Vero Beach, In the shadow of the Merrill P. Barber bridge

White Pepper made quick work of the 60 n. miles between Cocoa and Vero Beach. Adding hydraulic fluid to the RAM did not restore function to the autopilot so we had to hand steer all the way. We arrived at 4:30 pm which was good because it put us ahead of huge mob. Eventually we were assigned mooring ball #1 which is notable as it is the ball closest to the bridge. Our friends, Caroline and Pierre, on Obsession were further back and chose to anchor. Fortunately, the next morning our mooring ball mate left and Obsession could raft up with us. We spent a congenially month enjoying Vero Beach together.

Being close to the bridge is mixed blessing. There is a surprising amount of dirt flying off of the bridge and the street noise is constant. However, the location is very open with a good breeze and maybe slightly fewer insects.

View from the bridge, White Pepper in the foreground

A study in symmetry

Early in the stay Rick, Cindy, Ron and Jan Sabbadash came to visit.

One characteristic of Vero Beach is that you meet a lot of old friends. Davido, our old friend from 8 years ago, was still there. Don and Sue Engler have settled down in Vero. They took us to the Power Squadron social functions which were fun. We reacquainted with Harry and Barbara who are also Power Squadron members are have settled in Vero. Johnathan was in nearby Loggerhead Marina and trying to sell his Gulfstar 50. He kindly invited us to watch the Super Bowl at the cruiser's lounger in his marina. Pete and Dianne on Pearl passed through quickly on the way to the Bahamas.

Sue and Don Engler

Watching the Super Bowl at Loggerhead Marina with Johnathan

Much of the time spent at Vero Beach was spent in cleaning and doing chores on the boat. The major chore was getting the linear RAM refurbished and is covered in a previous blog post.

Jan helps out with the RAM

We faithfully attended the Thursday afternoon GAMs (gathering and meeting). I noted that these were much less intense than our visits in years past. Few if any of the cruiser's were headed fro the Bahamas this year and probably those that were headed that way had passed through earlier in the season.

We did take time to walk the beaches and visit Waldo's.

Pierre and Caroline

Jan reprises a pose from our previous visit to Hutchinson Park

We visited Gardenfest put on by the Vero Beach Garden Club and went to the Saturday morning farmer's market.

During our many walks I grew fond of a tree dwelling free living orchid on Date Palm street.

Exquisite!

Finally, it was time to leave. We much sadness we cast off from Obsession and departed for Miami.