Exiting Fort Pierce

Last year, we whizzed through Ft. Pierce as a good inlet to launch a voyage to the Bahamas. Heck, we didn’t even stop. But not this year. This time we came to see and experience Ft. Pierce while doing the final prep for a crossing, and man are we glad! Ft. Pierce is a very neat blend of fun shops and eateries, eclectic artwork, and the feel of a town, but not so big to feel like a city.

“The Sunrise City”? Hey, we’re at that age where that’s about the time we wake up every morning! So, sounds like our kind of place.”

Sure, another Florida beach town built off U.S.1, but we found the town’s embracing and repurposing of older architecture enchanting. Throw in creative art in the most delightful, and sometimes unusual, places and hey, it was fun to walk around. A pair of fellow Selene couples came through the marina, and it was great to get together with them and stroll through this Sunrise City.

Good example? The historical Arcade Building was built in 1923 and served as a center for shopping, kind of a precursor to the modern-day shopping mall. Today? Still a collection of shops, along with a sense of whimsy.

Pretty fantastic murals! As we strolled, we also discovered a mix of sculptures and other artsy endeavors.

Heck, even the power boxes have been touched by the creative minds of this crazy town.

Like most seaside areas, the sea birds are aplenty, and we just can’t help but take in the humble pelicans! You might be familiar with part of the crazy poem – did a little research and found this apparently first appeared in the Tampa Tribune around 1912’ish.

A gorgeous bird is the pelican,
Whose beak will hold more than his bellican.
He can put in his beak
Food enough for a week.
But I’m d—- if I see how in hellecan.

We enjoy them because they are so odd and majestic all at once. And the pelicans around Fort Pierce have no fear. NONE.

It’s more like, “Hey, Lady. You got any fish?”

At times they’re persnickety photo subjects, effectively pulling off the camera-shy bit.

Other times, you know they’re just waiting for the boat washing to be done, so they can poop on something clean. 😦

Thank goodness the ‘Mare is not as popular as this guy. That’s SIX of ’em enjoying his nice clean boat.

Occasionally, you get lucky enough to capture a great shot.

We spent two weeks at the marina, enjoying the birds, doing household chores, getting together with other cruising friends we met in the Bahamas last year, who just happened by our boat (which was a pleasant surprise). And…. of course, boat chores!

What? You don’t replace generator sound-proofing panels at your house?

After two weeks at the marina, we sought out an anchorage nearby to await our friends Terry & Lynn on Finish Grade, who got delayed in Saint Augustine by a parts issue. The anchorage is full of sail boats, so our big girl kind of stands out. She’s not like the others…

There’s our *Lil Filly* at the dinghy dock. Back to taking a boat for grocery runs.

Sunrise. Sunset. (I believe I hear singing.)

Last week the simply waiting began. We were ready, and the Finish Grade crew was ready. They just had to get to Fort Pierce, which they did, surprisingly fast. Wow – they didn’t waste any time getting down the coast, putting in long days and arriving here just in time for a couple of days of fierce winds. So, we waited that out.

White caps in the anchorage?? Yep. Whipped up by 35knot winds.

Now, after all that waiting, prep, waiting, and more prep – with lots of pretty sunsets thrown in – it’s finally TIME. The weather window has opened. SaltyMare and Finish Grade are heading out the Fort Pierce inlet at 0400 to make our crossing to the Bahamas!