Learning about the "velcro" part of Vero Beach

As I sit down to write this entry, I look back on an interesting and unexpected week here in Vero

Live oaks shade the streets

Beach, one that has increased our awareness of all that is available here. We've enjoyed regular walks in the neighborhoods near the marina. They are beautiful with a combination of southern and tropical vegetation. Live oaks are everywhere with their long, low branches providing shade to many yards. We also see lots of different palms as well as banyan, banana trees and many more we can't name. Lots of bushes are blooming now from hibiscus to jasmine. Even the mangroves are blooming. During our winters in Marathon the mangroves were everywhere, but we never saw them bloom. Just the wrong time of year.

loggerhead nest site

Beyond the neighborhoods is the beach. We've been swimming twice so far. The water is warm and the surf is up – great fun. Lots of people are at the beach, but since it goes for miles, there are no big crowds concentrating where we've been. But what was surprising we learned that it's not just people who use the beach here. This is a nesting sight for sea turtles. They come ashore at night from May till late summer. The last time we biked down to the beach, we saw a small area roped off – turtle nest – right near where people were sunning themselves. We've also noted the birds here. They

look big enough to be considered parrots, but they are a large species of parakeet. Apparently they are native to this area, but they've gotten loose or were released over the years and have been able to establish themselves. They help to give validity to the local promotion of the area as the beginning of the tropics.

bird of paradise

As those who know us realize, we are big on fresh fruits and vegetables. So we were pleased to learn of a farmers market every Saturday within walking distance...and it's advertised as being pet friendly. We went to it this past Saturday. It offered lots of good things and Maddie got to meet several dogs. I suspect we'll be weekly visitors to this.

It's also been a busy week visiting with others. This aspect began as we waited for the bus to take us to the grocery store. As we approached the stop, we noted a woman doing Tai Chi and then realized it was Kathy Duffy from Marathon. She and Steve had recently arrived and were headed off to a movie – the 3D version of the latest Star Trek saga. We decided to join them. A bit later in the week we were invited over to the home of former cruisers we'd first met in Virginia. Mac and Pat Rice have moved off the boat and are now members of CLODs (cruisers living on dirt) here in Vero. We had a great evening with them and look forward to more time together while we are here. Over the weekend, my sister Mary Jo and her husband Scott and son Toby came up for a picnic here – another great visit. They live in West Palm Beach, just 90 minutes south of here.

Of course our time isn't filled just with touring and visiting. Since we aren't taking the boat back to Virginia, those projects we had planned to address up there are now on our list for our time here. Fortunately, the engine's water pump issue should come to a successful conclusion sooner than expected. We learned last Friday that the pump that supposedly was in Japan in fact came from St. Petersburg, FL and arrive already. Unfortunately the gasket that is needed with the pump was in Japan, but is supposed to arrive early next week. Therefore we may have the engine back up to good working order by the time we drive north. The best part of all that is the fact that it appears that the fix will be covered under warranty.

We are finding that, with use and time, our boat parts continue to age and fail. We've got a list of items to replace or repair before we leave this spot sometime in the fall. Once we return late in the summer with our car, we'll have a bit more flexibility to get the last of the list addressed.

Finally, all should know that Sandra continues work on her baskets in spite of spending lots of time cleaning and preparing for our departure in a few days. Her latest result is below. She also continues to help others learn how to make the baskets. She seems to enjoy helping others as much as making them herself.

That's it for now. We'll continue to enjoy our time here as well the opportunity to meet fellow cruisers who stop in.

Carpe Diem

Captain Bob