of America experience. No frills, just hometown folks. DAMSEL FISH OUT. Friday, 4/17/09 was an eight-hour day doing three locks out of Lake Okeechobee. The Moore Haven lockmaster could open only one gate. So, with a 25’ opening and a 20 mph broadside wind, we all did remarkably well. Except Peter; his CRYC hat blew away. Our total 304’ fleet went through the last lock together. That lock has 400’ of wall. Our cruisers were a perfect fit. We then continued on our merry way to Ft. Meyers. Locks can be tricky. Each boat enters with many fenders on the side designated by the lockmaster. One bow line and one stern line are given to each boat. With engines always running, the lock is filled with boats, which can take 15-20 minutes. A bell sounds when the exit gates start to slowly open. Then the rush of water starts. The first mates are on the bow to take in or let out the lines as needed. The captains control the stern lines. When the exit gates are fully open, the boats leave the lock in the order instructed and continue the journey. SEW EASY OUT. Saturday, 4/18: Today was a day to choose your own activity. Some of the group ventured out to the Edison & Ford Winter Estates while others took off on their bikes. A few relaxed on their boats or walked into the downtown area and one took off in their dinghy. At the appointed hour, we all met to be whisked away by taxi (arranged by our leaders) to the Royal Palm Yacht Club for cocktails and dinner. There we had a wonderful evening that not only included dinner, but also showed off our dancing abilities. GIDDY UP OUT. Sunday, 4/19: On a sunny Sunday morning, MISCHIEF, SEW EASY, DAMSEL FISH, LUCKY STAR, GIDDY UP, BADA BING & GREAT ESCAPE set out from Ft. Myers Yacht Basin in search of the Island of Captiva. We ventured out of the Caloosahatchee River into San Carlos Bay & through Pine Island Sound to find South Seas Resort on the north point of Captiva. Upon entering the yacht basin, we were welcomed by porpoises and manatees. What a beautiful place!! Our usual dock-tails & hors d’oeuvres at 6:30; then a few of us grilled on the veranda A few of us ventured into Sanibel to watch the sunset and have a nice dinner at “The Mad Hatter.” Just another wonderful day in the life of the CRYC Cruisers! BADA BING OUT. Tuesday, 4/21: Sunny, clear beautiful day! We said goodbye to BADA BING in the morning as they headed to Naples to leave their boat and head back to Ft. Lauderdale for a few days of work. They will return on Friday to Naples and finish the trip home with LUCKY STAR. The remaining twelve of us headed to Cabbage Key for lunch on LUCKY STAR. Great spot and lunch was good, many had the rice and beans!! Everyone was pleased with Mike’s docking at Cabbage Key, tight spot and on our return as he had to parallel park in between the GREAT ESCAPE and DAMSEL FISH. I think Tom was the most nervous because there was only a foot to spare. Jim, our leader, said Mike earned his certificate today. I guess this means they will invite us on some more trips. Quiet night, everyone had dinner on their boat and strolled the docks. Great Day! LUCKY STAR OUT. Wednesday 4/22: The group set out for lunch at Captiva Island Yacht Club by dinghy and without water guns, oh well we still had a great time. The club is beautiful with a view from the bay to the Gulf of Mexico that is really impressive. Lunch was perfect and our return trip was marred only by the failure of one dinghy motor, but being the leaders, MISCHIEF decided to take pity and tow them home. In celebration of what we thought was our last night, we all had dinner at The Grill in the marina at South Seas and all decided to continue the trip to Naples Yacht Club on Thursday, that is all except DAMSEL FISH who returned to Ft. Myers. And here we are on Saturday, stranded by high winds and rough seas in lovely Naples. Please don’t cry for us! MISCHIEF OUT.
|
| ||||||||||||
|
Coral Ridge Yacht Club
2800 Yacht Club Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33304
|
