After being in essentially the same place for nine days as we negotiated TrawlerFest, it really really was time to move along. We enjoy hanging in fun spots for a few days, but otherwise we are generally happy when we are cruising around and exploring. So off we go.
Days 151 – 153, March 13 – 15, 2019
Stuart to Vero “Velcro” Beach, we are now retracing our steps from the trip south in the fall.
It is still “in season” here in Florida. Folks are entrenched and the Bahamas are busy. But we had the itch. This was the very early stages of our northbound journey but for whatever reason, we were ready begin the trek. We would be well ahead of the migration, and that was fine with us.
After a busy four days of TrawlerFest, we were happy to give ourselves a little downtime to re-charge.
Days 148 – 150, March 10 – 12, 2019
We actually enjoyed ourselves at Trawler Fest and had a great time showing Esmeralde off to the crowds. But once it was over, we were happy to be on our own again. We did need to re-charge and enjoy our privacy a bit, so we headed back up to Sunset Bay in Stuart again, the third time up that river on this trip, to regroup for a few days.
It was our first experience at TrawlerFest. American Tug was an Exhibitor at the Stuart, Florida, show and asked Esmeralde to be there for the event. We were apprehensive as the event approached, but we had a great time!
Days 142 – 148, March 4 – 10 2019
Our itinerary since leaving Key West on February 17 was loosely geared towards getting the boat to Stuart in time for TrawlerFest in early March. TrawlerFest is a six-day event sponsored by Passagemaker Magazine. The event includes a lengthy list of seminars presented by seasoned industry professionals designed to offer educational opportunities for those contemplating the trawler lifestyle, or for those looking to improve their experience and knowledge. It also includes shore-side exhibitors and an in-the-water boat show featuring — wait for it — trawlers! Continue reading We Survived TrawlerFest!→
Most of our travel decisions since leaving Key West were generally targeted at getting us to Stuart for TrawlerFest, where Esmeralde was scheduled to be on stage. Today we headed to Stuart for final prep. And we completed our loop of south Florida at St. Lucie Inlet.
Days 142 – 143, March 4 – 5, 2019
So many milestones. First, we were leaving the Gold Coast and entering the Treasure Coast. Second, we were closing our first loop of Florida. Third, this was the final step before our first TrawlerFest. Lots to be thinking about.
Or more accurately, West Palm, but who’s counting? Palm Beach was just over the handsome Flagler Memorial Bridge, a destination in itself. It all added up to an excellent stop for us for a few days.
Days 138-141, February 23 – March 4, 2019
We had just enjoyed a rather lovely and low-key stopover in Delray Beach, and now headed up the river towards one of the more (most?) upscale stops on our trip. Palm Beach. Images of The Gold Coast, of lifestyles of the rich and famous, floated across our bow roller.
