Sunday, 14 December 35.6 SM
Wow! Fe-e-e-e-e-e-l that sun. No wind to speak of. No watch cap, either; no gloves, no coat. Get this – the uniform of the day includes just two (count ‘em, 2) shirts and a single fleece vest. And the vest may not be needed much longer.
It’s warm! Praise the Lord, it is wa-r-r-r-r-r-r-m!
Wow! Now this is Florida. This is what this trip is all about. And with the promise of more sun and higher temperatures, ripping away from Velcro—ahem, that is—Vero Beach is not all that difficult.
Even shallow draft boats need TowBoat if they stray from the channel.
It is difficult to get to the fuel dock, though. It seems The Swarm—boats in the Sail Magazine ICW Rally—has been here a couple of days already and several are tied off, waiting to take on fuel, even before the staff arrives at 0730. Gypsy Wind of Swarm co-leader Wally Moran was the first on, his island dog, Arunda, announcing their arrival. As one peels off, another moves in, until Steadfast has her turn to top-off, pump-out and get underway.
It’s another easy day, Steadfast making good time with the help of a fair current almost as far as Jensen Beach. The only trick is to keep to the channel that seems narrower than ever. It is amazing that as broad as the water is, the waterway in many places has enough room for two boats to pass but not much else. There’s 12’ in the middle, 9’ at the edges and then—oopsie—you’re calling TowBoat.
A pelican keeps watch at the entrance to Manatee Pocket in Port Salerno, next to Stuart.
But Steadfast stays where she’s supposed to, with a helping hand from Ray Marine, the self-styled “Smart Pilot.” This is good. A slip awaits tonight at the Hinckley yard in Port Salerno where a tech tomorrow will take a look at what has become a bothersome leak in the drive train. This on the recommendation of our friends at Zimmerman Marine in Deltaville. Like Zimmerman, Hinckley has a well-deserved reputation for quality work (as seen in the beautiful yachts built at its shops in Maine and Rhode Island).
So Steadfast will slip in there among the mega-yachts and “picnic” boats and get the attention she deserves before turning west and heading to the Okeechobee Waterway, the gateway to Fort Myers and the Gulf Coast. The St. Lucie Inlet and River mark the so-called “Crossroads,” the point at which sailors decide – take the short-cut to Fort Myers, continue south on the ICW or hang a left and head for the Bahamas (the latter a decision which, in truth, might be made at any point from here to Miami).
A 100′ motor yacht lies just up the pier from Steadfast.
It turns out there is much more to Stuart—and adjacent Port Salerno—than just boatyards and being a decision-point. Like Vero, numbers of sailors stop here and don’t leave for a long time, if ever.
It is hoped the visit for Steadfast is brief. As the saying goes, “time is money.”
No where is that more true than at a boat yard.
Also true this day is the thermometer ready – 75 degrees – with a forecast for more of the same the next several days. Yes, friend, warm at last.
Suh-weet!
Steadfast out.
At Sea with Steadfast 
Suweet indeed! Sounds like you are soaking up the Florida life! Your Praise the Lord reminded me of this devotion that I think you all will enjoy! Merry Merry to You and Kate! What’s up for Christmas?
Who Am I?
Anthony B. Robinson
“Praise God, sun and moon: praise God, all you shining stars! Praise God, all the angels; praise God all God’s host.” – Psalm 98
Martin Luther described sin as life curved in upon itself. The theme of today’s psalm, praise, is pretty much the opposite of that. Praise is life opened out, expansive, a jubilant response to a gracious and astonishing God. What’s especially wonderful about this psalm of praise is that it includes all creation in the great chorus. Perhaps this is part of the reason that many of the manger scenes we see at this time of year aren’t limited to human beings alone. They include sheep and goats, a donkey or a cow. They unfold beneath the starry sky and sheltering trees. Sometimes it can seem that all creation is somehow caught up and united in praise of God.
Such experiences tell us something about who we truly are. At one time or another, most of us wonder what life is really about and why we are here. We may think of ourselves as producers or professionals, as family members or citizens. All of these are important and have their place. But most of all we are, I think, worshippers. Whether kneeling at some manger, shouting praise unto the highest heavens, murmuring our gratitude before mystery, we are worshippers. And the reason for our praise? While we were yet sinners, Christ has come for us; while we were yet far off, Christ has come to us.
Prayer
“Unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord.” And for this we praise you this day and all our days. Amen.